Rebarrel .22-250 to .220 swift ?

You want something faster than .22-.250?
Swift could be an option. Or .22-.250AI. Or .220AI. Or .22-.243.
Just install the barrel.
 
A long barrelled .22-.250AI with 1:8 twist can be quite impressive. Set up a few for friends.

Rebarrelling a Ruger 77 is no more complicated or expensive than any other bolt action rifle. Easier than a Remington 700, because there is no barrel face counterbore.
With a quality barrel, it is going to run $600+.
 
If you already have a couple of 22-250 rifles why build another with almost identical ballistics???? I can understand being dedicated to certain calibers but this is a bit of a stretch.

If I may suggest stick with the 22-250 chamber but with a very fast twist rate barrel. Say 6.5 or 7 inch twist. This will allow you to shoot the heavy for caliber, Ultra Low Drag bullets which are available in the 224 diameter bullets. It opens up a whole different aspect of shooting and definitely extends the range as well as going to the extreme power factor at the top of the 224 ballistics chart. Not only that but you can still utilize smaller, cheaper bullets. Such a build would require a heavy barrel IMHO.

I did a similar rifle on a Remington action about ten years ago. When it was loaded with 107grain bullets it became a powerful force unto itself. I am sure other folks here have done something similar and can elaborate further. The build was great on WhiteTails out to 400+ meters. Wind drift was negligible. It was way more than what was needed for Coyotes.

The next best option would be the 260 Remington.
 
One of the quick twist rifles I rebarrelled for a friend used a Gaillard barrel, iirc. 28 -29" long. He tested it extensively with various bullet weights. Using 74 - 80gr bullets, it was very effective on caribou, at about any range. He hunted with Inuit, they would use his rifle - so it shot a lot more caribou than he alone could have.

Gotta be careful cutting the AI chamber - tendency to chatter. Ways to work around this, but be careful.
If I were doing another one, I think I would use the standard .22-.250 or Swift cases. Keep things simple. A quick twist light Palma contour barrel finished at 30 inches would allow maximum performance to be reached with a .224 bullet. Might have a problem with lightweight varmint bombs though.

Started me thinking. Maybe I'll order a barrel when I visit JC this summer...
 
This thread has really got me thinking. Just might order a barrel from JC. Do my own 'smithing, so that is not an issue. Probably go .22-.250 or .22-.250AI. To build a Swift I would have to get a reamer, gauges and loading gear.

Mount Sweetness -
There are a number of quality barrel suppliers. Gary, at Big Horn Sales carries Benchmark. Jerry at Mystic Precision. Ted Gaillard. Ron Smith.
Looking for a smith in driving distance or are you prepared to ship? Casey at TacOrd; Keith at MilCun; the Chou brothers; Ian Robertson.

I am sure other members will lengthen these lists.
 
tiriaq said:
This thread has really got me thinking. Just might order a barrel from JC. Do my own 'smithing, so that is not an issue. Probably go .22-.250 or .22-.250AI. To build a Swift I would have to get a reamer, gauges and loading gear.

Mount Sweetness -
There are a number of quality barrel suppliers. Gary, at Big Horn Sales carries Benchmark. Jerry at Mystic Precision. Ted Gaillard. Ron Smith.
Looking for a smith in driving distance or are you prepared to ship? Casey at TacOrd; Keith at MilCun; the Chou brothers; Ian Robertson.

I am sure other members will lengthen these lists.
Click to expand...

Bits of Pieces out of Delta sells 26 in 224 bore diameter blank barrels from Green Mountain. I have been using these barrels quite a bit, mostly because of price and also because they are excellent products. The US price on one of these barrels is US$115. By the time you add up taxes, shipping, Barry's profit, exchange difference you're looking at close to $300 Canadian.

I haven't had a bad GM barrel yet. You can order button rifled or if you prefer a longer 35 inch barrel cut rifled but close to twice the price.

I like dealing with Canadian suppliers/makers but the darned wait times for their products is a killer.
 
Just a thought... I just finished working up loads for my new .22-243win (plain, not ackley). Case forming is no harder than a simple neck size. None of the feeding issues some people report from ackleys. my 10twist, 26" barrel, is good up to 69gr bullets and is about 100-200fps faster than .220swift for a given bullet weight.
 
That conversion is often called the 22 Cheetah or at least confused with it. Like the 220 Swift it's hard on throats but as you mention it is very fast. I think with the new very slow powders and a long 30 inch barrel it would do very well indeed. Still, barrel life will be short.
 
I mentioned some names earlier. There are others. I am familiar with Keith's work; he makes very accurate rifles. The Chou brothers make fine rifles. Members speak highly of Casey. Ian has been involved with target rifles for a long time.
Make contact, discuss your project.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom