220 Swift caliber - recommendations
I've been wanting a rifle in the 220 Swift caliber for a long time and I'm not so sure why. If anyone can share their experiences with this caliber, please do. Looking for pro's and con's. I have a few rifles in .222 caliber that I like and enjoy shooting target with. I plan on just shooting the Swift at the range, maybe a little varmit hunting.
I have a bead on a new Remington 700 Classic in 220 Swift (1992), new in the box and out the door for $775. Any comments about this unit?
Thank you.
I have a bead on a new Remington 700 Classic in 220 Swift (1992), new in the box and out the door for $775. Any comments about this unit?
Thank you.
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i have a ruger 77 220 swift with polished steel barrel and bolt with a timney trigger. it is a good looking gun. factory ammo for these is kind of expensive. they say they wear barrels out easily, but i don't think that it would be a major concern for what you will be using it for. reloading is a must.
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.0 -
thanks bperdue21,
i do plan on reloading for the swift if i get one. any special loads that won't burn out the barrel?0 -
i believe the whole point in having it is being able to shoot 4000+ fps. i wouldn't even worry about burning the barrel out. you probably won't shoot it near enough to have to worry about it. i would make sure the barrel didn't get too hot.
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.0 -
bperdue21
Thanks again. Any thoughts about the Remington 700 .220 Swift?0 -
all the remingtons I own shoot wonderfully. i don't think you would be dissappointed with one
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.0 -
Can't speak for the Remington but have a Ruger #1 chambered in 220 Swift. Does real well on everything I've fired at, crows, ground hogs, fox, etc. Very accurate a long ways out. They will copper foul so important to get it out with regular cleanings. 0 -
AJ Christ,
Thanks for the info.0 -
check this one out http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=29744530 0 -
Coltnutz,
A friend of mine is an old diehard Swift shooter. For many years he used to shoot a Win 70 pre-64 chambered in .220. He used to shoot 60 gr. Noslers for hunting and I don't know what for competitions. He and his gunsmith friend put custom barrels on these. They varied between 1-14" or 1-16" twist. They also put the bullets out extremely fast so there was enough speed of bullet to compensate for slow twist.
The rifle and shooter are like local legends where I'm from and are the unwritten standard of what accuracy shooting is there...pretty tight tolerances if you ask around.
The round will go head to head with anything for accuracy and speed out there. Anything else that has come along is another reinvention of the wheel...put the same new technology to work on a Swift and it will stay right up with any newer cartridge. A different route than the one you've been thinking but either of your choices would be a good one. -Good luck
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
Load your own with 4064 and 50 - 55gr bullets at 3600 - 3800 fps. You will likely have grandchildren shooting it before there is significant erosion. Today's steel is better and powders are as well. This cartridge is very accurate and if you must brag about 4000 fps loads, you can load 'em to that velocity - in general, I've found better accuracy at the levels mentioned above.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)0 -
Great information, thanks for your responsequote:Originally posted by sandwarrior
Coltnutz,
A friend of mine is an old diehard Swift shooter. For many years he used to shoot a Win 70 pre-64 chambered in .220. He used to shoot 60 gr. Noslers for hunting and I don't know what for competitions. He and his gunsmith friend put custom barrels on these. They varied between 1-14" or 1-16" twist. They also put the bullets out extremely fast so there was enough speed of bullet to compensate for slow twist.
The rifle and shooter are like local legends where I'm from and are the unwritten standard of what accuracy shooting is there...pretty tight tolerances if you ask around.
The round will go head to head with anything for accuracy and speed out there. Anything else that has come along is another reinvention of the wheel...put the same new technology to work on a Swift and it will stay right up with any newer cartridge. A different route than the one you've been thinking but either of your choices would be a good one. -Good luck
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
Thanks for the response and the load recommendations. I'm feeling better so far about buying a .220quote:Originally posted by Iconoclast
Load your own with 4064 and 50 - 55gr bullets at 3600 - 3800 fps. You will likely have grandchildren shooting it before there is significant erosion. Today's steel is better and powders are as well. This cartridge is very accurate and if you must brag about 4000 fps loads, you can load 'em to that velocity - in general, I've found better accuracy at the levels mentioned above.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)0 -
I have a custom varminter with a FN Mauser single shot benchrest action, medium heavy shilen barrel, canjar trigger, classic varmint walnut stock. 39gr 4064 with 53gr sierra gives me 3900 fps and consistent 100 yd groups you can cover with a dime. case life is excellent with only occasional trimming necessary. All those old wives tales about the swift be damned. 0 -
Update:
This made my day today. Got home from work about noon, buddy came over and there were some crows in the back in the trees. Got out the .220 and took a shot, missed, they flew off but came right back, took another shot and scattered one. Yes, when a crow gets hit with a 40 grain Berger hollow point at 250 yards, they tend to loose most of their feathers and hit the ground. That made me feel a lot better. A half hour later they were back (we picked up the corpse) and one was walking on the ground, remembered what I needed to, told my buddy to watch this, tried for a head shot and got the crow in the eye. Ruger #1 heavy barrel with a Leupold 6 X 12 scope. Hand loads with 40 gr Berger bullets, don't remember what powder or charge but running near max load. Yes those 220 do shoot good![8D]0 -
I've got two swifts one in a 700 configuration the other is a pre 64 action with a Mcgowen barrel fiberglass floated. Both seem to be very accurate. At one time this was my favorite caliber out to 400 yds. Today I go with the 204, which lacks a little over three yards but a whole lot of fun to shoot. You'll like the swift as a caliber, I'd recommend a gun with an adustible trigger, such as the savage accu-trigger. 0
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