Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 22-250 VS 220 swift

Howdy Guys, Well I am looking for some input. I am thinking of building a Varmint/Target rifle based on the Ruger #1 with a heavy barrel with a 1 in 9 twist. Have decided on a 22-250 Rem or the 220 swift. Looking for some input of what you guys think is the better round and why. I reload so ammo will not be a problem.

Thanks
Bill

I've shot many 22-250 and 220 Swifts over the years. They are both great choices for varmints. The critters you shoot won't ever know the difference when hit with either round. The Swift has an edge in velocity by a small margin. With reloading, the main thing I've found between the 22-250 and the Swift is that to get good accuracy in the 22-250, I often have to back off the loads to a reduced velocity. Unlike the 22-250, I've found with the Swift that I can get good accuracy without giving up velocity. I shoot some pretty stiff, (safe) full house loads out of the Swift and get great accuracy too. This hasn't been the case with the 22-250. I've always found I needed to back off the loads in the 22-250 to get tight groups. That is my experience based on my personal loadings of both rounds over the years. So take your pick, flip a coin, but if I had to pick between the two, it would be the Swift.

Go with the Swift, just 'cause it's there.

You're already going with the #1, and there's a non-typical choice on your part (classy, but non-typical); so mate it with a similar round.

The .220 will do everything a .22-250 will do, plus give you an extra gear if you ever want/need it.

Which is better is irrelevant; either will certainly do the job it's asked to do. The fact that you're considering the .220 likely says where you're leaning and you should go for it based on that.

BTW - You should also make sure to alert the local vermin population to stay WAY WAY down range. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The 220 Swift is still king of the 22's, even with the new whizbang magnums. I have always wanted a Swift just because it is not that common.

Well said. I'll second it.
222

wmwise,

I have owned and shot both chamberings, albeit the Swift far more than the 22-250. Both are great rounds. I would lean toward the Swift. It is interesting that you have chosen a 1 in 9 twist. Are you planning to focus on using the heavier bullets, 55 grains and up? The traditional twist for the Swift is 1 in 14, which is probably why mine won't group anything heavier than 55 grains very well. If shooting bullets heavier than 55 grains is your goal than I would definently go with the Swift. It would be interesting to have a 1 in 9 Swift to play around with. Good luck. Mart

1 in 9, eh? I've given this a bit of thought myself. I shoot the Swift and 22-250 both. I prefer the Swift, but my 22-250 dosen't stretch cases as bad. Another angle to consider, not many Swift shooters around.....Keeps my 22-250 shooting buddies from "borrowing" my ammo!!!

Look at the numbers of factory ammo. Some are pushing the 22-250 faster than the Swift. Assuming the printed numbers are correct
http://www.winchester.com/products/catal...=1&action=1

PS I have a #1 in each caliber so I am not prejudice
http://photos.ohioglockers.com/Toy-chest/22_250_220_Swift

If you are handloading then it makes little difference what the factory ammo does.
I have a 220 Swift in a Ruger #1 and it is at least 100 fps faster than any 22-250 load in the new Nosler manual.
I like it under the tin roof at the range too! It keeps the people from setting up right next to you. I am hoping to try some new 55 gr Ballistic Tips in mine this week. I should be getting about 3800 fps with them. That should let the prairie dogs know I'm not just messin round. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
GWN

Good point about handloading.
If you do not handload you can get the Winchester varmint packs real reasonable. You will end up paying more for the Swift.
100 or 200 fps makes very little difference on a 40 or 50 gr bullet

After loading for over 30 years and hearing all the tales of how bad the swift was on barrels and fussy to load i had my remington 700 Varmint special rebarreled with a new 220 swift barrel taken off a Model 700 VSSF. I could not be happier, most loads shoot very well and some loads are amazing. RL 15 and a 50 grain Nosler Ballistic tip shoots .250 three shots and under .5 for five shots. the 55 grain Sierra blitz king and RL 15 are also great. By changing to Remington cases from Winchester I eliminated the need to turn necks and I have also found the swift no harder than any other caliber to load and in fact easier than some. Also my swift will outshoot my sako 22 PPC for three shot groups but not for five shot groups, as my main use of the 220 is shooting crows this is not an issue. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I had a #1 that came from the factory as a 22-250. It was a 22 BR when I got it and it was GREAT! Just a little slower than 22-250 but whatever you shoot with it will never know the difference. Short fat case with small primer pocket and fitted neck equal tiny groups. It was the second sub quarter inch five shot hundred yard gun I have owned and I am kicking myself for getting rid of it. I found 400 yard sage rats to be no problem when using the BR wit 50 grain V-Max bullets and several powders. I know it's not what you asked but it is wourthy of thinking about.

I had a Ruger 220 Swift that I enjoyed shooting for years and currently have a 22-250 and a .223 WSSM. The whizzum is now my favorite and should not be overlooked. It shoots like a house afire.

If you decide to go with the .220 Swift buy an Xdie to go with it or else you will go nuts having to trim cases on nearly every loading. That has been my experience. Otherwise a fun round.

just picked up a #1v in 220. ive tried quite a few varmit calibers and rifles. this is the best so far, even when compared to a 22/250 vs sf and a ruger mkII 220, the mmkII showed me the 220 works.

on the other side of the gunsafe sits a m77 tang safety 22/250. this rifle shoots pretty decent for an old rifle. and is keeper.

id buy your project rifle new scope it and see if you think still want to build, chances are the 250 or 220 in the v model will make you cahnge your mind

good luck
Evan

OK, objectively I can't see where it makes a huge difference. That said, my several Swifts outperform the 22-250 by enough velocityt that I simply prefer it. Cases get trimmed about every 5th firing, the same as with most other cartridges.

Barrel life is relative to pressure. 22-250s, Swifts and 223 WSSMs are all capable of excellent velocity but run high pressures to achieve it. How about a cartridge, a wildcat, that will give similar velocities but extend barrel life?

Since you are considering what chambering and since the cost of a good barrel and smithing are not cheap you may wish to evaluate an overlooked wildcat, the 220 Howell. I rebarreled a No1 to this chambering, 26", and find that it developes velocities equal to the 22-250 but at significantly reduced chamber pressure. This equates to longer barrel life and longer brass life. My Howell now has 3,000 rounds down the tube and a good look with a bore scope shows little errosion, accuracy remains superb and the whole project has been mega fun.

Hmm, maybe Ken is on to something here.

Guys:
38/rl15/55Ballistic Tip=3800fps+ right out of the Alliant handbook. This load also shoots one hole 3 shot groups. Some of the other guys mentioned they were getting the same type of accuracy. This is common with the Swift. As to case trimming, the only way I can imagine having to trim every time, is with some kind of chamber problem. The load I referenced earlier is max, and I don't trim more often than every 4 or 5 loadings.

Great choice.

Jerry

Man!!! No one has mentioned the best caliber of all...the 225Win! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My 1st post, hello all.

I am interested in the 220 Howell. I currently have a 22-250 Rem Stealth with a little throat erosion. I am going to have the barrel set back and rebored to 22-250 Akley Improved.

Question: Can I rechamber it to the 220 Howell? Or is the action too short?