I don't find a lack of accuracy in any of the 1899 takedowns I have. Of course, mine are all very snug, and I don't take them down very often. The bugabear of poor accuracy in the .22 HiPower is mainly the result of mis-matched bullets. Most commonly available 70 grain .228 bullets today are too long to stabilize in the 1-12" twist found in those early Savages. Older generation round nose 70 grain bullets are short enough to stabilize and actually shoot quite well. Needless to say finding stocks of old Sisk and discontinued Speers is getting harder as time goes by. Buffalo Arms sells a couple of lighter bullets but they seem to be a little too thin-jacketed for deer size game, although they shoot well. Don't waste your time with the current Hornady .228 spire point. It's too long by .1" (I make a file trim die to shorten them, then they work.)
Savage TDs in other calibers shoot nicely too, having worked with .303s, .30/30s and .25/35 calibers. They are indeed amongst the handiest rifles for a day of woods loafing ever invented. I tend to get better accuracy with them than with run-of-the-mill Winchester and Marlin lever guns too.
Basically, the HP is no more difficult to master than any .22 CF IF the bore is crisp, the chamber isn't too generous, the TD feature is snug, and most importantly the bullets suitable. I routinely expect 1 1/4-1 1/2" groups @100 with mine, with tang sights, if I squint just right and the gods smile on me.
Last edited by Gary D.; 11/18/11 12:08 PM.
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