Is my 220 Swift slow?

M

MOJO67

New member
Ok guy's, seems my handloads are really slow compared to book.

My rifles favorite load is 44.0 gr of IMR-4831 under a 55 gr Nosler BT. Book velocity shows 3800 fps, but it chrono's at just a skosh over 3500. I wasn't expecting 3800, but 3500???
WTH?

Ok, so based on what a few Swift guy's told me, which was IMR 4831 is too slow a burner for the 220, I tried IMR-4064.
38.0 Gr of IMR-4064, under a 50 Gr. V-Max is what I settled on.
Book says 3900 fps, I'm only getting 3700!!! A little closer, but not acceptable to me.

One more example is with Norma factory loads. 50gr psp is rated at 4000 fps from the factory, my gun only chronos at 3750.

What's going on here? Is my barrel slow? It's only a 24 in tube, but that shouldn't affect results by more than 40-60 fps.

What do you guy's think? Anyone have similar results with the above loads? I love my Swift, cause it's just so darn accurate, but the velocities it generates seem anemic for a Swift.
 
Still fighting the velocity issue with that rifle and your loads huh.

I figured you had it all worked out by now. I hope some new info/suggestions get thrown your way that might help you a little more this time around. Good luck.
 
Try some W760, about 44 grs will run a 55vmax at about 3900+ fps. Its what my pal uses, his bbl is 26".

36gr of BLC2 will give you 3600fps with a 50/52gr bullet, its what I loaded for 30yrs when I had my .220, 26" bbl on that M77V.

I never used stick powders in mine.
 
I used to have 2 Ruger swifts, one the light 24 incher, and the other the heavy 26 incher. I don't remember if I shot the 50 or 55 gr Ballistic tips, but over a max load of H380 the 26" went 3900 fps and the 24" went 3800 fps. Your velocities do seem low. 4064 is supposed to be good, but you might try H380, or one of the vv powders. Also, primers might make a little difference. Any pressure signs at all with your loads?

You know, velocity is cool, but if it shoots great with what you're doing, that is far more important.
 
Yes. I've had alot of time to play with it recently and have come to the conclusion the darn thing is just slow!
It's wierd because some factory loads, specifically Remington and Hornady, are dead on advertised velocity.
Very few handloads are even close to book.

Since my gun shows zero signs of pressure at book max loads, I may try to work up in .5 grain increments over book and see how it does. The gun normally shoots better on the high end anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: MOJO67Ok guy's, seems my handloads are really slow compared to book.

My rifles favorite load is 44.0 gr of IMR-4831 under a 55 gr Nosler BT. Book velocity shows 3800 fps, but it chrono's at just a skosh over 3500. I wasn't expecting 3800, but 3500???
WTH?

Ok, so based on what a few Swift guy's told me, which was IMR 4831 is too slow a burner for the 220, I tried IMR-4064.
38.0 Gr of IMR-4064, under a 50 Gr. V-Max is what I settled on.
Book says 3900 fps, I'm only getting 3700!!! A little closer, but not acceptable to me.

One more example is with Norma factory loads. 50gr psp is rated at 4000 fps from the factory, my gun only chronos at 3750.

What's going on here? Is my barrel slow? It's only a 24 in tube, but that shouldn't affect results by more than 40-60 fps.

What do you guy's think? Anyone have similar results with the above loads? I love my Swift, cause it's just so darn accurate, but the velocities it generates seem anemic for a Swift.

I hate to say it but borrow someone elses chrony, move the chrony to a new location you probably
already know the drill, but it's the first thing I thought of.but since you already checked it, maybe not??????
 
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Originally Posted By: notimerOriginally Posted By: MOJO67Ok guy's, seems my handloads are really slow compared to book.

My rifles favorite load is 44.0 gr of IMR-4831 under a 55 gr Nosler BT. Book velocity shows 3800 fps, but it chrono's at just a skosh over 3500. I wasn't expecting 3800, but 3500???
WTH?

Ok, so based on what a few Swift guy's told me, which was IMR 4831 is too slow a burner for the 220, I tried IMR-4064.
38.0 Gr of IMR-4064, under a 50 Gr. V-Max is what I settled on.
Book says 3900 fps, I'm only getting 3700!!! A little closer, but not acceptable to me.

One more example is with Norma factory loads. 50gr psp is rated at 4000 fps from the factory, my gun only chronos at 3750.

What's going on here? Is my barrel slow? It's only a 24 in tube, but that shouldn't affect results by more than 40-60 fps.

What do you guy's think? Anyone have similar results with the above loads? I love my Swift, cause it's just so darn accurate, but the velocities it generates seem anemic for a Swift.

I hate to say it but borrow someone elses chrony, move the chrony to a new location you probably
already know the drill, but it's the first thing I thought of.but since you already checked it, maybe not??????

Thanks for the response Notimer. I'm fairly certain it's not the chrony. I also load for a 25-06 and it chronos within a 100 flps or less of book velocitys. I've also used a friends machine and results were the same.
 
I agree, check out your chrony setup, something may not be right.

However, the big question I always ask, and I know I sound like a broken record, guess that would be a broken Ipod in today's vernacular, but is the load you are shooting accurate and consistent?

I have been shooting the Swift for 40+ years and still own the first Swift my dad built up in 1953. I know that sounds like a bunch of old man krap, but I don't need my Swift to run much over 3700 fps. My current Cooper loves 55 gr. SIE BK's with H414 at 3750 fps and it's very accurate! I don't like to cite long shots for fear of being associated with the "curvature-of-the-earth group"; however, my combination does a nice job.

In my experience, the Swift, in most rifles, is a lot more accurate when down loaded just a little.

Just my two centavos! Oops, didn't want to start something political here.

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Are you shooting neck sized only cases and is your case volume what
it should be? I had an almost 500 fps swing in a 22-250 from a tight
chamber to a loose chamber. All other things being equal. It was on a
barrel setback and the smith left the chamber a bit small in diameter.
Really upped the speeds and pressures. He then left it too large and the
speeds went way down. I then had another smith correct it and , yep, the
speeds match book listings with most loads.
 
Originally Posted By: bigwheeler Are you shooting neck sized only cases and is your case volume what
it should be? I had an almost 500 fps swing in a 22-250 from a tight
chamber to a loose chamber. All other things being equal. It was on a
barrel setback and the smith left the chamber a bit small in diameter.
Really upped the speeds and pressures. He then left it too large and the
speeds went way down. I then had another smith correct it and , yep, the
speeds match book listings with most loads.

big,

I'm full length sizing. Although, I just bought a neck sizer die, but haven't used it yet. So do think my chamber could be a little big? Maybe that would explain why some Factory loads are spot on as far as velocitys are concerned, as the cases maybe a skosh larger. Interesting, I'll have to experiment with the neck sizer. Thanks.
 
Originally Posted By: claimbusterI agree, check out your chrony setup, something may not be right.

However, the big question I always ask, and I know I sound like a broken record, guess that would be a broken Ipod in today's vernacular, but is the load you are shooting accurate and consistent?

I have been shooting the Swift for 40+ years and still own the first Swift my dad built up in 1953. I know that sounds like a bunch of old man krap, but I don't need my Swift to run much over 3700 fps. My current Cooper loves 55 gr. SIE BK's with H414 at 3750 fps and it's very accurate! I don't like to cite long shots for fear of being associated with the "curvature-of-the-earth group"; however, my combination does a nice job.

In my experience, the Swift, in most rifles, is a lot more accurate when down loaded just a little.

Just my two centavos! Oops, didn't want to start something political here.

laugh.gif
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Claim,

No prob at all. I welcome all input. I guess I'm guilty of being a speed freak. I bought the 220 for it's velocity capability and am dissapointed to be obtaining such benign numbers. The highest velocity I've obtained from a 55 gr bullet is 3600 FPS. To me that's totally un-acceptable. Thats not really even comaparable to a 22-250! As I said, the gun is un-believably accurate for a thin tube, sporter rifle. Hence the reason I'm sticking with it.

Joe
 
MOJO, First remember, that the fastest loads aren't always the most accurate. One question I might have is how far you are putting you crono from the barrel. I like to stick it at 12.5 feet from the muzzel.
My 220 Swift shoots 3740 fps. I have loaded it up to 4000 but they don't group as well. My load now is IMR 4064 37.5 grs. Hope you figure it out but I think the problem might be in your crono. Go for accuracy, not speed. Brent
DSCF0004.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: OKBrentMOJO, First remember, that the fastest loads aren't always the most accurate. One question I might have is how far you are putting you crono from the barrel. I like to stick it at 12.5 feet from the muzzel.
My 220 Swift shoots 3740 fps. I have loaded it up to 4000 but they don't group as well. My load now is IMR 4064 37.5 grs. Hope you figure it out but I think the problem might be in your crono. Go for accuracy, not speed. Brent
DSCF0004.jpg


Brent,

I'm placing the chrono about same distance as you. I know speed is not everything, but my groups seem to really tighten up the faster I push the bullet. I guess I just wanted to maximize the potential of the cartridge. At the moment, I'm barely obtaining 22-250 velocitys. Oh well, can't complain as the rifle really shoots well. It' s my favorite.
 
Think ya just have a rather slow barrel, it happens. I've seen it with a few rifles/cartridges over the years.

One instance I remember vividly was working with a buddy's 7 STW w/26" bbl shooting 175g partitions couple years back. Max loads with H1000 were barely over 2700fps. Pretty much a glorified 30-06 while burning 20g more powder for nothing. That rifle barrel had problems none the less however. It was slow with everything and would not shoot a 3 shot group with any bullet/powder combo I tried. Eventually it was sold off...

Anyways, back to the swift. I had one in a ruger target w/26" bbl few years back and shot mostly 55g bullets through it with IMR4064. It loved the 55g NBT w/38g of 4064. Velocty was 3925fps from my rifle, and it shot in the .3's and .4s all the time. I also tried the IMR4831 with the 55g noslers and if memory serves me correct, I did not obtain the velocity Nosler did either at book max. It shot around .5 MOA, but not as good or fast as with IMR4064. I also had some fun with the old Barnes VLC 40g bullets and H380. I had these running 4500fps and shooting .5-.75 at 100 yards. If you wanted to see red mist on squirrels or rabbits, this was the load for that.

I loved everythign about the swift except for brass issues. Very hard on brass when running those velocities. I had several pieces of win brass crack or split on the 2nd and 3rd firings. I loved the 55g nbt at 3925fps for coyotes though, it put them down DRT and it always exited no matter range or where was hit (shoulder,ribs) with a 1-2" exit hole. I rarely missed when the swift was in action.
 
try vihtavouri n140 or 160 friend of mine shooting a 220swift cusom bettin dime size groups at 200 and runnin roughly 4050fps just a thought
 
Originally Posted By: OKBrentMoJo, keep loading till you see pressure signs or accuracy goes to [beeep]??? Good luck and keep us posted. Brent

Will do.
 
I have had good luck with the RL 15, They run right at 3750fps! the first target is with the first 50 test rounds fired out of the gun.

002-32-1.jpg


The next fifty rounds of the same loads a month later and came up with the same results with accuracy getting better and still @ 3750fps


001-32.jpg


Seems like everyone that owns a swift runs them at about this speed with good results...

watch for pressure and up your loads till you get the speed your after.... Maybe try a different Powder (hint hint)




 
Originally Posted By: reddog964I have had good luck with the RL 15, They run right at 3750fps! the first target is with the first 50 test rounds fired out of the gun.

002-32-1.jpg


The next fifty rounds of the same loads a month later and came up with the same results with accuracy getting better and still @ 3750fps


001-32.jpg


Seems like everyone that owns a swift runs them at about this speed with good results...

watch for pressure and up your loads till you get the speed your after.... Maybe try a different Powder (hint hint)


Nice groups reddog. I haven't tried RL-15 yet, although based on your results looks like I may need to. My bet is though, I'll need another 2 grains of RL-15 over what you used to get 3750.




 


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