220 Swift
- Thread starter pyscodog
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Originally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: pyscodogMade it to the club today. Mid 40's and very light breeze. All four loads I shot today did pretty good. The 37.5 was probably the best. Work in progress!!
Oh Bill. Quit messing around with that stupid gun of yours! I can tell that it is just a major source of aggravation to you and at your advanced age this is not a good thing. Trust me.
But knowing that you DO want to find a real gee whiz load(s) for this new beauty I will help you out here. I dont mind. Just send me a PM and I in turn will send you my mailing address. Ship me the gun and I will be more than happy to work up some terrific loads for you. And, to make it even more special, I will personally try them out on our local ground squirrels. Shucks, I will even go so far as to take it along on my next praire dog excursion. How about that? And as soon as I am totally happy with the gun and what it will do, no matter how many years it takes, I will give the gun back to you. Probably. Sound good? I do not make this offer to just anyone you know. You are special!
I will keep a watch for the flag telling me that I got a message. Go ahead and start boxing up all the ammo and bullets that you have for the gun too. I will be needing that as well.
Great to have a pal, right?
This cold winter weather has obviously gone to Russ' brain and he's starting to go delirious.
Oh Bill. Quit messing around with that stupid gun of yours! I can tell that it is just a major source of aggravation to you and at your advanced age this is not a good thing. Trust me.
But knowing that you DO want to find a real gee whiz load(s) for this new beauty I will help you out here. I dont mind. Just send me a PM and I in turn will send you my mailing address. Ship me the gun and I will be more than happy to work up some terrific loads for you. And, to make it even more special, I will personally try them out on our local ground squirrels. Shucks, I will even go so far as to take it along on my next praire dog excursion. How about that? And as soon as I am totally happy with the gun and what it will do, no matter how many years it takes, I will give the gun back to you. Probably. Sound good? I do not make this offer to just anyone you know. You are special!
I will keep a watch for the flag telling me that I got a message. Go ahead and start boxing up all the ammo and bullets that you have for the gun too. I will be needing that as well.
Great to have a pal, right?
This cold winter weather has obviously gone to Russ' brain and he's starting to go delirious.
Originally Posted By: SwiftKillThe Swift is hands down the best varmint/coyote round.
Well, unless it's a 220 Swift Ack Imp and those 55's are wizzing along at 4150fps then maybe that's a little more best-er-errr.
Orrr, a 204 Terminator with the 55gr Bergers humping along at 4200fps then that would be more best-er-errr-errrr.
If Lapua ever makes 220 Swift brass, I'll be first in line to have one.
Well, unless it's a 220 Swift Ack Imp and those 55's are wizzing along at 4150fps then maybe that's a little more best-er-errr.
Orrr, a 204 Terminator with the 55gr Bergers humping along at 4200fps then that would be more best-er-errr-errrr.
If Lapua ever makes 220 Swift brass, I'll be first in line to have one.
I shot the bbls out of 4 swifts with AA2700,760, and H414,
43-44g with the 55
44.5g with the 50's
9 1/2
Rem or win brass, NOT norma
Blistering accuracy, went to the 63g Sierra when the throat was shot out with the 55g, got another 800 rounds on the barrel.
ON a custom, a 22/250 AI with a 12T and 26" bbl will sizzle the 55's at 4050-4100 depending on how you stand on the throttle with amazing accuracy. The positive on this case is that it is short which will allow you to seat the bullets out further and further for use in the magazine box.
I had my reamer ground with a zero freebore where the bullets were seated deep in the case and there has NEVER been a problem with bullets up to 60g in weight shooting tiny, tiny groups, berger 60g at 3700 shoots tiny groups, and you are no where near the powder charge when you seat the bullet.
Swift improved will top the 22/250 AI when it comes to 75g bullets due to case capacity, and the Swift case is a very strong case.
The 22/250 AI is an idiot proof case to make shoot very tiny groups, with very little load development with a wide variety of powders, and Varget really shines in this case with 55g bullets. The only way to screw up a custom gun in this caliber is have it throated long and then want to shoot 50 & 55g Bullets in it....major, Major screw up. You would want no more than .020-.030 freebore to shoot 50& 55g bullets, and brass growth forming doughnuts has NEVER been an issue with the many barrels that I have had. 40* shoulders do not leade to doughtnut formation anywhere near like a 30* shoulder angle.
There is of course the fact that you NEVER trim a 22/250 AI Case, and the Swift you are constantly trimming, brass flows like a river in the swift. Trimming is of course an issue of warm loads in the swift.
43-44g with the 55
44.5g with the 50's
9 1/2
Rem or win brass, NOT norma
Blistering accuracy, went to the 63g Sierra when the throat was shot out with the 55g, got another 800 rounds on the barrel.
ON a custom, a 22/250 AI with a 12T and 26" bbl will sizzle the 55's at 4050-4100 depending on how you stand on the throttle with amazing accuracy. The positive on this case is that it is short which will allow you to seat the bullets out further and further for use in the magazine box.
I had my reamer ground with a zero freebore where the bullets were seated deep in the case and there has NEVER been a problem with bullets up to 60g in weight shooting tiny, tiny groups, berger 60g at 3700 shoots tiny groups, and you are no where near the powder charge when you seat the bullet.
Swift improved will top the 22/250 AI when it comes to 75g bullets due to case capacity, and the Swift case is a very strong case.
The 22/250 AI is an idiot proof case to make shoot very tiny groups, with very little load development with a wide variety of powders, and Varget really shines in this case with 55g bullets. The only way to screw up a custom gun in this caliber is have it throated long and then want to shoot 50 & 55g Bullets in it....major, Major screw up. You would want no more than .020-.030 freebore to shoot 50& 55g bullets, and brass growth forming doughnuts has NEVER been an issue with the many barrels that I have had. 40* shoulders do not leade to doughtnut formation anywhere near like a 30* shoulder angle.
There is of course the fact that you NEVER trim a 22/250 AI Case, and the Swift you are constantly trimming, brass flows like a river in the swift. Trimming is of course an issue of warm loads in the swift.
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Rustydust
Active member
Originally Posted By: B23If Lapua ever makes 220 Swift brass, I'll be first in line to have one.
Now that's wishful thinking!
Over 20 years ago there was a gun shop in the town that I lived in at the time that had some Norma .220 Swift ammo that was about 20 years old at the time. The owner sold me all he had, 10 or 11 or maybe 12 boxes of it for seems like $40. 50 grain soft points that said 4110 FPS on the box. I dont think that was far from the truth. That was some good stuff. Cratered a steel plate far more than my .270 did.
Anyway, I still have and am using some of that same brass. And about 10 years ago bought 5 more twenty round boxes of Norma Swift brass from a guy at a Boise gun show for $20. I would be quite content if all my .220 Swift brass was Norma. Alas, only a fraction of it is with the rest being mostly R-P and W-W. That's OK, but it aint in the same league as Norma.
Now that's wishful thinking!
Over 20 years ago there was a gun shop in the town that I lived in at the time that had some Norma .220 Swift ammo that was about 20 years old at the time. The owner sold me all he had, 10 or 11 or maybe 12 boxes of it for seems like $40. 50 grain soft points that said 4110 FPS on the box. I dont think that was far from the truth. That was some good stuff. Cratered a steel plate far more than my .270 did.
Anyway, I still have and am using some of that same brass. And about 10 years ago bought 5 more twenty round boxes of Norma Swift brass from a guy at a Boise gun show for $20. I would be quite content if all my .220 Swift brass was Norma. Alas, only a fraction of it is with the rest being mostly R-P and W-W. That's OK, but it aint in the same league as Norma.
Originally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: B23If Lapua ever makes 220 Swift brass, I'll be first in line to have one.
Now that's wishful thinking!
Over 20 years ago there was a gun shop in the town that I lived in at the time that had some Norma .220 Swift ammo that was about 20 years old at the time. The owner sold me all he had, 10 or 11 or maybe 12 boxes of it for seems like $40. 50 grain soft points that said 4110 FPS on the box. I dont think that was far from the truth. That was some good stuff. Cratered a steel plate far more than my .270 did.
Anyway, I still have and am using some of that same brass. And about 10 years ago bought 5 more twenty round boxes of Norma Swift brass from a guy at a Boise gun show for $20. I would be quite content if all my .220 Swift brass was Norma. Alas, only a fraction of it is with the rest being mostly R-P and W-W. That's OK, but it aint in the same league as Norma.
Norma makes very good brass and my only issue with it, compared to my Lapua brass, is it's not nearly as durable and will start losing the primer pockets a little sooner than the Lapua stuff, but I'll gladly use Norma over R-P & WW brass, that's for sure.
If you need any 220 Swift brass I have a brand new unopened bag of 100 Winchester brand Swift brass I'd be happy to sell someone in need of it.
I've always had a fondness for a 220 Swift ever since I was a little kid but if I ever had one built I'm pretty sure I'd do an Ackley Improved version. Something about that longggggg tapered case that is just begging to be "improved".
Now that's wishful thinking!
Over 20 years ago there was a gun shop in the town that I lived in at the time that had some Norma .220 Swift ammo that was about 20 years old at the time. The owner sold me all he had, 10 or 11 or maybe 12 boxes of it for seems like $40. 50 grain soft points that said 4110 FPS on the box. I dont think that was far from the truth. That was some good stuff. Cratered a steel plate far more than my .270 did.
Anyway, I still have and am using some of that same brass. And about 10 years ago bought 5 more twenty round boxes of Norma Swift brass from a guy at a Boise gun show for $20. I would be quite content if all my .220 Swift brass was Norma. Alas, only a fraction of it is with the rest being mostly R-P and W-W. That's OK, but it aint in the same league as Norma.
Norma makes very good brass and my only issue with it, compared to my Lapua brass, is it's not nearly as durable and will start losing the primer pockets a little sooner than the Lapua stuff, but I'll gladly use Norma over R-P & WW brass, that's for sure.
If you need any 220 Swift brass I have a brand new unopened bag of 100 Winchester brand Swift brass I'd be happy to sell someone in need of it.
I've always had a fondness for a 220 Swift ever since I was a little kid but if I ever had one built I'm pretty sure I'd do an Ackley Improved version. Something about that longggggg tapered case that is just begging to be "improved".
Rustydust
Active member
Originally Posted By: B23
Norma makes very good brass and my only issue with it, compared to my Lapua brass, is it's not nearly as durable and will start losing the primer pockets a little sooner than the Lapua stuff, but I'll gladly use Norma over R-P & WW brass, that's for sure.
If you need any 220 Swift brass I have a brand new unopened bag of 100 Winchester brand Swift brass I'd be happy to sell someone in need of it.
I've always had a fondness for a 220 Swift ever since I was a little kid but if I ever had one built I'm pretty sure I'd do an Ackley Improved version. Something about that longggggg tapered case that is just begging to be "improved".
My .220 Norma brass still has good tight primer pockets for the most part. Like all my brass if I get one where the primer goes in easier than I like I color a bit of it with a magic marker and toss it after firing. But I rarely load my Swift full throttle anymore. I back off a little bit and keep my pressures down somewhat. That right there helps about as much as anything I bet.
And I too would like to have a .220 Swift AI if I could have it as a companion to my current Swift. Brass life would be better no doubt. But even PO Ackley himself said that performance wise over the standard Swift it likely was not worth doing so I guess I never got a serious jones about doing it. I'm good with launching a 50 grain bullet at 4,000 FPS. Plenty fast enough for me and the critters I shoot with it. And I got plenty of brass. Been buying it for 40 years. Set pretty good there.
Norma makes very good brass and my only issue with it, compared to my Lapua brass, is it's not nearly as durable and will start losing the primer pockets a little sooner than the Lapua stuff, but I'll gladly use Norma over R-P & WW brass, that's for sure.
If you need any 220 Swift brass I have a brand new unopened bag of 100 Winchester brand Swift brass I'd be happy to sell someone in need of it.
I've always had a fondness for a 220 Swift ever since I was a little kid but if I ever had one built I'm pretty sure I'd do an Ackley Improved version. Something about that longggggg tapered case that is just begging to be "improved".
My .220 Norma brass still has good tight primer pockets for the most part. Like all my brass if I get one where the primer goes in easier than I like I color a bit of it with a magic marker and toss it after firing. But I rarely load my Swift full throttle anymore. I back off a little bit and keep my pressures down somewhat. That right there helps about as much as anything I bet.
And I too would like to have a .220 Swift AI if I could have it as a companion to my current Swift. Brass life would be better no doubt. But even PO Ackley himself said that performance wise over the standard Swift it likely was not worth doing so I guess I never got a serious jones about doing it. I'm good with launching a 50 grain bullet at 4,000 FPS. Plenty fast enough for me and the critters I shoot with it. And I got plenty of brass. Been buying it for 40 years. Set pretty good there.
Considering the powders P.O. Ackley had to work with back then, was probably a bit of a limiting factor, I'd imagine he'd be thrilled with the opportunity to have used some of the powders we have available today and very well could feel a little differently about some of his creations.
Rustydust
Active member
Originally Posted By: B23Considering the powders P.O. Ackley had to work with back then, was probably a bit of a limiting factor, I'd imagine he'd be thrilled with the opportunity to have used some of the powders we have available today and very well could feel a little differently about some of his creations.
I wondered the very same thing myself. But like Ackley I too think that the speeds of a standard Swift are more than enough. Would I like to have something like a .22/.243 AI to play with? You betcha. Often thought something like a .22/.257 Weatherby would be fun. But....I cant afford to be shelling out several hundred dollars for a new barrel every 1000 (if that) rounds or so. Pity to be so poor. I wish my wife wasn't so lazy. I think if she really tried she could work three jobs easy.
I wondered the very same thing myself. But like Ackley I too think that the speeds of a standard Swift are more than enough. Would I like to have something like a .22/.243 AI to play with? You betcha. Often thought something like a .22/.257 Weatherby would be fun. But....I cant afford to be shelling out several hundred dollars for a new barrel every 1000 (if that) rounds or so. Pity to be so poor. I wish my wife wasn't so lazy. I think if she really tried she could work three jobs easy.
Originally Posted By: RustydustI too think that the speeds of a standard Swift are more than enough.
Ok, now you're just talking crazy talk, Rusty. Enough?! Since when did we ever believe "enough" was something any of us actually believed in let alone followed, yourself included. No, I think if any of use actually believed that, we'd all only have two guns in our safe, a 223 and a 30-06. LOL
Ok, now you're just talking crazy talk, Rusty. Enough?! Since when did we ever believe "enough" was something any of us actually believed in let alone followed, yourself included. No, I think if any of use actually believed that, we'd all only have two guns in our safe, a 223 and a 30-06. LOL
Breatheandsqueeze
New member
I have 2 swifts and 4064 and varget are the bomb!!!!!!!!!!
But I must admit that my new favorite by far is my .20-250 AI
running the 55 grain Bergers at 3850.
You will be forever changed if you check the ballistics.................
But I must admit that my new favorite by far is my .20-250 AI
running the 55 grain Bergers at 3850.
You will be forever changed if you check the ballistics.................
Originally Posted By: Breatheandsqueeze
But I must admit that my new favorite by far is my .20-250 AI
running the 55 grain Bergers at 3850.
You will be forever changed if you check the ballistics.................
I like that idea a lot. In fact, I like it so much I'm looking at going even a little more overbore yet and shoot those 55's 4000+. Finding a 1-8tw 20cal barrel isn't the easiest thing to do though.
But I must admit that my new favorite by far is my .20-250 AI
running the 55 grain Bergers at 3850.
You will be forever changed if you check the ballistics.................
I like that idea a lot. In fact, I like it so much I'm looking at going even a little more overbore yet and shoot those 55's 4000+. Finding a 1-8tw 20cal barrel isn't the easiest thing to do though.
If you guys want to shoot really fast bullets, why don't you just get a longer barrel? would that be better than turning primers inside out? the "minimum optimal bore length" for the 220AI is 28.5" at 220S speeds this could net another 200fps. possibly push a 55gr to 4200+ with very safe pressures.
Bill, that model 12 is a shooting mamma jamma!
Here are proven loads for regular twist swifts, rugers and savages:
44-44.5g of AA2700,
44.5-45g of win 760 or H414
50g Nosler ballistic tips
Rem 9 1/2
Rem or win case
Seat bullet to touch the lands
Will shoot bug holes at 4000 fps
drop back to about 44g of H414 with a 55g Nosler ballistic tip
IMR 4064 will shoot the 55's very accurate around 38g, BUT this powder is much rougher on throats vs the above ball powders.
Here are proven loads for regular twist swifts, rugers and savages:
44-44.5g of AA2700,
44.5-45g of win 760 or H414
50g Nosler ballistic tips
Rem 9 1/2
Rem or win case
Seat bullet to touch the lands
Will shoot bug holes at 4000 fps
drop back to about 44g of H414 with a 55g Nosler ballistic tip
IMR 4064 will shoot the 55's very accurate around 38g, BUT this powder is much rougher on throats vs the above ball powders.
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