Swift Scirocco

wyobohunter · October 11, 2008, 12:00 AM

I ordered a box of these (180 gr .308) for my new 30-06. I'm going to test them for accuracy before my November goat hunt. I have H4350 and H335. Anybody used these for similar game...or any game? The BC is pretty good (.520) but do they penetrate well? Goats are pretty tough for their size and are apt to do the cowboy off the barn routine if not anchored well.

Nnobby45 · October 11, 2008, 12:52 AM

They penetrate very well. A friend took a nice California Bighorn with my handloaded 165 gr. Scirocco (52 gr. IMR 4350) at 2600 fps. in '06. Very moderate expansion, from the looks of the exit hole. About a hundred yd. shot broadside behind the shoulder, the sheep ran 30 yds. before piling up. The bullet has a polymer tip to start expansion, but don't confuse it with the quicker opening Ballistic Tip from Nosler.

My tests with the 180 gr. Scirocco using 51 gr. IMR 4350, avg'd 2500 fps and produced good hunting accuracy. About 1.5 MOA.

Also: 180 Scirocco
52 gr. IMR 4350, R-P case, WLR primer

Note: if a Win case is used, it has more case capacity and 1 gr. more powder would probably be equal to the R-P case.
2583 hi
2574 low
2579 Avg
9 es
4 sd

Extreme spread and standard deviation are very low in the above string.
With the 51 gr. load the es, sd's were 70 and 26, and 96 and 36, in two five shot strings. No difference in accuracy was detected between the 51 and 52grain load.

Be careful with this bullet and be sure to use Swift data. Scirocco's develop more pressure than most other typical 180 gr. bullets. As you can see, I tend to load to moderate pressure/velocity levels.

The Swift Scirocco is an excellent long range bullet, even for elk. Don't think you have to worry about penetration.

Of course, hunters don't all think alike. Some would like a quick opening bullet that drops them right there without exiting. Others figure that, at long range, especially, it's better to penetrate thru and thru so that, by the time you get there in rough country, there's a trail to follow.

wyobohunter · October 11, 2008, 01:07 AM

Thanks a million... Could you give me the start and maximum loads from the swift manual (for 180 gr Scirocco/H4350). All I have is the hodgdon online manual wich only lists the Sierra Spitzer BT in 180 gr. Appreciate your info.

Nnobby45 · October 11, 2008, 06:57 PM

180 Scirocco, H4350, Federal case, Fed 210 primer

Start: 50.7 gr. @ 2474 fps * lowest std vel deviation for all loads

Max: 54.5 gr. @ 2700 fps

Wiseman 24" test bbl.

wyobohunter · October 12, 2008, 08:22 PM

thanks

October 11, 2008, 12:00 AM	#1
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	Swift Scirocco I ordered a box of these (180 gr .308) for my new 30-06. I'm going to test them for accuracy before my November goat hunt. I have H4350 and H335. Anybody used these for similar game...or any game? The BC is pretty good (.520) but do they penetrate well? Goats are pretty tough for their size and are apt to do the cowboy off the barn routine if not anchored well.

October 11, 2008, 12:52 AM	#2
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	They penetrate very well. A friend took a nice California Bighorn with my handloaded 165 gr. Scirocco (52 gr. IMR 4350) at 2600 fps. in '06. Very moderate expansion, from the looks of the exit hole. About a hundred yd. shot broadside behind the shoulder, the sheep ran 30 yds. before piling up. The bullet has a polymer tip to start expansion, but don't confuse it with the quicker opening Ballistic Tip from Nosler. My tests with the 180 gr. Scirocco using 51 gr. IMR 4350, avg'd 2500 fps and produced good hunting accuracy. About 1.5 MOA. Also: 180 Scirocco 52 gr. IMR 4350, R-P case, WLR primer Note: if a Win case is used, it has more case capacity and 1 gr. more powder would probably be equal to the R-P case. 2583 hi 2574 low 2579 Avg 9 es 4 sd Extreme spread and standard deviation are very low in the above string. With the 51 gr. load the es, sd's were 70 and 26, and 96 and 36, in two five shot strings. No difference in accuracy was detected between the 51 and 52grain load. Be careful with this bullet and be sure to use Swift data. Scirocco's develop more pressure than most other typical 180 gr. bullets. As you can see, I tend to load to moderate pressure/velocity levels. The Swift Scirocco is an excellent long range bullet, even for elk. Don't think you have to worry about penetration. Of course, hunters don't all think alike. Some would like a quick opening bullet that drops them right there without exiting. Others figure that, at long range, especially, it's better to penetrate thru and thru so that, by the time you get there in rough country, there's a trail to follow.

October 11, 2008, 01:07 AM	#3
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	Thanks a million... Could you give me the start and maximum loads from the swift manual (for 180 gr Scirocco/H4350). All I have is the hodgdon online manual wich only lists the Sierra Spitzer BT in 180 gr. Appreciate your info.

October 11, 2008, 06:57 PM	#4
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	180 Scirocco, H4350, Federal case, Fed 210 primer Start: 50.7 gr. @ 2474 fps * lowest std vel deviation for all loads Max: 54.5 gr. @ 2700 fps Wiseman 24" test bbl.

October 12, 2008, 08:22 PM	#5
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	thanks