Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 22-250 AI vs. 220 swift

I've always wanted a 220 swift and am getting close to sending an action out to get rebarreled. I keep hearing alot about the 22-250 AI though. Things like it does'nt stretch cases like the 220. Has a little more case capacity. More efficient. Is there any truth to this?
The only reloading manual I have that has both in it with comparable bullets is the Barnes #3. According to it the 220 swift has .12 grains more case capacity by water. Meaningless to be sure but more none the less. Comparing same bullets some the swift shoots a little faster,some the 22-250 AI although Barnes used a 24" barrel on the swift and a 26" on the 22-250 AI. Case stretching? Really an issue with the 220?
Been doing a couple searches and alot of 22-250 AI lovers/users out there really hype it up usually at the expense of the swift. Seems to me the 22-250 is just a fireformed swift. But I see claims out there of considerable performance over the swift. Any truth to it?

Performance is same/same,though I think the 22-250AI is a better mousetrap.

That being said,I'm sweet on the Swift and think highly of it.

There isn't a poor choice in the lot................

I have a Ruger M/77 in .220 Swift, and a Ruger #1 and a Remington M/700BDL in .22-250, and I love all three. The .220 Swift seems a bit more accurate at longer ranges, but that is due to the scope, I think.

I think I've had 5 Swifts an equal number of 22-250's and built a pair of 22-250AI's. Am thinking in outta the box form,the Swift displayed a slight edge in accuracy.

If building a new rifle I think I'd do the 22-250AI again,as it has Swift capacity and is very friendly. A fast twist 22-250AI is something I've been stewing on for a long while and is certainly of much merit.

Again,they is all good,if not great......................

I'm thinking I'll stay with the Swift as I've wanted one since my teenage years. Doing a search on some other forums I've come across alot of claims of higher performance with the 22-250AI including one guy who says he gets 4400fps with a 55 grain bullet and 3900 with a 62 grain out of a 28" barrel compared to 3600 fps with his swift. Nobody called BS on it and never having been behind the trigger of one figured I'd come here for the scoop. Plan on staying with 50-55 grain bullets so am not too concerned with AOL.

I have zero experience with tubes over 26" on any of the aforementioned chamberings,but neither of my 22CHeetah Mach Ones would make that kind of speeds,despite being of more capacity. So I'll save judgement upon those claims(grin).

The Swift hauls ass. Always has,always will and that is not difficult to like.........................

The 220 Swift is my all time favorite cartridge. Never had a problem loading for it, my old Ruger M77 has put many critters in the dirt and it's still going like the Energizer Bunny. No muss, no fuss, why bother with anythings else in .224 caliber?

FVA
Flip a coin and go with it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Either of these are proven performers in the field. In my experience, case stretching is caused more by oversized chambers than by case design. 22-250 brass is sometimes easier to get, but buy in bulk and you can forget that too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Charlie

I love the Swift too, but I rebarreled mine to a fast twist and shoot heavy bullets. What a huge difference for LR shooting.

If I only had one .22 centerfire, I would get a .22-250. But hey, you don't marry rifles, so you can have more than one. A .223 for general purpose varminting and a slicked out .220 Swift knocks the socks off a .22-250.

Hey Slinger,
I'm surprised you didn't go with the Howell.

I like the .22-250 much better, but it is because I just can't get over the ugly .220 swift case and rim. It looks ancient to me. The AI looks cool <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> As far as that dude getting 4,300+ fps, look out, cuz he is running them WAY hot. I don't care if he has a 40" barrel, it ain't gonna happen without staggering pressures. I bet he only gets one or two loadings at best before the primers fall out. I know another guy that braggs all the time about how fast his standard .22-250 is. He gets 4,200 fps out of a 22" barrel with 40 grain bullets. He thinks it is cool to have smoke coming out of the bolt after each shot. He also complains that he got a crappy batch of brass that only last for two loadings. Go figure, some people just don't get it. I no longer shoot with this guy. He was just plain unsafe. Flinch

True, but the name "Swift" makes up for the case.

Why not compare the 22-250 AI to the 220 Swift AI
I just a 220 Swift AI built and are very happy with it. One advantage of the 220 AI is that it is much less likely to stretch cases either.
My vote would go to the 220 Swift AI

Or 22-243AI,or 22-284,or 224TTH,or 22-240Wby,etc,etc.

Speed comes in many packages,but the 22-250AI/Swift capacity level quenches my thirst. My CHeetahs don't overly impress me,as I think once you reach that capacity,the .243" projectiles are a better mousetrap and offer more utility.

'Course all of that is subjective....................

I thought about that Don. Was thinking along the lines of if shooting heavier bullets it would'nt lose case capacity over the standard Swift. But my goal is 50 grain bullets at close to 4000 fps and to stay away from fireforming if I can. The Swift will do that.

Yet another option...

(Don't you just hate it when that happens?) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Read up a bit on the 6mm-250. I think it's going to be inherently more accurate than the cantankerous .243 Winchester, and it'll push the 55 grain 6mm pills at 3800 and then some.

With this chambering, you would also have the option of using 90 and 100 grain bullets on larger game, if it ever struck your fancy.

This all said, if you really want a 220 Swift, get a 220 Swift, and don't let anyone talk you out of it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Now that you mention it, I kinda want a Swift too... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dan

Stick, before you set up for that fast turn swift take a look at the 220 Howell. i am hoping to have mine up and shooting real soon. If you want to fondel a round I'll mail you a dummy. I think I still have your address there in "Paradice". The Howell can be made fairly simply from 25-06 brass or you can buy brass from AHR in Montana, I bought a 110 rounds that need a bit of fire forming to remove small dents in the sholders. Dies are from Hornady and bullets are 75 gr V-max, makes for a real "evil" looking round.

Bullwnkl.

The 220 Howell interests me too and is on the one day list. It's just too much-long action,lots of powder,heavy bullets,big loaded rounds, for what I'm looking for now. I bet it is evil looking though.

Winkle,

Appreciate the generousity,but my BIG 22 days are largely over. The 22-250AI/Swift is where I'd draw the line,for projectiles of interest to me.

As I am powerless,it would suprise me none to learn that I'm contemplating a Woodland camo A5 to slam another heavy barreled 223Ackley into.

Though that just might be just a hunch...................(grin)

The 6/250 is an excellent round, but I don't think it's capable of the numbers you mention. Ours is giving us 3450 fps with the 65 Vmax, and about a 100 more with the 58. More than adequate for our needs, and wonderfully accurate. But, if I want 3800 fps, then the 243 has to come out.