14 twist bartlein barrel( prairie dog rifle project)

[Marines1983]

I have had a Bartlien 1-14 twist barrel and a Savage trued LRP action that have been collecting dust for to long. I was debating on a Swift (short barrel life) or a 223 AI. I own 22BR, 204, 223, 22/250. What’s some opinions please. I am leaning towards the Swift.
Thanks
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

 

[357Mag]

Marine -

Howdy !

A 'Swift would be ok for groundhogs & PD, as long as you are mindful of engagement ranges.

You could go w/ a long/longer barrel length for whatever .224" chambering you select, as an aid in
improving the rifle's " expansion ratio ". I'd recommend no shorter than 26", especially if you will be shooting from a fixed position.

The use of longer barrel lengths can enable you to select slower burning powders, which might also boost load density ( more-fuller cases ), dependent on powder selected.

A 1-14 barrel should stabilize 55-60gr bullets, as long as the latter are no more than .750" long.

I shot a 24" SS 1-14 Hart chambered in my " .22-35 Remington " wildcat, for many years.
My go-to powder was WW760, and I also shot some VV160 towards the end of the barrel's life.
A load of 41.6gr VV160 and FED Large Magnum Rifle Match under a prototype of Horndy's 55 "V"-Max got me into the 500yd club, on a 510yd " Soybeanus Digestus " kill.

I myself felt even better served, when I re-barrelled in .22-35 Remington, this time in a 28" SS 1-8 K & P.
It was easy to get 3,500fps on 75 "A"-Max, shooting 40.5gr AA3100, and FED Large Magnum Rifle Match.
The accuracy load came via a simple switch to FED LR Match, for 3,420 fps and best groups.
The rig was 1,000yd-capable for either varmint or target. I mention the 1-8 barrel to give an idea of how slow in burn rate, my powder selection was...... and it worked well.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[jasophil1]

22 250 ack imp

 

[jepp2]

I shoot a lot prairie dogs each year. Most are shot with 20 calibers. My typical day involves 250 to 300 rounds fired. I wouldn't even consider a 22-250 or Swift due to the muzzle blast and barrel heat produced. A barrel would probably last 3 days for me.

 

[Quickoz]

22-250AI as well. When you run the numbers of fast 20cals, etc, The 22-250AI with 55gr @ 4000fps is hard to beat. All depends what you want out of it.

 

[snert]

For PD? If I had all those other hard chargers and a spare 14 twist, I would chamber a 221 FB or 222. Set it up for 40-50 grain bullets, buy some TNT or 40 Vmax and go to town...literally...without burning up your investment.

I love a Swift, have one, and its great for groundhogs. I would never take it with me for prairie dogs because I can't afford 40 grains of powder to kill a rodent or 300...

Besides, a 14 twist isn't going to give you VLD bullets for long ranges.

Reconsider. If you have to go 223 (everyone has one of those) at least do AI

 

[LCazador]

I have had a Bartlien 1-14 twist barrel and a Savage trued LRP action that have been collecting dust for to long. I was debating on a Swift (short barrel life) or a 223 AI. I own 22BR, 204, 223, 22/250. What’s some opinions please. I am leaning towards the Swift.
Thanks
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

I'm assuming you're going to use the old barrel? Throw it away it'll make a nice tomato stake unless you're planning on shooting 50gr bullets. A 223AI is about the same as a 22/250 as far as barrel life. IF you have 2-3 rifles you can shoot while the other one cools down than yeah 22/250 is great. If you go 22/250. Go the Ackley version it actually gives a bit more barrel life. The 204 Ruger is a barrel burner too. 20 VarTarg 11 twist, 223 with 9 twist or a 222 9 twist will serve you well. And put that money into a new barrel with the proper twist. That 14 is only good for 50gr bullets, no matter how fast you shoot them. Don't know why shooters think that 3800 fps is going to stabilize a bullet better than 3200fps. Read Brian Litz book about this. I been shooting pdogs for 40 years now and I never saw a Swift stabilize a 55 grain bullet better than a 223 or 222! A 12 twist can do good job with those 55's but why not go a 9 twist that will do everything from a 50g to a 69 grain!

 

[SBS]

One of the best PD rifles in my battery is a 14 twist .222 with a 40 gr. V-Max. Produces amazing accuracy, high velocity and makes high fliers out of the PD's. Doesn't use much powder and stays cool longer. You already have a couple of long range calibers in the .22 BR and the .22-250; good to have several calibers you can shoot for longer periods of time without getting too hot. With the Swift or the .22-250 AI (about the same performance), in order to get long range better than the smaller cases, you need to be using heavier bullets than your 14 twist will allow. Wind drift is usually the biggest obstacle to overcome at longer ranges and the light bullets are not your friend in this situation.

 

[drover]

The above post citing a 222 is the way to go IMO. The 222 is an accurate, low recoil, low that performs way above its pay grade - guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

There is not enough difference between the Swift and the 22/250 to even consider one over the other and you are will covered with other good PD calibers. Think small.

drover

 

[Ackman]

I have had a Bartlien 1-14 twist barrel and a Savage trued LRP action that have been collecting dust for to long. I was debating on a Swift (short barrel life) or a 223 AI. I own 22BR, 204, 223, 22/250. What’s some opinions please. I am leaning towards the Swift.
Thanks
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

For a single shot pd gun, I'd go with the .223AI. Enough of an increase in velocity to put it in the .22-250 performance window, with the same barrel life as a std. .223. It's a win-win. You might also consider the 22-204 which holds a little more powder, a very nice cartridge. Both will shoot 55's but I shoot 50's and 40's in mine. A 40 at 4100+ is cooking right along. *** Go with O (zero) freebore.

 

[Webster]

I have had a Bartlien 1-14 twist barrel and a Savage trued LRP action that have been collecting dust for to long. I was debating on a Swift (short barrel life) or a 223 AI. I own 22BR, 204, 223, 22/250. What’s some opinions please. I am leaning towards the Swift.
Thanks
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

Bolt face diameter limits what you can chose. A 6brx for heavier bullets covers a lot of territory. Great barrel life.

 

[ChrisA]

My first semi custom was a Savage 110V with a heavy Brux 14 twist chambered in 223. That thing served me well and shot everything from 40 BTs to 55 Vmax, but it really loved the 40 BTs and so do I on prairie dogs.

Chris

 

[Bill K]

222 Reminton, never regret having it, with the others.

 

[1lessdog]

If you have a 1 - 14 twist that is setup to be a hotrod, shoot it like one. I would go with a Swift or 22-6MM AI . That barrel is just itching for a 50 gr Blitzking at over 4100 to 4350 FPS.

 

[AckleymanII]

26" 223 aI will shoot the 40's at 4150 with some blistering accuracy! 50g at 3850, measly small powder charges. Accuracy with the 223 AI will challenge most! BArrel life with H335 and AA2230 is something you will have to see to believe!

Next step up, like Webster said would be a 6 BRX with H335 or AA2230. 58g Vmax, 60g Sierra at 3800 with H335, 65g V max at 3700, 75g V max at 3550+ with 300 round shot strings is normal....watch the hair fly!

 

[Bill K]

It might well be, but a quality barrel like that and in 14 twist, would give much longer service in something like a 222 Remington, over the swift, and especially in a PD flat or squirrel field, for more enjoyment shooting, rather than finding another barrel, that is shot out so fast.

 

[Marines1983]

I went with a 223 AI and I am very pleased. I took AckleymanII advice and his guidance. This was the 1st time my gunsmith chambered a barrel for an AI, so I took notes from AckleymanII and all went well. I would not recommend a reamer with zero free. I do get 4100fps and they are .1 or .2 inch 3 shot groups. this is with 40 grain Berger.
Thanks to all those that gave there feed back, that is what helps makes this site great.

 

[7887mm08]

The above post citing a 222 is the way to go IMO. The 222 is an accurate, low recoil, low that performs way above its pay grade - guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

There is not enough difference between the Swift and the 22/250 to even consider one over the other and you are will covered with other good PD calibers. Think small.

drover

Exactly what i think

 

[D Coots]

A 22BR will do everything a 22/250 will do. Only better......

 

[Tommie]

A 22BR will do everything a 22/250 will do. Only better......

Interesting