Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 22 HP Reloading Question?

I plan on using the load I found in this thread HERE of 25gr of H-4895 and a 70gr SP.

Does new 25-35 brass require any step other than running it thru the sizing die?

Any suggestions for a newbie who is about to try his hand at reloading the 22 HP?

Just run the brass through the HP die. Set up the die to leave the new neck a little long, so you feel a little resistance when you close the bolt on an empty case. That'll keep the case head back tight against the bolt face for the initial case forming firing and lessen any deleterious effects of sloppy headspace if there is any.

Personally I would start a couple grains lower for initial firing, and work up a little in subsequent loads if accuracy demands it. Keeping your loads on the lighter side will extend case life and kill paper targets very handily. Save the full throttle stuff for when you hunt with it.

Thanks!!

Thats the load i use. What bullet you trying to use?


Joe

I was just getting ready to purchase some of them but wasnt sure how they would shoot. I would be willing to buy a couple from you to try.

Joe

Any load suggestions for a 64/65gr lead gas checked bullet?

I use a 65gr cast bullet for plinking with 7gr of Unique powder.

Any filler or special procedure?

That's a decent all around cast bullet load. Fillers are totally unnecessary, and can actually damage the chamber if employed incorrectly. Gas checks would be required at that velocity level.

Follow standard protocols for loading cast bullets- the main one being to flair the case mouth so as not to shave lead when seating. Crimp enough to flatten the flair when seating the bullet and no more. (Crimping is another unnecessary thing when loading for a rotary magazine Savage.) If using bullets larger than .228 it's a good idea to acquire a larger neck expander plug too. (You should measure throat diameter and size the bullets to that or .0005" less than that. If that means .229 or .230", then so be it. Bore and groove diameter, contrary to old wive's tales, is secondary to throat diameter when determining optimal size of cast bullets. Select an expander plug that is .001-.002" smaller than the bullet diameter for optimal grip. Using the standard jacketed bullet expander plug under those circumstances will cause the lead bullet to be squeezed to a smaller diameter than that which you so carefully acquired.)

Cast bullet loading demands a little more attention than simple jacketed bullet handloading, but the rewards are great.

No filler. I use the 65gr gas checks from bullet man dan on GB. The shop name is called The Bull Shop.

Joe

I ran a few of my reloads of 24.9gr of H4895 with a Reeds 70gr SP over the chrony with the results being an average of 2633 fps.

Any load recommendations for a .228" 45gr SP?

How did you like the 70gr from Reeds? I tried them and they shot well. They grouped better with Rel-7 vs 4895.

Joe

They were about the same as the S&B factory. What gr. of Rel-7 and what velocity did you get?

I used 21gr of Rel-7. Did not chrono. I got the load from Ken Waters book. If i recall it was a medium load.

Joe

I don't have magnumitis, I am just looking for an accurate, factory equivalent load.

Its not a hot load. I believe its slower than the 25gr of H4895. Not home to check the book.

Joe

I found the mention of Reeds bullets interesting.. I have an article from the 1943 Rifleman and the .22HP is mentioned... I believe he like a 59 gr Reeds bullet for coyotes.. Cool!!!!!

According to the book it states velocity of 2739 which is almost identical to the H4895 load.

Joe