There is a very informative article in the February 1938 edition of The American Rifleman on the improvements to the original 22 Lovell. In "The Dope Bag," F. C. Ness discussed attempts by several gunsmiths to modify what was otherwise considered an "almost ideal" cartridge, in order to increase its powder capacity. The justification for doing so was explained as being to increase efficiency in loading powder into the case as much as it was to increase its ballistics. There is a picture in the article that shows eight versions of the original and improved 22 Lovell cartridge cases. Three are by Hervey Lovell, one by Adolph Neidner, one by B. L. Smith, one by Charles Johnson, and two by M. S. Risley.
The two cartridge cases by Risley in the picture show both his first improvement and the second (2-R) version. The cartridge cases are very similar, except that in the second version, the shoulder is moved slightly forward to gain about 1/2 ounce of powder capacity. Harvey Donaldson is given credit for the design. Also implied in the discussion is that the "R" in 2-R stands for Risley.
Very interesting article, if you are curious about the origins of what most people call the R2 Lovell.
Ken Waters also published a fairly comprehensive description of the evolution of the 22 Lovell in one of his "Pet Loads" columns, including detailed measurements for the Maximum Lovell, which has a much shorter neck and more abrupt shoulder than the R2. He also made it a point to say that he would not attempt to duplicate some of the excessive R2 loads used in the nineteen thirties and forties in his low wall test rifle.
Michael: I never have been able to figure out why Griffin & Howe marketed R2 brass with the 22-3000 head stamp. All the virgin G&H brass I have seen is for the R2. Have you seen any examples of virgin 22-3000 brass that is intended for the 22-3000?
