The Magnificent 220 Swift

[Snuggie]

I had one about 40 yrs ago in a Ruger #1 with a Leo 6.5-20 on it. We would shoot crows at rediculous distances. As soon as I would pull the trigger all I saw was feathers and a red mist! Used 55gr SX pills. Wish I still had it......they are fun!

 

[Gary in MD]

I can’t get enough of hearing about the Swift’s that you guys own. Let’s hear some loads, powders and bullets.
Here’s a picture of my second Swift doing what it does best. It’s a Cooper Jackson Game, it’s a relatively light weight.
Gary

 

[Hotshot]

This thread made me lonesome for mine, I haven't shot it much lately. My Dad's old model 70 from the early 50's with a Lilja barrel. When he gave me that rifle we tried to count all the barrels it had. This is number 9 for sure maybe 10 or 11. Took it to the range last Tuesday. 5 shots all in one ragged hole. Hammered the 500 yard gong easily over and over again. 42 grains of H414 pushing a 55 grain Vmax. Before the 204R, I used to bring 3 swifts to a prairie dog town. Had one in the shade cooling, one soaking in solvent to clean the barrel and one on the bench to shoot. Many times all three were too hot to touch.

 

[Barlow]

Great stories! Any one using RL17 in their Swift, and would you share some data? Barlow

 

[Tom Baker]

One of my old M70s is on its 5th Swift barrel. It wasn't unusual when we hunted prairie dogs to have 6 or 8 Swifts in the pickup.

I wish I had a dime for every round I've shot with 760 and the 52 SMK.

 

[WyleWD]

Great stories! Any one using RL17 in their Swift, and would you share some data? Barlow

I'll be interested to see what info (if any) you get with this post. I've been curious about both R-17 & R16, but never taken the time to trying as I'm very happy with either WW760 & H414. WD

 

[6MMsteve]

Great stories! Any one using RL17 in their Swift, and would you share some data? Barlow

39 to 40 grs re17 with ccibr primers 55 and 60 vmax 12 tw..I may have shot more grs not sure it shot good so that's what I shoot....

 

[6MMsteve]

re16 40grs with 55 vmax & 60vmax

 

[6MMsteve]

only issues I have with swift brass is loosing primer pockets...since I started shoulder bumps and measuring the shoulder not much brass stretchin just a little trim.. but no case seperation...back before I started shoulder chks had case seperation all the time...till I learned from this site the birds and bees of shooting lol

 

[AckleymanII]

Standard Forster Neck sizing die will bump shoulders with perfection!

Steve, what kind of speed are you getting with your R#16?

Speer is making the Gold Dot bonded bullets now in 55,62, and 75g, would make for some great deer and hog loads!

What kind of speed do you guys get with the 60g V max?

I went to design a reamer, there is a world of difference between Winchester and Norma brass, I blew a gasket on trying to know which way to go.

 

[CT10ring]

View attachment 1095800 Ah... The 220 swift, it not only sounds correct and nostalgic for long range varmint shooting (Woodchuck hunting for me)it absolutely is! I have used the swift exclusively for the last 35 years. Have never found it to be a temperamental cartridge as long as it is loaded within reason. I have heard so many swish.. thumps from the swift I find it almost hard to get the sound out of my head. My first swift was a Ruger number 1 varmint with a 15 power Unertal ultra varmint. I should have never sold it and really wish I would’ve taken some pictures of this one. The second one was a Remington 40 XBKS with a 24 Power Leupold. It shot real well.My present Swift is this Cooper model 22 Phoenix with a 6.5 x 20 with M1 Dials,really don’t have to dial much to get out to the practical range of the swift.I would have to say that this is my favorite and most deadly of all three. I have used IMR 3031,IMR 4064,H- 380 and RL- 15 ,All three work well. 50 grain Sierra Blitzking bullets,W-W brass,210M primers.Out to 600 yards when the wind is not howling, I can’t imagine anything better. Like a pitcher in baseball when he is “in the zone” I have never been more “in the zone” with a gun in the field in my life than any of my Swifts.Nothing like a warm summer evening in a fresh mowed field,with abundant targets and ammo and being “in the zone” with a Swift!

I have the identical set up in 220 Swift. nice pix. a pleasant day with a flat shootin rifle, looks like!

 

[Tim s]

I owned 4 700 VSSF at one time for PD shooting. Only shot 40Gr VMaxs at 39??. They were flat as a light ray. I thought they were fantastic until I learned a 20 tactical would do the same w/a lot less powder and recoil. Your mileage may vary. LDS

+1

 

[LarryDScott]

I owned a custom HV swift that came w/ammo loaded w/R15
About 6 shots and the barrel was very hot. I could shoot
10 to 12 RDS loaded w/H380, before the barrel on my factory Remingtons got to hot. LDS

 

[68cuda340]

My father taught me to shoot and always tell the truth and that a hand shake was your word...
In his way you needed a shotgun, a .22 and a deer rifle He bought me an 870 Remington, a Remington 572 .22 and a .270 Rem 700 as he was a huge Jack O'Conner fan. But he always talked about "the Swift" when we would talk guns When I ran across an ad in Gun Trader magazine for a Remington VS in .220 Swift in the 80's (way before the internet kids!) I knew I had to have it I got it right before my dads B-day and that day we were on the back porch having a beer before dinner and I brought it out for him Never seen the old man speechless before We set some beer cans filled with water on the wooden fence posts at about 100 yrds and he did'nt miss one His dad would give him 5 .22 shells or 5 shotgun shells and he was expected to bring back 5 squirrels rabbits or grouse home! He is gone 15 yrs now but that Swift will go to my sons someday Miss my dad but not the memories......

 

[LarryDScott]

My father taught me to shoot and always tell the truth and that a hand shake was your word...
In his way you needed a shotgun, a .22 and a deer rifle He bought me an 870 Remington, a Remington 572 .22 and a .270 Rem 700 as he was a huge Jack O'Conner fan. But he always talked about "the Swift" when we would talk guns When I ran across an ad in Gun Trader magazine for a Remington VS in .220 Swift in the 80's (way before the internet kids!) I knew I had to have it I got it right before my dads B-day and that day we were on the back porch having a beer before dinner and I brought it out for him Never seen the old man speechless before We set some beer cans filled with water on the wooden fence posts at about 100 yrds and he did'nt miss one His dad would give him 5 .22 shells or 5 shotgun shells and he was expected to bring back 5 squirrels rabbits or grouse home! He is gone 15 yrs now but that Swift will go to my sons someday Miss my dad but not the memories......

My daddy told me that if a mans word wasn't good, his signature is worth even less.
Toys may come and go, but memories last forever. LDS

 

[CT10ring]

I'll be interested to see what info (if any) you get with this post. I've been curious about both R-17 & R16, but never taken the time to trying as I'm very happy with either WW760 & H414. WD

Varget 39.0g 55g Berger Varm HP. Ruger M77 Tang Safety HB 26"

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

there still is NOT a better factory rifle chambering...
When the dust settles on a couple projects in hand, I am going to build a classic Swift. Either a 98 with DST's or this OM 70 sitting it the back of my gun safe.

 

[Tom Baker]

there still is NOT a better factory rifle chambering...
When the dust settles on a couple projects in hand, I am going to build a classic Swift. Either a 98 with DST's or this OM 70 sitting it the back of my gun safe.

A worthwhile project. I'm rust bluing a M70 action made in '51, the Marksman stock is done, I'm undecided about a 14" twist or go a little faster. I love the old Swift and I bleed Winchester red.

 

[Barlow]

I stumbled onto the Speer website and found data for the Swift with RL17 and many other cartridges. Barlow

 

[6MMsteve]

Standard Forster Neck sizing die will bump shoulders with perfection!

Steve, what kind of speed are you getting with your R#16?

Speer is making the Gold Dot bonded bullets now in 55,62, and 75g, would make for some great deer and hog loads!

What kind of speed do you guys get with the 60g V max?

I went to design a reamer, there is a world of difference between Winchester and Norma brass, I blew a gasket on trying to know which way to go.

I never chrono the swift just find something that shoots good and have at it...