ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE R2 LOVELL

[Prebanpaul]

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS HAD ANY EXPIRENCE WITH THIS ROUND.  I AM LOOKING TO POSSIABLY BUILD THIS IN A MARTINI ACTION. MY LAST NAME IS RISLEY AND THAT IS WHAT THE "R" IS FOR.  SO IT KIND OF HITS HOME.

[Nobade]

Pretty sure it's made from 25-20 single shot brass. I've got a couple of cases somebody gave me that at least look like 2R. Good luck finding the brass, it's out there but very expensive. If it were me I'd make a .218 Bee, either regular or Mashburn version. About the same performance, but way easier to get cases. If you wanted more power a 22 Jet Imp. would be a nice choice as well.

[Gun Runner]

Is this the same as the 22 Lovell? Ifin so I have cast loading data for it in my Lyman 41st edition.

Gun Runner

[iiranger]

I got started reading the Jack O'Connor column in Outdoor Life magazine. 60's. Jack mentioned the old .22 centerfires THEN,  many, many times. R2Lovell was always in the list. I think it was "Harvey Lovell." (Hervey???)  In those days, following WW I,  there were two "20 grain" cases. One was straight for the single shots like, say, .45/70 case, only smaller. The other had a neck/bottle neck to make it shorter for the Winchester lever actions. (Last 1873's came in a small action: .25/20 and .32/20 as I recall Madis book.) .25/20 WCF. The Lovell was made by necking down the single shot case. Longer than .22 Hornet.  So today you look for .25/20 Single shot if you seek cases. (.25/20 necked down is .218 Bee.)  Huntingtons.com and other "odd case' suppliers usually have some. NOT CHEAP. I don't recall Jack O. saying what the "R" was for. It may have had something to do with a Mr. Risley.

The .22 Hornet was originally the .22 WCF loaded with black powder and the "souped up" version with smokeless was the .22 Hornet. I think Jack mentioned that the original guns were marginally strong and the barrels wore out quick with jacketed bullets. Same story for .22 Lovell. Ream an old single shot and get some more "soup" while it lasted... No liability worries like today. LUCK.

[Blackhawk44]

For more power than a Hornet without the major hassle of non-existant brass, why not think .219 Zipper or for more punch its improved cousins, the Wasp and the Donaldson Wasp.  I really think that the .219 (using .30-30 brass) will do fine as-is since it duplicates the .222/.223.  You can also chamber for the Winchester .225 (another cousin of the Wasp), but have them cut it for the .30-30 rim.  That way you can use fresh dies and not have to chase .225 brass, just use .30-30 blown out.   

[Prebanpaul]

OK EVERYONE READ THE POST FULLY.   I WANT THE R2 LOVELL FOR ONE REASON     THE "R" EQUALS RISLEY MY LAST NAME. I WANT THIS ROUND FOR NASTALGIA NOT THE PERFORMANCE.  IF I WANT PERFORMANCE I WILL USE MY LAZZERONI WARBIRD MY 500 SMITH OR .22 CHEETA.  THANKS

[Nobade]

OK, fine. Go ahead and build one. It'll work great.