Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I’ve toyed with the idea of a .223 Ackley …
Favorite .224?
- Thread starter 1948CJ2A
- Start date
In 1975 I became very interested in varmint hunting in SW Idaho. Only thing I could afford at the time was a Savage 340 in .222, it served me well for about a year. I was in The Outdoorsman in Boise picking up some reloading supplies and wandered over to the rifle counter and noticed a heavy barreled, heavy stocked, rifle on the rack . It was a Savage single shot 112V in .220 Swift. Couldn't afford it but bought it on lay away. Still have it (6 barrels later) and love it. In the years since I've owned or still own .223 - .222 - .22/250, the Swift is still my favorite!!!
OP
OP
1948CJ2A
Member
Wow, you've been through 6 barrels? How many rounds per barrel did you average? The 220 Swift was probably the first centerfire 22 cal rifle I fired as a teenager (when I was a teenager, there weren't ARs everywhere like there have been in the last 20 years). I've never owned one but always been intrigued. I'm also intrigued by the parent case for it, the 6mm Lee Navy.
.45Coltguy
Member
Always liked that very accurate 222, but settled on a 22-250 in 112 FVS Savage. Lots of shooting that rifle at praire dogs and coyotes for a long time. I sold it when the lever fever hit, altho I've been looking at a Rem 788 in .222 to pick up, as a friend has one that is really, really accurate. We shall see. Really like the .224's.
Litetrigger
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2023
- Messages
- 188
I think when the folks at Ruger were making their No.1 rifle they must have been enjoying wistful memories of the old fashioned pleasures of varmint shooting with .224 single shot rifles like, from top: .218 Bee, .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem and .220 Swift.
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.45Coltguy
Member
Damn! Those yours? Ohh, whee, very nice!
BTW, what's the middle one? Dakota?
.45Coltguy
Member
You could be right. Don't think it is a Dakota after checking some pics.
tommy.duncan
Member
I have several .223 Rem and 5.56 rifles, and one pistol, they are all great, accurate, and reliable.
My favorite in my 224 Valkyrie, I am still working up longer range loads. This is my favorite.
I like being the odd man out, LOL.
My favorite in my 224 Valkyrie, I am still working up longer range loads. This is my favorite.
I like being the odd man out, LOL.
The first barrel died at around 1,300 rounds due to youthful enthusiasm and lack of PROPER cleaning. The rest have made it to around 2,500 rounds before accuracy fell off, that was with care paid to barrel heat and no long strings of fire. The problem is always erosion of the leade to the point that bullet jump becomes too great. I never did try cutting the barrel and rechambering it. The rifle is currently a switch barrel between .220 Swift and 6.5X55.
dagger dog
Member
I voted 22 Hornet, this little work horse is very thrifty, super accurate, and is no slouch in speed 3,000 fps with the right powder bullet combo. Tales of taking game in the white tail deer class make me shiver 'cause I'm not that type of hunter, but as a varmint/small game it's worth my vote.
