Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Powder in 220 swift

What’s a good powder for 40-50 grain bullets in the 220 swift “that is not real temperature sensitive?”

I shoot 50’s in my Swift and use H414. Winchester 760 is the same powder, it seems that H414 isn’t made any more..

Varget

IMR 4064

I'ts the only cartridge where I've found Varget to (slightly) exceed the accuracy of H4895, so H4895 is a second for my Swift loads. I use a 50 grain Sierra Blitz.

My 700 Classic dotes on Nosler 50gr Ballistic Tips and H414. As schrapnel says, I may have to switch to W760 when my keg of 414 is gone.

Dale06: I have been shooting Varmint Rifles in caliber 220 Swift for well over half a century now and have NEVER shot a 40 grain load!
Nor, a 50 grain load.
All of my 220 Swifts (and I currently own and shoot an even ten of them) use 52 grain and 55 grain bullets - if YOU decide to step up to those great big bullets then I suggest starting with IMR 4064 and then H 4895 next, then H 380.
Best of luck with that 220 Swift and don't be afraid of the increased recoil of those 55 grain bullets - if I can handle it, you can to. Never had a "temperature sensitive" issue to date. I do take extra care to NOT leave my ammunition's in direct sunlight, EVER.
Long live the 220 Swift.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have over the years probably read most of VarmintGuy's posts. I agree with most of what he says.....very enthusiastic and opinionated.......
on this post I agree "have NEVER shot a 40 grain load !"
But I have only been shooting the Swift 40 years instead of 50+ but must disagree on the use of H380. to me it is the "dog schitt"!!!!!! of rifle powders and the most temp sensitive I have ever used in the Swift.
Use W760 with 55 grain bullets and leave the 40's to a lesser cartridge

Powders I have used in the Swift for 40-55 grains H335, Benchmark, H4895, Varget, 4064, H380, H414/W760/Accurate2700.

So OP what do you want to do with it primarily and I can tell you how to get there.

Thanks guys, lots of good comments. For clarification, this is my fourth 220 swift that I’m having built. I’ve sold two and have one that I’ve not shot for years. It’s been quite a number of years since I’ve loaded and shot my swifts. Powders I used in the past were Varget, AA2700, and 4064.
I appreciate the comments and recommendations.

I used IMR 4064 for a long time but gave it up in favor of temperature stable powders.
36 gn Ballistic Tip-Lead Free work great with 8208XBR or Big Game.
50, 52 or 55 gn bullets with 43.5 gn of Reloder 16 give great accuracy and velocity with 210 primers. This load is from Speer #15 manual. 215 primers seem slightly better with 55 gn.
44 gn of H4350 is nearly as good using 210 primers.
Nosler Partition 60 gn and 46 gn of H4831 make an excellent combination.

Wswolf: If you don't mind my asking WHAT problem did you have with IMR 4064?
And I can only imagine how FAST those 36 grain bullets were flying out of your 220 Swift.
TIA
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I gots 4461 average for 5 shots. 24” barrel. Was hoping for 4500.

Should make feathers fly and also make a very fine red mist of furry critters.

My standard load with 4064 was 38.6 gn with a 52 gn Sierra for 3800 fps. It was a very accurate load that did for loads of rock chucks but proved a bit temperature sensitive.
H4350 or Reloder 16 give equal accuracy, greater velocity and temperature stability.

With 36 gn Noslers 39 gn 8208XBR made 4275 fps. The last four shot group measured was .83" with three in .41"
43.5 gn of Big Game pushed them at 4230 fps with 5-shot groups at .5", give or take a couple of 100ths.

26" barrel - 14 twist.

I good friend of mine has a bunch of IMR 4320 (Bulk can) and has offered some to me for a deal, anyone have good results with this powder? I'm hoping to use either 50, or 55gr V-max bullets.

If it works in the 22.250 it will work in the Swift. Use 22.250 max -3 to 5% as a start and work up.

my 220 Swift rifles like H414 powder i still have a couple kegs and dang glad i purchased them a few years ago.