.220 Swift

Bruce Mc · May 25, 2014

After about 30 years I am revisiting the .220 Swift. Just picked up a new Ruger No 1 Varminter. Any new powders out there that bring a Swift to life. The powders I used years ago were IMR-4895, 4064, 4320 and H-380. I've got some 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips to start. Sure glad I kept my reloading dies.

DrMike · May 25, 2014

Looks to be a number of powders that might work, Bruce.

Cartridge : .220 Swift
Bullet : .224, 55, Nosler BalTip 39526
Useable Case Capaci: 43.717 grain H2O = 2.839 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.680 inch = 68.07 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61000 psi, or 420 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

2 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-17 102.8 43.5 2.82 3976 99.4 61000 12874 0.905 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 107.6 44.8 2.90 3901 96.2 61000 12619 0.913 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 107.3 42.8 2.77 3899 97.9 61000 12410 0.917 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 106.7 43.0 2.79 3896 97.9 61000 12446 0.930 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 101.7 43.3 2.81 3896 95.2 61000 12593 0.915 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 101.7 43.3 2.81 3896 95.2 61000 12593 0.915 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 104.1 42.9 2.78 3893 97.8 61000 12502 0.923 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 96.7 39.0 2.53 3880 99.0 61000 12079 0.923 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 97.5 39.3 2.55 3864 98.6 61000 11971 0.923 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 98.0 39.5 2.56 3864 99.0 61000 11921 0.924 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 110.0 42.9 2.78 3861 99.3 60550 11655 0.916 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 92.2 40.5 2.63 3859 99.6 61000 11789 0.927 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 99.5 40.5 2.63 3856 99.5 61000 11808 0.935 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 106.0 44.1 2.86 3845 92.6 61000 12200 0.910 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 98.7 40.6 2.63 3839 97.5 61000 11914 0.927 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520 92.3 39.2 2.54 3833 100.0 61000 11207 0.936 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 99.5 39.2 2.54 3832 100.0 61000 11206 0.953 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 93.8 37.0 2.40 3818 100.0 61000 10822 0.956 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 106.9 42.9 2.78 3810 94.5 61000 11736 0.916 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 108.9 42.9 2.78 3809 94.3 61000 11741 0.916 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 95.5 37.7 2.44 3807 99.6 61000 11242 0.933 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 109.7 46.6 3.02 3798 92.5 61000 11777 0.913 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 110.0 44.3 2.87 3794 91.9 57137 12305 0.938 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 110.0 46.3 3.00 3790 92.4 53029 13106 0.969 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 100.2 40.9 2.65 3786 94.4 61000 11598 0.926 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 110.0 42.5 2.75 3777 97.2 56028 11955 0.961 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 110.0 45.5 2.95 3743 87.9 54585 12422 0.953 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 99.9 42.0 2.72 3718 94.1 61000 10897 0.929 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 110.0 44.8 2.90 3703 88.1 55936 11645 0.947 ! Near Maximum !

That is a great cartridge. I may yet have to build a rifle that punches that particular cartridge.

Bruce Mc · May 25, 2014

Mike, thanks.

Reloder 17 looks like an interesting prospect, and one that I have in the cabinet.

DrMike · May 25, 2014

Yeah, it is stepping out there pretty fast.

Cartridge : .220 Swift
Bullet : .224, 55, Nosler BalTip 39526
Useable Case Capaci: 43.717 grain H2O = 2.839 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.680 inch = 68.07 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 34.80 3117 1186 30361 10120 88.2 1.234
-18.0 84 35.67 3201 1252 32518 10488 89.9 1.202
-16.0 86 36.54 3287 1320 34838 10842 91.5 1.170
-14.0 88 37.41 3373 1390 37332 11179 92.9 1.137
-12.0 91 38.28 3460 1462 40016 11497 94.3 1.101
-10.0 93 39.15 3547 1536 42906 11794 95.5 1.065
-08.0 95 40.02 3633 1612 46023 12067 96.6 1.030
-06.0 97 40.89 3720 1690 49387 12314 97.5 0.997
-04.0 99 41.76 3807 1770 53021 12533 98.3 0.964 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 101 42.63 3894 1852 56955 12723 99.0 0.933 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 43.50 3980 1934 61216 12881 99.5 0.903 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 105 44.37 4066 2019 65837 13006 99.8 0.874 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 45.24 4151 2104 70860 13097 100.0 0.846 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 46.11 4235 2190 76329 13154 100.0 0.819 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 46.98 4319 2278 82294 13200 100.0 0.793 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 47.85 4402 2366 88816 13241 100.0 0.767 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 103 43.50 4176 2130 74784 12400 100.0 0.831 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 43.50 3700 1672 49511 12580 93.7 0.996

sask boy · May 25, 2014

Bruce, that new 220 Swift you just picked up is a genuine speed merchant. I can't wait for your range report with photos I hope :wink:.

Blessings,
Dan

Guy Miner · May 25, 2014

Bruce, when I saw the title ".220 Swift" my first thought was "Dang, I'd like one of those in a single shot Ruger."

Then I read your post and got instantly jealous. Cool rifle, cool cartridge.

No, I have NO practical experience loading for one, I just like 'em.

Guy

ColColt · May 25, 2014

I had the distinct pleasure about a month ago of shooting a 1952 Model 70 in 220 Swift. A fellow at the range hand one and was having trouble sighting a new scope in so I jumped in to help. He just gave it to me and said, "Try to get it on paper for me". I gladly obliged. Great little cartridge but my only concern with myself getting one was barrel life. It has to be worse than the 22-250 but I suppose that's more or less dependent on how it's loaded.

remingtonman_25_06 · May 25, 2014

I never looked any further when using IMR4064.

38g of 4064 would do 3825fps and under 1/2 all day from the ruger target model.

My only complaint was that it is pretty hard on brass. I sold it after putting 700-800 rounds through it in a couple years. Was an awesome coyote killer and in my opinion thats where it really shines.

ScreaminEagle · May 26, 2014

The local gun shop had the exact gun a couple months ago. It was in beautiful condition. Sadly I didn't have the $700.

SJB358 · May 28, 2014

Guy Miner":3gjhzkdd said:
Bruce, when I saw the title ".220 Swift" my first thought was "Dang, I'd like one of those in a single shot Ruger."

Then I read your post and got instantly jealous. Cool rifle, cool cartridge.

No, I have NO practical experience loading for one, I just like 'em.

Guy

HA! I was thinking the same thing! I have looked at the Rugers and Pre64's a bunch and would love to have the original speed demon!

RL17 looks really good in the Swift! Man, what a screamer it would be..

1Shot · May 28, 2014

It has been about 33 years ago but I had a Ruger 77 Varmint in 220 Swift and used IMR 4064 with Speer 52 gr HP. Extremely accurate but I did not have a chrno but from trajectory should have been doing between 3800 and 3900 fps. I shot crows with it in East NC peanut fields. When you hit one it looked like setting off a cherry bomb in it. Just a poof of feathers.

nvbroncrider · May 28, 2014

1Shot":11e2g0bw said:
It has been about 33 years ago but I had a Ruger 77 Varmint in 220 Swift and used IMR 4064 with Speer 52 gr HP. Extremely accurate but I did not have a chrno but from trajectory should have been doing between 3800 and 3900 fps. I shot crows with it in East NC peanut fields. When you hit one it looked like setting off a cherry bomb in it. Just a poof of feathers.

A beautiful sight!!

wbyfan1 · May 30, 2014

Bruce Mc":15mnnuw9 said:
After about 30 years I am revisiting the .220 Swift. Just picked up a new Ruger No 1 Varminter. Any new powders out there that bring a Swift to life. The powders I used years ago were IMR-4895, 4064, 4320 and H-380. I've got some 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips to start. Sure glad I kept my reloading dies.

Bruce,

Even though it's been discontinued recently(but plenty still seems to be available), take a look at IMR-4007ssc. Lots of folk, including myself, swear by this powder for their Swifts and 22-250's. I was a long time proponent of 4064, but since trying 4007, I've been a convert. It surpasses 4064 by about 150 fps with the 55 BT's and gives just as good, if not better accuracy. Thankfully, I'm very well stocked up on it.

Also, try IMR-4831. It provided extreme accuracy in my Swift, but was substantially slower velocity wise compared to 4064 and 4007.

Good luck with your new gun. The Swift is an absolute blast to own.

6mm Remington · May 30, 2014

A sweet rifle you got there Bruce in a great cartridge. It warms the cockles of my heart. :grin: Another Ruger #1!!

DrMike · May 30, 2014

6mm Remington":17ni2k48 said:
A sweet rifle you got there Bruce in a great cartridge. It warms the cockles of my heart. :grin: Another Ruger #1!!

You've still got cockles, David? And you let them get cold? Man, I'd think with that new build, hot cockles had all but dissipated! :grin:

Bruce Mc · May 30, 2014

My first loads are going to be with H-380 and Reloder 17 as I have both in the powder cabinet along with some 55gr BTs. But there are a lot of new .224 caliber bullets to try. First I've got to get a scope back from Leupold. They've had it two weeks and not a word.

DrMike · May 30, 2014

Going with what you have is generally a solid move; it makes a lot of sense.

baltz526 · May 31, 2014

Which Ruger #1 did you get. Years ago I had a #1 in 22-250 Heavy barrel Varmit. I really liked the gun but Traded into a Lighter 22-250. I think at one time ruger offered a 28" #1, That in a 220 swift would be nice.

Bruce Mc · Jun 1, 2014

It is a 26" heavy varmint barrel 1 in 14" twist.

Bruce Mc · Jul 26, 2014

I shot up 80 rounds of Hornady factory ammo and now have once fired brass. I neck sized some and fired up my first handloads. My first two loads are as follows:

50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
41.5 gr H-380
3948 avg velocity 9.75 std deviation
2.895 oal I think thats 0.010 off the lands

50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
42.0 gr H-380
4028 ave velocity 9.125 std deviation
2.895 oal

This rifle seems to shoot pretty consistent but I'm still getting used to the Dragon trigger (4+ and creepy). Perhaps I'll choose to tinker with the bedding in the future. But first I need to find a gunsmith that will do a trigger job on a #1.