Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
Drew said
In your pictures of the two bolts….mine is the bottom one you have attachedYes my local store has 2 or 3 brands….i have sighted rifle in today….mind you not 100 percent fine tuned….i was in the middle of a bear hunt haha…but with scope mounted and Hornady 35g vmax and American eagle 35g I was getting touching groups of 3 at 50 yards….i did a bore sight and first group of 3 just bore sighted the group was less than half inch at 25 yards…dialed it in a bit…and managed clover leafs at 50 yards with both brands of ammo….i was in a rush to get moving ?
Cloverleaf groups @50 yards are good, and indicate that it should have good accuracy out to at least 150 yards. I do encourage you to try some of the 45-grain factory loads though, as they will retain better velocity and energy down-range.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Drew said
I just inspected my empty cases…..the brass all look fine…but on a unfired round the primer feels kinda sunk into the brass…on the fired ones some…not all the primers feel slightly….and i mean slightly outta the primer pocket….
Is this a bad thing? Seems to shoot strait out to 50 yards….if it is a headspace issue how does one correct it….if its even possable
Your rifle may have a very slight amount of excess head space. That stated, if you are not seeing any case deformation, or primer deformation, it does not have enough excess head space to be of a concern. Continue to monitor your empties as you shoot it. Fixing excess head space on a Model 43 is not worth the expense or effort.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I can’t address the headspace issue but in my several different 22 hornets it makes a big difference whether the bore is. 223 or .224. Some later manufactured guns and a lot of the recent factory ammo is .224.
I handload exclusively so I have to keep track of which firearm I’m loading for. Same would be true for buying factory ammo.
P
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
Nevada Paul said
I can’t address the headspace issue but in my several different 22 hornets it makes a big difference whether the bore is. 223 or .224. Some later manufactured guns and a lot of the recent factory ammo is .224.I handload exclusively so I have to keep track of which firearm I’m loading for. Same would be true for buying factory ammo.
P
Paul,
All of the Winchester Model 43 rifle barrels in 22 Hornet were made for the .224 bullet diameter.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I didn’t remember which bore diameter the Winchester had. But I know i have boxes of ammo labeled for each of my Hornet rifles. I have an old Sako Hornet with a. 223 bore. Could never get it to shoot well until i discovered that. Made a big difference.
I’m a little surprised to learn that Winchester was chambering for Hornet in .224 as early as the first Model 43’s.
Thanks Bert. Every time I open this forum, I learn something.
P
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
Nevada Paul said
I didn’t remember which bore diameter the Winchester had. But I know i have boxes of ammo labeled for each of my Hornet rifles. I have an old Sako Hornet with a. 223 bore. Could never get it to shoot well until i discovered that. Made a big difference.
I’m a little surprised to learn that Winchester was chambering for Hornet in .224 as early as the first Model 43’s.
Thanks Bert. Every time I open this forum, I learn something.
P
When you consider that the Model 43 was not introduced until May 1948, and both the Model 54 and Model 70 were offered in 22 Hornet (both made for .224 diameter bullets) long before the Model 43. Based on discussions I have had with Steve Emmert (Seewin), Winchester used the same rifling & bore diameter for all of their various rifle barrels chambered for the 22 Hornet cartridge.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Just traded for a nice Winchester 43 Deluxe… .22 Hornet SN # 60,166A… Drilled & tapped. Had an early Redfield one piece base. Receiver is square at opening. I didn’t think it was factory drilled & tapped as the Winchester proof mark is in between the holes. I have always understood that the proof marks of factory drilled guns had their proofs rolled down on the side of the receiver and this was consistent across the Winchester line… am I wrong on this? Anyway, I got home and picked out a matching condition set of Redfield vertical 7/8″ rings and a nice, clear Lyman Alaskan w/ post & crosshair… to me, it just like the looks right
Ben Tolson said
Just traded for a nice Winchester 43 Deluxe… .22 Hornet SN # 60,166A… Drilled & tapped. Had an early Redfield one piece base. Receiver is square at opening. I didn’t think it was factory drilled & tapped as the Winchester proof mark is in between the holes. I have always understood that the proof marks of factory drilled guns had their proofs rolled down on the side of the receiver and this was consistent across the Winchester line… am I wrong on this? Anyway, I got home and picked out a matching condition set of Redfield vertical 7/8″ rings and a nice, clear Lyman Alaskan w/ post & crosshair… to me, it just like the looks right
Ben.
Model 43 SN 60166A was manufactured in late March, 1953, and it was factory drilled & tapped for the scope mount. In regards to the proof mark stamp location, Winchester stamped on the left side of TDC if they installed the scope mount or blocks. I have verified several hundred stamped just like your rifle. Which type of pistol grip cap is on the stock… hard rubber with the Winchester logo, or a smooth blued steel cap?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Drew said
I just inspected my empty cases…..the brass all look fine…but on a unfired round the primer feels kinda sunk into the brass…on the fired ones some…not all the primers feel slightly….and i mean slightly outta the primer pocket….
Is this a bad thing? Seems to shoot strait out to 50 yards….if it is a headspace issue how does one correct it….if its even possable
Are you shooting near the max load? Very slightly pushed out is showing slight signs of excess pressure or loose primer pockets. Maybe back off a few tenths of a grain.
If you are shooting the Hornet or any bottle neck cartridge the shoulder of the case can be adjusted to correct most headspace issues. The headspace is set in your chamber so you need to adjust the shoulder of the cartridge a few thousandths shorter than your chamber. Use a fired case from your gun. Use the Hornady lock and load tool and attachment for the 22 Hornet. Watch this video series. Pay attention to episode II. Again for the Hornet you need to have the tool, the case comparator, the bullet ogive comparator, and the adapter for the Hornet case and of course a digital micrometer. Since you are just comparing any comparator that does not slip all the way over the shoulder of the case or the bullet ogive will work as long as you use the same one each time. I use my 6.5 creedmoor bullet comparator (#26 .26″) to measure the cases for my 22 WCF that are loaded with the fire formed Hornet case.
https://www.hornady.com/reloading/cartridge-cases#!/
https://www.hornady.com/reloading/precision-measuring/precision-tools-and-gauges/
This is not the best choice since it is not fired from your gun but it is a start.
Bert H. said
Drew,
If it has a smooth uncheckered stock, it is a “Standard” rifle.
Headspace issues will typically be manifested by deformed empty cases, or a protruding or deformed primer. If your rifle has headspace issues, it may not be something that can be readily corrected.
It appears that your local gun shop is carrying Hornady ammo.
Bert (just to the south of you in western Washington)
Drew:
My Model 43 excess headspace issues (.218 Bee, SN 39262A) manifested in split cases, almost every time. I tried to measure the excess headspace; can’t remember what it was though, but it wasn’t much excess. I was able to correct it by disassembling the bolt and inserting a 0.005 in. brass shim (cut into a washer shape) between bolt head and bolt body. After this, headspace indicates correct with gage, bolt closes snugly on factory cartridge, and fired cases are fine. I can’t see the shim with a casual inspection of the bolt. This repair is very easy, given the two piece bolt…surely any gunsmith would be capable of this repair. Hardest part for me was finding suitable shim stock.
Good luck with it,
Ray
Ray James, College Station, Texas
I have a model 43 serial number 12196. Was wondering about it. Do they make parts for them still?
Stanley said
I have a model 43 serial number 12196. Was wondering about it. Do they make parts for them still?
Hello Stanley,
Your Model 43 is considered early production (May 1949). In answer to your question, No, factory parts were discontinued a long time ago. What specific parts are you looking for? Which cartridge is your Model 43 rifle chambered for? Is it a Standard or a Special rifle?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hello Bert,
my 43 is 22 hornet And I believe it is standard due to no other markings after The .22 hornet stamp. The trigger seems a bit wiggly side to side. Wasn’t sure if it was normal for this model. It shoots very smooth and accurate after learning the trigger.
Hi all, I just got a Model 43 in 22 hornet and need help. I’m missing the rear sight elevator and front sight hood. Best I can tell the rear sight is a 22G which can accommodate 3 different ramps. 1A,1B,or 1C. Most photos of 43’s show a 5 step ramp. The 1A I know is 6 step at a height of .210 bottom to top of ( high ) notch which rules this one out. The 1B is .162 high in top notch and 1C is .175 high in top notch. Both of these are 5 step ramps. Also I have conflicting information on these 1B and 1C dimensions being reversed. To sum this up can one of you fellows with a model 43 22 hornet please mic your elevator ramp bottom to top of (high) notch so I can get the correct size that matches original? I really want to know the correct height of a known original elevator because on some auction sites I see (both) dimensions listed for (each) elevator. As for the hood, which height hood is correct for the model 43? Thank All for any help you can give. Jake D.
Ps. I think Bert will ask so here goes. Standard model 43 in 22 hornet. 60207A I’m thinking about late March early April of 53′ hoping to make it an elk gun here in elk county pa. Yes we really do have elk here. I know what you’re thinking, elk rifle? Well yep, we all know the hornet is accurate enough to fit 10 in an elks eye at a 100 right! That’s what I want from my rifle, accuracy. Happened to have a nice unertl hawk 4x that fits nicely on it laying around too!
I have a model 43 that I can’t find the serial number on, it was drilled and tapped for a side mount old weaver scope. On the bottom of the bolt someone hand scribed 4896. Additionally it is chambered in 25-20, can you give me an idea of value ?
Aaron,
The scope side mount is covering the serial number marking (located on the left side of the front frame ring). The hand scribed serial number on the bolt was applied by the factory.
I cannot assess the value with out first knowing which variation it is (Standard or Special), and what the overall graded condition is. If you can provide clear pictures of the rifle, I can then evaluate it for you. Is the bolt straight or swept (bent to the rear)?
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
You nailed it Bert it was listed under the scope mount, so it was sent back to the factory to be drilled and tapped…. great news
Aaron,
Unfortunately, it was not sent back to the Winchester factory to be drilled & tapped for the side mount scope… Winchester would not have drilled holes through the serial number.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi. I’m trying to help my mother-in-law with her late husband’s collection. He had several Winchester rifle. One is a Model 43, in 22 Hornet, SN 12224, Standard Model. Could you provide manufacture date and approximate value?
Thanks,
Shane
I tried to add a picture but I don’t know if it worked. Unfortunately this is the only photo I have at this time and I do not have the rifle in my possession.
https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/VZCaW5szQ5yqQrkdTagiRw.LA-_hwnPMdGr7DZVdWJjdw
Hello Shane,
Model 43 S/N 12224 was manufacture in late May, 1949.
Please send all of your pictures of the rifle to me at – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
1 Guest(s)
