Im looking for a nice varmint rifle i can pick off coyotes. I have always wanted a .220 swift but they are increasingly hard to find. On top of that is the fact factory ammo is pretty scarce and im not sure if im ready to delve into hand loads. I realize there are other calibres that have caught the .220 in recent years like the 22-250 but ive always been a guy who likes to go off on his own instead of follow the crowd. So aside from scanning the web for used .220s constantly im wondering if i should just go a different route. The CZ 527 Varmint in .204 Ruger has caught my eye and i have been searching different dealers around for them but havent had any luck. So what do you all think i should do?
.220 swift
- Thread starter Jmax450
- Start date
Got a 527 varmint in 204. Had a little regret until I finally got dies. Worked up 5 loads and my .1 gr under max ended up making it my most accurate rifle. Factory ammo shot over an inch groups and the wood isn't too pretty for the price. My 452 lux has a way nicer look and feel. The 527 varmint is a little front heavy with the varmint barrel. But with how it shoots Ive learned to love it.
If you really don't want to follow the crowd handloading is the way to go
If you really don't want to follow the crowd handloading is the way to go
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I'm not very good at making someone elses mind up for them but if you really want a 220 Swift then watch for one.
They do turn up on gun show tables in different rifles.
I had one for several years in a Ruger #1, very accurate and very fast, a friend still has one in a single shot Savage bolt action that he will never part with.
I only parted with mine when something else a bit more fascinating came along.
They do turn up on gun show tables in different rifles.
I had one for several years in a Ruger #1, very accurate and very fast, a friend still has one in a single shot Savage bolt action that he will never part with.
I only parted with mine when something else a bit more fascinating came along.
Sask31- you dont find the wood finish nice? I have yet to hold one in my hands so i am only going on pictures but i think its great looking rifle. Curious what scope you mounted on it.
I just found a Browning FN with the Mauser action in a .220 swift online. I dont know much about buying rifles online from strangers. Any advice?
I just found a Browning FN with the Mauser action in a .220 swift online. I dont know much about buying rifles online from strangers. Any advice?
I was fascinated with the .220 swift and acquired a beauty... a 700 classic . It was fairly accurate and I liked the round but, for myself, I need it in a heavy barrel. I love my .22 250s and a .220 swift is i think maybe too much of a good thing in a light rifle.
Weight for bullet weight and if you reload there is still nothing that holds a candle to a Swift and is inherently more accurate than Han 22-250, now there are Wild Cats out there that are even faster but barrels do not last very long.
Remington has a 700 SF in .220 Swift around 1300$. 26 in tube
Remington has a 700 SF in .220 Swift around 1300$. 26 in tube
I see that you are here in NB. A 22-250 or 223 would be a FAR better choice for your needs. Lots of rifles to choose from and factory ammo is easy here. Also. a heavy bbl gun is good at the range, but is a full route drag to hunt with if you plan on doing any walking at all. A nice light sporter with a good 3-9 or 4-12 is a far better configuration. I've done them all here and that's what I settled on. One of the best set-ups I've owned (and still do own) is an old Browning A-Bolt 22-250 with a Leupold 2-7. A custom lightweight M700 223 sporter with 1:8" twist bbl also lives with me. It's topped with a 4.5-14. I plan on using the latter with TSX bullets for deer hunting this fall.
I would suggest considering handloading if you are firm on owning a 220 Swift. Factory ammo is sparse in the best of locations, but even less here. Ross might be able to help with ammo in McAdam. If you do find brass, buy lots. It wont be cheap.
The Swift I had was very accurate, no more than my 22-250, but it was certainly faster when you tipped the powder can a bit more.
The only drawback I thought of regarding my Swift was the lack of barrel twist to handle heavier bullets.
A friend re-barrelled his with a tighter twist and he loves it.
Like i said in my original post. Im not interested in .223 or .22-250. I dont plan on carrying the gun around hunting varmints anyway. I load the gun on the bike and ride out to a piece of high ground over looking a large field and call the dogs in. Your remarks are noted however.
That's more or less how I used my Swift, it was heavy enough that I didn't like packing it too far.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The solution for anyone wishing to purchase a Swift, is a custom barrel, or rechambering an existing barrel. The barrel should have a fast twist to not only make use of the better long range bullets, but to also increase the terminal performance of your bullet. Swift brass is not as easy to find as .22-250 brass, but neither is it impossible to find. It might be prudent to purchase a few hundred once you've discovered a source. Primers, powder, and bullets are the same as for the .22-250, but if you intend to use factory ammo only, the .22-250 is a better choice, but again, a fast twist barrel works to your advantage.
Excellent rifles..
