If I were to neck down a 22 High Power case to use .224 bullets instead of .227 bullets, and using a .224 barrel so chambered(for better selection of bullets).


Would a standard 22 HP fit in the chamber?
By accident, not on purpose.So as to not have an over pressure blowup.

I don't know if it would make a difference or not but it would be in a Ruger single shot.

I like the look of the case (old) and the performance(mild) of the 22 HP. Using a 22 HP is not for any logical reason.

Allen

Of course firing .227" diameter bullets of 70 grains (the usual factory load) through a .224" barrel will increase pressures somewhat. On its own, that would likely cause no problems whatsoever.

BUT, the increased bullet diameter would also increase the neck diameter of the loaded rounds, and MIGHT cause the cases to not be able to expand enough to let go of the bullets easily when fired.

That could lead to substantial pressure increases. With the strong Ruger action, that would not likely harm the rifle in any way, but it COULD end up sending hot gases and tiny brass bits in directions that they could be deflected into your eyes. That is rather undesirable in my view (not so funny pun intended).

When you neck the .22 Hi-Power round down to take .224" bullets, you are effectively re-inventing the Winchester .219 Zipper. So why not just chamber for the Zipper in the first place and mark the barrel accordingly? Then you wouldn't have to worry about anyone putting too big ammo in it.

Ah, I did not know what a .219 Zipper was.

I would prefer keeping it 22 HP because I would like to use RWS brass and mark the barrel to match the brass 5.6x52R.

But I would worry that if a standard 22 HP/5.6x52R round could chamber. And cause an unsafe situation.

I was hoping a standard round wouldn't be able to chamber with the neck that much smaller for a .224 instead of a .227/.228 bullet.Any ideas for a simple to make it so a standard 22HP/5.6x52R won't fit?

Would cuting it with a tight chamber help make the differance between them to prevent chambering?
How much differance would it take to prevent chambering a stock round?

Allen

Allen, it is quite possible to cut the chamber with a neck too tight to accept factory rounds at all. Might mean you would have to outside neck turn your cases to get them to work even with .224" bullets though.

The main problem is that almost all chambers, if not cut with a specially ordered "tight-neck" reamer, are cut with about .003" to .006" clearance around the case neck. As you can see, .003" clearance added to .224" = .227". Assuming brass thickness of .011" on both sides of the case, that would mean a case for .224" bullets would have a neck diameter circa .246" with no clearance at all.

With .003" to .006" clearance added to .246", that gives a total potential neck diameter of .249" to .252".

A .227" bullet and .011" brass thickness on each side, adds up to .227" + .022" or .249". If the brass was .0115" thick, it would give a neck diameter for the cartridge with a.227" bullet which measures .250"...enough to be able to force the cartridge in there, but definitely not enough to always be able to easily release the bullet on firing.

Its a touchy way to proceed safely, so once again, I would suggest the .219 Zipper idea be slept on.

Still, if you order the reamer with a .246" neck, there is NO way you will be able to seat factory cartridges with .227" bullets in it. And, it would mean you would only have to turn your case necks to .010" thickness to be able to have .002" clearance around case necks with .224 bullets in them.

That could work, but you'll have to pay for a custom reamer (and neck turning equipment if you don't already have it). And you won't be ble to use unmodified factory brass.

Then you would want to stamp it with both the cartridge designation AND the neck diameter.

N.B.: Most factory brass has a thickness of more than .011", I just used that as an example so I wouldn't have to argue with some reader who has brass of a different thickness than whatever I would pick as the factory "standard".

AC,

Can't a barrel be reamed for say a 224 bullet diameter, but when chambering it, say chamber it for the 22 Savage HP, and then given a little space in front of the bullet, have it then taper down to the 224 diameter???

wouldn't that take care of any pressure build up???

just hypothesizing here...that is why I am askin....

If you want an European cartridge ,chamber for a 219 Zipper and stamp the barrel 5.6x50.
Good Luck

Allen

There are many ways to skin this cat but you must always remember one important thing - when you are dead and gone, somebody else will shoot that rifle and they may not realize what has been done to it even though everything is marked. You will not get hurt by it because it is your baby but think of the next guy.

JMHO

Ray

I too admire the .22 HP, and your proposal had occurred to me. In the end, I came to the same conclusion Cheechako did: think of the next guy.

Why not invest in a life time's supply of proper .227 bullets for your rifle? Hornady and GS Custom are both making bullets of the proper diameter (the latter are similar to X bullets); perhaps Norma still does as well. If I do go ahead and make an HP, I will follow this approach. Be aware that Barsness reports the standard HP twist will not properly stabilize the Hornady bullet, so have your barrel cut accordingly. Both Waters and Barsness have written that some, but not all, .224 bullets will work fine in a standard HP.

If you desire a greater selection of bullets, you might want to consider making a .224 Hi Power wildcat, identical to the original except for the cartridge neck and barrel bore/groove diameters. The advantage is that case forming (from the .25-35) is simpler with the HP than with the Zipper. Such a name stamped on the barrel would well clue the next owner into what he's getting.

Also, be aware that European HP brass is instead made to the specs of the 5.6x52R, which is not quite identical to the original. The base diameter is a few thousandths smaller, which may explain why many HP shooters complain of poor case life. Jamison is offering proper .22 HP brass, so there's no need to mark your barrel for the similar but not identical 5.6x52R.

quote:

Originally posted by Cheechako:
Allen

There are many ways to skin this cat but you must always remember one important thing - when you are dead and gone, somebody else will shoot that rifle and they may not realize what has been done to it even though everything is marked. You will not get hurt by it because it is your baby but think of the next guy.

JMHO

Ray

True. I also doubt you will find a smith to chamber your barrel and mark it for the HP when that isn`t the proper chambering. He will be accepting some liability also for any mishaps due to the wrong ammo being fired.

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
AC,

Can't a barrel be reamed for say a 224 bullet diameter, but when chambering it, say chamber it for the 22 Savage HP, and then given a little space in front of the bullet, have it then taper down to the 224 diameter???

wouldn't that take care of any pressure build up???

just hypothesizing here...that is why I am askin....

Seafire - Yes, you COULD do that. I wouldn't, though, because it adds complexity to something which is perhaps too complex even at the inception.

I really like best the idea someone else suggested here to him...why not just buy a lifetime supply of 70 grain bullets from Hornady, buy a barrel of the proper twist to stabilize them, and chamber for the .22 HP (and mark it correctly for the .22 HP). That way, if his wife loans it to his grandson someday without him being there to coordinate ammo and rifle, no one will rue the day.

Best wishes,

AC

Why not just do a 90° turn and make a .24 Hi power? You get the brass you want and a much better bullet selection.