whats your favorite 220 swift recipe?

[Uncle Richard]

What’s your favorite 220 swift recipe? Im loading for a Winchester 70 that was manufactured 1939. Gunsmith said the barrel is ok; however, don’t go over 3800fps prevent further wear.

 

[witchhunter]

I like IMR 4064 for max loads, but I haven't used it at less. It is the Swift, it should be fast, that is the point. Try 50 grain bullets and around 37-38 grains, see where that lands on the chrono. Mine shoots best at faster velocities.

 

[VAPOPO]

4064 was always the powder of choice in the swift however anything in its burning range like 4895 or reloader 19 should work fine. Keeping the swift below 3800 fps is defeating its main purpose for being, but in a collectible rifle like the old Mod 70 I can see why, You might also see if there are any reduced loadings for 4350 just for s&g I've always had great luck with that powder accuracy wise and the bulky case filling powders make double charges impossible even with reduced loads. It looks like Varget can also be used for reduced velocity loads with a 55 grain bullet.

 

[VAPOPO]

Ooops double tap

 

[Saint Dennis]

Measure the twist in the barrel. Mine is 1 in 10 and I am able to shoot heavier bullets. Best group so far was with 60 grs but I picked up some 69's I haven't tried yet. Shoots well with the 50 gr blitzkings and 52 gr Amax. Used a few of the allready mentioned powders. I think "back in the day" when swifts got the ruputation as barrel burners guys were shooting light bullets and aiming for that 4000 fps mark. All my rifles seem to want to be in the top half of the powder weight range, but rarely, if ever at max loads for accuracy. Just cause it's a swift doesn't mean it isn't fun under 4000

 

[joed]

Good advice to use the Swift for what it was made. I just met an idiot last week on another forum that has his Swift going 3400 fps. When it was pointed out to him that at that velocity he may as well shoot a .223 he admitted his .223 is loaded to .22 Hornet velocities.

Some people shouldn't even be loading cartridges.

Shoot that rifle, when it's time to rebarrel do that.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Thanks for the 4064, that’s the one powder I don't have. It's on my shopping list.

Im going to try 3031 (44.5grs) with 50gr sp sometime this coming week. Lyman says it will be around ~3500fps. The rifle hasn't been shot for a while.

I want to preserve the rifle to pass on to my son. It's been in my family 60 years and was the first rifle my Dad gave me. It has considerable sentimental value. My Uncle Richard (hence the name) had it before him.

 

[LeonCarr]

My Uncle owns five Pre-64 Model 70s and one Remington 700 VSSF in .220 Swift, and has deer and hog hunted exclusively with the .220 Swift for 40 years. His pet load is a 55 Grain Sierra Flat Base PSP with a maximum load of IMR-4064 for about 3900 fps. Three shots touching at 100 yards. He fires only three shot groups at the bench, lets the barrel cool down completely between groups, and thoroughly cleans the barrel every 20 rounds. So far after 40 years no accuracy issues due to burned out barrels or eroded throats.

40-50 grain bullets maximum handloaded at over 4000 fps and rapidly fired without letting the barrel cool are what destroy Swift barrels.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Uncle Richard]

Measure the twist in the barrel. Mine is 1 in 10 and I am able to shoot heavier bullets. Best group so far was with 60 grs but I picked up some 69's I haven't tried yet. Shoots well with the 50 gr blitzkings and 52 gr Amax. Used a few of the allready mentioned powders. I think "back in the day" when swifts got the ruputation as barrel burners guys were shooting light bullets and aiming for that 4000 fps mark. All my rifles seem to want to be in the top half of the powder weight range, but rarely, if ever at max loads for accuracy. Just cause it's a swift doesn't mean it isn't fun under 4000

Saint,

How do you measure the twist?

 

[witchhunter]

To measure twist use a tight bore brush on a rod. Mark a line on the rod. Push the rod down the tube until it has made one revolution, mark it there also. Pull out rod and measure between the marks. That is your twist. 1+ for loading it to Swift velocities, as the .220 Swift is one of the best high velocity cartridges of all time! Once you shoot the swift you will be impressed. Keep the bore clean and don't overheat it. (this goes for all calibers)

 

[Uncle Richard]

To measure twist use a tight bore brush on a rod. Mark a line on the rod. Push the rod down the tube until it has made one revolution, mark it there also. Pull out rod and measure between the marks. That is your twist. 1+ for loading it to Swift velocities, as the .220 Swift is one of the best high velocity cartridges of all time! Once you shoot the swift you will be impressed. Keep the bore clean and don't overheat it. (this goes for all calibers)

thanks for advising how to measure the twist.

I used to shoot this rifle a lot as a kid. Even killed a deer with it. I was astonished how much damage a 55gr bullet could do. Blew a huge hole.

 

[Jdscada]

I shoot a Ruger M77 Mk II in 220 swift and have had good groups using 40.8 grains of IMR 4350 with a 55G Sierra blitzking, CCI mag primer. Groups have been .37 to .5 depending on conditions and of course me. I just received my Hornandy lock n load modified case to play around with seating depth to tighten up group, I was seating way off lands come to find out. The twist on mine is 1 in 14 though.

 

[slabhead]

My Swift just loves 34.0 grains of H4895 behind a Speer 52 grain honkin' HP #1035. Mild load and 1/2" groups at 100 yds. R-P cases and a Fed 210M and/or CCI BR2 for primer. Give it a try.

 

[powell&hyde]

Thanks for the 4064, that’s the one powder I don't have. It's on my shopping list.

Im going to try 3031 (44.5grs) with 50gr sp sometime this coming week. Lyman says it will be around ~3500fps. The rifle hasn't been shot for a while.

I want to preserve the rifle to pass on to my son. It's been in my family 60 years and was the first rifle my Dad gave me. It has considerable sentimental value. My Uncle Richard (hence the name) had it before him.

I would double check that IMR 3031 load, none of my Lyman books go to 44.5grs with a 50gr bullet! The highest load listed is 38grs of 3031 with a 50gr bullet.