Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors reloading the 22hp

have read that an expander plug (?) will work for using .224 bullets, how well does this work, also read somewhere that you could use .22-250 seating die to achieve this. didn't have to worry about this, then my stash runnth out. Ken

My HP 22 keyholes .224 pills. I went with the Reed's .228 in 60 and 70 grain, makes round holes, need to find the right charge with reformed 25-35 brass. I loaded 25.3 and 24.3 grains, got case/neck splits, so going to try 23 gr of RL7 and IMR 3031. Makes round holes with the .228 so thats a start.

Blitz

I have recently been playing with a wildcat that uses a .228 or 22HP barrel. I fireformed brass using Nosler .224 ballistic bullets with a few grains of pistol powder. I found the load to be very accurate although I haven't put them on paper. I was just blowing up rocks so maybe they were hitting the rocks going sideways! I had trouble seating .22 HP bullets with the Hornady dies I had because they are for .224 diameter bullets, so I ordered a new expander for .228 bullets, which of course measures .225 not 228.

That confusing enough?

I have RCBS dies, they seem to be proper for the .228 bullets.

Blitz, those Reeds 70gr should shoot very well with 25gr of H4895.

I was getting case splits right behind the bullet above the shoulder. Thinking a little too hot. Was using 25.3 and 24.3 gr. of both RL7 and IMR3031. Not all cases split, didn't keep track of which load like a dummy. Figure I'll dial back to 23 gr. and see what happens.

This was reformed new Winchester 25-35 brass. I had a couple of factory Norma loads do the same. I know the Norma's are loaded hot, as I pulled a couple and found 25.4 gr, of powder in it.

Blitz, your loads aren't overly hot. A bit warm in my experience, but not hot. My guess would be that you didn't anneal your case necks, did you? Always a good idea when squeezing brass bigger or smaller, before and again after the operation.

I like 23.0 grains 3031/70 grain bullet. It's proven accurate in my rifles and easy on the brass. Not necessarily a load I would gix a deer with but not a slouch load either. I load my hunting ammo with 25 grains 3031/70 bullet and accept increased case stress and a bit less accuracy for a handful of cartridges with which to hunt with.

What method do you use to anneal? I've read about using a torch all the way up to a special machine to do it. In addition, here in The Peoples Republic of Konnectikut I don't believe it is legal to hunt with a center fire rifle. I could be wrong, have to check with my neighbor who's a hunter.

I just want to be able to put the bullet where I aim in case the SHTF. I have several rifles in the 30 cal ballistics area (30-30, 7.62x39, 6.5 Swedish) all which need sighting in. Unfortunately with the weather here and the COVID shutdown, range time has been sparse.

Blitz

Anneal neck/shoulder area with a candle, spin the case held by your fingers back toward the base until case is too hot to hold, then "quench" with a wet paper towel. Darned simple method I learned from John Barsness, and it works a treat.

One of our fellow 'fire -ers is currently selling some .228" pills in the classifieds.

Dumb question. How do I get to the classifieds ? Thanks Bruce

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...nd-70gr-bullets-savage-high-power#UNREAD

Lee

Hello reloaders, my brother recently aquired some sisk .227 70 grain bullets for .22hp and is looking for advise on type and amount of powder for best results. Can anyone offer any help, thanks

Here is a compilation of HP reloading info I put together from various posts here on the Savage forum:

23 gr. 3031 or 25 gr. H-4895 with a 70 grain .227-.228 bullet ( Hornady spire point, shortened to .750 yielding 68 grains final weight, Speer, Sisk, Norma.)

Best bet is to buy some new .25-35 brass and use them to concoct HP loads.

No special protocols: just run the .25-35 case into the .22 HP die and that's it. Like I said above, I would do it incrementally until the bolt just barely closes on the case.

Reeds 70 gr using Rel-7, 4064, and H4895. Settled with 21gr Rel-7. Using the original Speer 70gr i use 25gr of H4895.


Savage Model 99
20-inch barrel
Twist: 1-12
Groove Diameter: .229

Cartridge Specifications:
Bullet Diameter: .228 inches
Maximum Case Length: 2.050 inches
Trim-to-Length: 2.040 inches
Maximum Overall Length (with Bullet): 2.510 inches

Test Components:
Cases: Winchester
Primers: Winchester 120
Jacketed Bullets: Winchester 70 grain


NOTE: Variations in groove diameters are something encountered in rifles chambered for this cartridge. Most barrels have a groove diameter of .228” while a small percentage are found with a larger groove of .229". Jacketed bullets of .228" diameter work well when used in a standard groove (.228") barrel. For oversize barrels, we recommend the use of case lead alloy bullets which will expand to groove diameter.



70 Grain Jacketed Bullet

IMR3031 starting load: 24.0 grains = a Muzzle Velocity of 2433 feet/per/second
Maximum Load: 27.0 grains. MV = 2777 fps

IMR4895 starting load: 25.0 grains = a MV of 2400 fps
Maximum Load: 28.0 grains = a MV of 2754 fps

IMR4320 starting load: 27.0 grains = a MV of 2652 fps
Maximum Load: 30.0 grains = a MV of 2840 fps


ACCURACY LOAD: 25.3 grains of IMR3031 = a MV of 2604 fps

FACTORY DUPLICATION LOAD: 25.5 grains of IMR3031 = a MV of 2624 fps

NOTE: THESE MAXIMUM LOADS MAY BE DANGEROUS IN YOUR RIFLE. YOU SHOULD WORK UP TO THESE MAXIMUM LOADS CAREFULLY.


Might save you a wee bit of search time.

Blitz

thanks