Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 220 Swift Loads

Any favorites? I located some new Norma brass so I ordered 100 cases then realized I have close to two pounds of IMR 4064, I have plenty primers. Going to work up some hard hitting coyote loads loading the 60 grain V Max.
Finished my build with a Lothar Walther heavy barrel 1 in 12, Sako AII Med Action with a Sako target trigger set at about 24 ounces, alum pillar bedded McMillan Sako style Varminter stock and topped it off with a Night Force NXS in Conetrol rings and bases. Had a box of Hornady 55 grain V Max loads so I used it to get on paper the group measured .670 at 100 meters with these factory loads seated damn near down to the ogive so I'm thinking once I start load development things should tighten up nicely...

In my Ruger tang safety .220 heavy barrel, I load 38.5 IMR 4064 under a 52 gr Speer hollow point, CCI large rifle (std) primer. Never chrono’d the load but was very accurate. Less so now the throat has moved forward a bit since 1977 when I bought the rifle. I get flattened primers but brass seems to last okay. Usual disclaimer-this load works in my rifle. It might not be safe in yours.

Good luck with your 220 swift. It’s a great cartridge.
I’ve used a custom in that chambering for many years. It’s a coyotes nightmare. My load is IMR 4064 and 50 grain ballistic tips.
My rifle is a stainless trued R 700 short action, Lilja sporter contour stainless 26”, and a McMillan hunter stock.

My old load before I shot out the factory Sako bull barrel was.
55 grain Nosler BT
39 grains of IMR 4064
Win cases
fed match primer

Many years ago I read an article by a well known sportswriter. I had just acquired a Ruger 77V in 220 Swift. The writer said he never had seen a 220 that didn’t like 38.5 gr of IMR 4064 behind a 55 gr bullet. So I worked up to that (which is max in some publications) and found that he was absolutely right. Brass life has been Ok. I use Norma brass, but did use highly prepped Winchester brass for some years.

Nice looking rifle, Grizz.

🦫

In my Swift I used IMR 4064 with great results & if working up loads now I might look at Varget.

I loaded my loads long, or nearly past mag length in a Ruger MkII with 55 NBT but got 3909 FPS w/a 26" barrel. Not much correction needed to go long.

Thanks Beav.

How bout more favorite Swift loads.

For 40 grain bullets 45gr of Varget and for 50, 53, and 55gr bullets 40 gr of Varget.
I have several swifts even an AI version, my favorite by far is a savage 110 with a 30" 16 twist McGowen barrel.

The standard load was a Hornady 55 grain SX soft point over 37.5 grains of IMR 4064.

That's an awesome build.

What speed do you get with that barrel and a 40gr?

That is a very sharp looking rifle.

55 grain SGK over 37.0 grains of IMR4064. I have a couple Swifts and that loads works well in them all.

4600 FPS plus almost 5000 with they AI version, I am the first to admit that these are "HOT" loads and the brass takes a beating and does not last as long as it could, When I shoot I want the rounds to perform the way I want with no compromise.

[img]https://forum.accurateshooter.com/attachments/20190315_160502-jpg.1095848/[/img]

[img]https://forum.accurateshooter.com/attachments/20190315_160421-jpg.1095849/[/img]

Local store here has 220 Swift ammunition on the shelf. Hadnt seen any in probably 6 years.

I’d like to have a Swift with a 1in 8 twist barrel just for the hell of it. The 62 grain TTSX or Bear Claws would be awesome.

Almost 5000 fps with the 220 AI ?? If you don't mind sharing, what construction is that particular 40 gr. bullet?

I use Vmax's, BlitzKings, as well as Noslers and pull the plastic tips off, all my rifles are slow twist 14 and up so there is not an excessive amount of bullet rpm to tear apart the jackets. I have a 300 RUM 30" 17 twist that shoots 110gr TTSXs over 4500fps that load is easy to remember 110gr of RL17 with a 110gr Vmax , Sierra HP or Barnes TSX or TTSX.