22 Newton

Historical Notes:

One of a series of cartridges developed by Charles Newton, this one did not appear in full commercial version. It was designed about 1912, following the introduction of the 22 Savage High Power for the Model 99 lever action rifle. Newton concluded during his development work on the 22 Savage that it was not entirely adequate for deer. He believed the 70 grain bullet at 2800 fps could be improved by using a larger case. Newton may have used the 7 x 57mm Mauser case for some of his earlier experiments. However, the final version of the 22 Newton appears to have been based on the 30-06 Springfield case shortened about 1/4 inch and necked down to take .228 inch diameter bullets. The 22 Newton did not appear as a Newton rifle caliber until about 1914 or later, and did not have a very long life. The original loading had a 90 grain bullet driven at 3100 fps. The 22 Newton was soon displaced by the 256 Newton, which had superior potential as a big game cartridge.

General Comments:

This is another cartridge somewhat ahead of its time. The new 5.56 x 57 developed by RWS is similar in performance and case capacity. It has a 74 grain bullet at 3400 fps (.224 inch diameter), and is a necked down 7 x 57 case. With a 90 grain bullet, the 5.56 mm would probably just about duplicate  the 22 Newton's performance. Because of the relatively heavy 22 caliber bullet, the 22 Newton would be a satisfactory deer, antelope, or similar game cartridge, provided proper bullet construction was used. The 220/257 Gipson is a very similar cartridge based on the 257 Roberts case necked down to 22 caliber. This later cartridge was designed by Vernon Gipson, a gunsmith and wildcatter from Worth, Illinois. (The 22 Gebby was a similar round on the 257 case.) Rifles for the 22 Newton require a very fast twist (1 in 8 inches) to stabilize this long, small caliber bullet.

Source: Cartridges of the World

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