Savage 12 fv 308 to 220 swift conversion questions.

varminter .223

Well-known member
Is the bolt face compatible? I though it was different but found online where people are saying it isn't???
I am thinking about buying the stuff to rebarrel savages. I hate not being in control of my own destiny so to speak. I would really like to have a swift I can shoot often and run hard if I so choose without worrying about burning it out. I feel bad doing this to my 1993 700 VS. that I recently picked up nib. I already feel bad about the 200 rounds I have blasted through it without having any better load than I started with and I am tired of fighting copper. I am not sure about the twist yet. I wont be shooting any farther than 50's will handle but the rifles main purpose will be to make coyotes dead with zero concern for fur and imo a case of that volume needs some lead in front of it to transfer energy. Im thinking a 24" fluted medium contour in chromoly. Might be giving up a bit with the shorter tube but it will be a hunting rifle and I think the last two inches like to find the snow and mud easier. You guys have any input on where I might be going wrong or any recommendation on tools or barrel manufacturer. THANKS!

The other option would be going 6mm Rem.
 
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You betcha. Go for it.

Both rims are essentially .473" in size. Of course the .308 and all other cases in the .30-06 lineages are rimless whereas the Swift is a semi-rim but the bolt head will not give a hoot about that.

Since you are going for a Swift (you are doomed!) then go for the tube that will allow it to be a Swift. That means a 26" or even a 28" barrel. A bit more speed and get the blast a bit further away from you too. Free FPS is always nice.

And if you want a screw it on and shoot barrel, then I suggest a Criterion. And a 1/10" twist if you are keeping your bullets under 60 grains. My current .220 Swift has a Krieger barrel on it with a 1/14" twist and it handles all bullets weights up to 55 grain with aplomb. But when the day comes when it's time for a new barrel I think that I will go the 1/10" route. I do not shoot the long heavy bullets in my gun. Dont need to.

With the many excellent barrels out there it is almost a coin toss as to what put on it. But a Criterion or and X-Caliber is where I would look first. Stainless steel too. May as well get all the life out of it what you can.

As a 40 year .220 Swift owner and shooter you bet that I am a fan. Once you get one you will be too, big time. Hence the "doomed" reference!
 
As far as blasted I noticed my 24" 700 vs was kinda loud when I shot my first coyote with it two Sundays ago. That was the first time I shot it with no hearing protection. She definatly barks lol.
 
Rusty why did you skip over the 12 twist? I have a 12 twist Savage 12fv in 22 250 that likes the 53 v max. I have a Steven 200 12 twist 22 250 that likes the 53's to.

Btw I already have 2 swifts so I was already ruin long ago lol.



 
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Originally Posted By: varminter .223Rusty why did you skip over the 12 twist? I have a 12 twist Savage 12fv in 22 250 that likes the 53 v max. I have a Steven 200 12 twist 22 250 that likes the 53's to.



Oh, no reason really. Honestly, the 1/12" twist would be just fine with me as it will easily handle bullets such as the 60 grain Vmax which is about as heavy as I would ever go I think.

I shoot a lot of ground squirrels and a 40 grain Vmax moving at 4400 FPS does something to one of those little critters that has to be seen to be believed. Almost as if they evaporated. As long as I got a barrel that will shoot the 40 grainer as well as my 1/14" twist will then I am happy. A 1/10" should do it fine but a 1/12" would even be better yet.

When after bigger things such as prairie dogs then I like a bit heavier bullet than the 40 but I never had a reason to go heavier than the 55 grain. Even my most longest kill ever at over 700 yards was done with 50 grain bullet and that worked just fine and dandy.
 
I swapped a Savage VLP 243 to the Swift with a 12 twist and it shoots 60gr Sierra's pretty good. I used the Criterion 26" varmint and it's still mighty loud. I once shot it just about dark and it made for an impressive fire show the size of a small bus. I'm going to try some 65gr Gamekings soon as I believe if pushed fast enough they should do just fine.
 
Really can't decide between the 6mm and the swift. I have both already but I would like something a bit lighter than the vls and vs. I think if I do a 6mm it will be a 1-10 and I will concentrate on 55's to 70's. Either is probably over kill on coyotes as well as my ears.
 
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Originally Posted By: varminter .223Really can't decide between the 6mm and the swift.

You know, if you just want to be a bit different you could go the .243 AI route. Last year when I decided to make me an "out chonder" rifle I did bit of research and that is what I decided on. Easily capable of making a 1000 yard (if you are!) kill but not punishing recoil and with a good brake on it allows you to see your hits and (ahem!) misses to allow you to correct for them. Because the guy did the chambering for me spoke so very highly of them I bought an X-caliber 28" barrel for it. Just a few days ago I took it out and after a couple of fouling shots shot three 1/4" three shot groups with it at 100 yards using the inexpensive 80 grain Sierra Blitz and RL 19. Good enough for 95% of my shooting and it sure is fun when they all go in the same basic hole.

Just something to think about.
 
My 6BR with a Criterion 28" bull, 8 twist is more accurate than my Swift but not by much. The 6BR uses a lot less powder than the Swift so barrel life should be pretty good. Neither rifle is good to hump around as both are fairly heavy and the BR probably needs wheels as that 28" bull is hefty. I'm currently working on a 243 AI with a used Shielen 26" varmint 8 twist and a laminate BVSS stock and a model 12 single shot action. I expect it will be a decent shooter after load workup. When done with that one I intend to do a 6BR, 23" varmint with a 13 twist for 68 gr bullets.
 


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