Let's talk 220 swift

[codybrown]

So I've always wanted a lightweight walking varminter chambered in the almighty 220 swift. I have a few rifles in this caliber, but none that I would call light. I'm thinking about building one on either a Remington or Ruger action. Remington obviously has a greater market for aftermarket accessories, but I'm a sucker for Ruger's.

With that being said I'm thinking about a 22" lightweight contoured barrel in either 1:12 or 1:14 twist. I'm not overly concerned about the velocity loss with the shorter barrel since the longest shot I think this rifle would be used for would be 300 yards. Bullet selection would be 40-60 gr with the most likely to be 52-55 gr since I have a boatload of them already. Is there any advantage to going with the faster twist vs the traditional 1:14? On the flip side, any disadvantage to going with the faster twist if I do decide to shoot 40 gr bullets?

Another issue is short vs long actions. From what I have found in my searching, people have built them on short actions and have been able to unload a loaded round without pulling the bolt. A short action would open more possibilities if I decided to build on a Remington model 7 action.

 

[Adam in WI]

Standby for ”why not just do 22 Creed?"

 

[codybrown]

Not interested in anything other than the 220 swift. A lot of overlap in the new calibers, and I am far from needing to have the "latest greatest caliber." I'm already set up to reload every caliber I currently shoot, and aside from a 350 legend I built so I could hunt in the shotgun zone in MI, I don't foresee myself taking on any new calibers in the foreseeable future. Variety is the spice of life, and manufacturers have to do something to keep their heads above water.

 

[Adam in WI]

Nothing wrong with your choice, just prepare for the inevitable. As for your question, I would think the 12 twist would be preferable given the chance to shoot 60 grain bullets.

 

[codybrown]

I understand what you're saying, just trying to nip it in the bud.

 

[bullfrog]

I would go 1:12 in order to stabilize the higher BC 53 gr v-max. I called Hornady with this same question and they said 1:12 is still slow enough twist for the 40's if need be. You can still use a short action if throated correctly or use an extended mag box with a bullet notch in the front of the action opening. My factory Ruger throat is too long to use the magazine with bullets .010 off the lands but the loaded rounds eject fine.

 

[B23]

I'd go 12tw and shoot the 53gr Vmax

 

[B23]

I would go 1:12 in order to stabilize the higher BC 53 gr v-max.

I like the way you think!

 

[codybrown]

I'm thinking l/a at this point since I have a spare Remington 700 l/a waiting for a build. I also have a ton of v max bullets so I'm leaning towards a 12t as well. I just want to be able to shoot lighter projectiles if I wanted.

 

[ckrifles]

I would go for a 1:12 twist minimal, don't handicap yourself with too little twist. I have built a lot of Swifts, eastern montanas love their Swifts.

 

[Gary in MD]

Cody, I like your thinking. A handful of years ago I decided I wanted a “walking varminter”. I’ve had my share of heavy guns and still do. The mighty Swift was my choice of course, a 1:12 twisted Cooper Jackson Game.
Long live the Swift!
Gary

 

[codybrown]

Cody, I like your thinking. A handful of years ago I decided I wanted a “walking varminter”. I’ve had my share of heavy guns and still do. The mighty Swift was my choice of course, a 1:12 twisted Cooper Jackson Game.
Long live the Swift!
Gary

How do you like the weight/handling the Cooper? I have one in 223, but it's a single shot walnut model.

 

[Gary in MD]

I love my Cooper, it seems well balanced to me and much lighter than those 12 and 14 pound monsters I was carrying.
Mine is the walnut model.

 

[xring]

Many years ago I built a Swift to handle the heavier LONG Poytip Bullets . It has a 30 Inch Shilen 8.5 Twist which worked fine with Vmax 40s back East . Out West , the 40s never reached their Targets . I built it on the Rem 700 Short Action ...... would not do that again , but would go with the Long Action better suited for the long OAL . Chambering was not done correctly based on the Dummy Round I supplied .... way too short . I think I'm going to have it redone for the 53 Vmax with the Bullet placed in the Neck where I want it . Might also have it redone to a Swift AI . Any good Gunsmith recommendations ( PM me if you want ) in Upstate NY or Northern Pa. for this re-do ?

 

[Barossa_222]

I have a Ruger M77 in swift and a Rem short action 6AI. I think if I were building what you desire it would be on a Ruger rather than a Rem with a 24" tube. I'd use a 12 twist so I could run 60gr Vmax pills. Mount Weaver V series 4-16×42 and enjoy. I like the claw extractor and I'm a sucker for orbendorf style bottom metal. If I can sway you down a different path . . . . Have you considered a Borden . . . . . .

 

[codybrown]

I was thinking either Ruger or Remington because I have a spare l/a rifle in each that I wouldn't feel bad about tearing down to use the action for. I haven't looked into custom actions very much yet.

 

[piute]

I just picked up a Lilja 1-8t sporter for my swift build. Wanted the 1-8 twist so I could handle 60+ grs non leads that we are supposed to use in California.
Have fun!
Oh, haven't decided on whether it will be on Rem 700 or Win 70, both are long action.

 

[codybrown]

That bullet is going to be spinning pretty fast!

 

[piute]

That bullet is going to be spinning pretty fast!

I was looking on Barnes/ Hornaday sites they recommend something fast . I guess I'll find out. I do know my heavy 1-14 barrel wont shoot them worth a nickel!

 

[piute]

I was thinking either Ruger or Remington because I have a spare l/a rifle in each that I wouldn't feel bad about tearing down to use the action for. I haven't looked into custom actions very much yet.

I know of two different guys that shoot Rugers, swift factory sporters, that are very accurate!