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December 13, 2006
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I have a 1939-era Model 70 Standard Grade in 22 Hornet.
My question is:
Anyone know when they changed the groove diameter from .223” to .224”?
I use the .223” in this old Hornet . . . .but, as an experiment, I tried some .224” as used in my M 43.
Quickly went back to the .223” . . . .as the accuracy of the .224” proved to be a little less!
Any idea of WHEN the change was made?
Thanx-a-bunch!
April 15, 2005
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Jim,
I do not believe that Winchester ever changed the groove diameter for the Model 70 22 Hornet. Every barrel has its own personality and will shoot better with different different loads. To give you an example, my August 1951 production Model 43 22 Hornet will not shoot factory Winchester ammo worth a Damm. Factory new 45-grain spire point ammo (.224) shoots at best a 3″ 5-shot group @ 100 yds. Factory new Remington 45-grain spire point ammo (.224) shoots a 1.5″ group, and the Remington 45-grain Hollow point ammo shoots just under a .75″ 5-shot group.
In all of the many years that I have been shooting the 22 Hornet (almost 60-years), every single rifle that I have owned and/or shot has its own specific load that it likes. The specific bullet weight, bullet type, and the powder type & weight are different for all four of my 22 Hornet (and K-Hornet) rifles when shooting for best accuracy. I shoot nothing but .224 bullets in all of my Hornets. The great thing about the 22 Hornet, is when you do find the right combination for your rifle, it will undoubtedly shoot lights out.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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