220 swift

[bsick1]

Any thoughts on a 220 Swift? I hear they are on a come back. Are there any advantages over a 22-250 or a 223 Rem. How about barrel burn? Price of rounds/reloading. Powder comsumption. I'm not one to run out and buy the newest fad. I'd like to hear more about the .204. on the other side, the 223 is everywhere. I am looking for the perfect Chuck gun out to 300 yds.... Rolling hills and Alfalfa and a little breesy. Should I look at a .243 Winchester or 6mm?
Would you guys dump your thoughts comparing the 220 swift, the 223, the 22-250 and the 204. Any advantages/disadvantages...

 

[transonic]

I have been using a 220 Swift, Savage, for over 20 yrs., just replaced the barrel over the Winter 2003-2004. At one time I had 3-22250's and the Swift, now I have 1-250 and the Swift is my go to gun. Barrel burner, yea right, trimming cases, no more than the other calibers. The velocity of mine is 3824 fps., groups have been below 1/4", uses 1 gr. more powder than my 250.....Remember in 22 cal., P.O. Ackley says 35 grains is max. due to case to bore volume ratio......

transonic

 

[LoneStar]

Remember in 22 cal., P.O. Ackley says 35 grains is max. due to case to bore volume ratio......

Yep. Parker said that 40 years ago, but there have been one or two advances in propellants since then....

But the Swift is a great cartridge, slightly ahead of the .22-250 and on a par with the .22-250AI. The bad rep it got 70 years ago was based on inexperience with truely high-velocity cartridges and loading for them. With today's more sophisticated reloader, better powders and barrel steel, and better bore care, the Swift is really no better or worse than the .22-250 regarding accuracy, barrel life and fouling. The .223 is not in the same class as the other two, fine cartridge that it is. Actually, if all your shots are under 300 yards, the .223 is not a bad choice.


The "best" cartridge for your 300 yard windy shots? Hodgdon data with 250 yard zero and Ballistic Tip bullets:

Cartridge..300 yd drop..300 yd drift
.223/55..........-3.5............10.0
.220/55..........-2.5.............8.3
.22-250/55....-2.7..............8.6
.243/55.........-2.2..............7.5
.243/70.........-2.8..............7.7
.243/80.........-3.0..............7.5

Not much difference at all, with the nod going to the .243 with 55-grain bullet.

 

[Anonymous]

Great posts guys. Keep it up!!!

 

[Minnesota Dick]

I love my Ruger 1V in the 220 swift. I shoot 50 gr at 3850 FPS and it really reaches out and touches those P-dogs. No problem at 450 to 550 yards. My shooting pardner wanted to know it I was shooting hand germades at them.

My go to guns now for p-dogs are 220 Swift and my Ruger !V in the 204 Ruger. I have almost retired my Encore (26 hvy barre) 223 rem.