Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Any 220 swift fans out there?

So i just shot out my first swift. I built it with a 1 in 9 twist krieger tube on an accurized rem 700 action. It loved 69 grain nosler cc's, and 75 amaxes. Shot it out to 1200 yards on steel and it did great, albeit the wind did work it over quite a bit.

Just wondering what other people have done with their swifts? Pet loads, critter pics, target pics are all welcome. More than happy to share my loads with any interested folks as well!

in 14 twist rifles:

44-44.5g of AA2700, 760,414
50g nosler ballistic tips at 4000

I shot out 4 barrells with this load
These ball powders are very easy on barrels, and IMR 4064 eats barrels in comparrison

+1

46.5 grs. AA2700 40 gr. BK/BT at 4400+ are fun.

Ridgegoat,

In my most recent Swift I ran Ramshot Hunter with heavier bullets with excellent results. It's a little slower burning than 2700/760/414 or Big Game (also a great Swift powder for 50-55 grain bullets), about like Reloder 19.

My wife and I have taken not only a bunch of varmints from prairie dogs and rockchucks to foxes and coyotes with the Swift, but used it on deer-sized game enough to know it works just fine.

I've got a stock Ruger 1V in 220 Swift with a Luepold 6.5x20 target dot scope that I launch Nosler 50 gr ballistic tip at 3850 per my Ouhler 35P. It's one of my best shooting rifles.

I haven't been able to use it much in East TX, but I use to take it on weekends to Delta, CO to a favorite parire dog town. I would set up my shooting bench then grab my measuring wheel and set surveyor stakes with ribbons every 100 yards out to 600 yards. Back at the bench I'd set up my big umbrella to shade me, pour a big glass of iced tea, and proceed to decimate the little dogs. The umbrella seemed to facinate the critters, causing them to stand up and stare making perfect targets.

Still got the orignal barrel on the gun several thousand rounds through it with no noticeable loss of accuracy. I credit this to not trying to burn the barrel up with overloaded rounds. When it does go, I'll probably go your way with a faster twist in 220AI. Probably won't try to burn that barrel up either, but it will help preserve my brass which has always been a problem with the streaching. Might also change scopes. The target dot does have it's limitations at the longer ranges. All round though it's one of my favorite rifles.

I've got a Pre 64 Model 70 in the Swift. Got a nice doe with it at about 175yds 4-5yrs ago and this coyote last year. No prairie dogs around here so not much worry about shooting out the barrel using it for deer and coyotes only.



Also have a custom Pre 64 in 220 Wilson Arrow, a wildcat based on the Swift. Took this nice ten pt last year with it at 175yds. He was running straight at me and caught a 55gr Hornady SP in the chest. He collapsed at the shot and never moved.

Awesome stuff guys. I was loading 44.5 grains of reloader 26 behind the 75 amaxes, and was getting fine accuracy and velocity. The sweet spot was right at 3550 fps per my chrono, and i was getting 5 shot groups consistently under .25" if i did my part. The smallest group i have ever shot was with that swift and measured .133". Besides from load testing i shot a lot of steel with it out there a ways. Shot a prarie dog at 730 yards with it, on the 3rd shot. Also shot quite a few matches with it. I dont think i am going to rebarrel that rifle into a swift right now, i have other things in mind... but I kow for sure that I will have another one sometime.
I never did have much of a problem with case stretching. Had to trim a couple times, but nothing excessive i font believe. Biggest problem i had was case necks cracking, had to anneal a bit for sure.
I will post photos, once i figure out how... i am new to campfire

Nice Tatelaw! Awesome pics there. It is funny, in Michigan where i grew up, people seem to think that using a 22 caliber on anything bigger than a 'yote is a sin lol. Everyone shoots magnums and whatnot... I always thought that a swift pushing a well constructed bullet would do fine for deer. Havent gotten the chance yet.

I just read this book recently. In it, Frank Glaser talks about buying a .220 Swift when they were introduced. He really liked the cartridge and killed wolves,caribou and several Grizzly bears with it.

Alaska's Wolfman

I am going to have to but that book and give it a read. Sounds like it is right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation!

Max load for "Your" rifle of IMR-4064 under a 50 grain Sierra Blitzking will give a new meaning to the term "Mist" on smallish critters.


Same powder with a 55 Ballistic Tip is a hell of a coyote load. Good load for larger game when you get to 300+ and velocity falls off a bit.

I have a Ruger M77 in 220 Swift. It is a sporter with a 24" barrel. Mine loves the Hornady 55 gr V-max with RL-15 powder.

Have a Ruger 77R with a facroty barrel and a 77V with a Shillen barrel. Used to use IMR 4064 with 52 Sierras for rockchucks or 760 with 60 Ballistic tips for pronghorn.

Hunter was good for accuracy but gave quite a bit lower velocity than the powders below.

After some experimenting, when 4064 was hard to find, 2000 MR proved to be excellent for 50 to 55 gn bullets and perfectly slick through the powder measure. Alliant has published data.

H4350 is likewise excellent for 55 and 60 gn bullets.

Reloader 17 is my all-time favorite for 50 to 60 gn bullets. I stocked up and don't bother with other powders anymore

I have two Swifts at present.. Both 1-14.. I usually shoot 50 gr. bullets either Blitzking, or Vmax.. Mostly with H4895.. Last time i checked it was about 4000.. Killed many coyotes with this load.. A few deer and turkey with the 64 gr. WW, but I am not sure of the load.. Probably I4350..