Model 1873 question|Page 2|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

For those that are curious, the following picture shows the official dimensions for the 22 Hornet as introduced in 1930.  Note that the only difference between it and the 22 WCF is the OAL and a .001″ difference in the case neck diameter.

Bert

Anthony said
Bert,
I find this interesting as I’m sure others do! I most certainly didn’t try to hijack the thread previously with the added information, and pics of the #779 S.S. that you mentioned. 
I also like, and find it interesting, what Jim and Steve added previously.
Tony
  

Your post about S.S. #779 was completely germane to this topic, as it was the first Single Shot rifle chambered for the (new at that time) 22 W.C.F. cartridge.  Some of the real early Winchester literature actually listed it as the “22 Single Shot” cartridge, as it was specifically developed for that model.  I simply found it very interesting that Winchester apparently thought that they were going to add it to the Model 1873 line-up.

Bert

Chuck said

Bert H. said
For those that are curious, the following picture shows the official dimensions for the 22 Hornet as introduced in 1930.  Note that the only difference between it and the 22 WCF is the OAL and a .001″ difference in the case neck diameter.
 
Bert
  

I got the first OAL from Donnally’s book. Nonte says 1.72″. But here’s the thing, chamber dimensions are often a range not an exact number. Different reamers, different bullet lengths and different seating depths. It is best to measure your chamber.  OAL is critical for making sure it will cycle through your action or fit in a magazine.  The Hornet started out as a Wildcat like the K Hornet.  Winchester was the first to standardize it. Who knows what other manufacturers do.
The current Saami spec shows the OAL as 1.630″ to 1.723″.
https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SAAMI-Z299.4-CFR-2025-Centerfire-Rifle-Approved-2-10-2025-2026-04-27.pdf  GO TO PAGE 64.
  

My original point is that 1.723″ is the maximum listed OAL by all of the many different sources (Hornady, Lyman, Nosler, Remington, Sierra, Speer, etc.). 

The biggest influence (factor) for the OAL that I have found is the bullet type (shape). For the blunt nosed bullets (typically used for the 22 Hornet), the OAL must be kept very close to the SAAMI specs.  However, when I load using the Hornady 40-grain V-Max, I can seat them as far out as 1.82″ (I load them at 1.815″), but I have to single feed them as they are too long for the magazine.

Bert

TXGunNut said
I think we can agree an 1873 in 22WCF was a great idea and would have been a pretty cool rifle to have today. As much as I like 22RF’s I think the 22WCF makes more sense. I’m thinking Bert needs to have Mark build him a fantasy 1873 in 22 K-Hornet. 
 
Mike
  

Now that would be real cool!  I already have a Single Shot and a Bolt Action 22 K-Hornet… why not a Lever Action as well

This is why I really like the K-Hornet over the standard Hornet;

Bert