.220 Swift handloaders... whats the deal?

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cath8r

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Hey guys. Perusing some of my loading manuals I see that often the .220 Swift is only slightly ahead of the .22-250 and sometimes even slightly lagging behind in FPS for identical bullets at max loads.
What the heck is up with that?
I've read on here somewhere someone alluded to the fact that they always downplay and underload the performance of the .220. He never did say why.

What would be the reason for this? I've always heard of the .220 being the king of commercial .224's and always had 150 fps more than the .22-250 across the board. Not owning one myself, but considering it, could some owners of the Swift shed some of your experiences with it. Seems like a great round that would make you the only kid in town to have one (my town anyways). I Like my .22-250 but more velocity would be cool in a different round.
Thanks.
 
The source at the link below lists the Swift case capacity at 48 grains while the 22-250 is 43. So I would agree for the same pressure the Swift will deliver more velocity. It is still somewhat behind the 22WSSM at 53 grains.

Both however are at the point where more powder is not doing much good. Probably the differences in loading are just due to different barrel lengths, perhaps different twists, and vintage of test equipment (CUP vs PSI), and involvement of lawyers in what get published.

Cartridge Case Capacities
 
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cath8r said:
Hey guys. Perusing some of my loading manuals I see that often the .220 Swift is only slightly ahead of the .22-250 and sometimes even slightly lagging behind in FPS for identical bullets at max loads.
What the heck is up with that?
I've read on here somewhere someone alluded to the fact that they always downplay and underload the performance of the .220. He never did say why.

What would be the reason for this? I've always heard of the .220 being the king of commercial .224's and always had 150 fps more than the .22-250 across the board. Not owning one myself, but considering it, could some owners of the Swift shed some of your experiences with it. Seems like a great round that would make you the only kid in town to have one (my town anyways). I Like my .22-250 but more velocity would be cool in a different round.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Rechamber that 220 Swift to a 220 Weatherby Rocket in a slow twist barrel if velocity is what you're after.
 
Deservedly or not, the 220 Swift got a reputation as a barrel-burner, which I think pushed back its popularity. I'm not entirely sure that those reputations are usually founded on any real evidence -- other than "oh, that's fast, must be a barrel-burner".
 
I am a pure, dyed in the wool Swift lover, and have owned at least 10 of them. [I have also owned several 22-250's over the years] In the real world, using 55 grain bullets, the Swift is 150-200 fps faster than the 22-250, all other factors being equal. For some strange reason, the reloading manuals load the 220 Swift to velocities that seem to make it barely the equivalent of the 22-250. I have reached 3700 and pennies with the 22-250 and the 55 grain Ballistic Tip. In the Swift I can usually get 3950 or so without any exhibition of higher than normal pressures. H380 and Vihtavuori N540 are great in the Swift, as is Reloder 15. 4064 gives me the best velocities with 50-52 grain pills, with 4000+ possible in most rifles with 26" barrels and 14" twists. Also working well are IMR4320, IMR 4007, W760 and H414. If I wanted a 22-250, I certainly wouldn't buy a 220 Swift and load it to 22-250 velocities. As for throat erosion, my first Swift made 2500 rounds before the accuracy started to noticeably degrade, and It stopped making MOA at about 3400, so that is not outrageous by any standards. Regards, Eagleye.
 
It was my understanding that Swift data was intentionally reduced to help prevent premature throat erosion, in an effort to help save the Swift's reputation. Many reloading manuels that I have seen from the Swift era show loads significantly higher than many manuels today.
I am not sure if you need 4000fps with a 50/55g bullet, but I sure love my Swift.
 
Right on guys, this is what I was looking for. Especially like Eagleyes response as a Swift owner/enthusiast.
Just seems odd as it has so much capacity and some manuals have it neck and neck with the '250. Ron Hilchys response makes sense to me too. A 55 grainer crowding 4 grand would be neat...
 
I also have a few 220 swifts the first one that I burned out was at over 2500 rds it still shot under an inch though.
My powder of choice was and still is H380 with 52-55gr boolits.
The reason reloading data for the 220 and the 22-250 are very close in speed I think is because the swift when first introduced was loaded at very high velocity the barrels didn't last long when they are loaded down some barrel life increases.
The swift is capable of more speed than the 22-250 for sure I get alittle over 3800 fps with 55grainers with about 40gr H380 [this is a moderate load]and I am sure it could be close to 4000 if you wanted to push the pressures a little.

The swift is a great varminter I will always have them for the good accuracy and the oommff out to 400 yds on anything from gophers to coyotes to plastic water bottles.
 
I couldn't agree more with Eagleye's post.
My Swift is in a Ruger #1 and it has hundreds of rounds down the barrel.
It is probably the best varmint rifle for coyotes I have ever had. :)
 
I have a custom built Swift on a P-14 action and a Heavy contour Adams & Bennet 26" barrel 1-14 twist. Once while using data from an old reloading manual I hit 4000 fps with a 55 gr. fmj, and a stout load of IMR-3031 powder. It should be noted that powder lots sure do change over the years, as my primers began falling out of my brass!:redface: I've sinced dropped that load back a couple of grains, but man was that ever accurate. I was getting 1" groups at 200 yards. My Swift loves 3031.
 
Pathfinder said:
or 22-243 middlestead
Click to expand...

Ya that's a good one! I once considered building a 22 Cheetah on the original design using the 308 BR case using a small rifle primer and necked down to .224. Too bad you can't get that brass anymore. Nowadays a 308 Win or 243 Win necked down to .224 is sometimes called a 22 Cheetah. Unfortunately it is not the same but still awesome.
 
I love my Swift.
55g v max imr 3031.
YotesatCorns2010003.jpg
 
I agree with Eagleye. Most data does not load the Swift to its potential, likely from the "barrel burner" B.S. reputation. It is no worse than a 22/250 if you heat the barrel time after time, and/or do not clean it properly. I use RL15 with 52 HPBT match, at 3800 fps. without even pushing it (zero case expansion from once fired to fired with my loads). In comparison Federal premium factory loads with the same bullet run 36-3650 out of my rifle. With barnes 36gr. varmint grenades, I use IMR3031 for 4460 fps. and 1/2" consistent for 3 shots. I have pushed them much fasterm but with poorer accuracy, and case life would have been a couple reloads. You don't want to know how much faster!
 
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