220 swift..should I get one?? Uses/Pros/Cons

DiscoRacing · September 17, 2009, 03:55 PM

After getting a long awaited 22-250... I have been giving thought to getting a 220 swift also... not that I need one.. I have two .223 already and the 22-250 that I just got.... anyone have further insight to the need or lack thereof for the swift??? Any pros/cons that you would like to share?? Anyone have any info on the reloading components for the caliber as far as availability?? Tks in advance for any help.

bswiv · September 17, 2009, 08:04 PM

I remember my dad saying that because of the design of it, as opposed to some of the newer fast .22s, it had a habbit of eating barrels ar full power.

I don't know if that's true today with better steels and different powders but you should check on it before you buy one, especially a old one.

Crosshair · September 17, 2009, 08:26 PM

The "220 Swift eats barrels" thing is a function of available steels and powders of the time when it first came out. Just don't do rapid fire and you should be fine.

Lots of people like to load the 220 and 22-250 with light bullets at really high velocity. I like loading heavier bullets to slightly less velocity to buck the wind. Their large cases lend themselves to that though you will probably be limited by the barrel twist. My Savage has a 1-12" so that gives me a little more leeway, but most will have a 1-14" twist.

**Art Eatman** · September 19, 2009, 09:48 AM

I've had Swifts and I've had .22-250s. Dunno why, but the Swift is one of those cartridges that for me has a, "There's just something about it that I like," attraction.

Way years ago I had a Ruger 77 heavy-barrelled Swift. Reliably 3/8 MOA. It loved the Sierra 52-grain HPBT, as quite a few feral cats discovered. One of the few rifles I regret parting with.

Scorch · September 19, 2009, 01:50 PM

Performance between the two is so close it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have both. I prefer my 22-250, but that's me. If you "gotta have one", get it.

jammin1237 · September 19, 2009, 10:42 PM

i have a rug77 bull barrel in 220 swift, most accurate rifle i have shot to date(55gr vmax-good stuff

)...plenty of reloading data and materials still left out there to make it cost effective to shoot...i would still like to try out the 6mm-22 before i call it the king of the 22s...

cheers

butta9999 · September 20, 2009, 12:57 AM

I have shot a lot from the .220 swift and seen a lot of shots from it. Great varmint round..

I prefer the swift from the 250 but that is personal opinion..

Performance wise the swift holds an edge of about 100-150fps..

LanceOregon · September 20, 2009, 04:30 AM

If you really want to step up from the .22-250, go with a .243 Ackley, or even a 6mm-284

Or just have your .22-250 turned into an Ackley, if you want a faster 22.

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September 17, 2009, 03:55 PM	#1
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,638	220 swift..should I get one?? Uses/Pros/Cons After getting a long awaited 22-250... I have been giving thought to getting a 220 swift also... not that I need one.. I have two .223 already and the 22-250 that I just got.... anyone have further insight to the need or lack thereof for the swift??? Any pros/cons that you would like to share?? Anyone have any info on the reloading components for the caliber as far as availability?? Tks in advance for any help.

September 17, 2009, 08:26 PM	#3
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,319	The "220 Swift eats barrels" thing is a function of available steels and powders of the time when it first came out. Just don't do rapid fire and you should be fine. Lots of people like to load the 220 and 22-250 with light bullets at really high velocity. I like loading heavier bullets to slightly less velocity to buck the wind. Their large cases lend themselves to that though you will probably be limited by the barrel twist. My Savage has a 1-12" so that gives me a little more leeway, but most will have a 1-14" twist. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

September 19, 2009, 09:48 AM	#4
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 20,937	I've had Swifts and I've had .22-250s. Dunno why, but the Swift is one of those cartridges that for me has a, "There's just something about it that I like," attraction. Way years ago I had a Ruger 77 heavy-barrelled Swift. Reliably 3/8 MOA. It loved the Sierra 52-grain HPBT, as quite a few feral cats discovered. One of the few rifles I regret parting with. __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

September 19, 2009, 01:50 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,033	Performance between the two is so close it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have both. I prefer my 22-250, but that's me. If you "gotta have one", get it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

September 19, 2009, 10:42 PM	#6
jammin1237 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Location: Wisonsin Posts: 269	i have a rug77 bull barrel in 220 swift, most accurate rifle i have shot to date(55gr vmax-good stuff)...plenty of reloading data and materials still left out there to make it cost effective to shoot...i would still like to try out the 6mm-22 before i call it the king of the 22s... cheers

September 17, 2009, 08:04 PM	#2
bswiv Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Posts: 1,031	I remember my dad saying that because of the design of it, as opposed to some of the newer fast .22s, it had a habbit of eating barrels ar full power. I don't know if that's true today with better steels and different powders but you should check on it before you buy one, especially a old one.

September 20, 2009, 12:57 AM	#7
butta9999 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 692	I have shot a lot from the .220 swift and seen a lot of shots from it. Great varmint round.. I prefer the swift from the 250 but that is personal opinion.. Performance wise the swift holds an edge of about 100-150fps.. __________________ Knowledge is Power!

September 20, 2009, 04:30 AM	#8
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	If you really want to step up from the .22-250, go with a .243 Ackley, or even a 6mm-284 Or just have your .22-250 turned into an Ackley, if you want a faster 22. --