Sanity Check on 220 Swift AI fireforming

[Raider1v1]

This is a 220 Swift AI chamber with a .260 neck. These are the first fire forming loads.

I took the advice offered and made some loads with benchmark and shot them today. They ranged from 38.0gr to 41.5gr in 0.5gr increments. Temp was about 50-55f and a bit windy. The groups were OK, .5-.75. I can tweak from there and the target was blowing a bit in the wind.

The issue i was having was that some of the shells were a bit hard to get started out of the chamber to extract. Almost like the were caught on a lip or something. it started around the 39.0gr level but it wasn't consistent.

Here is a picture of the ladder loads w/ a 2.420 COAL

Some folks told me its probably a headspace issue from the fireforming pressures. They suggested that i refire the same powder and COAL loads (2.420"). I did, as well as fire some new brass, but seated until they were almost stuck in the lands (2.771)

Here are the targets, cases, and FPS.

Where should i go with the fireforming load development from here? Stay with the "jammed" length of 2.771, or go with the "touching" lands at about 2.742"? I am thinking that i should stay with the jammed length and do some more testing of the 39.5 to 40.0gr level; maybe another test of 5 rounds each.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Benchmark is too fast for 53gr bullets in a Swift. Just shoot some full power Swift loads for fireforming to AI. You'll need powders in the RL15/Varget/N140 speed range.

 

[jcm24m]

Looks to me that you have a pressure problem by the way the primers look. A little cratered at the firing pin.

 

[Raider1v1]

Benchmark is too fast for 53gr bullets in a Swift. Just shoot some full power Swift loads for fireforming to AI. You'll need powders in the RL15/Varget/N140 speed range.

what about the seating depth? im assuming i want them jammed into the lands so i get a good seat against the boltface, or should they just be touching?

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

what about the seating depth? im assuming i want them jammed into the lands so i get a good seat against the boltface, or should they just be touching?

A proper AI chamber should be a light crush fit with virgin brass, headspacing on the neck/shoulder junction. If your brass doesn't fit like that, then you'll have to jam the bullets (or use some other method to hold the case head against the bolt face -- jamming the bullet is the simplest).

 

[Raider1v1]

A proper AI chamber should be a light crush fit with virgin brass, headspacing on the neck/shoulder junction. If your brass doesn't fit like that, then you'll have to jam the bullets (or use some other method to hold the case head against the bolt face -- jamming the bullet is the simplest).

Its a savage action. I set it up w/ the go gauge to have a slight resistance when closing the bottom 1/2 of the bolt per the brownells instructions. The results was this picture below w/ tons of flat primers and craters everywhere. Not great. I think ill go w/ the 2.771 length where the primers looked better.

I do have some varget, you think that will be a better load? what makes it preferable vs the benchmark?

 

[dedogs]

Looks to me that you have a pressure problem by the way the primers look. A little cratered at the firing pin.

Looks to me as if he needs his firing pin bushed. And if you look closely you will see that the strike is a little off center. I don't see this as a pressure problem. The fired primers look almost identical in all cases. dedogs

 

[Raider1v1]

Looks to me as if he needs his firing pin bushed. And if you look closely you will see that the strike is a little off center. I don't see this as a pressure problem. The fired primers look almost identical in all cases. dedogs

yah they are pretty much all the same. are those "flows" in the primers part of an pressure issue; or are they OK, just not desirable?

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Benchmark is meant for smaller cases like the 22PPC or 22BR with 52-53gr bullets. Bigger cases like the Swift need slower powders to make maximum velocity at acceptable pressures. Barrel life is going to be short in a Swift, so make the most of it by fireforming with full-power loads.

If you search this site for "swift" you will find plenty of recommended loads.

What loading manual or website did you use to find the Benchmark load? It's producing plenty of pressure (flat primers), but probably nowhere near maximum velocity, because Benchmark is too fast for the Swift. Burning rate chart here.

The primer cratering is due to a sloppy fit of the firing pin in the hole, which is typical of factory actions. It can be fixed by bushing the bolt face.

 

[boltfluter]

You need a mentor to help you out with reloading. Looks like you are way over pressure. Do you have any friends or relatives who reload? IMR4064 is a classic powder for the swift. Consult a reloading manual for powder suggestions and starting loads. Be safe.

Paul

 

[Raider1v1]

Benchmark is meant for smaller cases like the 22PPC or 22BR with 52-53gr bullets. Bigger cases like the Swift need slower powders to make maximum velocity at acceptable pressures. Barrel life is going to be short in a Swift, so make the most of it by fireforming with full-power loads.

If you search this site for "swift" you will find plenty of recommended loads.

What loading manual or website did you use to find the Benchmark load? It's producing plenty of pressure (flat primers), but probably nowhere near maximum velocity, because Benchmark is too fast for the Swift. Burning rate chart here.

The primer cratering is due to a sloppy fit of the firing pin in the hole, which is typical of factory actions. It can be fixed by bushing the bolt face.

The powder choice came from someone else online with quickload. I have a good amount of h4350, varget, and benchmark. From the three they said that benchmark was the best choice for the 26" barrel. I am getting decent speed, about 4000-4100 for the loads i fireformed.

So you think that varget would be a better choice? I do know that the life will be shorter on the barrel but thats OK. I am planning on using the fire forming loads for prarie dog hunting, so i do hope to get decent accuracy out of them.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

The powder choice came from someone else online with quickload. I have a good amount of h4350, varget, and benchmark. From the three they said that benchmark was the best choice for the 26" barrel. I am getting decent speed, about 4000-4100 for the loads i fireformed.

So you think that varget would be a better choice? I do know that the life will be shorter on the barrel but thats OK. I am planning on using the fire forming loads for prarie dog hunting, so i do hope to get decent accuracy out of them.

See Paul's advice above.

If you are getting 4K fps with Benchmark and a 53gr bullet you are likely WAY over pressure.

 

[Raider1v1]

See Paul's advice above.

If you are getting 4K fps with Benchmark and a 53gr bullet you are likely WAY over pressure.

I have been loading for a while, but this is my first foray into a AI cartridge and with the 220 swift round. I was going for a replacement with the same or better speed than the 204 ruger, but better wind resistance in distances inside 400yds on prairie dogs.

looks like that what i get for trying out loads from someone with quickload on the internet Ill follow the hornady powder loads for varget and start from their medium loads.

what do you think about the seating depth? from everything i have read about forming AI cases, i do want them jammed into the lands right?

 

[dedogs]

I am planning on using the fire forming loads for prarie dog hunting,

Taking a .220 Swift to a prairie dog town is not a recipe for good barrel life. IMO dedogs

 

[Raider1v1]

Taking a .220 Swift to a prairie dog town is not a recipe for good barrel life. IMO dedogs

oh i know, its going to be a burner but the good part is that the barrels are an easy swap!

what do you think about the seating depth? jam them in at 2.771, or have them "touching" at the 2.420 length?

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

I have been loading for a while, but this is my first foray into a AI cartridge and with the 220 swift round. I was going for a replacement with the same or better speed than the 204 ruger, but better wind resistance in distances inside 400yds on prairie dogs.

looks like that what i get for trying out loads from someone with quickload on the internet Ill follow the hornady powder loads for varget and start from their medium loads.

what do you think about the seating depth? from everything i have read about forming AI cases, i do want them jammed into the lands right?

See post #5.

At the pressures you seem to be running you could have easily blanked or blown a primer, or (much) worse. Read and follow reloading data from manuals/manufacturer's websites (Hodgdon, Hornady, etc.), and if there's any doubt ask for help. Be careful!

 

[Raider1v1]

See post #5.

At the pressures you seem to be running you could have easily blanked or blown a primer, or (much) worse. Read and follow reloading data from manuals/manufacturer's websites (Hodgdon, Hornady, etc.), and if there's any doubt ask for help. Be careful!

well shoot, i guess that takes using quickload off the table then. this was the info that they gave to me. 41.2 as the max load of benchmark.

His quote was " Benchmark for sure. At max charge of that (41.2 gr according to QL, velocity of 3900 fps at 57000 PSI and 100% powder burn) you have an amazing load."

i guess ill just stick with the book powders and go from there for now!

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

well shoot, i guess that takes using quickload off the table then. this was the info that they gave to me. 41.4 as the max load of benchmark. i guess ill just stick with the book powders and go from there for now!

THAT LOAD IS FOR H4350!! Not Benchmark. And WTF does the question mark after H4350 mean?? H4350 is W-A-Y slower than Benchmark.

Failure to pay close attention in reloading can lead to disaster.

 

[dedogs]

what do you think about the seating depth? jam them in at 2.771, or have them "touching" at the 2.420 length?

Not going to answer that question. I will say that I'll bet the Quickload data you received did NOT take into account the COL's you are running. Look up Saami's spec for max pressure on a .220 Swift and then ask your Quickload friend what he plugged in for pressure and COL. Bet you are over. dedogs

 

[Raider1v1]

THAT LOAD IS FOR H4350!! Not Benchmark. And WTF does the question mark after H4350 mean?? H4350 is W-A-Y slower than Benchmark.

Failure to pay close attention in reloading can lead to disaster.

that was the wrong screenshot, sorry i was asking him about h4350 separately. this was what he sent about benchmark:
"Benchmark for sure. At max charge of that (41.2 gr according to QL, velocity of 3900 fps at 57000 PSI and 100% powder burn) you have an amazing load."