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Hello, My first Post, I wish some advice on the following a Merkel Drilling in 12x12over 22HP or 5.6x50R? I will not be using a scope and the rifle will be used on fox,goats and 'roos when the oppurtunity arises . I will mostly use it as a shotgun, before I order the Drilling which calibre is better? , I am leaning to the 22HP due to its 70g projectile but the 5.6x50R has greater velocity and flatter trajectory but I am not using scope and ranges would be less than 100yards, I could go a bigger calibre but a rabbits,Hares,Foxes would be 90% of game shot followed by goats and "Roos Thanks 308 |
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5.6x50 Rimmed. Great round. Al |
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308....Welcome to this terriffic site! seems to me that while the 5.6 is a good calibre, the 22 makes more sense due to the heavier 70 grain projectile. just my humble opinion on the matter.... good luck with whatever you decide upon DT |
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You may have trouble sourcing the 70 or 71-grain .228 projectiles for the .22 HP cartridge. I have a few boxes of Norma bullets (No. 65604) for my Model 99 but they are jealously guarded, and I have no idea of a source when they are gone. You should probably try to locate a source before going that way. Our importers suck! The 5.6 x 50 R is a true magnum cartridge, similar in performance to the .22-250. If all else were equal, the .22 HP would be a far more practical cartridge for an open-sighted drilling IMHO, because the 5.6x50R will be severely handicapped without a scope. For the quarry you list, either one will be perfectly satisfactory I reckon! |
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I can get projectiles from Hornady in 70g in 227" and Norma and RWS make both types of ammo, I am thinking of getting the 22HP as the 70g pill would be better on bigger game than the 5.6 but I was also looking at a chamber insert to turn the 5.6 into a 22WMR for cheaper shooting but I would presume the sights would not be regulated? any advice on chamber inserts ,lothar Walther make them. 22LR, 22WMR insert for 5.6x50R 22LR, 22WMR, 22Hornet for 22HP getting a insert would make the Drilling more versatile also LW sell inserts for 12g so you can shoot 20g,16g and .410 but back to the rifle a insert say in 22WMR is a .224" but the 22HP is a .228" would this matter? also the 22LR and 22Hornet are 222" I think so now I am thinking 22WMR for the 5.6 as both are 224". Do the different sizes have much affect on accuracy? Thanks 308 |
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I have decided on the 12x12/22 High Power as for barrel/chamber inserts I may get one in 22WMR later on as I have a Winchester 9422M in 22WMR so I will leave the drilling as it is 308 |
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308: Glad to hear the 70gr Hornadys are available in Australia. I can be a bit 'cavalier' with my norma reloads now! BTW, who carries the Hornadys? I like to stock up. |
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Herrons in Sydney my local gunshop said I think? but most likely have to order from USA |
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Sellier & Bellot loads the .22 High Power ammo, if you want factory loads. |
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I have an original 99 Savage in .22 Savage HiPower and I find that it kills deer like lightning, but produces no exit wound, hence leaves no blood trail, should the shot be less than ideally placed. I have had good luck with S&B ammunition, but a friend, using the same ammunition in his Savage, did not. Ditto with handloads using other than Norma bullets. It could be that his barrel is slightly oversized. |
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Quote: I have a 5.6x52R/12ga combi... I don't consider any of the 22's quite enough to be a "deer rifle" so i've never harvested a deer with it. I just feel that something that expands well but gives much better penetration should be used on deer sized animials... DM |
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If you're getting a Merkel, you probably won't be getting a .22 Savage but rather the nearly identical 5.6x52R. The Euro imitation round has a trifle smaller bore and a trifle smaller case body, just a few thousandths under. You can get all copper (similar to Barnes X) .227 bullets from GS Custom in South Africa. Weights of 42 and 60 gn are available. The slight difference in dimensions explains, I suspect, why some shooters of early Savage rifles report problems with case life when using modern ammunition. My guess is their chambers were a bit on the fat side for the original cartridge, and when fired with the slightly undersized modern 5.6x52R, there are case problems. Modern ammo, while sometimes labeled ".22 Savage," is likely made to the CIP standard for the smaller 5.6x52R, since this brass will fit both chambers. |
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You may suggest to your friend that he do a bore cast on his Savage with Cerrosafe. My experience with the S&B ammo is the bullets ranged from .224 to .226 in diameter, as opposed to the .227 bore in my Brno ZH 304. I've gotten excellent accuracy out of the Hornady .227 70 grain bullets, and they're effective on game as well. My brother used my Brno to head shoot a 140 pound feral hog and it never twitched. I bought the Hornady 70 grain spire point .227 bullets at Widener's Reloading (http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?startrow=13&dir=278|281|293|324|679) for $17.70 a box of 100. |