220 Swift loads

[Tnslim]

I'll be finishing my 220 Swift by next week and need a good starting load. I have Varget, 4064, 4007SSC and IMR 4320 that have all worked well in my 22-250. It's a 26" Criterion with 12" twist and I will be shooting in the 50 to 60 gr range bullets with a max range of maybe 400 yds. Thanks.

 

[ARW]

Try looking here, lots of load info. for you to start with.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[Kermit in Va.]

My RUGER 77 VT shot good with IMR 3031.
My load was 33 grs. with the 55 NBT.
It was the starting load from the old Lyman book.
I later found several loads with different podwers and bullets but none of'em shot any better. It was about 3500 fps but would put 3 touching at 100 yrds and shot to 500 with no problems.


Kermit

 

[CatShooter]

4007-ssc has become my "Go to" powder for the .220 Swift's. It goes through a measure fairly well, burns clean, and delivers the best velocities for a given pressure level.

There are faster powders that will shoot OK, but why shoot a .220 Swift if all you want for muzzle velocity is 3,500 fps.

 

[40X Guy]

Out of the powders you listed start with IMR-4064. Great powder for 55 grain bullets. 36 grains as a good starting point will get you 3600 fps, 37 grains will get you 3700 and so on. But work up carefully. I have done extensive experimentation with the Swift and various powders but still come back to H-414 as my go to. I get the best combo of velocity and accuracy with 42.5 grains of H-414. Varget did not show me anything velocity wise. You may want to try the IMR-4320 as well. I have read of many Swift shooters decades ago using 4320 with great results.

Frank

 

[FroggyOne2]

I once considered the .220 Swift with the Berger 90VLD's. Then I changed my mind.

 

[Gary in MD]

The 4064 that you have will work as good as any and better than most. It has always been known to supply top accuracy and very good, if not the best, velocity. Sierra always listed it as their accuracy powder for several bullet weights. I was getting between 3800 and 3900 fps with a 55 gr bullet out of a 26" barrel. 50 gr bullets will go 3900 - 4000. Deady on groundhogs; foxes; etc. Good luck,
Gary

 

[Barlow]

I have been shooting Swifts since 1976. My standard load is 39 gr 4064, 50-55 gr bullets. Had a buddy that used 41.2 gr of 4064 and 50 gr bullets, these loads have killed a LOT of deer. As always start low and work up.

 

[357Mag]

TNSLim -

Howdy !

+ one on what 40X said. And.....

In my .224" calibre wildcat shooting 55's from a Hart SS 24" 1-14 , I got a tad more vel out of
VV160 and FED LR Magnum Match, than I did w/ WW760 ( H414 ).

My 500yd load ( groundhog ) was: 41.6gr VV160 Fed LR Magnum Match and prototype Hornady
55"V"-Max for 3,690fps.

My standard load in this wildcat for zillions of years was:
41.2gr WW760 FED LR Magnum Match, under Hornady 55SX

VV560 would not/did not provide MORE vel than what the VV160 load did.

For info: 100yd target load was: 40.0gr IMR4350 CCI LR Match under Rem .224" cal 52HP,
or other quality ( custom ) 52's.


Best of luck in your endeavors !

With regards,
357Mag

 

[Hal]

Hornady list 38.2 max for 4064 with a 50 gr bullet, some of the above loads might be a little hot in your rifle.

Hal

 

[xswanted]

I used 38.5 grains of 4064 in one I had. Shot great with 55s

 

[Hbb6601]

+1 on H-414; love it with 55 gr VMAX! Also have used Win 760 with good results for 55 gr bullets. Devastating on P-dogs!!

 

[Todd DuBose]

Old Standby load used since 1976 is 38.5 grs. of IMR 4064 with a 50 Gr. pill.... Lots of Coyotes and Does had the opportunity to share this load right between the eyes...Eyeballs...Pop Right Out of Socket. Loaded up to 39.5 grs., Cold Weather Only here in South Texas, It does blow a primer or make the case prematurely fail after 2 loadings this time of year.... Fun little cartridge!! Enjoy!! (NOTE)This was out of a 1-14" twist barrel...

 

[redlabel12ga]

Both my savage 12 220 swifts like IMR4007ssc, 39gr.

 

[snert]

I like H380. I use it in my Swift, and do not push it hard with 55 grain V max. Happy with 3600 FPS and no burnt barrel. Lots of dead chucks, one at 700+ yards.

snert

 

[Outrider27]

In addition to 4064, we have found our Swift likes H414 and H380. H414 has worked especially well with 55gr bullets and is pretty much our go to powder for the Swift. We've also had fun with 3031, especially with 40-45gr bullets.

 

[6MMsteve]

wym wusin weeweroder wevenween wit woots wood wometimes, wut wanna why wewroder wixween wonna woad wome wightwow

 

[6MMsteve]

wym wusin weeweroder wevenween wit woots wood wometimes, wut wanna why wewroder wixween wonna woad wome wightwow

gonna try some re16 been using 17 what you think about 16 I think It could be the cats meow

 

[AckleymanII]

Shot out several swifts

Rem brass
9 1/2 primer
44g of AA2700, mabe 44.5g
50g Nosler Ballistic tip, 50g Sierra spt
Both bullet shot bug holes at 4000 fps
Short leade chambers, so the bullets were touching the lands.

We got away from IMR 4064 because it ate barrels like shooting battery acid.

When the leade got shot longer, we went to the 55g Sierra semi point, then later on the 63g Sierra, these are super accurate bullets and very, very accurate.

 

[nakneker]

My Dad gave me a swift load years ago and it's been my go to load on three swifts.

41.5 grs H414, Federal large rifle match , 55 grain BT.