.220 Swift loads?

Shaun_300 · April 23, 2009, 09:21 PM

Anyone have any suggestions? My dies are on the way for my .220 Swift and I was just wondering if anyone has any loads they have a good luck with for this caliber. I'll probably use IMR 4064 with 50-52gr bullets. I was also told the IMR 3031 was a good powder too, but a couple other opinions said that it was a little too hot and it would burn my barrel out a lot faster.

farmall · April 24, 2009, 07:44 AM

Always good to see another Swift shooter, Shaun. 4064 is the "classic" powder for the Swift, but I have never been a huge fan due to its metering qualities. RL-15, H380, and Varget have all worked well for me. Never tried 3031.
Also, find some R-P brass if possible, the W-W is way too thick necked, and brittle. What kind of rifle??
Andy

Shoney · April 24, 2009, 01:35 PM

I found that using 50-52 gr bullets that IMR4064 was the most economical with excelllent accuracy. IMR4831 did very well at below max. H414 did well also.

55gr bullets were my favorite for prairie poodles because of wind. IMR4831 at max was the accuracy load and velocity leader. Accuracy loads with IMR4064 were 200ft/sec less.

Primer choice made a lot of difference in accuracy, so try a few different work ups with different primer brands.

thekyrifleman · April 24, 2009, 03:34 PM

IMR 4064 or H380. flip a coin...both have worked very well for me using 50gr Nosler BT. Ruger #1, Douglas air guaged bull barrel, Swarovski PH 6x24 scope. Look out hogs and crows out to 500 yds. Lots of fun!!!

BurkGlocker · April 24, 2009, 07:31 PM

40 gr V-Max's over 40 gr of H335, it would shoot .5" all day long out of my Ruger M77 with bull barrel. A little hot but it was a very nice shooting load.

Shaun_300 · April 25, 2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks for the info guys!

It's a FN Browning Mauser, made in Belgium! Just put a Tasco 8-32x50 scope on it. Should work good for now, may put some better glass on it in the future, just got a really good deal on this one. Haven't shot the rifle yet, but the scope is VERY clear! Has the MIL dot illuminated recticle too.

FrankenMauser · April 25, 2009, 11:14 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data that may be beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

One of my father's favorite loads for his Swift (now mine), was IMR4064 behind Speer 52 grain HPs. I cannot, in good conscience, post the load. It has proven safe in my rifle, but is well over currently listed maximum charges.

My personal favorites are: (Tang-Safety Ruger M77V/T, 26" barrel.)
40 grain Sierra HP sitting on 39.2 grains IMR4064, seated to 2.605" OAL.

55 grain Hornady FMJ, 42.0 grains Win Supreme 780, WLR Magnum primers, seated to 2.667" OAL. Extremelly accurate.
(This load is not a published load. I worked this up before any data was available for the powder. There still isn't any data for the .220 Swift, with this powder. Burn rate is nearly identical to 4831. Use at your own risk. {37.0-45.0 grains was my test range})

34 grain Midway Dogtown HP, 39.0 grains H4895, 2.555" OAL.
(Again... This is not a published load. I developed this last year. Use at your own risk.)

Crankylove · April 25, 2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

IMR4064 behind Speer 52 grain HPs.

If I remember correctly, this load was pushing the bullet so fast, on a humid day, the bullet would disintegrate before reaching the target.............and was almost like a tracer round, leaving a visible vapor trail behind it. Was way too much fun to shoot, the pressures and velocities reached were a little hard on the brass and barrel throat

April 23, 2009, 09:21 PM	#1
Shaun_300 Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 67	.220 Swift loads? Anyone have any suggestions? My dies are on the way for my .220 Swift and I was just wondering if anyone has any loads they have a good luck with for this caliber. I'll probably use IMR 4064 with 50-52gr bullets. I was also told the IMR 3031 was a good powder too, but a couple other opinions said that it was a little too hot and it would burn my barrel out a lot faster.

April 24, 2009, 07:44 AM	#2
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	Always good to see another Swift shooter, Shaun. 4064 is the "classic" powder for the Swift, but I have never been a huge fan due to its metering qualities. RL-15, H380, and Varget have all worked well for me. Never tried 3031. Also, find some R-P brass if possible, the W-W is way too thick necked, and brittle. What kind of rifle?? Andy

April 24, 2009, 01:35 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	I found that using 50-52 gr bullets that IMR4064 was the most economical with excelllent accuracy. IMR4831 did very well at below max. H414 did well also. 55gr bullets were my favorite for prairie poodles because of wind. IMR4831 at max was the accuracy load and velocity leader. Accuracy loads with IMR4064 were 200ft/sec less. Primer choice made a lot of difference in accuracy, so try a few different work ups with different primer brands.

April 24, 2009, 03:34 PM	#4
thekyrifleman Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Northern Ky Posts: 254	IMR 4064 or H380. flip a coin...both have worked very well for me using 50gr Nosler BT. Ruger #1, Douglas air guaged bull barrel, Swarovski PH 6x24 scope. Look out hogs and crows out to 500 yds. Lots of fun!!!

April 24, 2009, 07:31 PM	#5
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	40 gr V-Max's over 40 gr of H335, it would shoot .5" all day long out of my Ruger M77 with bull barrel. A little hot but it was a very nice shooting load.

April 25, 2009, 07:56 PM	#6
Shaun_300 Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 67	Thanks for the info guys! It's a FN Browning Mauser, made in Belgium! Just put a Tasco 8-32x50 scope on it. Should work good for now, may put some better glass on it in the future, just got a really good deal on this one. Haven't shot the rifle yet, but the scope is VERY clear! Has the MIL dot illuminated recticle too.

April 25, 2009, 11:14 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,463	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data that may be beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. One of my father's favorite loads for his Swift (now mine), was IMR4064 behind Speer 52 grain HPs. I cannot, in good conscience, post the load. It has proven safe in my rifle, but is well over currently listed maximum charges. My personal favorites are: (Tang-Safety Ruger M77V/T, 26" barrel.) 40 grain Sierra HP sitting on 39.2 grains IMR4064, seated to 2.605" OAL. 55 grain Hornady FMJ, 42.0 grains Win Supreme 780, WLR Magnum primers, seated to 2.667" OAL. Extremelly accurate. (This load is not a published load. I worked this up before any data was available for the powder. There still isn't any data for the .220 Swift, with this powder. Burn rate is nearly identical to 4831. Use at your own risk. {37.0-45.0 grains was my test range}) 34 grain Midway Dogtown HP, 39.0 grains H4895, 2.555" OAL. (Again... This is not a published load. I developed this last year. Use at your own risk.)