Fireforming k-hornet

[hornet]

Hello

When using regular hornet loads in my k-hornet brass seems to stretch alot. It helps to load ammo with bullet hard into the lands, but I need ammo that fit into the mag. I'm thinking about necking up brass a little and then use FL-die to until it fit snuggly in the chamber. Would this work?

[MarkL]

I have no experience here, but I think that would work fine as long as you don't collapse the shoulder or something. Question is, what are you going to expand it to, .243?

Maybe if you used a more blunt bullet, you could reach the lands and still fit the mag.

[Catfish]

Although I have never tried fire forming .22 K Hornet cases I do shoot a .17 AH and several other Wildcat rounds that I have to fire form brass for. I don`t know what you mean by streach alot, but I have never had any trouble fire forming any round with a factory load equivlent. I have loaded some rounds to lite for my .257 Ai and have them not form completely, but I just loaded them heaver and fired them again. I got to where I work up to close to max. loads for fire forming and then take them hunting.

[Rocky Raab]

I'm not too sure why your loads "have" to fit the magazine. I never did fireforming except single-shot.

That's what I recommend. Hand-feed them into the chamber one at a time and fire. I didn't even bother aiming when I did it, just worked the action while the gun was on the rest - pointed at the backstop, of course.

I even used super cheap military 55 FMJ bullets for the job. They didn't stabilize, but I didn't care. Most manuals have loads for 50-grainers and you can use a START load safely with the 55s. Seat the bullets so you get a firm fit in the lands, as you described.

[Cossack]

I do it in several wildcats where the headspace/pressure is too risky.

It's likely that necking up and then necking back down a Hornet case would work the brass even more than straight fireforming a standard case.
You're likely to spoil some cases necking up enough to create the false shoulder. Other than the time, possible increased work-hardenting of the brass...which you would still have to fireform to max accuracy.... I see no problems with doing it, tho.

[hornet]

Thank you for your answers.
.I'm not too sure why your loads "have" to fit the magazine.

I use my hornet hunting arctic grouse in the winter. Hand-feed a rifle using thick gloves is not very practical. Fumble around without gloves and trigger pull can be badly affected. Birds don't always like to hang around and wait for me to reload.
I typically bring 250rds on a 5-day trip and some brass is always lost in the snow. Fireforming needs to be done on a fairly frequent basis and that's why I'm looking for the best way to do this.Preferebly hunting at the same time.

I've also been using cheap 55gr FMJ and in my gun they stabilize if vel. excced 1,900ft/s. Would they tumble and create a mess if used on game?
They buck wind a lot better than blunt 45gr hornet-bullets, and were I hunt it's always windy.

[Catfish]

I can see wht you need your bullrts to fit in the mag., but when I fire form I usually work up a load that shoots good and do most of my fire forming while hunting also. If you mean your brass is to long after fire forming just trim them befor you load the form cases. OR, am I missing something????????????