Article: The .22 Savage Hi-Power Cartridge

[J.Baker]

You can view the page at http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?332-Savage-Cartridges

[Jeff518]

Thanks for taking the time to highlight this cartridge. My meager experience with the cartridge agrees with your summary that it is hampered by limited bullet selection. Buffalo Arms Co. is still making three different weights in their soft-point .228" bullets. Some have experimented with using .224" diameter bullets to inconsistent success, but worth trying in individual rifles. I think it's primary attraction remains as a unique and historic varmint caliber chambered in the venerable Savage 99.

[charles wood]

I have a 22hp serial number 125435, 1912, 5.6x52R is mainly European available..other 22hp is 1929 sn 327228 both takedowns...killed a Texas hog with the 1912...CRW

[NYHunter444]

Does anyone know what the case volume of the brass is ?
I'm have a formula for Leverevolution powder that works extremely well and it's based on a percentage of total case volume.
Thank you in advance !

[Reloder 43]

New member here, just saw your question about the case capacity of the 22 Savage Hi Power.
Page 118 of my 1987 copy of The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John J Donnelly shows 2.37 cc, or 36.70 g water.
The Improved version, with 24.54 degree shoulder angle per side, is on the next page, 2.70 cc, 41.70 g water.
The original parent case, 25-35 Win, with 8.93 shoulder angle (both sides), is 2.31 cc and 35.68 g water,
the 30-30 Win, 15.25 degrees per side is 2.88 cc, 44.50 g water.
Donnelly suggests using new 30-30 brass to re-form to the Hi Power case, probably because 25-35 brass is rarely available. No mention is made about the thickness of the reformed brass or the possibility that new 30-30 cases are built heavier to contain higher pressures than the OEM 25-35 brass.
The first reference book of case conversions that I am aware of was authored by Maj. George Nonte in the early 70s and is long out of print.
My more recent copy of Ken Howell's book of cartridge conversions is out on loan right now, but it is a worthwhile reference also. The sources may not agree on the numbers, however, depending on the method of measurement, but comparisons by percentage may be useful.
I hope this may offer you a little help in your calculations. Sounds interesting, please post your findings.

[drone]

I heard that Bell shot water buffalo with the 22 Hi P, though how much Savage paid him to promote this is lost in the mists of time. Probably not enough to shoot cape buffs which are a whole different ball game.
I've started wrapping my bullets with teflon tape prior to reloading my cases, 0.224" dia bullets need 3 wraps around, 226 just two. I'll be able to advise on the efficacy of this procedure in a few weeks when I'm going paper hunting on my local range.
One caveat I'll make is that the case necks must be expanded, I use the Lee universal expander die which puts a slight, funnel shaped, bevel on the mouth and prevents the teflon from being pushed off. Being a tightwad, I then crimp the bullet in place with a Lee 223 neck size die with the deprime/expander mandrel removed. This squeezes the neck up evenly.
Most of my cases are formed from 30/30 brass using the redding two stage forming dies, thanks to the sloppy chambering of my 99 22 hp the necks haven't needed turning - so far. Redding dies are simply excellent. The operation needs a really good lubricant, I use a 10% mix of liquid lanolin in isopropanol (ipa), performing the re-form before the ipa has evaporated. I've had one or two small dimples where the neck meets the body of the case, but nothing drastic.
I can't fathom out how to add images, sorry
I've started working up with CFE 223 start at dose was 20 grains which is barely enough to seal the necks to the chamber. I use CFE 223 as it has the lowest published pressure of the choice of suitable powders I have, when shoving the bullet along at a fair clip.