Savage 99 in 22 High Power

[Rogmatt]

I found a Model 99 in 22HP at a shop today for around 329.00
It seems to be in decent shape, no real flaws.
I am not familiar with the balistics of the 22HP. As I understand it, they are still available Fiochii. Any feedback on the value of this gun and 22HP balistics would be appreciated.

[Savage .250]

I see your covering your bet. You asked the same question on The
  24 Hour Campfire forum, Savage Collectors section.
  You got 2 answers and i`ll bet you get more.
  The last Savage 99 TD in 22 hi-power that i saw was at a gun show  going for $800.  As everyone will tell you about a 99........condition is everything. EVERYTHING! That seperates the collector type from the shooter type from the "Gray-Rat" type.  

 " The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

[Rogmatt]

Thanks Sav,  Yes I am getting all the opinions I can before I make a decision. Unfortunately, it is hard to get them from just one forum.
It is also possible that I will be able to get it for 300.00 even. I will keep you informed.

[Savage .250]

If you can get it for that price ...........jump on it. Assuming it`s not all beat to crap.  One thing about a Sav 99, you can always re-sell it or trade it for another 99 in a different cal.  You`ll soon find out  that finding a "good" one is like winning the lotto, same odds. IMO.

 " The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

[Blackhawk44]

Like Savage .250- siccum.  Check here http://www.chuckhawks.com/5-6x52r.htm and under 5.6x52R.  Data, dies and bullets from Hornady.  Loaded ammo from Steve Barnett for $20 a box, Norma.

[Harry O]

I found a Model 99 in 22HP at a shop today for around 329.00...............Any feedback on the value of this gun and 22HP balistics would be appreciated.

I used to have a lightweight one in a take-down model.  It was almost brand new.  I later found out why.   That is the one that has large interrupted threads that you turn 1/3 or so around and then pull forward.  The barrel came out of the receiver.  Evidently, there was excess headspace (I say evidently because of feedback I have gotten elsewhere when I have talked about it -- it seems that was a common problem with these guns in this caliber).  The brass had a stretch mark  about 1/4" to 3/8" above the base when it came out of the gun.  I took it to a gunsmith and he said there was nothing he could do to fix it.  The large interrupted threads could not be set back and rechambered.

At the time, I was able to buy Canadian cartridges (at very expensive prices).  I ended up reforming 30-30 brass with my reloading dies.  There was a pretty high loss rate, but I could get 30-30 brass free from non-reloaders I knew.  You can get reforming dies nowadays to do it right.

The bullet is an odd 0.227"-0.228" diameterthat was pretty heavy (70gr or so).  I think that only Hornady sells that size.  The ordinary 0.224" bullets don't do very well.  It was supposed to be able to take deer, but I did not believe that and did not try.  I doubt that it is even on the list of approved cartridges around here now.  

All in all, it was a bad experience.  The gun was not accurate enough for varmints and the cartridge was not powerful enough for deer.  The cartridges and reloading components were expensive.  I would definitely ask to shoot it before spending ANY money on it.  Yes, the ones I have seen go for much more, but any amount of money is too much for a bad gun.

[service rifleman1]

I have a 22 Savage HP rifle that I load for. The brass can be made by necking down 25-35 WCF brass and fireforming. I have R.C.B.S resizing dies and the trim to length die. My particular rifle and a tangent rear sight and a bead front. I loaded some hornady 70 grain softpoints and I also have some factory Norma 71 grain. Sellier and Bellot also load the 70 bullet. My neighbor has a excellent shooting 22 Savage HP and it sports an express rear sight with folding leaves for 200 and 300 yards, it also has the folding aperature sight .  I have skinned a nice Whitetail Buck that dropped from one shot by this fine rifle. I have also read that some of the featherweight take-down models were not too accurate. Regards

[Slamfire]

I had one in the middle 60s. I had trouble forming brass from other cartridges. There was a considerable difference in the base diameter of the brass and the diameter of the chamber. You didn't get much case life. I think the ballistics would be good for stuff smaller than deer and larger than pasture poodles. Otherwise there ain't much point to it.

[Harry O]

You should borrow or buy a copy of Ken Waters book "Pet Loads" which is a copy of his articles from Handloader magazine.  He originally published an article on the .22 Savage Hi-Power in the Savage 99 back in the Nov. 1983 magazine.

I also wrote an article on mine that was posted on the Leverguns website:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/22_hipower.htm

[Shorty]

Years ago I read that the Inuit. et. al. favored this rifle/ cartridge combo.  Flat-shooting and light weight I guess.  They used it for polar bear!  Of course, they got as close as they could!    :roll:  I knew a man who actually witnessed that feat, but he said that he had to clean out his pants afterwards!

[gunnut69]

I've not done it but wonder why the barrel could not be set back a thread. The rear would have to be faced off and the shoulder set back to give room for the rechamber. The biggest problem would be getting the forearm to match, in the barrel channel. Also the attachment hardware would no longer fit. The forearm would simply be shortened(at the rear) the thickness of a thread to allow re-fitting.. The chamber is recut and all is well with the world of headspace. The usual proble with the early take down Savages was a loosening of the takedown threads themselves. This was likely a result of taking them apart and reassembling.. Browning allowed for adjustment in the 22 Autoloader in case of just such a problem. The HIghPower IS a high pressure round and the likely cause of headspace in a 99 with a fairly tight barrel(checked with action open and forearm off) is stretching of the mild steel frames. I believe the takedown joint was changed because of wear, not stretching.