If you were to re-barrel an old Springfield 1922 that had been converted to Hornet, would you use a 1-16 .223 barrel as the originals had, or would you put a .224 barrel of a little faster twist to take advantage of today's better bullets. Many of the new plastic tipped, boat tail bullets will not stabilize in the 1-16 barrels, not to mention they are all .224 diameter. Would it make a difference to you if it was just a re-barrel to restore an old rifle, or if it was a complete rebuild as new work?

No wrong answer here in my opinion, but I'd like to hear others thoughts.

Thanks,
John

I'd opt to make the external contours as close to the original as possible, with the new bore optimum for shooting and mark the twist and bore dimensions underneath.

What Steven said.

But, has anybody had much shooting experience with the "lead-free" (Barnes or Hornaday) Hornet bullets? Do they do OK with the 1-14 .224 bore? (By "OK" I mean "minute of California ground squirrel" or crow at 75-100 yds.).

Over the years I've had several Hornets rebarrelled, and few of them shot as well as rechambered Springfields or original Winchesters. The culprit seems to have been reamers. Take care to see that your new chamber accurately conforms to exact, original specs. The most accurate Hornets I've encountered are Winchester Model 54's. None of my earlier rifles will chamber a neck-sized case that fits easily in a Ruger Hornet. I admit to being off topic here, but hoped it might be helpful.

This does NOT answer your question
Is this gun an original Springfield modification?

If so it is HISTORY.

What is the condition of the barrel now? Inside and outside.

Then if necessary, I would reline and keep the original barrel

http://summitarmsservices.com/

OR

See if you can locate an original 1922 barrel and modify it.

AND ON A SEPARATE NOTE
I would bet light weight .224 bullets would work just fine in a barrel that has been shot a bunch. Start out real low and work up.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i...inter-100-count

Mike

Since the issue of relines has come up, anybody know a good 'smith who still relines single shots? (My experience with Randy Redman was not good, although that was many years ago.).

There are several that could be recommended. Where in CA are you?

[quote=gasgunner]If you were to re-barrel an old Springfield 1922 that had been converted to Hornet, would you use a 1-16 .223 barrel as the originals had, or would you put a .224 barrel of a little faster twist to take advantage of today's better bullets. Many of the new plastic tipped, boat tail bullets will not stabilize in the 1-16 barrels, not to mention they are all .224 diameter. Would it make a difference to you if it was just a re-barrel to restore an old rifle, or if it was a complete rebuild as new work?

No wrong answer here in my opinion, but I'd like to hear others thoughts.


I would replace that with CZ527 Mini-Mauser. If you like old vintage it was called Brno Fox and made in Czecho+Slovakia.

Thanks for the responses. The rifle in question is an old G&H conversion that Bubba and neglect have taken a heavy toll on. It is in a G&H restyled Armory stock which has some issues. I am trying to decide if I should try and restore it as best I can, or take the receiver and have a new rifle built around it. The bore is usable as is, but it has been rechambered to K-Hornet. The receiver has 9 holes in it from various scope mounts over the years that would need fixed.

Mike,
I shoot .224 bullets out of other small bore Hornets regularly with no issues. I have some rifles with very poor bores that I really figured would not shoot well at all, but turned out to shoot the .224 bullets very good. The old Hornet bullets as well as the 35 and 40 gr blitz and v-max bullets will work, but the longer 45 gr tipped bullets do not stabilize.

Thanks,
John

John,
Understand, I have K-Hornet dies and use them to load for my 22 Harvey K-Chuck revolver.
But I use .222 diameter bullets in the Smith
Mike

Brent, I'm in Orange County, CA, but have no problem shipping guns to the right guy anywhere in the US. I previously used Mark Beinke in Klamath Falls, OR, but he is long retired as I understand it. (

(Man of few words but great liners and lining jobs at very reasonable prices....).

When I started shooting a German kiplauf 5.6x35R (.22WCF/Hornet clone) with a 1-9" twist I had my eyes opened to the wonderful world of shooting really heavy (long) cast bullets out of a Hornet. 55 to 70 grain bullets are now my favorites- a feat I couldn't perform with a 1-16 barrel, and only marginally with 1-12 or 1-14 barrels. Makes for a superlative long range squirrel whacker.

I have never owned one, but I always thought these were a nifty rifle.



This one just sold on Michael Schwandt's site.


John

John in my book that pretty much defines "nifty" in a bolt action.

Greifelt action with a Griffin & Howe stock. Zeiss Zielklein in a windage adjustable single lever G&H side mount. The best of both worlds!