220 swift

[PAshooter20BR]

can anyone tell me some information about the 220 swift? Doesn't seem very popular and was just wondering what people thought of it?

 

[Vartarg217]

I've never owned one, but you can look here for some information:

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/220.html

I'd suggest that the lack of interest in it today reflects the fact that other cartridges,the .204 Ruger comes to mind) will do a great deal of what the Swift will do, with much less powder, noise and recoil. There are still a bunch of folks who swear by them.

 

[halfmile]

Unbeatable performance and an Excedrin brass headache. Still the velocity king in commercial cartridges.

I would go with a custom instead, just because of the brass.

HM

 

[PAshooter20BR]

what makes the brass such a headache?

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

I own and shoot two Swifts. I have never had any "real" problems with the brass that I shoot in either rifle. You do need to keep an eye on your trim lengths since the cases do stretch quite a bit due to the high operating pressures of the cartridge and the design of the case, but the .243 Winchester is just as bad as the Swift in this area. I have had the best results in both rifles with Accurate 2700, or Hodgdon H-414. One rifle is a Ruger M-77 Varmint rifle, and the other rifle is a Rem. 700 BDL Varmint. Both rifles are easily able to hold .5 MOA with handloads and have proven devastating on crows, woodchucks, and PD's. There is just something about using a classic round like the Swift that gets the blood running faster. At times, I wonder if "puffing" my first crow at age 12 with my cousins Pre-64 Model 70 in the Swift would have much to do with the way that I feel about the cartridge?!!? It still boils down to the old speed shop saying of "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? BIGGER is BETTER!" and the Swift delivers speed with no problems using a .22 Cal. bullet. The Swift will continue to soldier on as long as we still have good brass available for it. I will continue to use the Swift since I will never get enough of the "Need for Speed" when I am shooting varmints at long range.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[chino1969]

At times, I wonder if "puffing" my first crow at age 12 with my cousins Pre-64 Model 70 in the Swift would have much to do with the way that I feel about the cartridge?!!?
Cordially,
Bob Blaine

Hi Bob.
I've use the phrase "puffing up" a crow as you have because that's exactly what it looks like. I use a .22-250 A.I. with a 50 grn. Nosler Ballistic Tip for superior and dramatic "crow puffin". Good hunting!
Chino69

 

[Preacher]

I solved my #1 V 220 Swift's brass problem by doing the Ackley thing to it....
No more brass problems for me .......... and it spits out those little 40 grain BT's with their butts on fire, and will really put a puff up on a crow.
6 more weeks and they are legal again.......

 

[halfmile]

I was referring to cost, and case life. I don't have a Swift, but my former partner,R.I.P.) had 2 and loved them.

That is,When he wasn't bitching about cost and case life. Sometimes head separation occurred after 4 firings.

Yes, you can load it conservatively But then you might as well have a 22-250.

This does not mean I wouldn't snatch one up if it was a bargain.

HM

 

[2644ever]

Had two at one time an M-77 V and a Sav 112, accuracy with both rifles was outstanding with most bullet and powder combos and bordering on the incredible with Speer 52 HP, 38.0 grains of IMR 4320, WW cases and regular CCI 200 primers, I would shoot primers out of 12 gauge shells at 100 yds on a regular basis with that load!
The real pain in the rear with the Swift was actually located in the neck, it had a tendency to thicken after 4 or 5 firings. Turning necks was not making much good as the brass had become brittle anyway.
If I had to renew that romance I would also go the custom way, with a tighter base and maybe a Wilson Arrow improvement.