rechamber from .222 to 220swift

[timbertoes]

Please excuse my ignorance on the subject, if anyone, I know you guys will be aware of whether this can be done...

have a 40x barrel in .222, (no action yet), and I like to Coyote hunt as well as just general range fun.

Never owned a 220swift.... and already have 2 excellent "better than me" shooting .222's.

Is this rechambering more difficult or more costly for a Gunsmith than starting from a new barrel ?

 

[KevinThomas]

No mention here as to whether this is a new barrel or a take-off used barrel. Yes, the barrel can be rechambered for a Swift, that should be no problem at all. In this instance, the new reamer should completely clean out the old chamber. You'll be stuck with the original twist of the 222 (probably a 1x14"?), but that may not be a problem. After all, a lot of Swifts came with the same twist rate. It does, however, limit you to the lighter weight bullets, probably stopping at around 55-60 grain projectiles.

If this is a used 222 barrel, you'll want to take a very close look at the throat and first few inches of the bore. I've rechambered used barrels like this that shot just fine, but I've also seen some that just never did shoot like I wanted them to. Just a word to the wise . . .

 

[timbertoes]

thanks, It is a used barrel - I got it here from 40Xguy. Orginally a .222r Mag barrel He had it redone - tight neck chamber/setback.

Understand where you come from. In the long run, I might be better of selling it and starting new. OTOH, the rifling may have lots of life left.

selling and starting new also means I get to look at, Oh so many other fast and light calibers as well

I do prefer twists for lighter bullets. For hunting, I believe in getting a larger caliber if one wants a heavier bullet

If I thought I could afford to travel and shoot at Matches.....different story there ! For that I occasionally shoot .22lr silhouette.

 

[WyleWD]

have a 40x barrel in .222, (no action yet), and I like to Coyote hunt as well as just general range fun.

Never owned a 220swift.... and already have 2 excellent "better than me" shooting .222's.

I agree with Kevin's response. While I'm one of the biggest fans ever of the 220 Swift, I'll have to admit that your post gives me a couple of maybe not red flags, but at least caution flags ....

First would be the take off Remington barrel's condition as Kevin pointed out, second would be your statement about general range fun. Depending upon how serious or how much range fun you wanted, a new barrel in 22br might be a better consideration.(?) There are just not that many 220 Swifts that I'd call "range fun". Or at least range fun for very long. Just my opinion.

I'm on my 3rd 220 Swift since the mid 70's and it will flat out turn the lights out on coyotes, but when this one is ready for a new barrel, it just may be a 22xc or a 22br in its next life. WD

 

[wapiti25]

Did you hear how many rounds have been fired thru this barrel? What I did hear from you is that it has been set back and rechambered already. The 222 and 222 mag are not hard on barrels but it was used. The cost to do what you want is going to cost you the same gunsmith fee's on this barrel as a new one food for thought.

 

[superlight93]

timbertoes
What size neck is the 222? I might be interested in buying the barrel off of you. Send me a PM please.

 

[40X Guy]

thanks, It is a used barrel - I got it here from 40Xguy. Orginally a .222r Mag barrel He had it redone - tight neck chamber/setback.

Understand where you come from. In the long run, I might be better of selling it and starting new. OTOH, the rifling may have lots of life left.

selling and starting new also means I get to look at, Oh so many other fast and light calibers as well

I do prefer twists for lighter bullets. For hunting, I believe in getting a larger caliber if one wants a heavier bullet

If I thought I could afford to travel and shoot at Matches.....different story there ! For that I occasionally shoot .22lr silhouette.

That barrel has a .250 chamber IIRC, and the rifling/bore etc. were in very good condition as viewed thru my borescope. It was a tack driver with 52 grain bullets. If wanting to rechamber for a Swift as mentioned it would be no problem, but IMHO a Swift should have a 26 inch barrel to get full effect of the cartridge, and 50-52 class bullets will zing out of that barrel. Seeing that its already been set back once, I would not hesitate to rechamber it for a Swift. The Swift packs a mighty punch on varmints!

Frank

 

[Catfish]

You should not have to set the barrel back as the 222 case lenth is 1.400 and the case lenth of the Swift is 2.205 so it is enough longer.

 

[timbertoes]

thanks for the help, and glad you found the thread, 40x guy!
Yes it has been sitting in the safe all this time
Somehow in the meantime I managed to find a load for my hunting S&W1500 .222, that is...well really really good, to the point I need to read wind and have better bench equipment.. i.e. at the limits of my shooting ability I think.
And then there is a Heavy Barrel Anschutz .222 being a safe queen !

These days my thoughts are on tack driving Coyote guns that hit hard, fast and long. To that effect I recently got a .257WBY, but the 1st good load for it, and I will be done with its range-fun type shooting. in fact...the first few loads I tried - 75gr Sierras hopefully screaming at 3900+ did very decently.

A partner and I placed in some good money at a varmint hunt so that gets my wheels spinning on what to spend it on!

I must admit I am also a sucker for gettings things that some consider out of fashion..lol. Like considering a .240WBY.

Really appreciate the replies, I know it sounds like a *kiss*, but I find this is one of just a few places for real info!
After all, it's all YOU guys fault I have a Mill and Lathe that I can just barely operate...