220 swift or .17

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shawn@mo

New member
Looking at a 220 swft or .17 hmr for predators/varmit kind of iffy on both. 220 I have heard of barrels fouling quickly and don't I know if a 17 is big enough and have been Told wind effects the bullet badly... Anyone have these guns and could tell me what they think?
 
The 220 is 10 times the predator round that the HMR is. In fact maybe some more information from you about exactly what your intending on hunting and how would be helpful, I say this because the difference between these 2 calibers is so huge.
 
First off, Are you confusing the 17 Remington centerfire with the 17 HMR. This can go in totally different directions from your answer.
 
The big .17's are enough, the hmr is debatable. I'd go ahead on the swift if the price was right and barrel wasn't shot out.
 
This coming year will mark 40 years since I bought my first .220 Swift. I am fond of them to say the least. When I bought my first one Ruger was the only company making them and even then they were a limited run. They sold well though and Ruger put it in their regular lineup after that.

And the Swift is as good as it ever was. Better really because barrel steels are much improved and a lot more variety of powders and bullets now than there were 80 years ago. Lots more.

You did not mention if you were a reloader or not. If you are not the Swift really isn't as good a choice as something like the 22-250 is. You can go just about anywhere and find 22-250 ammo. Not quite as plentiful in these hard times as it was but it's available. The .220 Swift stuff is out there likewise is but harder to find and not many choices when you do. Expensive too. Buck and a half to two bucks a shot. Not bad if you only shoot a couple boxes a year but most of us shoot a bit more than that.

If you are a handloader then it's a different story somewhat as then once you have your brass then the plethora of powders and bullets out there can really make a .220 Swift shine. But really, not all that much more than a 22-250. 100-150 FPS or so. Not much difference when you are getting near or in some cases above 4000 FPS.

I have both the 22-250 as well as (of course!) a .220 Swift and for sure the differences are small. But what it boils down to is the fact that I could easily live without a 22-250. Not quite so my beloved Swift. After all the Swift is still the king.

The .17 HMR? Meh. I got one of those too. But comparing a .17 HMR to a .220 Swift is like comparing a skateboard to a Hemi Cuda. Not the same no way no how end of story.
 
Originally Posted By: shawn@moLooking at a 220 swft or .17 hmr for predators/varmit kind of iffy on both. 220 I have heard of barrels fouling quickly and don't I know if a 17 is big enough and have been Told wind effects the bullet badly... Anyone have these guns and could tell me what they think?

Apples and cow hearts. Intended use?
 
Originally Posted By: shawn@moLooking at a 220 swft or .17 hmr for predators/varmit kind of iffy on both. 220 I have heard of barrels fouling quickly and don't I know if a 17 is big enough and have been Told wind effects the bullet badly... Anyone have these guns and could tell me what they think?

I've been running a Swift for over 25 years now and won't be without one. It is and always will be the king of the 22 centerfires. No one ever compares the 220 Swift to other 22 centerfires. It is the standard by which all others are judged. It's already been mentioned but if you're not a reloader the 22-250 is a better choice. If you're depending on factory ammo for the 220 Swift, all I can say is buy all of it you see every time you see it. It might be a very long time before you see it again.

If you reload, the Swift is the ticket. Some 4064 and any one of a huge list of bullets from 40-55 grains will make it happy. As for fouling, it fouls no more than any other high intensity round. A modicum of cleaning will keep it running happily for a lifetime. If you manage to shoot out a barrel, then you've gotten to do more shooting then most people will ever do. Consider yourself fortunate.

You didn't specify what exactly you varmint shooting plans were. Are your sniping P dogs and grounds squirrels, calling predators, fur hunting, long rang chucks (rock or wood)? These all have some bearing. If you're just going for ground squirrels and P dogs, a 17 HMR might suit you fine, although I expect it wouldn't be long before you were courting a longer range rifle. Predator hunting and fur calling demands a little more punch than the HMR produces. Yes it'll do a coyote or fox nicely, occasionally, but really is not the tool for the job. A Swift is suited for all the varmint applications. The 17 HMR, not so much. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
 
I always wanted a Swift but could never find one, keep that in mind if you have the chance to buy one. Four years ago I put my mind on buying a new Remington VS SF II in .220 Swift. Nice rifle but I still remember the price being $1100, and that was 4 years ago.

While looking for deals on the above rifle someone on here posted that Cabelas had a sale on a 700 VS SPS stainless special edition. I picked that one up for $380 in .22-250.

After owning 3 rifles in .22-250 I can honestly say they are not the same as a Swift. I wish I'd bought the Swift.

Buy the Swift, you won't regret it.
 
If I wanted something hotter than my 22-250 AI, then I would go with a 22-243, maybe even a 22-243AI. I am sure the swift was king in it's day, back when there were party lines on rotary telephones, and payphones cost a dime to use, and hula-hoops were invented.
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Seriously, I hear it is a great round and it has a following like the 22 hornet, but I have heard some have trouble with feeding. Anyone have that problem with it?
 
I planon hunting totes bobcats in that such sorry, should have been more informative. I have a 22-250, the reason I was looking at these two my dad gos with me and he just takes his deer rifles 270 shoots Barnes triple shocked tips or 243 with the same bullet I've seen what they do to deer it would blow a yote to pieces.. And he won't buy anew gun or keep changing bullets. I wasn't that formilar with the .17 didn't if any of them hmr Remington or fireball would be big enough I just said hmr because I know where I could get one cheap,but it could any 17 if you think its better. Just want something reliable different don't want 2 22-250's and am not really worried about speed of bullet as much as accuracy of it,thanks for the input
 
And I am a reloader, new to it still,but do have tons of knowledge behind me with the guys who has showed me how to do it, but I will tell you I'm not one that pushes max loads I usually find a load in the middle ad go with that, I am an accuracy not speed sad I have found that in my experience the little I have I gotten the best accuracy that way, but like I said I am some what new to in, but any of my deer rifles I can tell you where ever you aim with in a 100 yards that is weteyou will hit, where I live if you get a clear 100 yard shot that's a good distance lots of woods ad hills and hollers
 
From what you just said. Get a 223. While I want a swift. I would not look at it for cats. If i an targeting cats the 17fb or 20pr will get the nod. But after seeing what you and your dad has I would pick up a 223 and load it with some 55gr pills and be done. It will get the job done on both yotes and cats. The 17hmr would not be the ideal choice for both cats and yotes. The swift would be a great round for yotes but over kill for cats. I would be afraid that it would tear one up very bad. Jmo
 
.223 is cheaper with plentiful ammo and firearms anywhere.
Bobcats can be very tender with .22-250 unless a great shot angle opportunity.
 
Lol well here is the thing I'm not a 223 person brother in law has one and ya don't like t at all, however I'm might end up with one, it is for dads use right.. I just wanted something different no one has a 220 with the people I hunt with same with the17, but if bullets are hard to find, and if I reload and I would brass would be hard to find, the 17 bullets are a little pricey and what I'm getting won't do what I want, so might end up with a plain Jane everyone has 223... 204 anyone fur friendly I'm new to predator hunting as well don't know much about calibers and what they do
 
I would rule out the 17 HMR for your needs completely. Since you already have a 22-250 and you are a reloader, I would look for a 204 Ruger. That 22-250 will do more than you need for coyotes, especially since you are talking 50-100 yard shots. I have hunted in close to your area. Used to hunt the forest in Dent county off Hwy 19.

Look for a 204 and some 35gr Berger bullets. It will be more fur friendly on the cats.
 


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