Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Going for speed - 22-250, 220 swift, or 223 WSSM?

I'm going to take the boy out to shoot pdogs, might as well make it interesting.

Which one would you go with and why.

I like Tikkas but that would leave me in 22-250 only, I've always wondered about the swift, and ain't getting any younger, the 223 WSSM may be another option.

I don't know what rifles are available in either the swift, or WSSM either

Although I'm not (I repeat NOT!) a Tika fan, I gotta say, my buddy's Tika Varmint in 22.250 is the most accurate factory rifle I've ever seen. And by "factory" I mean, not one single modification other than mounting a scope.

The 250's allot cheaper to reload for if that matters.

22-243 Middlestead AI with 52 gr Brawand bullets.

Gunner

Yep, or the similar 22 Cheetah. IF going with a very fast twist and long barrel, a 22/6mmAI would be outstanding. Most practical and easy to load for is likely the 22-250AI and it does not give up anything to the bigger rounds with bullets of 55gr or less. I have had one or two of most of the above, was planning my next 22-243when a pretty as all get out custom fast twist 220 Swift came to me. THAT one might become a 220 Weatherby Rocket someday soon. Another fun nostalgic screamer.

For pure speed, in a factory loading, you can't beat the WSSM. The drawback it is not available in the amount of rifles that a 22-250, or even the Swift, is.

My son shoots a Browning in 223wwsm, and it is fast and accurate. His coyote load is a 60gr Btip @ 3,700+fps. In Hornaday's reloading book, they achieved 4,600fps with a 40gr Vmax.

That barrel gets warm in a hurry though. Take along additional rifles if going after P-dogs.

Why not just go with the 243 WSSM? You'll have a more versitle rig.

I shoot a 70 grain ballistic tip at 3725 fps for coyotes and prarie dogs and it's better in the wind than the .22 cals. You will also have the option of the 105 grain A-Max at 3050 for targets and big game

That's not to mention 55 grain BT's at over 4000 fps if you'd rather for dogs!

It's a no-brainer...

Factory guns only - going to pick up something for fun

Prairie dogs aren't like shooting other stuff. Weather can be hot and there can be lots of targets. You'll have to deal with barrel heat and fouling. You really should have several guns. Of those three I'd get the 22-250. It'll heat up quickly, but slower than the others.

OK...the .223WSSM is dead...forget it...


The Swifto is hard to find a rifle in, very limited choices..

.22-250 is your Huckleberry...

I love the Swift, but the .22-250 is easier to locate..both brass and rifles..

I'd go Swifto AI with an 8 T. Fact is I dropped off my rig for my smith to do just that yesterday...<g>

And...the snow gophs are out and want to play catch.

Dober

Of the three options mentioned by the OP I'd go with the plain old Swift (though the Swift AI has been calling to me for a while).

The .223 WSSM will fry a barrel quicker than the other two. This isn't just because it uses more powder, but due to the very short neck, plus the shoulder that directs hot gas right into the throat in front of the neck. (That said, I have a .223 WSSM, but regard it as a coyote/deer round instead of a prairie dog rifle.)

On average Swifts shoot a little better than .22-250's. Don't ask me to supply a reason, but Ruger saw this years ago when they test-fired new rifles that were otherwise identical except for the chambering. Jim Carmichel has seen it in his own rifles (quite a few in both chamberings), and I've seen it in my more limited number (but still quite a few) of .22-250's and Swifts.

Barrel life is about the same in the .22-250 and Swift, due to the longer neck on the Swift. Plus, any rifle loony really needs to try a .220 Swift sometime in their lifetime!

The 223 wssm is a great round and love the extra short bolt throw of that shorter action 55 gr noslers and bergers are flat ugly on ground hogs 22-250 does seem to do better with a wider range of bullets...that t/c venture predator is a hell of a rifle for the price mine is under an inch with every load I've fed it. that's in 22-250

The Swift still rules supreme, certifiable varmint killing machines for over 75 years. Don't be shy, get one and join the fraternity of guys that know what's going on...

What do you guys like for powder in the Swifto? Years gone back I used the NSB's and 4064 or H380.

What do you think about Big Game in a Swift?

Thinking 75 Amaxes or Bergers if I can find either one these days...zeesh

Dober

I am using H414, measures easy and consistant. Seems to shoot well too...

That's right, I forgot. H414 is a powder I used a lot in my 22/250.

Thx
Dober

M.D.

if the long neck on the Swift gives a better throat life, then what are your thoughts on a 22/6mm Rem or a 243 necked down like a 6 International, to give a longer neck?

I have a Marlin XL 7 Long Action that I have had waiting to figure out putting another barrel on it ( for a switch barrel rig ) as I have been doing the 220 Swift/22.250 debate over and over in my head... I already have multiple 22.250s..

Also on a Swift, will a 24 inch barrel handicap performance, or is it worth going with a 26 inch barrel...or longer...

I have several barrel blanks, just haven't solidified which to settle on...

Mark,

let me know when you get that one finished...

I have a fast twist 22.250 ( one in 7 Twist ) and would be interested to compare velocities' potential...

the fastest MVs in that one come from ( surprisingly) using IMR 4064 & IMR 4895.. they run 75 and 80 grain A Maxes and match bullets right at 3350 fps out of a 24 inch barrel...

I'd have thought H 414 or RL 17 or 19 would have been a better performer, but they weren't...

Yeah I'd think that R17 would work fairly well. I'll have to give it a run.

Dober