22-250 vs 220 swift
- Thread starter Falkwa
- Start date
I've owned a couple 220's and the plain simple truth is there are plenty of guns out there you simply cannot load for any more fps than a 22-250.
My 40x in a 22-250 will drive a Sierra 55 gr btsp to 3815fps with a couple grains less powder.
That said, if I'm going out for chucks or crows these days, it's always likely gonna be with a 20TAC.
My 40x in a 22-250 will drive a Sierra 55 gr btsp to 3815fps with a couple grains less powder.
That said, if I'm going out for chucks or crows these days, it's always likely gonna be with a 20TAC.
I love my 22-250, it's death out to 450 yards, haven't had a chance to shoot it any farther. Mine is a Savage model 12 FVSS in a Stockade Stocks Elk Stalker stock. The only thing I don't like is that it weighs over 12 pounds, not real handy to pack around.
My brother has had a SS Ruger in 220 Swift for 20 or 25 years that probably hasn't had 10 rounds ran through it, I've thought about borrowing it and working up a load for it.
My brother has had a SS Ruger in 220 Swift for 20 or 25 years that probably hasn't had 10 rounds ran through it, I've thought about borrowing it and working up a load for it.
Try it you'll like it!!!!!
Falkwa said:
For field use, meaning where the average shooter, under average conditions, can reasonably expect a hit there is not a nickel's worth of difference between the 22/250 and the 220 Swift. If anyone thinks that the extra 100 or so fps that may possibly, but not likely, be attained in the Swift makes a difference to a target or a varmint then they are deluding themselves.
Take a look at the Hodgdon reloading site - in the 22/250 with a 50 gr bullet Benchmark is listed at 3903 fps and CFE 223 is listed at 3968 fps. I am running CFE 223 below max velocity at 3850 with excellent accuracy.
Hodgdon site - data for Swift with 50 gr bullet, H380 at 3947 and IMR4064 at 3905. I expect some posts about how "your" Swift is so much faster than the published data but since there will be no verifiable pressure data to back it up it is unlikely unless you are exceeding safe pressures. The two cartridges are peas in a pod.
Also- take a look at the quote to see what the OP is planning to use the rifle for and the distances expected to be shot - once again there is no advantage to the Swift. As usual these type posts have descended to personal opinions and not much in the way of data.
To the OP - I recommend the 22/250 and spend the $500 saved, by not buying the Swift, on powder and bullets and then procede to get in a lot of trigger time.
drover
Drover,
Your making flat statements based on Hodgdon's loading data that we know is already very conservative. And what you do quote is based on 50 gr bullets. Just for info the original Winchester loading was a 50 gr bullet (actually a 48 gr) at 4100 fps. And that was 1938. And you can damn sure do that now if you like. I don't. Where the Swift shines is with heavier bullets and the longer ranges. I shoot a lot of 55 gr bullets and I know 40x Guy shoots a lot of 75. If your buying a rifle off the shelf with the slow twist barrels you may be right in that there's not a great difference. I have a new Swift based rifle in process for long range shooting the 75/80 gr bullets.
I would not spend an extra 500.00 for the fancy Remington rifle but buy the 22-250 and trash it. Replace barrel, chamber for the Swift, true the action, bed the stock with the left over 500.00, then you will have something worth taking to the field..
Plain and simple, NO, off the shelf rifle will beat the Swift for speed or accuracy.
And if you don't like it, that's fine, I do.
What the hell is CFE 223?
George
Your making flat statements based on Hodgdon's loading data that we know is already very conservative. And what you do quote is based on 50 gr bullets. Just for info the original Winchester loading was a 50 gr bullet (actually a 48 gr) at 4100 fps. And that was 1938. And you can damn sure do that now if you like. I don't. Where the Swift shines is with heavier bullets and the longer ranges. I shoot a lot of 55 gr bullets and I know 40x Guy shoots a lot of 75. If your buying a rifle off the shelf with the slow twist barrels you may be right in that there's not a great difference. I have a new Swift based rifle in process for long range shooting the 75/80 gr bullets.
I would not spend an extra 500.00 for the fancy Remington rifle but buy the 22-250 and trash it. Replace barrel, chamber for the Swift, true the action, bed the stock with the left over 500.00, then you will have something worth taking to the field..
Plain and simple, NO, off the shelf rifle will beat the Swift for speed or accuracy.
And if you don't like it, that's fine, I do.
What the hell is CFE 223?
George
George,
CFE 223 is a fairly new powder. Removing copper fouling is its biggest claim to fame.
Regarding off the shelf rifle velocity: the factory 20 grain bullet load in the 17 Remington has the Swift beat in velocity.
As far as the Swift being the most accurate off the shelf chambering: there are several current factory chamberings which have won countless matches and set world records. The Swift is a capable and accurate cartridge but it's a bit of a stretch to call it the most accurate off the shelf rifle. If your experience differs then you have owned some truly excellent Swifts and I congratulate you.
BTW I'm a fan of the Swift as well.
CFE 223 is a fairly new powder. Removing copper fouling is its biggest claim to fame.
Regarding off the shelf rifle velocity: the factory 20 grain bullet load in the 17 Remington has the Swift beat in velocity.
As far as the Swift being the most accurate off the shelf chambering: there are several current factory chamberings which have won countless matches and set world records. The Swift is a capable and accurate cartridge but it's a bit of a stretch to call it the most accurate off the shelf rifle. If your experience differs then you have owned some truly excellent Swifts and I congratulate you.
BTW I'm a fan of the Swift as well.
Tommie,
The 17 Remington is no longer an off the shelf rifle. And if I remember correctly it was the same at 4100 with a 25 gr bullet. It was replaced by the 17 Fireball or something to that effect. Sure there are more accurate rifle but their not fast and their may be faster rifle but not accurate. So for fast and accurate buy a 220 Swift.
George
The 17 Remington is no longer an off the shelf rifle. And if I remember correctly it was the same at 4100 with a 25 gr bullet. It was replaced by the 17 Fireball or something to that effect. Sure there are more accurate rifle but their not fast and their may be faster rifle but not accurate. So for fast and accurate buy a 220 Swift.
George
YEP! And their ain't no winners. But keeps things alive for awhile. And surprising enough, every once in a while something new comes out of it.
George
George
I just checked Sierra infini and find the following
22-250 40gr bk 4 loads give 4200fps
220 swift 40 gr bk 5 loads give 4200fps
22-250 AI40gr bk 5 loads give 4300fps
I am sure other loading sources may be different but ----
50gr bk
22-250 9 loads 3800+ and 1 3900+
22-250AI 3 loads 3950+ and 1 4000+
220 swift 6 3900+ and 2 4000+
argue all you want the pd will not know the difference - your bbl life and your powder cost will !!!
Bob
22-250 40gr bk 4 loads give 4200fps
220 swift 40 gr bk 5 loads give 4200fps
22-250 AI40gr bk 5 loads give 4300fps
I am sure other loading sources may be different but ----
50gr bk
22-250 9 loads 3800+ and 1 3900+
22-250AI 3 loads 3950+ and 1 4000+
220 swift 6 3900+ and 2 4000+
argue all you want the pd will not know the difference - your bbl life and your powder cost will !!!
Bob
Have a couple of others. Frank. You really need a couple more.
George
George
This is my 220 AI 12 twist.. The target is shot with 55gr noslers and RL 17, iv had the 22-250 and 22-250 AI for many years and to be honest you be happy with either the standard swift or 22-250. I found RL17 work well in the standard swift and AI version... And for 22-250 and 22-250 AI. I used imr 4064 and later switched to varget with 60 gr nosler. Good luck with your decision.
im going with the swift. being that was what my late father taught be about bolt actions on is playing a huge role in my decision. the other facter was that i made a post on 4 of my gun pages on FB looking for brass.... i now have almost 1k brass for the swift wet tumbling now.. still crickets on the 22-250.
and to a few of ya that was concerned if some of this flaming would turn me away from this site.... lets just say i would not recommend going to any ford mustang forums or FB pages anytime soon... that stuff makes alot of this almost like kindergarten.
but now my hunt is on for projectiles and powder. have about 13lbs of w748, 4lbs varget, and 5 lbs 4064.. have many projectiles laying around that i use for plinking in my AR that i doubt will suffice in a swift.
but now my hunt is on for projectiles and powder. have about 13lbs of w748, 4lbs varget, and 5 lbs 4064.. have many projectiles laying around that i use for plinking in my AR that i doubt will suffice in a swift.
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