220 swift

onehitwonder · February 13, 2009, 11:34 PM

looking for opinions on the 220 swift. I reload a 22-250 223 243 222. Just wanting to hear pro's n con's of the 220 compared to the above .

FrankenMauser · February 13, 2009, 11:59 PM

Those calibers cover what the .220 Swift can do. I wouldn't worry about it.

That being said....
The .220 Swift is tons of fun. Watching varmints turn to vapor at 400 yards is one of the most exciting shooting activities for me.

Your .22-250 and .243 can have some serious brass flow and problems arise when loaded to ultra-fast velocities. The .220 Swift suffers the same thing... but at almost all velocities. The .220 Swift is the most maintenance (labor and time) intensive cartridge I have ever reloaded. The only reason I own one is because my father got tired of taking care of the needy b#$ch; and gave it to me.

If you don't have a valid reason to be shooting .22 caliber projectiles on laser beam trajectories; the .222, .223, and .22-250 are plenty.

I love the performance of my .220 Swift, but would be just as happy (perhaps more, with less case trimming and neck reaming) with a .222 or .223 loaded hot in a bolt gun.

onehitwonder · February 14, 2009, 12:05 AM

I was thinking the same. Just have a sickness that makes me want things I dont have. 204 may be my next choice

hardhit · February 14, 2009, 12:24 AM

You all ready have 22-250, which is about 365+ yard varmint cartridge MPBR yds 254 with 55-gr bullet
The 220 swift is about a 400+ yard cartridge MPBR yds 264 with a 55 gr bullet there’s not much of an advantage over the 22-250.
Swift cases may will stretch a little more requiring time spent trimming, it’s a bit like comparing other cartridges of the same caliber with similar powder capacity, but dont let me talk you out of but another rifle if you want you only live once.

onehitwonder · February 14, 2009, 05:58 PM

my only turning point for the swift over my 250 is the swift is a heavy stainless fluted where as my 250 is a light varmint fluted model 7.

February 13, 2009, 11:34 PM	#1
onehitwonder Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 97	220 swift looking for opinions on the 220 swift. I reload a 22-250 223 243 222. Just wanting to hear pro's n con's of the 220 compared to the above . __________________ " Take your children hunting when they are young and they will hunt for less when they are older "

February 14, 2009, 12:05 AM	#3
onehitwonder Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 97	I was thinking the same. Just have a sickness that makes me want things I dont have. 204 may be my next choice __________________ " Take your children hunting when they are young and they will hunt for less when they are older "

February 14, 2009, 05:58 PM	#5
onehitwonder Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 97	my only turning point for the swift over my 250 is the swift is a heavy stainless fluted where as my 250 is a light varmint fluted model 7. __________________ " Take your children hunting when they are young and they will hunt for less when they are older "

February 13, 2009, 11:59 PM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	Those calibers cover what the .220 Swift can do. I wouldn't worry about it. That being said.... The .220 Swift is tons of fun. Watching varmints turn to vapor at 400 yards is one of the most exciting shooting activities for me. Your .22-250 and .243 can have some serious brass flow and problems arise when loaded to ultra-fast velocities. The .220 Swift suffers the same thing... but at almost all velocities. The .220 Swift is the most maintenance (labor and time) intensive cartridge I have ever reloaded. The only reason I own one is because my father got tired of taking care of the needy b#$ch; and gave it to me. If you don't have a valid reason to be shooting .22 caliber projectiles on laser beam trajectories; the .222, .223, and .22-250 are plenty. I love the performance of my .220 Swift, but would be just as happy (perhaps more, with less case trimming and neck reaming) with a .222 or .223 loaded hot in a bolt gun.

February 14, 2009, 12:24 AM	#4
hardhit Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Posts: 343	You all ready have 22-250, which is about 365+ yard varmint cartridge MPBR yds 254 with 55-gr bullet The 220 swift is about a 400+ yard cartridge MPBR yds 264 with a 55 gr bullet there’s not much of an advantage over the 22-250. Swift cases may will stretch a little more requiring time spent trimming, it’s a bit like comparing other cartridges of the same caliber with similar powder capacity, but dont let me talk you out of but another rifle if you want you only live once.