Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Your Favorite 220 Swift Cartridge Configuration

Another thread on this site got me to re-thinking just which "configuration" of "improved" 220 Swift I should go custom with?
My question to you Rifle Cranks then is which 220 Swift cartridge configuration do YOU prefer - or are most interested in?
I have always wanted to "improve" a Swift and often thought the 220 Wilson Arrow might just be the go to version of "Swift Improving" for me.
I have shot Rifles owned by friends in caliber 220 Wilson Arrow and 220 Weatherby Rocket along with the many 220 Swift Rifles I have and still own.
Anyone have any preferences and why?
220 Wilson Arrow?
220 Weatherby Rocket?
220 Swift Ackley Improved?
220 Swift (the original!)?
I do know this that one of my 6 current 220 Swift Varminters absolutely "EATS" brass!
And a couple more of my Swifts are constantly needing trimming.
Maybe I have my dies set wrong?
I am not "hot-rodding any of them.
I have heard from their owners that the 220 Wilson Arrow cartridge is very easy on brass - I don't know for sure.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

If i was going to use anything other than the standard it would be the Ack and this should help with the case stretching

VG,

the Swift is one of the cartridges on my short list, that I have no played with and desire to do so. that and the 6 x 45...

Would be interested in hearing about your brass stretching issues.

people say that the 22.250 needs trimming a lot also, and I am not seeing that problem, owing more than a couple in that chambering.

seems to me a tight chamber would prevent that brass from being able to stretch, if it has nowhere to stretch toward.

must be your chamber that is causing the stretch of the brass.

one my 22.250s, I have a tight chamber, but also don't redline them for MV.

I have debated on making one into a 22.250 AI just to play with that stretching issue or lack thereof, in the AI's case.

Of all the Improved Swift versions I favor P.O.Ackley's.
Would I use it? Only in a #1 and with a fast twist. Heavy bullets & slow powder to lessen the overbore capasity issue.
In a bolt I would go with the 22-6MM AI.with the same fast twist for the same reason. I don't like the Swift case in a bolt. I had feeding problems with my first one in a M-77.

I do like my regular Swift in my #1B.

Even though the cases do grow with the Swift pressures.
I wouldn't use the term case streching but instead brass flow.
P.O.Ackley brings this subject up in his two volume set.

NWPA: That Swift brass of mine is EITHER stretching or flowing - I do know I need to trim it VERY often, and again I am not hot-rodding this Rifle or any of my Swifts.
All of my Swifts are bolt action - one of those is a single shot.
Mine all feed rather reliably.
Including my older M-77 Ruger.
Its still worth the fuss and bother to use the Swift for certain things.
Long live the 220 Swift.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Seafire: John, yes indeed it might be the chamber that causes the brass to lengthen enough after each shot that it need be trimmed.
I have thought of trimming to .010" shorter than recommended length - that would give me maybe 2 or 3 firings til I need to get out the Wilson Case Trimmer!
The offending Swift was manufacured by the Ruger Company back in 1976.
It shoots pretty fair so I put up with it.
I have not noticed the extent of brass lenghtening in any of my 22-250's that this Swift exhibits.
And my other Swifts are more manageable when it comes to case lengthening.
Yeah for sure give a Swift a try!
They are "special".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I own or have owned many swifts, the brass does stretch and lengthen more than with a 22-250. I switched to Norma brass about 7-8 years ago and cut this problem in half.
I have thought about going AI but would never do so without also going to a 1-8" or 1-9" twist to take advantage of heavier, higher B.C. bullets.
RC

I wore out a Lilja #6 1-14" @ 26" .220 AI barrel (2,000+ rounds) with one box of 50 brass....and the brass is still good.
52grSMK
40.5grs VVN550
Federal brass
Federal 210M primer

IMO its worth it just for the mechanical gains...

Rifle is a Sako L579

Rockchuck828: I use Norma brass in my Remington 40XB-KS in 220 Swift.
It is fine brass and in fact I have been looking for some more of it to replace my present supply.
I have NEVER used anything in this 40X but Norma brass and thus I can not comment on its comparative value or life spans with other brass brands.
Your observation about Swift brass "NOT stretching or lengthening" MORE than 22-250 brass is not something I would concur with after 45 years of useages of both cartridges!
AND, to repeat my one Swift is just a buggerer when it comes to case stretching and as I stated before I do NOT hot-rod any of my Rifles including the Swift and my 22-250's.
Whenst one gets into the upper echelons of speed/performance for a particular caliber (size of bullet) then you pay for it in case life and case work!
My good friend Ben gets 3 (three!) per case in his custom 338/378 Weatherby!
He "hot-rods" it in a 30" barrel though.
That gets your attention at $3.00 per brass case (or $1.00 in costs per firing in brass cost alone!!!)!
Thanks for your thoughts on the AI Swift - I have no interest in any bullets heavier than 55 grains for my Swifts or in the future for an Improved Swift.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Scenarshooter: If'in my "calcuulaatin" is correct that is 40+ reloads per piece of Federal 220 Swift brass!
You got your monies worth out of that brass - and that rechambering/rebarreling job!
I like Federal brass and use it in MANY of my Rifles.
Although I have not found any for my Swifts.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I would go Weatherby for the 'cool' and 'different' factors. Should be identical in performance to the AI version and similar. Does the 224 WR have the venturified radiused shoulder? If so, then so much the more to go that route for feeding and cool looks.

I have also experienced too much (for me) case stretching with the non AI versions of the 22-250 and 220 Swift. Love 'em as improved rounds.

Mark, nope on the shoulder.

Essentially a 35 deg. Improved Swift.


The Wilson Arrow has a little less cap than the std. Swift, but less on the stretch.

I think that the Arrow has both a longer neck and a longer case body so the capacity is not changed much, if any. The case for the rocket can be fired formed where the arrow needs to be sized first. One less step forming rocket cases. The rocket case capacity is increased slightly.

Nope, Arrow has shoulder pushed back, so case body is shorter, but case is blown out.

Agree on the Rocket.....

VG:

I do know about the trimming you have to do. I am running my Swift at full throttle(55gr.B-Tip3800fps). So I not only have to trim everytime but also I set up a reamer in my Foster trimmer instead of the pilot since my necks get thick also.
It has to do with the Swift case design. Lots of body taper and shallow shoulder angle.

I have never tried an improved version so have no comment on them. In my opinion the .220 Swift stretches more than any other cartridge I have ever used. Since I use mine casually the trimming is a PIA but something I put up with.

Jim

GO AI or Wby Rocket and 1) your stretching troubles will go away and 2) your case capcity and thus speeds will go up. Good things both.

I resize with the Lee collet die; trim about every 4-5 firings. Loading 55gr V-max to 3750+ from a M70 heavy varmint.

That looks like a pretty mild load, with a slow burning powder, say close to 50,000 psi. Which would explain the very long case life. Correct ? That would also extend the life of the barrel as well, right ? E

NWPA & 1OntarioJim: Thanks for carrying on and for your comments whilst I was away on a Colony Varmint/Predator/Wild Turkey Hunting Safari!
And "I" would concur on the Swift stretching as much as OR more than any other cartridge I have loaded for (including Weatherby's!)!
And I have loaded for a LOT of cartridge calibers.
Yep - in order to enjoy the wonderful Swift you need put up with certain less than desirable traits (heating barrel, recoil, expense, trimming cases, barrel wear etc).
Long live the 220 Swift!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Safariman: Thank you for your recommendations.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I love my M-77 in 220 Swift.

I got it very cheap because "the throat is eroded." A good cleaning repaired the "throat erosion". A case of an old wives tale leading to a bargain for someone willing to look at the basics.
Factory Ammo goes into about 3/4 of an inch, which is good enough for field work.

I have done a bare minimum of reloading for it, but put about 100 rounds a year of factory ammo through it. The once shot brass I loaded certainly didn't need trimming. It also didn't print to the same point of aim as factory rounds.

It is absolutely my favorite on windy days cause the velocity minimizes the hold, and I like the couple of boxes of 60 grain trophy bear claw bonded bullets I bought for it, because they print just a little higher than Hornady 60 grain loads, and give me a bullet suitable for Cats, Antelope, and Deer if the opportunity arises.

This makes for a great walk about rifle when I am just glassing new country and enjoying the Eastern Oregon Deserts.

Since, I don't really push the envelope by spending on expensive equipment, because varmint shooting is just practice for big game seasons, I like the easily obtained performance I get from the swift, and I feel it complements my .300Weatherby well as an understudy round.

For these reasons I would not re-chamber the rifle. Th Swift performs very well as is.

Funniest quote I have read in quite a while
RC

VG if your brass has problems growing you may want to give the RCBS X dies a try. Just sayin of course.

17ACKLEYBEE: I have never used a set of them before.
I am willing to try them though!
What is the format of these dies that may solve the growing brass situation!
Hope all is well out on the WET coast!
Love "hussien" there as the "JOKER"!
My youngest, who just this month graduated from Washington State University with two degrees, has a sweatshirt with a picture like your avatar of "hussein" as the Joker on it - and he wears it all the time!
I thank the Gods I worship that he made it through those 5 years of EXPENSIVE "indoctrination" with some semblance of reality still in his head.
I think I will mosey over to the RCBS site and see what these "X" dies are about?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Siskiyou6: There is a lot of wisdom in your "philosophy" regarding Varminting and it being practice for Big Game seasons!
And good for you on the good shooting bargain Rifle!
I have one Swift that also is a "consistent" 3/4" group (5 shots at 100 yards) with its 55 grain bullets!
Thats just the best this Model 77 of mine will do.
But in the field it is just near "weird" how deadly it is on Varmints!
I have killed Rock Chucks and Coyotes with it out to 500 yards and I have also harvested an Antelope or two with it.
3/4" Rifles WILL get a lot of things done that need be done in the Varmint world.
Again there is merit in your opinion and money to be saved in not re-chambering and not buying the custom dies for any Swift "improvement"!
BUT I am a LOVER of Varminting and do it year round and am constantly scheming and coniving on ways to enhance my enjoyment of the sport.
Blessedly, the moderate expense ($150.00 to $200.00?) involved in "improving" a Swift, for me, would not prevent me from seeking out the possible enhanced results.
Thanks again for your opinions.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Every round I load for right now is blown out or improved in some way shape or form. That said a power trimmer and a bunch of brass will be cheaper than a barrel job. Just putting it out there. Only thing I hate more than turnin necks is trimmin. Reamers and custom dies get real expensive in short order. So if you goin to the trouble and expense may as well screw a new tube on even if the factory barrel shoots well now.

I think if I was gonna do a rifle along the lines of what you are looking at I would do the Weatherby or one of the classics you are speakin of. Do an 8 twist barrel to use a wide range of bullets.

I have rem 700 VSSF 220 swift. I hand load a fair amount, not as much as some though I am sure. The mose accurate load that I have so far is 36gr Varmint Grenades. I have been utilizing some brass from factory ammo that I bought and fired, Hornady and Remington. Next in line is 40 gr moly coated in the same brass. I use Vhitavuori N130 with the 36's and Varget with the 40's. I will double check the charge weight and get back. WLR primers in both. Does anyone else load 36gr VG's?

I used a 220 Swift and 25-06 on pdogs for years side by side.
The 25-06 brass needed to be trimmed just as often as the .220 Swift. I don't know how these rumors get started but I suspect it is from 22-250 owners.
Just trim them every time and forget about it!
Nothing is more deadly than a .220 Swift with 55 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. No improving is needed or wanted!
whelennut

Earlier I commented that the Swift stretched worse than any other cartridge ever used. I too bought an RCBS X die and it definitely works! If memory serves me correctly I use the X die about 4 or 5 times then full length resize and if necessary trim a bit. The die is kind of expensive but well worth it.

Jim