I was considering having a switch barrel made for my Savage 112 action for the .22 Hornet.

The rifle was manufactured as a .223 single shot. This rifle was made before the short action 12 was introduced.

My question is regarding the use of the .223 bolt head with the .22 Hornet. It seems to me that the .223 bolt head, which is recessed, would work with most any RIMLESS cartridge with a similar head dimension.

But the .22 Hornet is a RIMMED cartridge. Wouldn't that require a bolt head that would be recessed only enough to cover the rim of the Hornet?

Call it a hunch, but I would guess the recess in the .223 bolt head is deeper than the thickness of the .22 Hornet rim, thus requiring a different bolt head that I cannot find.

Can anyone tell me if my observations are correct?

Just bringing it back through one more time.

This subject has come up a few times on SavageShooters.com. The answers have generally been pretty pessimistic, but I have not kept track of the details. Your best bet might be to ask the question over there, if you have not already.

If you want to convert it to Hornet and you're doing the work yourself, just headspace the hornet on the shoulder BUT, it would be far better doing it in the K-Hornet that way.

Have never heard a positive response to barreling a Savage 110 series to a rimmed cartridge.

If you find a way, let me know so I can do a 219 Donaldson Wasp.

Hammer

Thank you for the insight, gentlemen. I haven't much time right now to check out any web site, but I will look into the SavageShooters site in the near future.

I do believe that a bolt head could be machined which would allow the Hornet cartridge to be fully inserted into the chamber, allowing the rim to provide headspacing (and the shoulder after fireforming), while making adequate contact with the cartridge base and the bolt face. I would have to assume that a longer firing pin would be required.

Another option would be to have a bolt with a flat "face"... with no recess, and machine the recess for the rim into the barrel. Head spacing would simply determined by screwing the barrel in till it makes contact with the bolt face.

Just a few thoughts. It seems "do-able", but it would require someone manufacturing the needed parts as a private venture. I guess Savage would rather sell their Model 40, as opposed to facilitaing a 12 or 112 switch barrel for the Hornet.

I guess I can understand that, but I have always wondered if the Hornet is a better cartridge for a Standard Centerfire Reciever, instead of the various, beefed up rim fire recievers which the rifle companies are so fond of.