Results 1 to 10 of 37

Thread: A little Hornet followed me home...

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size

Threaded View

  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RJW NZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Last On
    10-04-2014 @ 11:58 PM
    Location
    Auckland NZ
    Posts
    1,241
    Local Date
    04-25-2025
    Local Time
    01:46 PM

    A little Hornet followed me home...

    I have a real question at the end of this, I promise...

    Well, so much for austerity measures and cleaning out the enfield cupboard and all that, I've just collected an enfield I've been after for a good while, something called a .22 Hornet from Lithgow, and it turned out to be not just a regular Hornet either but something called a K model that has a slightly larger case that the previous owner tells me is good for 3000 fps plus,
    Lessee, a few points of interest, I'm learning these things too...
    It has microgroove style rifling.
    The wrist markings have been scrubbed hard but are still visible through the paint.
    Its heavy for a .22 , and hunters did complain about that.
    The normal rear sight is pure no1 mk3, with a recalibrated scale.
    Here's a few sellers notes
    'HISTORY OF THE MODEL 24:
    The first order for 4000 Model 24's was accepted in Mar 1949 by Lithgow Australiaicon with the rifles official release in November of that year. Serial numbers (stamped on the knox) ran up to #7690.. the last of the model 24s were completed this rifle being completed in December 1960.
    Lithgow utilised reclaimed receivers and other components from surplus .303s
    and a Savage magazine unique to the model 23D
    I.C.I. (NZ) ordered from S.A.F. two sample Sporting rifles in .22 Hornet. These were to be retailed through Slazenger (N Z), along with the usual run of Slazenger sporting weapons.
    After receiving positive interest, a small run was ordered for trials in NZ'

    Anyway, I've included a few pics for the curious, its an early model of the 4000 made, so it retains a no1 mk3 (short) butt stock, which I really like the look of instead of the no8 style butt, (one lithy style cheek pad coming up, methinks, anyone know a source? Numrich?), and the silencer, which is almost an OSH requirement out here, to protect shooters hearing (I know that drives our long suffering americans a little crazy), which is threaded onto the stock length barrel.

    So here's the question;
    I bought it as a cheap plinker to get around the $2-3.50 per round cost of .303. (Cheap surplus .303 is $1 ea usually), and instead, I find out that the cost of .22 hornet is $2.50,if you can get it, as its no longer being imported. So, like the previous owner, it looks like reloading is in my future.

    The question is;
    Is it feasible for a gunsmith to make a chamber insert that would allow me to shoot .22 LR for plinking?
    Are such inserts designed to be easy in and easy out, are they fixed in place and don't ever come out, or are they in between?

    I'm keen on the .22K, but have to ask that practical question about el cheapo .22LR.

    The ammo pic from top to bottom is .303, .22K, and with a lower shoulder .22 Hornet.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Last edited by RJW NZ; 05-07-2010 at 04:24 AM.

Similar Threads

  1. ...and a .22 Hornet from Lithgow
    By RJW NZ in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-19-2010, 06:34 PM
  2. .22 hornet long branch
    By superbee in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-17-2009, 09:50 AM
  3. H&R M4 Survival rifle in .22 Hornet (CGN Private Ad)
    By Badger in forum Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-12-2007, 09:40 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts