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I got excited at a gun show once and bought an 1885 in 22 wcf without looking at the bore. I know, dumb. I went home and ordered dies, cases, and .228 bullets from Buffalo Arms. Then, before receiving that stuff, I found some old ammo. Took the gun out to shoot it and couldn\’t hit a barn. Now I look in the barrel and see it\’s shot out. I\’ve had good experience with relining a gun barrel so I start looking for someone to do that and have had no luck. Anybody know a guy who can do that?
Hello Wayne,
I am not aware of anyone that makes a liner for the 22 WCF diameter bore. In your shoes, I would have it relined with a standard .224 liner and chamber it for the 22 Hornet cartridge.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Wayne72 said Anybody know a guy who can do that?
Some might do the work quicker or cheaper, but none can do it better than Taylor Machine:
Bert H. said
Hello Wayne,I am not aware of anyone that makes a liner for the 22 WCF diameter bore. In your shoes, I would have it relined with a standard .224 liner and chamber it for the 22 Hornet cartridge.
Bert
Thanks for the response Bert. I am resigning myself to that.
Bert H. said
Hello Wayne,I am not aware of anyone that makes a liner for the 22 WCF diameter bore. In your shoes, I would have it relined with a standard .224 liner and chamber it for the 22 Hornet cartridge.
Bert
Thanks for the response Bert. I am resigning myself to that.
clarence said
Wayne72 said Anybody know a guy who can do that?
Some might do the work quicker or cheaper, but none can do it better than Taylor Machine:
https://johntaylormachine.com/contact/
sent an email to John and keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 Thanks Clarence.
If you are settled on the Hornet. Consider whether you can obtain a .224 liner with a much faster rate of twist for the rifling.
I believe John Barsness recently had an article in one of the Wolfe Publications magazines about enhancing the Hornet’s performance with long, polymer tipped bullets that extend the effective range of the Hornet dramatically.
I’ve used the Hornet for Rio Grande turkeys and it is near ideal for the purpose, which doesn’t ordinarily involve shots beyond 50 yards. But a varmint hunter could use more range than the 150 to 175 yard practical limit for 45 grain bullets at Hornet velocities.
The new, long plastic tipped bullets look like a game changer. If you have the chance to alter twist rate, at least consider it.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
Wayne72 said Anybody know a guy who can do that?
Some might do the work quicker or cheaper, but none can do it better than Taylor Machine:
https://johntaylormachine.com/contact/
I concur, like most good gunsmiths he’s probably a bit busy but worth the wait. John is a world-class machinist and I have to point out the liner in my 1892, best clue is the twist rate is wrong for the 32WCF in that rifle as even the breech end is well finished. I have no input on the 22WCF vs 22 Hornet personally but I’d lean towards the Hornet, especially if no one makes the correct liner for the 22WCF. In theory I suppose it can be relined and rebored but my wallet hurts too much right now to give that much thought. Maybe Buffalo Arms will let you exchange your dies and components.
Mike
Zebulon said
If you are settled on the Hornet. Consider whether you can obtain a .224 liner with a much faster rate of twist for the rifling.I believe John Barsness recently had an article in one of the Wolfe Publications magazines about enhancing the Hornet’s performance with long, polymer tipped bullets that extend the effective range of the Hornet dramatically.
I’ve used the Hornet for Rio Grande turkeys and it is near ideal for the purpose, which doesn’t ordinarily involve shots beyond 50 yards. But a varmint hunter could use more range than the 150 to 175 yard practical limit for 45 grain bullets at Hornet velocities.
The new, long plastic tipped bullets look like a game changer. If you have the chance to alter twist rate, at least consider it.
Bill,
There are a number of other ways to enhance the Hornet’s performance other than increasing the rifling twist rate. I have been shooting and loading for the 22 Hornet for nearly 50-years now. In fact, it is my all time favorite cartridge.
Instead of increasing the twist rate from 1:14 to something faster, it is easier to buy or load lighter weight bullets. Hornady makes a great 35-gr and 40-gr V-Max cartridge and/or bullets for reloading. The other option is to chamber it for one of the K-Hornet variants. Just this afternoon, I loaded 100 rounds of 22 K-Hornet with 35-gr V-Max bullets sitting on top of 14.0 grains of Hogden Lil’ Gun powder. The velocity is just north of 3300 fps, and it is deadly out to 200-yds.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
Offline
Bert-
Was good talking with you Friday and the 35 grain offering from Hornady is indeed intriguing, I dabbled with the early V-Max bullets in the 22-250 years (OK decades) ago and experienced the “gray mist” malfunction on a very hot day with a max (or maybe a bit more) load of Varget. This rifle liked running at the upper end of “max” but they were spinning a bit too fast and some never made it to the target. I suppose I should be thankful my Chrony wasn’t damaged. After reflecting I agree the V-Max may indeed be the ultimate bullet for the 22 Hornet. As you probably know I seldom dabble with centerfire rounds smaller than .30 (and will deny any knowledge or experience with the 5.56 or .223) If I were to relent and dabble with a .22CF the Hornet would get the nod, if only to get the interest of my dear friend Graham who is rehabbing from knee replacement surgery.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Bert-Was good talking with you Friday and the 35 grain offering from Hornady is indeed intriguing, I dabbled with the early V-Max bullets in the 22-250 years (OK decades) ago and experienced the “gray mist” malfunction on a very hot day with a max (or maybe a bit more) load of Varget. This rifle liked running at the upper end of “max” but they were spinning a bit too fast and some never made it to the target. I suppose I should be thankful my Chrony wasn’t damaged. After reflecting I agree the V-Max may indeed be the ultimate bullet for the 22 Hornet. As you probably know I seldom dabble with centerfire rounds smaller than .30 (and will deny any knowledge or experience with the 5.56 or .223) If I were to relent and dabble with a .22CF the Hornet would get the nod, if only to get the interest of my dear friend Graham who is rehabbing from knee replacement surgery.
Mike
Mike,
I will bring some of my K-Hornet reloads to Cody so that you can get more familiar with them. I know that you like to reload for the 32-20, and I can tell you that the 22 Hornet (and K-Hornet) are every bit as much fun to reload and shoot.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I think the .22 Hornet would be a very fine choice as well. Lots of bullet selection compared to the .22 WCF. The only thing that would bother me is I like the current chambering to match the caliber marking stamped on the barrel.
The other option is to sell it and put the money toward a rifle that doesn’t need to be relined. It sounds like had you looked down the bore, you wouldn’t have purchased it. I suspect a fair number of current buyers of Winchester .22 WCF Single Shot rifles don’t plan to shoot them.
Bert H. said
Zebulon said
If you are settled on the Hornet. Consider whether you can obtain a .224 liner with a much faster rate of twist for the rifling.
I believe John Barsness recently had an article in one of the Wolfe Publications magazines about enhancing the Hornet’s performance with long, polymer tipped bullets that extend the effective range of the Hornet dramatically.
I’ve used the Hornet for Rio Grande turkeys and it is near ideal for the purpose, which doesn’t ordinarily involve shots beyond 50 yards. But a varmint hunter could use more range than the 150 to 175 yard practical limit for 45 grain bullets at Hornet velocities.
The new, long plastic tipped bullets look like a game changer. If you have the chance to alter twist rate, at least consider it.
Bill,
There are a number of other ways to enhance the Hornet’s performance other than increasing the rifling twist rate. I have been shooting and loading for the 22 Hornet for nearly 50-years now. In fact, it is my all time favorite cartridge.
Instead of increasing the twist rate from 1:14 to something faster, it is easier to buy or load lighter weight bullets. Hornady makes a great 35-gr and 40-gr V-Max cartridge and/or bullets for reloading. The other option is to chamber it for one of the K-Hornet variants. Just this afternoon, I loaded 100 rounds of 22 K-Hornet with 35-gr V-Max bullets sitting on top of 14.0 grains of Hogden Lil’ Gun powder. The velocity is just north of 3300 fps, and it is deadly out to 200-yds.
Bert
Bert,
Concur but if he’s choosing a pre-rifled liner anyway and .224, 1-10 or 1-12 is available, I’d prefer either to the old 1-14. Given the consistency of today’s bullets, “over stabilization” shouldn’t be an issue.
We’ve been loading and shooting the Hornet for the same long while, albeit for different purposes. Varmint hornet loads are hypothetical for me because feral hogs are my varmint and the sadly ignored .358 WCF is my hog medicine. My goal for the Hornet has been a heavy FMJ at just under 2000 fps. I’ll readily admit that wasn’t what Wotkins et al. had in mind.
Like Hupp, I spend too much time at a certain Bass Pro and a different Cabela’s…… and things have followed us home. One in particular caused me to sell my rear-locking Anschutz hornet. If I’d kept it, I’d have rechambered it to one of the K wildcats, not for more velocity but to minimize case stretching.
I’m going to work up a frangible load based on your experience with the 35 grain bullet, albeit with the slightly reduced amount of Lil Gun the SAAMI hornet will require. (Cabela’s had finally dialed in the ideal Ruger #1A configuration, which included a hornet chamber, a 24″ barrel, and an Alex Henry forearm.)
I’m not sure, but West Texas wind likely blows harder than on your Olympic Penninsula., which could limit the utility of a 35 grain .224 load. Of course you may be using it on the Eastern plains or down around Medford, for all I know.
I’ll report as events warrant.
Best,
Bill
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
steve004 said I suspect a fair number of current buyers of Winchester .22 WCF Single Shot rifles don’t plan to shoot them.
Anytime at a show, I stopped to look at a SS on someone’s table & saw that marking on the brl, I trucked along quickly, because I never had extra money to spend on wall-hangers. If there’d been a significant price diff between this caliber & other more easily shootable calibers, I’d have reconsidered my objection, but generally there was not–prices reflected condition more than any other factor, though of course the most popular calibers like .45-70 always command a premium.
clarence said
steve004 said I suspect a fair number of current buyers of Winchester .22 WCF Single Shot rifles don’t plan to shoot them.
Anytime at a show, I stopped to look at a SS on someone’s table & saw that marking on the brl, I trucked along quickly, because I never had extra money to spend on wall-hangers. If there’d been a significant price diff between this caliber & other more easily shootable calibers, I’d have reconsidered my objection, but generally there was not–prices reflected condition more than any other factor, though of course the most popular calibers like .45-70 always command a premium.t
My thought was that if you decided to pursue the option of selling it, the bore condition might not work against you all that hard.
November 7, 2015
Offline
Bert H. said
TXGunNut said
Bert-
Was good talking with you Friday and the 35 grain offering from Hornady is indeed intriguing, I dabbled with the early V-Max bullets in the 22-250 years (OK decades) ago and experienced the “gray mist” malfunction on a very hot day with a max (or maybe a bit more) load of Varget. This rifle liked running at the upper end of “max” but they were spinning a bit too fast and some never made it to the target. I suppose I should be thankful my Chrony wasn’t damaged. After reflecting I agree the V-Max may indeed be the ultimate bullet for the 22 Hornet. As you probably know I seldom dabble with centerfire rounds smaller than .30 (and will deny any knowledge or experience with the 5.56 or .223) If I were to relent and dabble with a .22CF the Hornet would get the nod, if only to get the interest of my dear friend Graham who is rehabbing from knee replacement surgery.
Mike
Mike,
I will bring some of my K-Hornet reloads to Cody so that you can get more familiar with them. I know that you like to reload for the 32-20, and I can tell you that the 22 Hornet (and K-Hornet) are every bit as much fun to reload and shoot.
Bert
Bert-
Quite honestly I’m really looking forward to a range report! I’ve been watching Graham’s adventures with the Hornet for years and admire the efficiency of the round but my reloading project list is long and it will be at least a few months before I get to pull a lever.
Mike
I really like my highwall in 22 WCF. I don’t hunt anymore but it was easy to load. Basically Hornet brass with the larger bullet.
Chuck said
Basically Hornet brass with the larger bullet.
THAT was the problem for me, the bullets! Had there been a source of good jacketed bullets, I’d have picked one up, as they didn’t seem to be scarce. But add bullet casting to all my other pursuits…hell, no. For the same reason, I was never interested in learning to tie flies, not when those Oriental girls did such a good job for a buck or two each.
I know. The heavier 70 gr. bullets are available but not the lighter ones. The 22 Savage High Power bullets are the same diameter. I use a lead bullet.
Clarence, my Mississippi stock farmer uncle was an avid fly fisherman who owned some wonderful split bamboo rods made for him by somebody in New England. An odd duck in Mississippi, he went North every season to fish for Rainbow trout. He taught me to use a fly rod with Black Gnats I could buy in quantity. Worked on Bluegills and Sunfish and the occasional Black bass. Uncle never tied a fly in his life and said it was tedious and needless. Because he was the game warden of his county, a seasoned fox hunter with 12 high dollar hounds and the Master of Hounds for the local hunt, I thought he hung the moon and believed him. I still do though he’s been gone a long while.
Tying flies is like handloading. For most it’s a necessary chore but some would rather load than shoot.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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