222r, 5.6x50r and 5.2x52r (22HP)

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andym79

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HI guys, I have a Krieger 224 barrel that I couldn't pass on because of a very good price, it has a very fast twist 1:7.7. Whilst I know that you can shoot lights out of it, accuracy might well be compromised, it's really for heavies.

The only cartridge commonly used with a 1:8 twist is the 223, I am not a fan of the cartridge as I believe other 22 cartridges to be superior. Also I am looking for a small headed rimmed case.

I am not looking to achieve max velocities rather an accurate load with a near full load of powder. It might be a long shot but I am looking to hear from anyone who shoots 69-80 grain bullets from any of these cartridges 222R, 5.6x50r or 5.6x52r?

I reckon if the right throat is cut for heavies then cartridges could achieve the following velocities with an 80 grainer respectively 2250fps, 2500fps and 2600fps.

Thoughts please
 
Building a single shot? Wondered if that's why the focus on rimmed cartridges.

I think you can rule out the 222 Remington. I'm a big fan, have two rifles thus chambered. But it's a case designed for a 40-52 grs bullet. I just don't think it suits heavies.

Fully appreciate and endorse your disinterest in the 223.

The 22HP is awfully long in the tooth. But, case capacity lends itself to throwing heavies and it is rimmed, so it's got to be in the running. Is the brass up to modern pressures? Is there relevant load data? This is the same cartridge as the 5.56x52R, no?

The 5.56x50 Magnum is pretty obscure.

Now, normally, I take no interest in hype and fads, but as I thought about the goal of heavies in 22 cal, I thought of the latest must have cool-kid cartridge, the 224 Valkyrie. 1:7.7 is too slow a twist for 90s, but will stabilize 75s and possibly 80s. If you had it custom throated for max 80s to avoid the excessive freebore that seems to plague early Valkyrie rifles, that could be interesting.

Something to think about.
 
The 22 savage hp (5.6x52R) has a .227-.229 bullet... that probably wont work well in a 224 barrel. It does still have a good following in Europe, where they use it on small deer. Starline makes brass for it, and there are a few companies making projectiles. There are zero American ammunition manufacturers offering it, but a few from across the pond that are imported to the US; S&B and wolf gold come to mind.

What about 220 swift? It's got a small rim and will push the heaviest of .224 bullets.

Other rimmed 22s to consider are the .225 win and the .219 Donaldson wasp. Either would be rarer ammo than the 22SHP
 
I think, perhaps, that the OP meant 222 Rimmed (a cartridge originating in Oz)...

I have an interest in the 22 Savage HP, but the problem I forsee is finding the the .227 bullets in Colorado. But the Cabela's just down the road from me had a very nice Tikka 12 ga/22 HP combination gun the other day that was attractively priced. I wish they wouldn't tempt me like that...
 
Neither Brownells nor Midway has .227 bullets in their online inventory. I found some loaded ammo at ammo-one.com, buffaloarms.com, and grafs.com. The last two were ~$20/box.
 
Thanks for the replies, to my knowledge you just about can't get 227 bullets anymore. I believe Hornady were the last (non niche company) to stop make them some when in 2017. I have a 22HP Savage 99 and am down to my last 2 boxes of 100, I am considering having it re-barrelled in 22HP with a 224 barrel, I know a couple of people who have done that already.

Yes the 222r is the 222 rimmed, but I thibnk only the 5.6x50r or 5.6x52r have the capacity to push the heavies fast enough for the twist.
 
andym79 said:
Thanks for the replies, to my knowledge you just about can't get 227 bullets anymore. I believe Hornady were the last (non niche company) to stop make them some when in 2017. I have a 22HP Savage 99 and am down to my last 2 boxes of 100, I am considering having it re-barrelled in 22HP with a 224 barrel, I know a couple of people who have done that already.

Yes the 222r is the 222 rimmed, but I thibnk only the 5.6x50r or 5.6x52r have the capacity to push the heavies fast enough for the twist.
Click to expand...

I too have a savage 99 chambered in it and unfortunately, lost all my grandpa's stash of .227 bullets in a shop fire a few years ago. Not sure I remembered to replace them, but i did get brass and dies.

Did you not like my 220 swift idea?
 
I would very much like to do a Swift, I just think it might be too much for my action, its a bit larger and longer than the 22HP and it may struggle to get round the bend.

You know a Swift should get an 80 grainer up to 3000fps without too much pressure about 30/31 grains of Varget!
 
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If you like the idea of a rimmed .224 cartridge, don't overlook the .225 Win. I has the capacity to do well with heavier bullets, and works beautifully in single shot actions.
 
Offfhand said:
If you like the idea of a rimmed .224 cartridge, don't overlook the .225 Win. I has the capacity to do well with heavier bullets, and works beautifully in sing
Click to expand...

I suggested that too, but brass is very tough to come by. Winchester isn't currently loading or producing any brass. I haven't checked the .219 wasp yet, but I bet it's the same.

andym79 said:
I would very much like to do a Swift, I just think it might be too much for my action, its a bit larger and longer than the 22HP and it may struggle to get round the bend.

You know a Swift should get an 80 grainer up to 3000fps without too much pressure about 30/31 grains of Varget!
Click to expand...

I shoot a 70gr bullet out of my .243 at 3200 fps. At least that's what I wrote down on the load sticker. I don't have a chronograph.

I'm unfamiliar with the action you're using, so maybe it is too big.
 
If you can get brass IF then the 5.6x50R would be about right.
Kind of a .222.Magnum Long Rimmed, it would shoot about like a .223 in a single shot.
 
I know this doesn’t meet your rimmed case head requirement, but if it were me, and I had that barrel with the 1:7.7 twist, I’d go .22 BR and run 80-90g pills
 
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