Shooting the Winchester M-54 in 22 Hornet|Winchester Hunting, Shooting & Reloading|Forum|Winchester Collector

450 Fuller said
Hunting or shooting generally with a 1932 Winchester M-54 in 22 Hornet offers some challenges.

My 54 has an original G&H sidemount with 1 in rings for a more modern scope. However, reloading for this rifle does present some challenges. Most pertinent is the twist rate for these M-54  24 inch barrels which  is 1 in 16, which requires some consideration as to bullet choices. Most bores are not quite .223 as .222 is not uncommon.

Best success has been with original older 45 gr bullets with diameters of .223-224, depending on manufacture date. I have recently tried some Nosler 55 gr protected point bullets, with the plastic tip removed. The first shot in a cold bore was quite accurate. Subsequent shots lost accuracy along with evidence of stability deterioration. IMR 4227 is the chosen powder, but 2400 will also serve well.

I have ordered some more 45 and 50 gr bullets to really find out what this rifle really likes as to accurate stability. I have more 4227 and a few boxes of small rifle primers. Next it will be coyotes and crows.

I highly recommend trying your Model 54 Hornet with 35-gr V-Max bullets on top of 12.5 grains of Hodgdon Lil’ Gun powder.  Max listed load is 13.0 grains, and it is a compressed load.

Bert

Tedk said

Model 54 Hornet, early Fecker, Winchester factory 46gr jacketed hollow point ammo

  

Ted,

When you get tired of looking at that rifle, please consider sending it my direction.

Bert