I have a Ruger No 1 in 220 Swift that I handload. Actually I don't see why anyone with a centerfire rifle would not handload.
I recently read a thread on another site, arguing the superiority of the 204 Ruger, vs. the 22-250 and the 220 Swift. One of the issues mentioned was the cost of commercial ammunition and the old barrel burning issue. With the control that I have over velocity, accuracy and cost per round by handloading, with my Ruger, I see no reason to trade in my rifle for any other varmint rifle.
Accuracy counts for a lot for me and through experimentation I have found a load that will shoot sub-1/2" five shot groups at 100 yards in my rifle. That is 37.5 gr. of IMR 4064 with a 55 gr. Berger bullet. I estimate the cost (assuming 5 reloads per brass case) at $.42 per round. That compares well with $1.50 per round for less accurate commercially loaded 220 Swift ammunition.
For daily shooting out to 200 yards, I have also experimented with reduced loads using IMR 4759 and cheap surplus FMJ bullets. With a load of 13.5 gr. of IMR 4759 (as recommended by Chuck Hawks) and a 55 gr. bulk pack bullet, I get 2000 fps at $.22 per round.
For long distance shooting, 35 gr. of IMR 3031 with a 40 gr. Speer Jacketed SP gives me 3906 fps. at about $.35 per round or about the same cost as 17HMR, with a lot more range and smack down power. If I want to go all out, 39 gr. of IMR 3031 with a 40 gr. bullet will give 4385 FPS.
As to the issue of burning barrels, that is an outdated issue with the 220 Swift. When the round was introduced, the barrels of rifles were not made with the advanced metals they are now and the cooler burning powders available today did not exist. I have fired over 700 rounds through my Ruger No. 1 (which I bought used) with no evidence of barrel erosion.
For my next rifle, I plan on asking Russ Haydon to build me a 22 PPC. Like I said, accuracy is very important to me and, as a feeble old man, I like the low recoil of the 22s.
I recently read a thread on another site, arguing the superiority of the 204 Ruger, vs. the 22-250 and the 220 Swift. One of the issues mentioned was the cost of commercial ammunition and the old barrel burning issue. With the control that I have over velocity, accuracy and cost per round by handloading, with my Ruger, I see no reason to trade in my rifle for any other varmint rifle.
Accuracy counts for a lot for me and through experimentation I have found a load that will shoot sub-1/2" five shot groups at 100 yards in my rifle. That is 37.5 gr. of IMR 4064 with a 55 gr. Berger bullet. I estimate the cost (assuming 5 reloads per brass case) at $.42 per round. That compares well with $1.50 per round for less accurate commercially loaded 220 Swift ammunition.
For daily shooting out to 200 yards, I have also experimented with reduced loads using IMR 4759 and cheap surplus FMJ bullets. With a load of 13.5 gr. of IMR 4759 (as recommended by Chuck Hawks) and a 55 gr. bulk pack bullet, I get 2000 fps at $.22 per round.
For long distance shooting, 35 gr. of IMR 3031 with a 40 gr. Speer Jacketed SP gives me 3906 fps. at about $.35 per round or about the same cost as 17HMR, with a lot more range and smack down power. If I want to go all out, 39 gr. of IMR 3031 with a 40 gr. bullet will give 4385 FPS.
As to the issue of burning barrels, that is an outdated issue with the 220 Swift. When the round was introduced, the barrels of rifles were not made with the advanced metals they are now and the cooler burning powders available today did not exist. I have fired over 700 rounds through my Ruger No. 1 (which I bought used) with no evidence of barrel erosion.
For my next rifle, I plan on asking Russ Haydon to build me a 22 PPC. Like I said, accuracy is very important to me and, as a feeble old man, I like the low recoil of the 22s.
