Thread: Tips on reaming a chamber

Looks the part - this is the biggest issue with Hornet in a bolt action. It was designed for break open type actions where the rim comes in as pretty much vital, and the slow taper helps single feeding - this is fine in a bolt until you start reloading and the cases grow quite a bit... The one I had required a trim every reload as I was using the Lee piloted hand trimmer and it was almost too long for my chamber...

Looks OK @blip.
What's the fine ring just back from the shoulder though?

I reload for 3 Hornets. The definite shoulder would solve the excess headspace on my 49 BRNO but I couldn't bring myself to have it K'd.
The BRNO jacks out the primers when fired. I've got used to it now. Rims on USA brass tend to be thinner than European.
I tried seating long/jammed to try and fireform what shoulder there is. Beauty, primers flush when fired. Next firing, normal seating, primers sticking out again.
My Walther and Savage are OK. Got to be careful to not mix my brass.

Hornets have their moments....

@zimmer the ring looks like something to do with where the taper changes on the factory case. The ppu brass didn't do it so that's what I'm picking it is, Ill be keeping an eye on it tho as its pretty thin brass to fire form anyway.

Originally Posted by No.3

Looks the part - this is the biggest issue with Hornet in a bolt action. It was designed for break open type actions where the rim comes in as pretty much vital, and the slow taper helps single feeding - this is fine in a bolt until you start reloading and the cases grow quite a bit... The one I had required a trim every reload as I was using the Lee piloted hand trimmer and it was almost too long for my chamber...

This one is a NEF handi rifle so single shot break. Got 2 others I might do as well. I just did the lowest value rifle first to see how it would go. Sexy looking little case.

Originally Posted by blip

@zimmer the ring looks like something to do with where the taper changes on the factory case. The ppu brass didn't do it so that's what I'm picking it is, Ill be keeping an eye on it tho as its pretty thin brass to fire form anyway.

Yep, agreed. Generally need a couple of firings b4 brass fully aligns with the shape of the chamber. Hornet though has thin walls.
What powder all you using and what velocity?

These are standard hornet reloads that Im fire forming. These were 35vmax with lilgun. Cant remember the velocity. Maybe somewhere around 2900fps

The s&b brass is pretty rough for new brass. Little dents all over it

I bought 3 boxes of factory S&B for the brass. I was pretty disappointed.

the hornady seems ok for commonly available brass