Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters what is it with 220 swift reloading data John?

It's often right there velocity wise with the .22-250 in reloading manuals. In some it's slower with the same bullets! Do you or anyone have any insight as to why?
Thanks, Rob.

According to the laws of internal ballistics the Swift should be capable of close to 100 fps more velocity than the .22-250 when loaded to the same pressure. But some companies work up loads in a pressure barrel, then shoot them in a commercial rifle for velocity, which normally will have a somewhat looser chamber and bore. This doesn't provide an actual comparison of the two rounds at the same pressure.

In fact, one company that works up data that way had to print an explanation in one of their manuals a number of years ago about why their .308 Winchester data often produced the same (or more) velocity than the .30-06.

Do you have any favorite 220 swift loads you'd share? This is for my 700 classic. Been monkeying around with imr4350 and 52 gr hornady bthp. The powder is one that I have 3# of and no use for. I'm having a little bit of a challenge getting satisfaction but just found a problem I rectified with my die. Gonna try tomorrow again. 41.5 gr imr 4350 at 2.680" oal.

43-44 gr. H-414 w/ most 50's is fab in my book. I don't6 know why 4350 wouldn't do as well though. Muddy

Never tried IMR 4350. My standard rock chuck load for many years was IMR 4064 with 52 gn Sierras. H4350 is excellent with 55 and 60 gn bullets.

When IMR 4064 was scarce I tried some newer powders. 2000 MR gave higher velocity and accuracy at least as good as IMR 4064.

The best powder yet, in both of my Swifts, is Reloader 17. It produces the highest velocity and best accuracy with 50, 52, 55 and 60 gn bullets.

I prefer Norma cases and 210M primers.

The case necks were too thick on every lot of Winchester brass I have ever tried. Winchester cases work fine if you don't mind turning the necks on new brass.

cath8r,

IMR4350 usually works better in the .220 Swift with a little heavier bullets. My first Swift was a tang-safety Ruger 77 sporter and it really liked 60-grain Nosler Solid Bases, no longer available. I used the rifle on everything from prairie dogs to pronghorns with that bullet at about 3650 fps, the powder charge 43.5 grains. If the 4350 doesn't seem to like the 52's it might work with 55's or 60's.

H414/W760/A27000 (all are the same powder) has always been good one in the Swift, as are IMR4064 and RL-15. But my last two Swifts, a Ruger No. 1B and another tang-safety 700, really liked a couple of Ramshot powders, Big Game and Hunter. Unfortunately, neither is available right now, though the people at Ramshot say they might start turning up this fall. Big Game is similar to H414 in burn rate, but is much cleaner burning and temperature resistant, and Hunter kind of a spherical RL-19.

Rel 15 and IMR 4064 is about as good as it gets in the Swift.

.220 Swift ... mine lived it's life on 43.5 grains of H380 under moly coated 50 grain ballistic tips. WW brass, Fed 210M primers. Sub half inch groups. Clocked 3987 fps average. Dead sh*t scattered all over the landscape.

Tom

Over the years I have had several 220 swifts some with factory barrels some with custom barrels. for some reason that I cant explain each swift that I had or still have has liked a different powder from RL15,RL19,VVN150,VVN160,IMR4064,IMR4831.

My current slow twist barrel loves W760/H414 with 55gr BT's along with Norma brass and 210's.

None of my swifts have ever shot factory ammo well but if you spend some time to find what powder yours likes it might be the most accurate rifle you own. One bit of caution, someone suggested H380 and I have found it to be the most temp sensitive powder I have ever used not worthy of your time even testing it.

My Swift put 20 Remington premier 50gr rounds into two 1.5" 10 shot groups during break-in. Jim Carmichel's load, 38gr IMR 4064 and 52 gr match kings shot 1/2" groups at 100yds., as did 37gr RL15 and 55gr v-max bullets. Its current favorite is 39gr RL15 and 50gr v-max bullets. Groups run under 1/2" at 100yds and sub 2" at 350yds with velocity of 4139fps. I'm done experimenting.

Forget about the 4350 and try Varget 36.5 grs. and a 55gr VMax.
You can thank me later.
whelennut

At the suggestion of someone over at BR Central I tried AA2700 in my Shilen barreled
Swift and accuracy was outstanding. I shot 4064 for many years and this guy said the difference between 2700 and 4064 in regards to barrel wear was like between night and day. Though you can't prove it by me as I don't have a borescope.

John

I have used up 8 lbs of AA2700.
My Ruger #1 220 Swift shoots better now than when it was new.

whelennut

WN, And it meters like H2o-Muddy

I've shot literally thousands (three barrels worth) of 55's with 43.5 H414. That and 4064 are probably the old standards. No reason why some of the new ones like Big Game won't work either though.

Try Varget you will get velocity and accuracy.
Imr 4350 is a little to slow.
You might as well shoot a .223.

FWIW, I have had several Swift's, and currently have two.. Both shoot H4895 very well.. I use 50 gr. Vmax or Blitzking bullets.. I have also used I3031 because I have 11 pounds of it, or had 11#.. I haven't tried the newer stuff because of the supplies I laid in before I retired..

You crack me up.

Temp sensitive, yep. Not worth a chit NO.
5 shots 52 grain going 4020 even though I pooched shot 5 that's still a .25