220 swift or 204
- Thread starter 7 REM MAG
- Start date
You are talking abot 2 very different cartridges- both soewhat esoteric...
The 220 Swift has the bigger bullets, and th 204 has the small bulets att the same velocity...
A 22-250 is an easy compromise, wiht fast bullets of a decnt weight, and factory ammo opportunities
The 220 Swift has the bigger bullets, and th 204 has the small bulets att the same velocity...
A 22-250 is an easy compromise, wiht fast bullets of a decnt weight, and factory ammo opportunities
I just got a VS SF in a 220 Swift and from the limited shooting I've done with it so far I think I made the right choice. The semi rimmed case takes some care loading into the well as not to place the next one behind the other which will cause a cycling issue but other than that it really gets there quick and with my rifle sub MOA already without a whole lot of load development. The Swift realy shines inside of 55 grain bullets and the ROT is 1:14 so the 60grain + bullets are not an option...but thats what my 243 Win does and then my 260 Rem. The 204 is also very interesting but just wasn't big enough for my intended use on big dirt pigs and potentially large coyotes...but thats my choice.
220 swift... or .204 ruger... I will be able to answer that question in June.
Any opinion I might have would be truly speculative right now as I have not killed coyote with either myself at this point!
Looking at the ballistics and bullets... and comparing that with what I have experienced from kililng coyotes with many other cartridges, I would say they are equal in most respects.
But given fact that Chilly will be shooting the .220 Swift an "old and out of date" cartridge and I have chosen the .204 Ruger which as everyone knows is "new and improved" should be an indicator of which will reign supreme.
Just for the record... the long distance record in the Chilly Killing fields is currently held by a .25WSSM... which by the way does a wicked job on coyotes too.
Any opinion I might have would be truly speculative right now as I have not killed coyote with either myself at this point!
Looking at the ballistics and bullets... and comparing that with what I have experienced from kililng coyotes with many other cartridges, I would say they are equal in most respects.
But given fact that Chilly will be shooting the .220 Swift an "old and out of date" cartridge and I have chosen the .204 Ruger which as everyone knows is "new and improved" should be an indicator of which will reign supreme.
Just for the record... the long distance record in the Chilly Killing fields is currently held by a .25WSSM... which by the way does a wicked job on coyotes too.
6mm Shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- White City, SK
My suggestion is, if you already have something like a 243 or a 25-06 then go with a 204. But if you have anything like a 222 or a 223 then get the 220 swift. I love my 204 for shooting small animals like crows and pigeons but I don't have much confidence in its ability passed 200 yards on coyote. To tell the truth I don't know if I will keep the 204.
Yesturday evening I was out hunting coyote, I had both my 204 and my 243 with me and I saw 2 coyotes. The first one was at 250 and I grabbed the 243 and dropped him. Then, just as it was getting dark I saw a black spot way out just laying there. I ranged him 511 yards. Grabbed the 243 dialled up 32.5 inches put the crosshair on him and let fly. I didn't see the hit but I heard the tell tale puuuck. I got the scope back on him to see him still laying down biting at his side. I chambered another round but before I shot again he was still. So maybe I should say forget about the 220 swift with its light, poor BC bullets and get a 243.
Yesturday evening I was out hunting coyote, I had both my 204 and my 243 with me and I saw 2 coyotes. The first one was at 250 and I grabbed the 243 and dropped him. Then, just as it was getting dark I saw a black spot way out just laying there. I ranged him 511 yards. Grabbed the 243 dialled up 32.5 inches put the crosshair on him and let fly. I didn't see the hit but I heard the tell tale puuuck. I got the scope back on him to see him still laying down biting at his side. I chambered another round but before I shot again he was still. So maybe I should say forget about the 220 swift with its light, poor BC bullets and get a 243.
The 243 is an excellent cal. for longer range coyote sized varmint. I've got a T3 in 243 Win I use as a carry rifle and it is fantastic with 70 grain BT's. I tried the 55 grain BT's and although they are smokin' fast at over 4000 FPS they don't do well in the wind. I'm currently looking to find a 243 WSSM in a Browning Varmint Stalker configuration.
220 Swift has a reputation for being a very accurate cartrige.I just bought my second Swift 4 or 5 months ago and it is quickly becoming my favorite gun.It,s a Rugerr 77 Sporter,its what they call a boring gun every thing you load for it shoots under moa a poor load is 3/4" a good load is one ragged hole.I also have a 223 a 223A.I. and had a 22-250 till not long ago.I will take the swift over all of them.You don't have to load the Swift to 4000 but if you want to crank it up will give a little extra reach.Only my 2 cents.
For rodents, I prefer the 204. Heats up slower so you get more shooting, noticably quieter, recoils less so you can view the carnage through the scope.
What's not to like?
Oh, and both 204 and Swift are handloader's cartridges, but that hardly needs saying. You pretty much need to handload if you're into varminting anyway
What's not to like?
Oh, and both 204 and Swift are handloader's cartridges, but that hardly needs saying. You pretty much need to handload if you're into varminting anyway
One thing to note is you will be able to see a hit through your scope with a .204 vs not seeing it with the .220 Swift unless you have a brake installed.
I had a 220 Swift up till this fall in a VSSF and it was a pretty cool gun, nailed a coyote well over 350 yards and the bullet never dropped but the coyote sure did.
I like seeing a gopher go to red mist so I think Id go for a .204 or opt for a 22-250.
Cheers!!
PS Good Shooting 6MM
I had a 220 Swift up till this fall in a VSSF and it was a pretty cool gun, nailed a coyote well over 350 yards and the bullet never dropped but the coyote sure did.
I like seeing a gopher go to red mist so I think Id go for a .204 or opt for a 22-250.
Cheers!!
PS Good Shooting 6MM
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I've watched a dirt pig explode in my 4200 4-16x50 on my 243 Win when prone. I'm sure that it's more the noise than the recoil that would make you not see the bullet strike. A simple fix with ear protection which you should be wearing anyway! WHAT....WhAT.....say again
It's possible to do. Especially if you have proper posture and a firm grip on the gun. Hell, I've greased the little dirt pigs with a 7mm08 and 308 Stevens - and occasionally I've been able to withness the impact through the scope on those.
But not like the 204, or Hornet. These are like shooting a 22lr. Hell, on a damp morning, I'd be surprised if you couldn't see your vapour trails. I have a 22-250 in a Savage BVSS at around 13lbs, and witnessing the hits is more the exception than the rule. Rarely are you able to take the shot from a perfect position
But not like the 204, or Hornet. These are like shooting a 22lr. Hell, on a damp morning, I'd be surprised if you couldn't see your vapour trails. I have a 22-250 in a Savage BVSS at around 13lbs, and witnessing the hits is more the exception than the rule. Rarely are you able to take the shot from a perfect position
I have a rem vssf in 220 swift......It's a tac driver outta the box....Has an elite 3200 3-9X50
Yotes, crows,beavers and the odd p-dog....never had one complain
It's a little on the heavy side but that's why god invented slings
220 sounds better that 204.....It's a classic.....I like the old stuff....
Russ...
Yotes, crows,beavers and the odd p-dog....never had one complain
It's a little on the heavy side but that's why god invented slings
220 sounds better that 204.....It's a classic.....I like the old stuff....
Russ...
Limited downrange velocity of the 204? The BC of the .204's 39 & 40 grain pills is .275, which means that its downrange velocity is greater than a 55 gr .224, and most other .224 bullets are launched at a velocity disadvantage, so any downrange velocities won't become apparent until WAY downrange. Not to mention that the twist rates of typical 22-250's and 220's won't stabilize bullets much heavier than 55 or 60gr.
