Will a 220 swift shoot accurately at 1000 yards?

[nsf003]

I have been hearing about this guy's new rifle for a while. He told me it was a 220 swift, but it turns out to be a 22-250. I told him that I didn't believe 220 would shoot out to 1000 accurately, but the 22-250 might(I'm thinking it won't though). Please enlighten me.

nsf

 

[RTownsend]

It will do OK if it has a fast twist barrel. You need a 1 in 9" twist or faster to shoot the high BC bullets. Most factory 22-250s and 220 swifts do not have a fast twist barrel.

 

[Gewehr98]

It's gotta stay supersonic the whole distance.

With the right velocity, right bullet weight, and right twist, 1000 yards shouldn't be a problem. Look at the poodleshooter black rifle crowd, they're shooting out to 1000 yards now with their heavy-bullet loads in .223.

 

[Art Eatman]

Yeah, RTownsend hit the main point dead on. And Gewehr98 summed it up.

One thing to remember is that either the Swift or the .22-250 (I still think of it as the "Varminter") is around 500 to 600 ft/sec faster than a .223 for any weight of bullet. This will allow shorter flight times and thus both a bit flatter trajectory and less wind drift.

Both are quite accurate. I once had an out-of-the-box Rugger HB Swift (with Canjar single-set trigger and 3x9 scope) that regularly shot 5-shot, 3/8" groups at 100 yards. Ten slow shots around 5/8".

Art

 

[Nero Steptoe]

The Swift has more case capacity and generally a higher velocity than the 22-250. You don't see too many of either caliber competing in 1000 yd matches.

 

[Midnight]

Ditto the last poster. The 220 Swift has more case capacity and velocity than the 22-250, so the 220 has more potential for accuracy at longer ranges (stays supersonic).

 

[cratz2]

Certainly anything that the 22-250 can do, the 220 can do as well or better including getting on paper at 1,000 yards and certainly anything (velocity- or distance-wise) the 223 can do, the 22-250 or 220 can do much better twist rates concerned.

Having said that, the 243 or 6mm are FAR better choices for 1,000 yard competition.

 

[Gordon]

.220 swift or 22-250 imp or .22-30-06 improved or 22-284 with a 1in 8 or 9 twist and 100 grain tap bullet should have almost 700fpe at 1000 yds if launched at 3500fps.

 

[waynzwld]

With factory ammunition, 400 yards is a realistic distance for 22-250 for most people in decent outdoors conditions. Poodle shooters hit P-dogs at greater ranges, but tatget is usually stationary and you sometimes get several chances to hit before they get tired of waiting around to die and they dive into their holes.

 

[Steve Smith]

Cratz is right, and that is why the Match Rifle shooters like David Tubb still have the narrowest of margins over the Service Rifle crowd, not to mention diopter sights and front apertures. When you can do anything you want, why not use the best cartridge possible, which is the 6X right now. Yes, .220 Swift is very good, but the 6X gives better barrel life and a better bullet.

Take note, the top Service Rifle shooters are nipping at the heels of all the fancy-gun shooters now, with the .223 90 grain in an AR.

 

[cheygriz]

If you want to shoot 1,000 yards or more, none of the small bores will beat out the .338 Lapua or the .50 BMG.

and yes, you can hit something 1,000 yards away with a .22-250 or .220 Swift if all conditions are perfect.

Me? I try to crawl in a little closer. Like say, within 200 yards or less. Head shots are much easier close up. And when you shoot 'em in the head, they don't shoot back. (LOL)

 

[Gewehr98]

Couldn't let it go...

Take note, the top Service Rifle shooters are nipping at the heels of all the fancy-gun shooters now, with the .223 90 grain in an AR.

Can you imagine what they're gonna accomplish once they figure out how to stuff a 100+ grain bullet in that case and single-load them for those 1000 yard shots?

I really need to come up with a 200gr 6.5mm bullet for my 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum wildcat!

 

[HankL]

Kids who might read this thread. .223 at 1000 yds. is like your
22LR at 200 yds. The nut behind the buttplate must be torqued down perfectly.

The heavier the projectile and higher the velocity the better if accuracy is maintained. This can be a pretty tough nut to crunch.

 

[dstrbd1]

if you want to shoot 1000yrd just use 6.5x284

 

[rangerruck]

I imagine, any bullet in a swift, weighing 60 grains or over, could do this job.

 

[Jim Watson]

Where I shoot, there is one guy with a fast twist .220 Swift for Long Range, up to 1000 yards. Plenty accurate, and holds close to the wind, but I bet the barrel life will be even less than a 6.5x284. He doesn't care, he does his own rifle work.

But a regular .220 Swift varmint rifle?
No.

My 6.5 twist .223 shoots 90 gr VLDs about like a .308 shoots a 175 gr SMK.
About the same B.C., about the same velocity, therefore the same trajectory and windage within a couple inches at 1000.