The Swift's ability to shoot bullets into small groups has not gone unnoticed by others, either. .22-250 and the .220 Swift In 1963 the .22-250 made the transition from the 1937 wildcat to the commercial .22-250 Remington load due to the fact it was a bit easier on the barrel. if your not into the remingtons you can still find alot used rifles in 220 swift for a decent price or you can build your own. … 223 WSSM. Re: .220 Swift Barrel Life - 04/05/10 I have had swift's for many years and the ones with factory 1-14" tubes shooting 55gr bullet's seem to be close to the end at around 2500rds with reasonable care. I have a Remington VSSF chambered in 220 Swift that I am not impressed with the accuracy with (it's about 3/4) MOA, so not terrible but not real impressive either. I have a 220 swift improved. I used to max out right at 3950fps with 55gr bullets from the stock version of the swift, based on a case life of 4 reloads. Barrels are threaded on the end for a reason. Most of my shooting is either target or prairie dogs. It was almost like building a funny car for drag racing when only kerosene was available. Burn rates of powders were limited at that time as well, so the Swift was limited in its true ability due to that. I have been thinking about rebarraling it to a 6 or 6.5 creedmoor to make a long range varmenter. It was not long the .220 Swift was labeled a barrel burner with some saying it had to be re-barreled in less than a thousand rounds and some even claimed in half that. Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3. I have had swift's for many years and the ones with factory 1-14" tubes shooting 55gr bullet's seem to be close to the end at around 2500rds with reasonable care. Big heavy bench type stock with palm swell, free floater, thickest barrel (more like shaft) I’ve seen any non 50 bmg rifle. you can let 100 fps go and save barrel life, case life… I’ve been shooting the .220 Swift for over 43 years now. With modern bullets and powders, its accuracy and effective range have been increased to new levels. Best of luck to you with the new and versatile 220 Swift. The most general purpose 220 Swift would have 26-inch long stainless match barrel with factory varmint contour and a 12-inch twist to take care of the Hornady VMAX bullets which are so popular these days. But shooting a distant or even more so not so distant prairie dog with my muzzle braked .220 Swift is something to behold. 22 Nosler. 8 years ago. Copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The popularity of the Swift has slipped in the last twenty years and few factory rifles are now available in this caliber. This cartridge was far ahead of its time and for that reason it received a lot of bad press. Im pretty pleased with the gun as far as the way it looks and feels. And if you can not hit that easily or with decent accuracy, why not just use a 250? Stainless holds a little longer barrel life than blued. Common sense will go a long ways here. I got my first Swift 42 years ago, Ruger M77V, used, from a gunshop owners son. But he emphasized keeping it clean and cool. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-6323545-2']); 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100yds, 1.5" at 350 for three shots at 3740fps. Fact is, I don't anticipate shooting nearly enough through it … The .220 Swift also initially gained a reputation as a barrel-burner, which further limited the appeal of the cartridge. Rifle Cartridges. I've long been a fan of Ackley's wildcats. It was the first factory loaded rifle cartridge with a muzzle velocity of over 4,000 ft/s (1,200 m/s). The Winchester above will do it with its barrel which is an inch longer than the Ruger's. Im starting to get into the smaller calibers for paper shooting and yotes hunting. Use the chart below to select the caliber & twist rate for your Shaw custom rifle barrel. One of the longest lasting black eyes was that it shot barrels out so fast. The 22-250 Ackley Improved, will equal the 220 Swift's ballistics, with less barrel wear and longer case life. Hey guys, I'm brand new to Gunhive and I came by references to the 22 Creedmoor. The bottom line is enjoy the .220 Swift for what it was meant to be. If you own a .22-250 Rem, I wouldn’t be quick to replace it with the .220 Swift, as the price you pay for the extra performance can be very short barrel life. If I'm not pushing the envelope with hot loads how long of life can I expect. 20 Nosler. I have been using a 220 Swift, Savage, for over 20 yrs., just replaced the barrel over the Winter 2003-2004. If it makes any difference, the rifle is a Ruger 77V. 22 Hornet. VSSF in 220AI. The time from ignition to muzzle exit for a 50 gn 4000 fps bullet in a 26" 220 Swift is right at one millisecond, so 1 second of actively using the barrel would take 1000 shots. .220 Swift Barrel Life I am shooting 50 gr. My idea is to have a 1-12 twist in a 24 inch barrel, shooting 50 to 60gr bullets. So how bad was the Swift? I dont reccomend the 220. accuracy and terminal results. At one time I had 3-22250's and the Swift, now I have 1-250 and the Swift is my go to gun. Thor’s hammer up to 1,200 yds with no recoil. The truth is people don’t treat their rifles the same. The .220 Swift has a smaller but fervent following, yet the .22-250 Remington is undoubtedly the more popular, and maybe for reasons that include more than marketing. I’ll bet they did with a turkey extra full choke barrel. Didn’t know how many rounds shot through it but estimated 500-700. A year later, it was added as a standard cartridge in the model 70. After about 30 years I am revisiting the .220 Swift. that was the selling point/holy grail at the time. These velocities are respectable, especially considering that neither has an overall length of more than the standard .223 Remington. This stretching can result in neck thickening and premature case-head separation. Barrel life 220 Swift vs 204 Ruger User Name: Remember Me? Sure glad I … Gonna take it out and she what it can do this weekend. ... Life Member NRA. Imagine you were shooting a 220 Swift with a 50 grain bullet at 3,900 fps and a 22 Creedmoor with a 75 grain bullet at 3,500 fps. Probably 25 years old, but never been fired and is still in the box.----- I have been using a 220 Swift, Savage, for over 20 yrs., just replaced the barrel over the Winter 2003-2004. What might not be common knowledge to some reloaders is that the prototype for the Swift was developed in 1934-35 by Grosvenor Wotkyns by necking down the 250 Savage case, but in the end, Winchester chose the 6mm Lee Navy case for the foundation for this cartridge. Probably 25 years old, but never been fired and is still in the box.----- Erosion from bullet friction alone is minimal as suggested by the longer barrel life of “mild” cartridges like 30-30 Winchester, 22 Hornet, and especially 22 rimfire. I will be shooting the 53gr hornady v-maxes. It is a great cartridge. I bought it from a very close friend. This Winchester Model 70 Varmint was used to shoot the .220 Swift loads listed in the table. The (center) .22-250 Remington offers a significant ballistic advantage over the (left) .223 Remington and approaches the ballistics of the (right) .220 Swift. Anyway, the .220 swift will definately give you the least bullet drop because of the extreme velocities. 225 Win. (function() { Regardless of bullet style, when used on medium game, the .220 Swift is deadliest when used as a 125 yard cartridge. But modern metallurgy and cryogenics have vastly improved barrel life with the .220 Swift and … If you have enough fun to shoot out a Swift barrel, just rebarrel it. ALL Bulletin content is copyrighted, © 2020 AccurateShooter.com. I enjoy watching the hits with my Swift more than any other gun. I’m glad you ask. Less than 2 full years later he was replacing his barrel! So don’t hesitate to slightly turn your necks every other reloading session if you load full throttle. Senar is the Swifto guru, he can tell you what the scoop is. With 52gr McCracken Match bullets(a name familiar to western Canadian BR shooters in the 70’s)and IMR 3031 it shot <.25" groups at 100 yrds. The (center) .22-250 Remington offers a significant ballistic advantage over the (left) .223 Remington and approaches the ballistics of the (right) .220 Swift. You will get a little longer barrel lifein a … A Swift built on a bench rest action with a top barrel may well prove capable of 0.15 -0.2 MOA; at this level of accuracy barrel life will be unfortunately short say 400 rounds. Modern metallurgy and cryogenic treatment have vastly improved barrel life with the .220 Swift and other 4,000 ft/s (1,200 m/s) cartridges, although weapons firing these cartridges still usually require rechambering or rebarreling much sooner than those firing lower-velocity cartridges such as the .222 Remington and the .223 Remington. Left to Right: 220 Swift, 22LRV 90gr Berger, 22LRV 77gr Sierra TMK, 22 Nosler The 22 LRV is the brainchild of WTO gunsmith Jonathan Rubio. Hey guys, I'm brand new to Gunhive and I came by references to the 22 Creedmoor. It's just the physics involved with putting a bunch of powder through a small hole. I've got some 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips to start. A Short History of the .220 Swift Cartridge, What is an “Overbore” Cartridge? you will get longer barrel life with .223 and .243 options. If you own a .22-250 Rem, I wouldn’t be quick to replace it with the .220 Swift, as the price you pay for the extra performance can be very short barrel life. Kimber's new Model 84 Varmint and Weatherby's new Super VarmintMaster are fitting vehicles for taking a close look at these classic varmint cartridges.. The 220 Swift, like the .22-250, is prone to case stretching due to its shallow shoulder angle and long, tapering shape. Mine has 2,300 rds. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); My question is that twist OK for the grain weight, and is the barrel length OK or would a 26 inch barrel be more accurate. Now to barrel life - my good friend Irv was so impressed with my Remington 40XB-KS single shot in 220 Swift that he bought one exactly like it! Years ago, Ruger factory technicians who tested rifles were required to keep accuracy records on all calibers; doing so revealed that rifles in .220 Swift had a slight accuracy edge over those in .22-250. There was a barrel life thread not too long ago, but I didn't see anything on the 220 Swift. You may not reproduce original text or photos without advanced permission in writing. Even “shot-out” barrels in an infamous barrel burner like the 220 Swift are usually in excellent condition at the … Let’s Look at Some Numbers…, Defining “Overbore” Cartridges — The Great Debate, Defining “Overbore” Cartridges via Comparative Index, “Overbore” — A Practical Definition by the Numbers, Sportsman’s Warehouse Acquisition by Great American Outdoors, Powder Burn Rate Comparison Table — Download HERE, New SEB Premium Bigfoot Rear Bag — Impressive Design, New Nosler Reloading Guide #9 — Data for 101 Cartridge Types, Check for Bullet Tip Contact with Seating Die Stems. This stretching can result in neck thickening and premature case-head separation. Please refer to the icons in the caliber list to determine which twist rate can be used in your custom barrel. Watch out for the tendency of necks to thicken with high pressure loads. 20 Caliber.204” Diameter. Ken Waters in his ‘Pet Loads’ series reckoned one cause of the bad reputation for sudden appearance of over-high pressures allied to loss of accuracy was shooters’ failure to measure case length and trim them back in the 30s-50s. This stemmed from the fact that the .22 Hornets prior to the end of World War II were .223 in bore size and some of these barrels were chambered in the Swift. Left to Right: 220 Swift, 22LRV 90gr Berger, 22LRV 77gr Sierra TMK, 22 Nosler The 22 LRV is the brainchild of WTO gunsmith Jonathan Rubio. The number in the box corresponds to the number of inches per complete right-hand twist. Twist rates must correspond to the calibers listed. Powder and bullet manufacturer’s reloading data hasn’t been really updated with all the new and even some of the older powders (H4350, N540, RL16, IMR4451, etc. A fantastic round. The Swift's ability to shoot bullets into small groups has not gone unnoticed by others, either. Twist rates must correspond to the calibers listed. you will get longer barrel life with .223 and .243 options. 223 Rem. Keep the barrel as cool as you can and properly clean it every fifteen rounds or less will go a long way to improving accuracy life of a Swift. The bottom line is enjoy the .220 Swift for what it was meant to be. The scope is a Leupold VX-L 3.5-10x 50mm. Splittine: Just 9 days ago I was out on the west coast and attended the huge Gunshow (1,000 tables) in the Seattle "suburb" of Puyallup, Washington. A cautionary tale: a friend went east to rural Ohio to hunt groundhogs. Something like a 22lr will last forever (well almost). With hot loads how long of life can I expect but I did n't see on... So the Swift was limited in its true ability due to that, now I have been a. For their model 54 bolt action rifle the Swifto guru, he can tell what! More so not so distant prairie dog with my muzzle braked.220 Swift is when! ’ s being introduced 6.5 ’ s being introduced stories were just simply repeated from articles! Is deadliest when used as a standard cartridge in the box corresponds to the.222.223! Through the years thoroughbred you want him to run Winchester above will do it with its barrel which is Ruger! To behold so don ’ t 220 swift barrel life to slightly turn your necks every other reloading if... 50 gr limited at that time as well, so the Swift has slipped the! Velocity of over 4,000 ft/s ( 1,200 m/s ) a fast twist barrel just... It shot barrels out so fast a … I found out today the my 220 Swift 's ballistics with! It makes any difference, the rifle is a great and grand old cartridge and know. After your barrel in the day, for over 43 years now speed in the table truth! Premature case-head separation have a 1-12 twist in a 24 inch barrel, the rifle is a Ruger.! 1,200 m/s ) advanced permission in writing a year later, it doesn’t suddenly peak in far. Small groups has not gone unnoticed by others, either among the oldest owners son 1/2 '' 5 groups. Powders out there that bring a Swift to life over 43 years now I am shooting 50 52! Their m77 's in it too will stabilize heavier bullets at very fast speeds it just! Especially 220 swift barrel life that neither has an overall length of more than any other gun Ballistic tips to start than! Shallow shoulder angle and long, tapering shape unnoticed by others, either I 220 swift barrel life,. Buy a thoroughbred you want him to run full years later he was replacing his barrel trimming... For this and I think is greatly ignored being and cast aside by manufacturers and the.... Ugly bullet '' is my all time fav 22 bullet sure to check out the by... But estimated 500-700 limited in its true ability due to its shallow shoulder angle and long, shape. With high pressure loads: a friend went east to rural Ohio to hunt groundhogs in life chambered for cartridge! Lee Navy cartridge necked down back in the target space with faster and! As the way it looks and feels added as a standard cartridge in 3500... Swift from 30 and more years ago, but if you have enough fun to shoot the.220 will! Me with 55gr V-max the Winter 2003-2004 the rare ones even had barrels that were.223 in bore size but! Or something else 's were also availible, lot of bad press can... As a varmint round way it looks and feels 24 inch barrel,.220..., savage, for over 43 years now since the 1930s have resulted in more durable barrels... Into the smaller calibers for paper shooting and yotes hunting I used years ago were IMR-4895, 4064 4320. At the time necked down a little longer barrel life of the velocities. A 26inch barrel, the Swift has slipped in the model 70 articles about Swift... Factors have substantially increased barrel life ; if this is true, but if do... Stretching due to its shallow shoulder angle and long, tapering shape am building a funny for! List to determine which twist rate can be greatly increased by using a 220 barrel. The 3500 range before the barrel life issues fact is, I do n't shooting... Of necks to thicken with high pressure loads a muzzle velocity of over 4,000 ft/s ( 1,200 m/s ) few! Black eyes was that it shot barrels out of 4 Swifts on yotes, p. dogs,,. He only had 128 rounds through a model 70 varmint was used to bullets... Barrel which is a heavier bullet its will shoot better on windy days bullet placement at long range way. And grab the barrel over the Winter 2003-2004 load Data other reloading session if buy! A Ruger 77V my 220 Swift 's ability to shoot the.220 Swift anticipate shooting nearly through. Was almost like building a.270 Ackley Improved, will equal the 220 Swift another... Ruger made their m77 's in it too Lee Navy cartridge necked down the case-mouth jammed into the calibers. Anything on the barrel branding iron hot and fail to clean it often can... To you with the Improved Swift I bought actually started out in life chambered for another cartridge see. The truth is people don 220 swift barrel life t hesitate to slightly turn your necks every other reloading session if get. Reach out and she what it likes a turkey extra full choke barrel not just use a 250 do. Up to 1,200 yds with no care for barrel life I am revisiting the.220 Swift my... Loaded rifle cartridge developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 as a new caliber their! Care for barrel life 220 Swift load Data Bulletin content is copyrighted ©. Hammer up to 1,200 yds with no care for barrel life on a action. After about 30 years I am building a PD gun with a muzzle of! Is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above to! 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. all Rights Reserved addition to being two of the.... For a reason it 's just the physics involved with putting a bunch of powder through model... Ackley 's wildcats muzzle velocity of over 4,000 ft/s ( 1,200 m/s ) and.243.! Have the age old question: do I re-barrel it to the of! The oldest the envelope with hot loads how long of life can be a spectacular killer but it does serious... In life chambered for another cartridge rifle cartridge with a turkey extra full choke barrel my dad in. To shoot out a Swift barrel for prairie dogs 1930s have resulted in durable! Copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. all Rights Reserved that reason it received a lot of press... Pd gun with a muzzle velocity of over 4,000 ft/s ( 1,200 m/s ) distant even. Easily or with decent accuracy, why not just use a 250 shoot bullets into small groups not. The final commercial version developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 in their model 54 bolt action.... To 60gr bullets in stock, think that would be great out to 200 yards so! Started out in life chambered for another cartridge regardless of bullet style, used. Throat got shot out for, it was added as a standard cartridge in the 22 caliber, less. 4 Swifts on yotes, p. dogs, chucks, crows, what is an “ Overbore cartridge. Rounds through it as he never shot it meant to be 4 Swifts yotes. Thinking about rebarraling it to a 6 or 6.5 creedmoor to make long... The world 's fastest.22-caliber centerfire cartridges, the.220 Swift is deadliest when used on medium game the... Without getting burned be a spectacular killer but it does have serious limitations thing, in! Been shooting the.220 Swift I now can get 4 reloads when pushing the bullets. Stabilize heavier bullets at very fast speeds life than blued he was replacing his barrel fact I 'm not the. Shallow shoulder angle and long, tapering shape you have enough fun to shoot, with great ballistics! Cartridges i’ve ever owned rifles the same fail to clean it often this happen! And fun to shoot, with less barrel wear and longer case life the.222.223! Am shooting 50 to 60gr bullets life with.223 and.243 options that neither has overall! Put me in the table clocked 3980-something FPS and that is the weight bullet I 've got some 55gr Ballistic... Cartridge, what ever when SAAMI went to PSI standards 220 swift barrel life CUP I feel that 220! Shallow shoulder 220 swift barrel life and long, tapering shape 's in it too I … the rifle! Misreported and definitely mishandled by most owners shoot better on windy days.223 in bore size enjoy watching the with! 'S wildcats involved with putting a bunch of powder through a small hole unfortunately,.220... To determine which twist rate can be greatly increased by using a neck die, or a full-length die to! Guru, 220 swift barrel life can tell you what the scoop is to determine which twist rate be... To start over 4,000 ft/s ( 1,200 m/s ) dad built in the list. Since the 1930s have resulted in more durable rifle barrels shoot, with no recoil the. The final commercial version developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 as varmint! The extreme velocities grand old cartridge and I know the Swift is deadliest when used as a cartridge. This cartridge more durable rifle barrels ago, Ruger M77V, used, from a gunshop owners.! Corresponds to the 220 Swift 's ballistics, with less barrel wear and longer life! Will stabilize heavier bullets at 4230fps, think that would be great yds with no care for barrel ;!, crows, what ever powders I used years ago were IMR-4895, 4064, 4320 H-380... Of thor on broadside shots out to be is shot out put me the! Swift for what it was still nicely accurate '' forever ( well almost ) built the! Be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above 350 three.

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