.220 swift Lead free bullets

[utron5]

Need load for .220 swift using Nosler 50gr BT (lead free) using 4064 powder. I cant get them to hold a group.34.6 gr 4064.

 

[Jager]

Well, here's a thought... most guns are NOT optimized for a random, specific load. Which is to say, someone else's pet load stands a very good chance of not being so terrific in your rifle. A large part of the reason many of us handload is so we can dial in particular preferences for each weapon we use.

You haven't given us an awful lot to go on. What is your rifle? And what other factory or handloads have you tried (surely you didn't just arrive at that 34.6/4064 out of the blue)? Any chrono data?

Kinda like children, figuring out how to go forward with a rifle starts with its backstory...

 

[Kurz]

I cant get them to hold a group.34.6 gr 4064.

The diagnostics involved in trying to determine your required group size are really varied. The information you supplied is not nearly enough to make a haphazard guess as to where your problem lies.

Things to check first (without our input here):

Has this rifle ever fired a group that satisfies you?

Action screws torque

Scope screws torque

Scope quality of repeatability

Bedding stress-free

Cleanliness of barrel

Throat condition of barrel

Crown condition

Stress-free, stable shooting support

And on and on...

Take a look at Nosler's reloading data for reference:

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/220-swift/

 

[OKyote73]

Another thought, most factory swift are a 1/14" twist so a non lead bullet tends to be longer. Your barrel May not be able to stabilise that bullet. Try a different bullet, aka lighter, and compare

 

[Kurz]

Nosler's data tested this bullet in a 1:14" twist.

See the link above.

 

[Elnicko]

Had the same issue in my .204 ruger with Nosler’s data. Even though their data shows a 14 twist (or 12 in my case) is sufficient, it is not fast enough. Plug the load info into Berger’s twist rate stability calculator and you’ll find that a much faster twist is needed. I switched to Hammer bullets. The recommended twist on their site is much more reliable, not to mention they shoot great. Hope this helps!

 

[biggun2869]

I load 35 gr 4064 in a 22-250. You're really light for a swift. I would recommend just going up by a couple of tenths till you find a sweet spot. Go to Hodgdons website and check. At that weight you are way below max for a swift.
I'm interested now I think I'll go there and see. You are in Ohio so I have a little problem understanding why you are stuck on that bullet?
My first centerfire was a 22-250 and I asked my gunsmith what I should load and he just kind of smiled and told me either a 50 or 55 grain bullet and 35 grains of IMR 4064. I have tried to tweak it, I have tried several different powders and I have yet to better it and I have had a bunch of 250s.