22 Hornet shoulder measurement

Tex S · December 4, 2022, 12:43 AM

I have a Hornady OAL gauge. Apparently 22 hornet is a curveball for that particular system. My standard set did not come with a bushing that fits the small cartridge, so I had to buy a “blank“ bushing for it. Hornady designs these to be drilled out. Does anybody know what size I should drill it to?

I understand that all measurements like this are relative, but if there is a certain size it should be I would prefer to do that. Any help would be appreciated!

sako2 · December 4, 2022, 05:58 AM

Should be the same as a 222. https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-HK66-.../dp/B000PD5VN8 Bushing A. .330

**Unclenick** · December 4, 2022, 11:57 AM

Nope. The 22 Hornet body and shoulder junction diameter is 0.2773", so its whole shoulder would fall right into a case comparator adapter made for the triple deuce's 0.330" datum diameter. The Hornet's datum diameter is 0.262".

A letter G size drill (0.261") comes closest without going over. You could also use a 6.6 mm drill (0.2598). If you want to get it exact, you'd have to follow up with a 0.262" chucking reamer, but with adapters made of soft aluminum, that wouldn't hold its contact point diameter for long. I think your best approach would be to use a 1/4" drill as your pilot drill and follow up with the letter G drill. Drill bits are often a couple of thousandths undersize to allow for walking, which won't happen with a pilot hole, so you may end up with a very slightly undersize hole anyway that you could lightly chamfer to get something that would last well for comparison purposes.

The SAAMI drawing is here.
This links to a table of drill sizes.

**44 AMP** · December 4, 2022, 03:10 PM

I use regular dies (no bushings), and have never bothered with the various "comparator" gauges. My Hornets are a Ruger No.3 and a T/C Contender and both shoot better than I do using the standard dies. A bit of extra care is needed, but after ruining a few cases, you'll figure it out,

I find a generous chamfer of the case mouth and working very slowly, and just "kissing" the bullet in the seater die to start it, then removing it to check things are straight, and if so, finishing seating, helps those very thin cases survive longer.

YMMV

sako2 · December 4, 2022, 03:45 PM

My bad. Read it wrong thought we were talking 220 swift.

Tex S · December 6, 2022, 12:11 PM

Thanks, Nick. Great info!

December 4, 2022, 12:43 AM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	22 Hornet shoulder measurement I have a Hornady OAL gauge. Apparently 22 hornet is a curveball for that particular system. My standard set did not come with a bushing that fits the small cartridge, so I had to buy a “blank“ bushing for it. Hornady designs these to be drilled out. Does anybody know what size I should drill it to? I understand that all measurements like this are relative, but if there is a certain size it should be I would prefer to do that. Any help would be appreciated!

December 4, 2022, 11:57 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Nope. The 22 Hornet body and shoulder junction diameter is 0.2773", so its whole shoulder would fall right into a case comparator adapter made for the triple deuce's 0.330" datum diameter. The Hornet's datum diameter is 0.262". A letter G size drill (0.261") comes closest without going over. You could also use a 6.6 mm drill (0.2598). If you want to get it exact, you'd have to follow up with a 0.262" chucking reamer, but with adapters made of soft aluminum, that wouldn't hold its contact point diameter for long. I think your best approach would be to use a 1/4" drill as your pilot drill and follow up with the letter G drill. Drill bits are often a couple of thousandths undersize to allow for walking, which won't happen with a pilot hole, so you may end up with a very slightly undersize hole anyway that you could lightly chamfer to get something that would last well for comparison purposes. The SAAMI drawing is here. This links to a table of drill sizes. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 4, 2022, 03:10 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,813	I use regular dies (no bushings), and have never bothered with the various "comparator" gauges. My Hornets are a Ruger No.3 and a T/C Contender and both shoot better than I do using the standard dies. A bit of extra care is needed, but after ruining a few cases, you'll figure it out, I find a generous chamfer of the case mouth and working very slowly, and just "kissing" the bullet in the seater die to start it, then removing it to check things are straight, and if so, finishing seating, helps those very thin cases survive longer. YMMV __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 4, 2022, 05:58 AM	#2
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 738	Should be the same as a 222. https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-HK66-.../dp/B000PD5VN8 Bushing A. .330

December 4, 2022, 03:45 PM	#5
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 738	My bad. Read it wrong thought we were talking 220 swift.

December 6, 2022, 12:11 PM	#6
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Thanks, Nick. Great info!