.22 Savage Hi-Power(Handloader #320)

.22 Savage Hi-Power (Handloader Issue #320)

The .22 Savage Hi-Power is a classic centerfire cartridge that has quietly maintained a devoted following among vintage-rifle enthusiasts and practical varmint hunters. Featured in Handloader Issue #320 – June, 2019, this article revisits the Hi-Power’s long history and presents modern load data and performance testing that bring the cartridge into a contemporary reloading context. The piece emphasizes that, with careful component selection and methodical load development, the Hi-Power remains a highly usable cartridge for accurate small-game work and target shooting.

Originally designed as an evolution of earlier Savage .22 centerfires, the Hi-Power balances case capacity and efficiency in a way that produces pleasant recoil, good downrange energy, and predictable trajectories. Typical bullet weights favored in the testing and recommended loads range from about 45 to 55 grains—weights that give a useful compromise between velocity and ballistic coefficient. Modern polymer-tipped varmint bullets and quality hollow-points are shown to perform especially well, offering controlled expansion and repeatable terminal results on pests like prairie dogs and ground squirrels.

Handloader #320’s testing highlights that the cartridge responds well to modern powders that provide clean, consistent metering and moderate pressure curves. Powders like IMR 4198, Hodgdon H322/H4198 equivalents, and several bench-style propellants are featured in the load tables, chosen to fill the case efficiently without producing excessive fouling or throat erosion. The article stresses starting with conservative charges and working up while watching for pressure signs—advice that is especially relevant for older rifles or those of uncertain history.

One recurring theme in the feature is the importance of component consistency. The Hi-Power benefits from once-fired or carefully sorted brass, match-grade primers where applicable, and meticulous attention to overall cartridge length and seating depth. Small changes in seating depth (on the order of .005") were shown to affect group sizes measurably in the test rifles, and the author recommends chronographing every load step to isolate the best combinations for a given barrel and chamber.

Accuracy results in the Handloader tests show that sub-MOA groups are attainable with disciplined load development. Rifles with free-floated barrels and well-fitted actions tended to produce the best groups, though even more modest sporter-grade rifles benefited from the moderate, consistent loads recommended. The article also covers field notes—how certain loads produced less fouling and smoother extraction over long strings, making them superior for high-volume varmint work.

Finally, the Handloader feature contextualizes the Hi-Power’s performance: it may not match the extreme velocities of modern wildcats, but it excels as a balanced, economical cartridge that shoots flat enough for most varmint ranges, with minimal recoil and predictable behavior. For shooters who prize a tunable cartridge with vintage charm and practical results, the .22 Savage Hi-Power remains a rewarding choice when approached with careful reloading technique.

Source: Handloader Issue #320 – June, 2019