building a 220 swift from a Vanguard action
- Thread starter foxx
- Start date
Rustydust
Active member
Howdy. I hope that your Swift turns out well. My only custom rifle is a .220 Swift and I sure love it.
First off, you can don't have to use a long action for a Swift, but you do have to use one that is long enough for say a .243 Winchester. In most rifles this is a short action. And it uses the same size rim as a large number of other rounds such as the 22/250, the .243, 6mm, 25/06, etc and that being .473". This is good as these are pretty easy to find. Lots of good ones and the Savage is about as good as any and good starting place.
Of the two barrel twist that you mentioned I would advise the 1/12" twist. This should enable you to shoot bullets up to 60 grain with wonderful accuracy. My personal Swift has a 1/14" twist and that is what I wanted because for the critters that I take with mine are almost all ground squirrels up to 500 yards. My usual bullet is 40 to 50 grains in weight so that rate of twist is ideal. You did not say what you plan on shooting with it but if you are going to keep your shots and under 500 yards you sure don't need a tighter twist than the 1/12".
And I hope that you get a good barrel. Lots of good makers out there. They guy that built my gun was famous for his bench rifles. He advised either a Hart or a Krieger barrel and I ended up with a Krieger- a 28" one. And it shoots very, very well. Easy to clean too!
I hope that your rifle turns out as well as mine has. They are well worth the effort.
First off, you can don't have to use a long action for a Swift, but you do have to use one that is long enough for say a .243 Winchester. In most rifles this is a short action. And it uses the same size rim as a large number of other rounds such as the 22/250, the .243, 6mm, 25/06, etc and that being .473". This is good as these are pretty easy to find. Lots of good ones and the Savage is about as good as any and good starting place.
Of the two barrel twist that you mentioned I would advise the 1/12" twist. This should enable you to shoot bullets up to 60 grain with wonderful accuracy. My personal Swift has a 1/14" twist and that is what I wanted because for the critters that I take with mine are almost all ground squirrels up to 500 yards. My usual bullet is 40 to 50 grains in weight so that rate of twist is ideal. You did not say what you plan on shooting with it but if you are going to keep your shots and under 500 yards you sure don't need a tighter twist than the 1/12".
And I hope that you get a good barrel. Lots of good makers out there. They guy that built my gun was famous for his bench rifles. He advised either a Hart or a Krieger barrel and I ended up with a Krieger- a 28" one. And it shoots very, very well. Easy to clean too!
I hope that your rifle turns out as well as mine has. They are well worth the effort.
Thomas Hart
New member
I just picked up a savage 112 in .220 Swift yesterday with some trigger and action work done to it. It still has the factory heavy barrel but man is it a looker! I love everything about it so far, Can't wait to go out and shoot it! Groundhogs right around the corner.
willy1947
Active member
Originally Posted By: RustydustHowdy. I hope that your Swift turns out well. My only custom rifle is a .220 Swift and I sure love it.
First off, you can don't have to use a long action for a Swift, but you do have to use one that is long enough for say a .243 Winchester. In most rifles this is a short action. And it uses the same size rim as a large number of other rounds such as the 22/250, the .243, 6mm, 25/06, etc and that being .473". This is good as these are pretty easy to find. Lots of good ones and the Savage is about as good as any and good starting place.
Of the two barrel twist that you mentioned I would advise the 1/12" twist. This should enable you to shoot bullets up to 60 grain with wonderful accuracy. My personal Swift has a 1/14" twist and that is what I wanted because for the critters that I take with mine are almost all ground squirrels up to 500 yards. My usual bullet is 40 to 50 grains in weight so that rate of twist is ideal. You did not say what you plan on shooting with it but if you are going to keep your shots and under 500 yards you sure don't need a tighter twist than the 1/12".
And I hope that you get a good barrel. Lots of good makers out there. They guy that built my gun was famous for his bench rifles. He advised either a Hart or a Krieger barrel and I ended up with a Krieger- a 28" one. And it shoots very, very well. Easy to clean too!
I hope that your rifle turns out as well as mine has. They are well worth the effort.
+1
I own two Winchester 70 in 220 swift, I do not shoot any more. One was my Dad's (1947) and mine I bought new in 1963.
I have a nice Ruger77 MarkII SS, with a two stage trigger I shoot now, that is a burner.
Swifts are great to reload and shoot. I load mine @ 3800fps 45gr HP.
Talk to your Gunsmith about what he likes. Find one that likes 220's, some do not like them. They will try to talk you into a 22-250.
Keep the faith, shoot the swift and join the CLUB.
First off, you can don't have to use a long action for a Swift, but you do have to use one that is long enough for say a .243 Winchester. In most rifles this is a short action. And it uses the same size rim as a large number of other rounds such as the 22/250, the .243, 6mm, 25/06, etc and that being .473". This is good as these are pretty easy to find. Lots of good ones and the Savage is about as good as any and good starting place.
Of the two barrel twist that you mentioned I would advise the 1/12" twist. This should enable you to shoot bullets up to 60 grain with wonderful accuracy. My personal Swift has a 1/14" twist and that is what I wanted because for the critters that I take with mine are almost all ground squirrels up to 500 yards. My usual bullet is 40 to 50 grains in weight so that rate of twist is ideal. You did not say what you plan on shooting with it but if you are going to keep your shots and under 500 yards you sure don't need a tighter twist than the 1/12".
And I hope that you get a good barrel. Lots of good makers out there. They guy that built my gun was famous for his bench rifles. He advised either a Hart or a Krieger barrel and I ended up with a Krieger- a 28" one. And it shoots very, very well. Easy to clean too!
I hope that your rifle turns out as well as mine has. They are well worth the effort.
+1
I own two Winchester 70 in 220 swift, I do not shoot any more. One was my Dad's (1947) and mine I bought new in 1963.
I have a nice Ruger77 MarkII SS, with a two stage trigger I shoot now, that is a burner.
Swifts are great to reload and shoot. I load mine @ 3800fps 45gr HP.
Talk to your Gunsmith about what he likes. Find one that likes 220's, some do not like them. They will try to talk you into a 22-250.
Keep the faith, shoot the swift and join the CLUB.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: foxxworking on ordering barrel and other things,is a swift a short action or long action ? bolt face size? 1/12 or 1/14 barrel twist?getting stuff bought to take to a gunsmith
Get a 12" twist - there are some very slippery bullets that require the 12". Make the barrel as long as you can live with.
I shoot 55 BKs @ 4,100 with 4007 SSC powder.
It is a lightening stick.
Load to touch the rifling, and if your loaded round won't fit in the magazine, get a 308 magazine box.
Get a 12" twist - there are some very slippery bullets that require the 12". Make the barrel as long as you can live with.
I shoot 55 BKs @ 4,100 with 4007 SSC powder.
It is a lightening stick.
Load to touch the rifling, and if your loaded round won't fit in the magazine, get a 308 magazine box.
thanks everybody,i'm planning on a 26 in barrel reg sporter conteur to match the older win 70"s, blue barrel,i dont know if i need stainless. with a rem 700 action.bullets i use 50 to 62 gr,i'M trying to keep it standerd wt,it will be for calling yotes and other critters,hard part now is finding a resonable priced 700 action.
