The .22 Savage Hi-Power (5.6x52R) was designed by Charles Newton and introduced by Savage Arms in 1912, chambered in the Savage Model 99 lever-action rifle. It was one of the first truly high-velocity .22-caliber centerfire cartridges, driving a 70-grain bullet at nearly 2,800 fps — extraordinary for the era. Marketed aggressively by Savage for deer hunting, it was adopted by big game hunters in North America and Africa before the limitations of its small-caliber, non-expanding bullet became apparent.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1912, United States
Parent case: .25-35 Winchester
Standardization: CIP
Bullet diameter: 0.228" (5.79 mm)
Case length: 2.047" (51.99 mm)
Overall length: 2.598" (66 mm)
Max pressure: 56,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:12
Muzzle velocity: 2790–2800 fps
Muzzle energy: 1208–1215 ft-lbs
Effective range: 300 yd
Common bullet weights: 70, 71 gr
Primary use: hunting_small_game, hunting_medium_game, varmint_hunting
Production status: Discontinued
Also known as: 5.6x52R · 22 Imp. Sav. · .22 Hi-Power · 22 Savage High-Power · 5.6x52mmR
History: Savage promoted the .22 Hi-Power as capable of taking any North American game animal, including grizzly bear — a claim that proved controversial and occasionally tragic. The cartridge was adopted by some African professional hunters in the early 20th century for its flat trajectory and was licensed to European manufacturers, explaining the CIP designation as 5.6x52R. Post-WWI hunting ethics…
Notable firearms: Savage Model 99