220 swift loads

AzDiamondHeat

AzDiamondHeat

New member
My brother has asked me to load some rounds for him. He has an older Ruger M77 220 swift with a 24" barrel. I am pretty sure it is a 1/14 twist.

What would be the heaviest bullet recommended for this twist? He will be using it for deer (coues) and javelina mostly.
 
Generally 55gr is about max for 14 twist. Some will shoot some 60gr bullets, I know folks have gotten 60gr nosler partitions to fly in a 14 that would be a good bullet for deer and hogs if you can get them to shoot.
 
My old M77V Swift had a 26" barrel. You sure you brother's is 24"?

Seriously doubt you will get good results with anything heavier than 55 grain bullets. But that's fine because with a good bullet you set for deer and peccary.

Might try either RL-15 or IMR 4064 with 55 grain bullet. 38 grains of either one. I have killed many a critter with those two powders. There are lots of excellent powders as well as bullets for the .220 Swift and it should not be hard to find something that works well for you.
 
Start with IMR-4064 for powder and you probably won't have to try anything else.

Pretty good chance you can get the 60 Partition to fly out of it, if so that would do the trick. The Partition, while heavier than 55, is a rather short stumpy bullet per weight, and bullet length, not weight is what determines if it will stabilize or not. If it will stabilize a 55 with a plastic tip, it will stabilize the flat base lead nose partition. My 1-12 twist CZ will stabilize the 64 Winchester power point too, and that would be an excellent bullet as well. If it really is a 14 twist though, it probably won't. Try just a plain old Sierra or Hornady flat base, 55 grain spitzer.
 
very good rifle and caliber for your requirements!

55g Hornady Sp is a tough bullet. I shot AA2700 about a grain shy of a max load. 4064 is one heck of a powder in the swift.

Javelina are easy to kill, especially if you blow a coarse jack rabbit hand call...really put some blood on the screams. Last several I shot were coming in on a dead run, and they were shot with my 357 mag, and others with 45 ACP.

55g Hornady, 55g Sierra spt at 3800 will pole ax a coes deer at 300 to 450, so will a 22/250 AI. Hornady makes a 60g spt, and the 64g Winchester is a real TOUGH bullet. I shot the 63g Sierra Semi Point with a hot load of IMR 4350 when my barrels got a lot of wear on them.

Good luck
 
Originally Posted By: RustydustMy old M77V Swift had a 26" barrel. You sure you brother's is 24"?

Positive. It is a lite contour barrel as well, like the "sporter" types nowadays.

I do plan on using 4064 and I have a crap load of 55sp so that works out perfect.

Out of curiosity, what about the Barnes TTSX or TSX bullets? Haven't seen much info on those for swifts so I assume they are not a relevant option.

For those that don't know, our deer are only about 90 lbs soaking wet out here. so I don;t want him to jelly them. lol

Thanks guys.
 
The Barnes bullets would be an excellent choice, you do have to shoot a lighter weight though due to them being longer. They now make a 45gr that is supposed to be for the 14 twist.
 
55 grain Nosler, IMR-4831, 4007SSC if you can find it! IMR-4064 is too fast to get maximum speed with a 55, save it for the 40-50 grain bullets.
 
Yup. Great gun. Mine was the M77V. It was a pre-production model even. Oh, how I miss that one. Of all the guns that I ever traded or sold that is number one on my list for regrets. And it is a long list too.
 
I ran a 50g v-max in front of imr 4064. One of the best powders for the swift.. I think you can get it plenty fast enough to drop cues deer or in there tracks.

Jason
 
Give Barnes 50 or 52 grain copper bullets. They will hold together and retain there weight real good and they shoot fine in my 22-250's.
 


I have been loading the swift for over 50 years.
I have never load anything over 45gr.
I love to see pink mist in the morning.
 
My go to load in my old swift 77V is 38.5 grains of WW-760 and the 64 grain Winchester Power Point. Very expansive bullet. Shoots great.
 
RL-15 was a good powder for me, I used a heavier 60gr Sierra HP, it might not have been the fastest load around but it was crazy accurate.
 
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I had an old savage 112V w/26 " bbl. It liked hornady 53 gr match hp and 37 gr IMR3031. But it wasn't picky as it shot 'bout anything you fed it well.
 
In my Ruger m77V I ran 36g blc2 behind any 50g bullet (right at 3600 fps) was my load from 74 to 2005, then I sold the swift and regret it since.
 
ruger m77v 1976, 39gr 4064 sierra or hornady 53gr match, one hole, 3880fps. do not start out with this load work up to it.
 


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