I noticed that I had a little bit of stretch after resizing the brass for my .22 Hornet. I had checked length before and then after and found .0015" of stretch on some of the cases. I am using Lee full length sizing dies right now and think I may really need to go with a collet die.

My question is, how many reloads should I expect in this case as it is said to be notorious for stretching?

Components are; Sierra 45 grain SP Hornet bullet and H110 for about 2500-2600 fps. I'm not looking for ultra fast as I can go there with the .243 and 70 grain bullets. I'm just looking to move right along is all and not spend a fortune on brass. I have another rifle for expensive brass. :)

I really like the Hornady Neck sizing dies for the .22 centerfires. It has an eliptical type neck expander ball that really reduces neck stretch, and a shot of Hornady One-Shot on a cotton Q-Tip, then using that to inside lube case necks really takes the strain out of neck expanding and will enhance your case life dramatically.

Here's the link to Midsouth Shooter's Supply and their listing for the Hornady .22 Caliber Short neck sizing die, it's currently $14.95.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%52%45%4C%4F%41%44%49%4E%47&dept2=%4E%45%43%4B%20%53%49%5A%45%52%20%44%49%45&dept3=%2E%32%32%20%43%41%4C%49%42%45%52%20%53%48%4 F%52%54

Hope this helps!

God bless,

Can get .22Hornet brass to last pretty long if you size only enought to get it to go freely back into the chamber and hold a bullet securely. Full length die just needs to be backed off a bit.

IF fired cases all freely enter the chamber with out any real resistacne, then need only size however much of the neck is in actualy contact with the bullet when seated.

Can't usually get away with this partial sizing with shrap shouldered cases...but on the long tapered ones, can pretty much use your full length die to just size the case's neck (what little there is of it). Usaually reduces the amount of trimming needed a good bit.

It helps to run a nylon or other soft brush dipped in motor mica (graphite will work, but it's messy compared to white motor mica) in and out of the case mouth to both reduce expander ball friction and remove some of the crud that builds up inside the case's neck.

Have some .22Hornet cases on their 15th reload...no sign of any problem. They've been trimmed to length (as a large lot) three times...when they grow to max. again, are going to get pitched. Figure that will be in another 3 to 4 reloads, so call it 18-19 reloads per case.

I had a 22 hornet years ago, it was a little break open single shot. Had a dickens of a time getting consistant loads with the powders available then.

I was looking at one of the Ruger 77's in that calibre, but have decided I'm going to go for one of the little CZ's in 204 ruger or 221 fireball for a change. Shouldn't be much more cost to shoot and perhaps a little flatter. Got a friend with one of the Ruger's had it rechambered to the K hornet and it is pretty consistant. It's amazing how fun those little cartridges are to shoot and how effective at most ranges that we really shoot at.

All my guns are neck sized only once they've been fired once. Use the Lee neck size collet dies on most of them and am getting really good case life. Don't need any lube with them, but there was a learning curve when I started using them. Got to get the right pressure an twice when sizing.

Am up to a dozen or more reloads on my Hornet brass that goes through the Ruger M77/22.

Resize the neck only enough to hold tension on that amount of bullet that gets seated into the neck. Otherwise, the case is fireformed to the individual chamber and fits perfectly.

Hi Guy`s,

I use the Lee colet die`s to neck size my cases and have little to no strech I also have the reading die that is made to bump the sholder back just a little so you don`t have to full length size every now and then I also recomend using another bullet seater die other than the one with the lee colet die.I get around 15 full power reloads and then the primers start to fall out.Good luck

Riflemen10x

I think your own idea (Lee collet die) is the one which will serve you the best as to prolonging brass life. In all the calibers that I neck size I utilize the Lee collet dies. The two advantages of the LCDs I enjoy the most are 1) ease of use and 2) prolonged case life.
I recently purchased a set of special order LCDs for my 22 K Hornet. Unfortunately, I have yet to use them. I'm still shooting my fireforming regular hornet reloads made up with borrowed RCBS dies.
In my opinion the LCD system works the brass much less than conventional neck size dies thereby greatly prolonging brass (case neck) life. I also feel the LCD system is especially advantageous when loading cartridges with thin case walls, the hornet being a prime example.
The Hornet and K Hornet are sure a lot of fun to shoot. Good luck with whatever you try...