220 swift build

[Bryschuman]

Wanting to build a swift. Has anyone built a swift on custom action as a repeater. Also wondering if swift will feed in AICS mags. Not looking to get talked into different caliber just needing ideas and advice.

 

[wboggs]

First thing you need to do is determine what weight bullets you want to shoot. Lightweight to 55gr 1-12 to 1-14 twist and 1-8 for up to 80 gr. I would probably go with the 1-8. It will also shoot the lighter bullets but at a little less velocity. The Swift feeds well from M70s, R700, and Ruger magazines. Have never used one in AICS.

 

[Bryschuman]

First thing you need to do is determine what weight bullets you want to shoot. Lightweight to 55gr 1-12 to 1-14 twist and 1-8 for up to 80 gr. I would probably go with the 1-8. It will also shoot the lighter bullets but at a little less velocity. The Swift feeds well from M70s, R700, and Ruger magazines. Have never used one in AICS.

I will be sticking with lighter weight bullets 40-55 range nothing over 60gr. 1-12 is rate I was leaning towards. Looking into Stiller predator short action at the moment. I like the idea of being able to use Wyatt extended magazine if down the road decided to go to heavier pills.

 

[Gary in MD]

Long live the Swift. I just wish that we could get some TOP quality brass made from Lapua or similar. I do ok with weight sorted and annealed Winchester and Norma is ok but on the soft side. C’MON Lapua!!

 

[nakneker]

I had a couple swifts made off of Remington 700s that were originally chambered in the swift. No feeding issues. My cousin had one built on a Remington that gave him fits in a ADL configuration. I would ask your builder if he’s had experience with a swift and what he recommends. Might to your advantage to find a builder with hands on experience with the mighty 220 swift, great cartridge! I have no idea if it feeds from a mag but that rim might be an issue.

 

[Gary in MD]

Cooper 220 Swift model 54 feeds perfectly, at least mine does. There’s a couple Cooper Swifts on gunbroker but they are both single shots.

 

[wboggs]

I got my first in 1964 when Winchester discontinued it. The hardware store had a close out and it cost $115. They also had a whole table of ammo which I bargained them down to $50 a case plus some spare boxes. All Win 48gr soft point at 4110fps. We shot it a lot at crows and other small game. In those days I had no ideal about cleaning and carbon and only had Hoppes 9. Would shoot about 1 1/2" on a good day but we all loved it.
Shoot it slowly, keep it very clean, load it with precision and you will fall in love with it as did as a 20 yo many years ago.

 

[1lessdog]

You will love the Swift, I have shot one for many yrs. I shot Hornady 52 gr MTHP and under a .500 all day long. If your going to have a hotrod shoot it like one. That 1 - 14 Twist and 40 to 55 gr bullets is what I have and shot the best.

 

[White Eagle]

I have one in a model 70 featherweight with a Hart 1-12t barrel
Started out as a 22-250 but needed a swift had to modify the box mag and cartridge follower but works like a charm shoots amazingly accurate nice tiny little groups
up to 62gr TBBC's

 

[wboggs]

I have one in a model 70 featherweight with a Hart 1-12t barrel
Started out as a 22-250 but needed a swift had to modify the box mag and cartridge follower but works like a charm shoots amazingly accurate nice tiny little groups
up to 62gr TBBC's

Where do you get the TBBCs? I haven't seen them in years. That would a pretty good whitetail and antelope combo

 

[Bryschuman]

I’ve always wanted a swift. I have a 22-250 I could rebarrel but not ready to part with 22-250. Also have another 700 action I could use just thought it may scratch the itch better starting with a custom action but not having luck finding anyone who has built one on a custom. Thanks everyone for responses so far. Will be used for yotes and hopefully pdogs one day. Not wanting it Benchrest heavy. Light enough to carry but not all day.

 

[wboggs]

The Swift is a glamor girl like the 426 hemi, hot !!

 

[snert]

I can't speak directly to the feeding issue out of a linear box magazine. However, if you have a mag, try laying in a stack of them. Being semi-rimless you might have to exercise caution that the rims do not overlap...being a single stack and all. Otherwise the case itself should feed well, being long, slim, and not an abrupt shoulder. It is a lot like the 6mm rem.

Most mags in the guns mentioned are not linear/single stacked, but staggered. I think testing by pushing them out one by one, rapping them back and forth simulating a little recoil etc would tell you something about how they might feed with the rim issue. It isn't like a rimmed 30-30 (Rem 788 had a 30-30 and it fed) but I think I would do an inexpensive test before I built it.

 

[1lessdog]

I’ve always wanted a swift. I have a 22-250 I could rebarrel but not ready to part with 22-250. Also have another 700 action I could use just thought it may scratch the itch better starting with a custom action but not having luck finding anyone who has built one on a custom. Thanks everyone for responses so far. Will be used for yotes and hopefully pdogs one day. Not wanting it Benchrest heavy. Light enough to carry but not all day.

You have a Swift in a 22-250 AI. Just not a glamorous as 220.

 

[wboggs]

You have a Swift in a 22-250 AI. Just not a glamorous as 220.

He wants glamerous. As a boy reading about it in the 40s, I can understand that.

 

[snert]

The Swift isn't magical. But it isnt a 22-250 either. I prefer the Swift

 

[wboggs]

The 50gr powder capacity within 2 grs or so is about the max practical in a high capacity .224. You can go more and I have done that, even thought about the necked down 6.5 prc. But to shoot the heavier bullets requires a fast twist and achieveable speed increases the rotational velocity too much for anything but a mono bullet. Winchester went with a 48gr in a 1-14 loaded at the highest pressure of the day to break 4000 and that is still a worthy goal.

 

[Gary in MD]

A few years back, I wanted a walking varmint rifle capable from ground hogs to coyotes. I’ve had my share of heavy barreled rigs but wanted something lighter weight and not too hard to look at. When I placed my order with Cooper for a Jackson Game, I could have asked for it in about any cartridge but the Swift was a no brainer for me. A 55 grain bullet @ 3800+ is tough to beat.

 

[wboggs]

A few years back, I wanted a walking varmint rifle capable from ground hogs to coyotes. I’ve had my share of heavy barreled rigs but wanted something lighter weight and not too hard to look at. When I placed my order with Cooper for a Jackson Game, I could have asked for it in about any cartridge but the Swift was a no brainer for me. A 55 grain bullet @ 3800+ is tough to beat.

What twist did you order?

 

[Gary in MD]

12 twist suits most of my varmint needs