Wildcatting: 220 Swift
-
183
Comments
- Last updated: 23/11/2016
I was after a retro-style varmint rifle chambered in a classic cartridge so a .220 Swift rifle seemed ideal. The origins of the Swift go back to the mid 1930`s when Captain Grosvenor Wotkyns had developed a wildcat around a necked down .250 Savage case. This was essentially a modern day .22-250 but Wotkyns tried to impress Winchester to take it on. It transpired that Winchester’s goal to push a .22 pill at over 4000 fps with safe pressures was not that reliable and so Grosvenor’s creation would be side-lined to be called the .220 Wotkyns Original Swift whilst Winchester carried on development of their own.
This took the form of wildcatting their own 6mm Lee Navy case that was far stronger than the .250 Savage and designed to work at higher 58,000 CUP pressure loads and still achieve the magical 4000 fps velocity. Winchester finally launched their .220 Swift in 1935, but instead of great acclaim in the shooting press it received bad reviews. Winchester had made one big cock up, the original rifle chambered in the 220 Swift was the model 54, but the barrels were meant for .22 Hornets with 1 in 16 twists rates and softer steel properties than a normal nickel steel derivative. Of course, the barrels over heated, pressure went sky high with tight bores and barrels wore out quicker than you could reload the next batch of ammo. Soon everyone was denouncing the .220 Swift in favour of the .22-250.
CARTRIDGE TECH
Modern day tech and metals have cured any ills the Swift had or did not have. At first glance the .220 Swift looks more like a deer cartridge than a varmint round with its long 2.205” case and slow tapered body. But this large rifle primed 0.473” rimmed case when topped with a Ballistic Tip or V-Max bullet just looks right. Original Swift loads were meant to send a 48-grain bullet down a 24” barrel at 4110 fps, but with a selection of benchrest quality light and heavier .224 calibre projectiles at hand the reloader can exploit speeds right up to 4600fps with lightweight, 30-grain pills from long barrels.
If you are building a Swift from scratch there are two distinct routes you can take. One, the traditional 1 in 14 twist barrel option to stabilise and launch light bullets from 30 to 55-grains at stupid speeds. Two, you may elect to opt for the more efficient and long range contender in the form of a 1 in 9 twist to stabilise 70 to 80-grain VLD bullets to exploit some serious down range performance and eke every last drop of range out of this venerable performer!
KEEP IT CLASSIC
Today more people are opting for the fast twist route as they rediscover the quite phenomenal long-range capacity of the Swift. Usually it is the form of a wildcat of this round in the form of the improved case under the names of Weatherby Rocket (32° shoulder improvement) or .220 Swift Improved with a 40° shoulder to gain more powder capacity and thus range.
Me, I wanted the pure, classic Swift prodigy, so went for a 1 in 14” Pac Nor 28” barrel Tikka special. Venom Arms made this for me many moons ago but I have rediscovered it with the new bullets and powders available today.
In fact the whole Tikka M65 action, originally from a .270 estate rifle sourced from R Macleods gunsmiths in Scotland, underwent a complete strip down and glass peened blued treatment, again very smart and hard wearing. The stock too and original sporter Tikka version was bought back to life after an extensive de-denting from years of abuse. The package was finished with a vintage (by today’s standards) Tasco, pre-1970, long, barrel-mounted scope. This beauty offered a fixed, x16 magnification and characteristic recoil spring and external windage and elevation adjustments dials, so characteristic of the era of classic varmint rifles, perfect.
BULLET CHOICE
Smallest bullet weight that is practical to be driven hard in the Swift is the Berger 30-grain, this little grenade will launch at 4600fps plus and still deliver good accuracy although at the expense of barrel life! 40-grains is where the cautious reloader should start their experimenting. There’s a good choice with Combined Technologies, Barnes, Berger and Hornady’s V-Maxes rated as some of the best. That extra weight over the 30-grainers allow better down range ballistic, thanks largely to the superior ballistic coefficients whilst still sizzling along at 4300fps. If it is not a windy day (sub-10 mph) those 40s are just dynamite up to and including 500yds, delivering explosive results for perfect on target energy delivery.
When using 40’s I usually use Reloder 15 although a little slow 43.5-grains gives 4321 fps from that 28” barrel and very good accuracy with reasonable pressures. Again Varget with a similar load generates 4322 fps with a 41-grains, whilst Vit N150 again slightly slower both break the magical 4400 fps barrier with 43.75-grain, but 43-grains at 4318 fps is really maximum in this gun.
ACCURATE ENOUGH
Accuracy on an average 5-shot string measured 0.425” with the Vit N150 load which is excellent for me and disproves the inaccuracy stories about the Swift - in my eyes at least!
Next are the 50-grain bullets although you can shoot 45-grain Barnes, the 50s however are really where the Swift comes alive. With a 1 in 14-twist barrel you can push them hard and their increased BC of approx. 0.220 and improved energy values make this range of bullet weights a varmint’s worst nightmare. A Hornady 50 grain V-Max in front of either 40-grains of either RL15 or Varget and 41-grains of Vit N150 can safely produce over the 4000 fps velocity ceiling. Best load was the Hornady V –Max at 4139 fps/1902 ft/lbs , that’s going some! Similarly 52 or 53-grain bullets offer the shooter some nice high BC values for a .224” rifle, 41.5-grains of H380 sends a Speer 52-grain HP bullet downrange at 3951 fps.
55-grain bullets again are really good in the Swift with Nosler’s Ballistic Tip or Sierra BlitzKing being excellent. Here Reloder RL17 seems to be the best blend between burn efficiency and velocity. 41.5-grains of RL17 and a Ballistic Tip gives 4020 fps/1973 ft/lbs. Sierra 55-grain Game Kings would be excellent with the same load as a Scottish Roe or English small species round.
Factory ammunition in the Swift is not plentiful but Federal 40-grain Ballistic Tips shot 4211 fps and grouped three shots into under an inch at 100 yards. Norma’s 50-grain Soft Point was also a great vermin or legal deer load, this one and shot 0.75” at 4044 fps/1816 ft/lbs. Hornady’s 60-grain Hollow Points were a little heavy for best reloads but yielded 3692 fps.(See table overleaf)
CONCLUSIONS
There is no doubt that the Swift was a controversial calibre in its day and also now! However, its doubters should be silent because today with modern barrels, powders and excellent bullet choice it remains a valid cartridge. In fact it doubles the ground between small calibre varmint and small species deer work very well if the proper bullets are chosen. Recoil is mild and it’s easy to reload, and when coupled to a classically designed varmint rifle like the Venom Tikka M65 you have a greatmodern day classic that can surgically dispatch vermin or crows at some quite astonishing ranges.
I agree the new .20 calibres have better ballistics, but there is still a place for the .220 Swift and judging by the interest in retro firearms and calibres it won`t be too long before the old Swift is rediscovered by a whole new breed of British shooters and I for one will be very pleased about that.
183 Comments
buy naproxen generic <a href="https://buylansole.sbs/">lansoprazole pills</a> prevacid 30mg for sale
Edjumg
02 Jun 2023 at 10:21 PMlanoxin 250 mg pills <a href="https://dilano.pro/">buy digoxin 250mg sale</a> where to buy molnupiravir without a prescription
Mvgekf
01 Jun 2023 at 11:20 AMbuy cheap generic carvedilol <a href="https://chlquine.com/">order chloroquine 250mg online cheap</a> aralen 250mg us
Nedcke
31 May 2023 at 01:13 AMorder benicar generic <a href="https://buyxdival.shop/">divalproex 250mg ca</a> depakote 250mg over the counter
Gdcjkm
28 May 2023 at 05:00 PMasacol price <a href="https://irbesan.sbs/">buy generic irbesartan 300mg</a> oral avapro
Nrksrp
27 May 2023 at 02:46 PMbuy generic vardenafil over the counter <a href="https://planixbuy.com/">purchase plaquenil online</a> plaquenil 400mg usa
Vmkuqt
25 May 2023 at 06:16 AMfurosemide 40mg cost <a href="https://furoixpro.com/">buy generic lasix</a> albuterol 4mg canada
Bphbbt
23 May 2023 at 11:59 AMivermectin price comparison <a href="https://onlinedpx.com/">best ed pills non prescription uk</a> prednisone 5mg ca
Puceyj
22 May 2023 at 02:52 PMazithromycin 500mg price <a href="https://neutnonline.com/">gabapentin cost</a> gabapentin pills
Lfqyzr
21 May 2023 at 04:28 PMleflunomide oral <a href="https://buysulfanegn.com/">how to get azulfidine without a prescription</a> generic sulfasalazine
Tuuhts
19 May 2023 at 05:22 PMorder clonidine 0.1 mg <a href="https://topspiri.com/">spiriva order online</a> tiotropium bromide 9mcg without prescription
Tpmmkf
17 May 2023 at 03:52 AMcareprost pill <a href="https://procarest.com/">bimatoprost where to buy</a> desyrel 50mg ca
Vdjggr
16 May 2023 at 10:33 AMbuy amoxicillin 500mg for sale <a href="https://gettrimprox.com/">buy trimox pill</a> buy clarithromycin 500mg
Pytfwr
15 May 2023 at 04:04 PMorder indomethacin <a href="https://getcefipro.com/">buy generic suprax 100mg</a> order cefixime 100mg pills
Milvcn
14 May 2023 at 02:18 AMavanafil 100mg generic <a href="https://profenac.com/">buy diclofenac 100mg</a> order diclofenac 100mg online cheap
Mdcdov
12 May 2023 at 02:24 PMorder vermox online <a href="https://verxpro.com/">purchase vermox generic</a> purchase tadalis pills
Izvjmh
11 May 2023 at 02:26 AMestrace 1mg for sale <a href="https://xmestradi.com/">estrace 2mg us</a> minipress canada
Qyimyh
09 May 2023 at 02:21 PMorder carbamazepine pills <a href="https://carbamap.top/">carbamazepine online order</a> lincocin cheap
Ddxgbv
07 May 2023 at 05:01 AMbuy simvastatin 20mg pills <a href="https://gsavaonline.com/">viagra 100mg pills</a> viagra 50mg pills for men
Mgobpy
06 May 2023 at 06:32 AMnateglinide online order <a href="https://nateget.cfd/">buy nateglinide generic</a> oral atacand 8mg
Jddpoi
04 May 2023 at 08:23 PMbuy cymbalta without prescription <a href="https://anootr.pro/">buy nootropil 800 mg sale</a> order nootropil 800 mg generic
Uzaqbk
01 May 2023 at 10:52 AMbuy generic flomax <a href="https://xspironp.com/">spironolactone medication</a> order generic aldactone 25mg
Ymtazq
30 Apr 2023 at 03:12 PMorder generic zantac <a href="https://drmelol.com/">purchase meloxicam without prescription</a> celecoxib pills
Ytbhja
29 Apr 2023 at 12:05 AMmethotrexate 2.5mg without prescription <a href="https://abcfarin.com/">buy warfarin 5mg generic</a> metoclopramide 20mg us
Mkspto
24 Apr 2023 at 10:20 AMbuy lisinopril generic <a href="https://getmetolx.com/">metoprolol 100mg for sale</a> lopressor 100mg without prescription
Yhlxfs
23 Apr 2023 at 03:11 AMbiltricide 600mg usa <a href="https://xheptadin.pro/">order cyproheptadine 4mg pills</a> cost cyproheptadine
Wrphrl
22 Apr 2023 at 05:05 AMorder albendazole generic <a href="https://buyalbend.shop/">albenza 400mg canada</a> buy provera generic
Uszrtu
20 Apr 2023 at 10:45 PMsynthroid sale <a href="https://buylvxonline.com/">vardenafil 20mg canada</a> levitra 10mg drug
Kwirtw
20 Apr 2023 at 03:52 PMorder clomid 50mg online cheap <a href="https://buyxvrfl.com/">generic levitra 20mg</a> buy plaquenil online cheap
Ynxtus
18 Apr 2023 at 07:08 AMalbuterol 2mg over the counter <a href="https://albuinhal.com/">buy ventolin no prescription</a> order levoxyl
Smtjhj
16 Apr 2023 at 11:31 PMcost neurontin 100mg <a href="https://abnetn.com/">buy neurontin 600mg online cheap</a> buy generic vibra-tabs
Dxdyrn
15 Apr 2023 at 02:57 PMbuy accutane 20mg pills <a href="https://prozitcnonline.com/">where to buy azithromycin without a prescription</a> brand zithromax
Tkqbkg
15 Apr 2023 at 03:21 AMbuy provigil 200mg generic <a href="https://propredonline.com/">purchase deltasone sale</a> prednisone 40mg pill
Xotrvq
13 Apr 2023 at 06:55 AMhow to get letrozole without a prescription <a href="https://getvgtbs.com/">sildenafil 100 mg</a> purchase sildenafil pill
Jorsce
10 Apr 2023 at 03:38 AMbuy cenforce generic <a href="https://buychlonsp.com/">buy generic aralen</a> order metformin 500mg pill
Zsocgq
07 Apr 2023 at 07:23 PMorder promethazine 25mg pills <a href="https://getmdfonline.online/">cheap promethazine 25mg</a> brand cialis 40mg
Sededq
03 Apr 2023 at 08:46 PMorder alfuzosin generic <a href="https://pldiltzm.cfd/">order generic diltiazem</a> purchase diltiazem pills
Cbuoyx
30 Mar 2023 at 06:24 PMimuran 25mg drug <a href="https://getazathpi.store/">azathioprine 50mg oral</a> naproxen cheap
Agwdxw
27 Mar 2023 at 03:26 PMditropan buy online <a href="https://buyoxybpin.store/">ditropan 2.5mg sale</a> buy trileptal 300mg generic
Gaaaor
27 Mar 2023 at 12:31 AMbuy modafinil 200mg generic <a href="https://buymetopi.ink/">lopressor 100mg price</a> order metoprolol 100mg pills
Rzontc
23 Mar 2023 at 04:17 PMondansetron 4mg cost <a href="https://getanine.store/">amoxicillin online buy</a> purchase bactrim pill
Anqxep
19 Mar 2023 at 05:07 PMisotretinoin 20mg oral <a href="https://buyactacne.com/">accutane 20mg without prescription</a> buy zithromax 250mg generic
Twzykj
19 Mar 2023 at 03:46 AMaccutane buy online <a href="https://buypredonline.pro/">oral deltasone 20mg</a> purchase ampicillin for sale
Nqmqbe
15 Mar 2023 at 04:06 AMbuy tadalafil 40mg online cheap <a href="https://ereceds.shop/">top erection pills</a> home remedies for ed erectile dysfunction
Xgbosr
12 Mar 2023 at 02:14 AMbuy minocycline 100mg capsules <a href="https://pllsgnrc.shop/">order minocin 100mg online cheap</a> order terazosin 5mg generic
Orpvpa
09 Mar 2023 at 01:26 PMtricor cheap <a href="https://edplstore.com/">viagra pills</a> viagra 200mg
Qyhmpy
08 Mar 2023 at 04:17 PMbuy pepcid 20mg pills <a href="https://plremerom.life/">mirtazapine 15mg over the counter</a> order generic mirtazapine 30mg
Zmnzeb
05 Mar 2023 at 02:18 PMpurchase alendronate generic <a href="https://analendronate.top/">alendronate 35mg drug</a> ibuprofen 400mg brand
Fzlazg
02 Mar 2023 at 02:14 PMbuy lanoxin 250mg pill <a href="https://buymolnunal.com/">buy molnupiravir 200 mg for sale</a> order molnupiravir sale
Ewxhgi
26 Feb 2023 at 11:14 PMorder generic mesalamine <a href="https://astspray.pro/">buy azelastine 10 ml online cheap</a> irbesartan 150mg usa
Opasvd
23 Feb 2023 at 05:59 AMwriting dissertation service <a href="https://abessaywriting.com/">paper writer</a> order azulfidine 500 mg online cheap
Xntccv
20 Feb 2023 at 09:49 PMbuy ivermectin 6mg <a href="https://buydapsonline.com/">buy dapsone for sale</a> dapsone usa
Xrflru
16 Feb 2023 at 05:29 AMonline roulette game real money <a href="https://xgamescasinox.com/">play online blackjack</a> blackjack online
Vkchlm
15 Feb 2023 at 03:11 PMproventil 100 mcg cost <a href="https://proventup.com/">brand proventil 100 mcg</a> purchase ciprofloxacin sale
Zezzpy
11 Feb 2023 at 03:35 PMgeneric clarithromycin 500mg <a href="https://buyclonidinep.com/">clonidine 0.1mg pills</a> meclizine 25mg tablet
Oarpar
09 Feb 2023 at 09:53 PMlamisil over the counter <a href="https://buycefiximep.com/">suprax without prescription</a> buy generic amoxicillin 250mg
Dehaqb
07 Feb 2023 at 12:12 PMorder tadacip 20mg online cheap <a href="https://buytadacipc.com/">order tadacip online</a> indocin 50mg usa
Ejmnee
06 Feb 2023 at 02:45 AMbuy tretinoin gel generic <a href="https://buyavanafilp.com/">order avanafil without prescription</a> avanafil for sale
Pzrqsf
04 Feb 2023 at 05:31 PMdeltasone 10mg canada <a href="https://gaprednisone.com/">prednisone 40mg canada</a> order mebendazole sale
Zjfrdh
02 Feb 2023 at 05:20 PMlasix 100mg pill <a href="https://eplaquenp.com/">plaquenil 200mg for sale</a> buy plaquenil 200mg without prescription
Ouryyi
01 Feb 2023 at 01:10 PMzithromax 250mg cheap <a href="https://eazithromycin.com/">zithromax 500mg oral</a> neurontin over the counter
Lbeuqg
30 Jan 2023 at 07:08 PMgambling online <a href="https://casoxplay.com/">best play money poker sites</a> female cialis tadalafil
Maqpyo
26 Jan 2023 at 08:13 AMpurchase cefuroxime <a href="https://ebimatoprost.com/">careprost over the counter</a> cheap methocarbamol
Qqywmg
25 Jan 2023 at 05:21 PMorder simvastatin online cheap <a href="https://valtrexbuy.pro/">oral valacyclovir</a> proscar us
Rghnqd
22 Jan 2023 at 05:30 AMtadalafil 20mg sale <a href="https://ampicillina.shop/">ampicillin 250mg oral</a> cipro 500mg generic
Gsequz
21 Jan 2023 at 09:26 AMbest casino slots online <a href="https://plwinslotgames.com/">poker online for fun</a> gamble poker online
Vyhpju
19 Jan 2023 at 07:30 PMranitidine pills <a href="https://buyzantacp.com/">buy ranitidine 300mg online cheap</a> buy celebrex 100mg generic
Ivxwov
19 Jan 2023 at 03:59 AMorder ozobax generic <a href="https://baclofen.sale/">buy lioresal generic</a> order toradol pills
Yoaqjc
17 Jan 2023 at 09:11 AMorder cozaar 50mg online cheap <a href="https://losartan.top/">losartan 50mg sale</a> buy topiramate 200mg without prescription
Mbmeyi
16 Jan 2023 at 06:38 PMallopurinol us <a href="https://ezetimibe.store/">buy ezetimibe online</a> zetia medication
Ktlrxd
14 Jan 2023 at 11:56 PMorder xenical for sale <a href="https://zacyclovir.com/">buy zovirax 800mg</a> order acyclovir 800mg
Dqsftg
13 Jan 2023 at 07:44 PMbuy cialis 40mg sale <a href="https://etadalafilpl.com/">buy cialis 5mg generic</a> sildenafil drug
Imfhxw
12 Jan 2023 at 03:43 PMorder priligy 30mg online cheap <a href="https://asynthroid.pro/">buy generic synthroid 75mcg</a> buy synthroid 75mcg pills
Dozivc
12 Jan 2023 at 02:00 PMcheap clomid 100mg <a href="https://bestcasinox.top/">online casino game</a> texas poker online
Vgpsof
10 Jan 2023 at 02:49 AMbuy clozaril 100mg online cheap <a href="https://aclozapine.com/">clozapine order</a> decadron 0,0,5 mg for sale
Fvderl
04 Jan 2023 at 11:09 AMnorvasc 10mg canada <a href="https://edytadal.online/">brand cialis 5mg</a> order tadalafil online
Ctuayk
03 Jan 2023 at 07:36 PMglucophage 500mg price <a href="https://bmetformin.com/">buy glycomet 1000mg generic</a> order cialis 10mg pills
Ntalic
02 Jan 2023 at 03:19 PMaralen sale <a href="https://cenforcev.com/">purchase cenforce online cheap</a> baricitinib 2mg tablet
Lvrjdi
01 Jan 2023 at 11:37 AMlasix 40mg canada <a href="https://hfurosemide.com/">lasix 100mg for sale</a> order generic hydroxychloroquine 400mg
Esolmj
31 Dec 2022 at 08:11 AMaccutane 20mg oral <a href="https://aoprednisone.com/">prednisone 10mg without prescription</a> order generic prednisone 5mg
Pljgtb
29 Dec 2022 at 12:30 AMorder medroxyprogesterone 10mg <a href="https://gbiltricid.com/">buy praziquantel 600mg for sale</a> order cyproheptadine 4mg without prescription
Mtjtvv
26 Dec 2022 at 10:41 PMcialis 10mg us <a href="https://buysymmetre.com/">order amantadine 100 mg online cheap</a> buy symmetrel 100 mg
Fcywfh
25 Dec 2022 at 02:30 AMtadalafil brand name <a href="https://buyclspi.com/">Discount cialis</a> order sildenafil for sale
Tfxlkc
24 Dec 2022 at 02:07 PMfosamax 70mg over the counter <a href="https://gnparacetamo.com/">paracetamol order online</a> famotidine 20mg price
Ztkyvh
19 Dec 2022 at 01:55 PMorder doxycycline 100mg generic <a href="https://doxycyclinege.com/">purchase doxycycline generic</a> buy lasix pill
Eptcjn
16 Dec 2022 at 08:56 PMprovigil 200mg without prescription <a href="https://acetazolamider.com/">diamox 250 mg canada</a> purchase diamox sale
Voebhv
16 Dec 2022 at 08:22 AMindocin 75mg drug <a href="https://gnktrimok.com/">amoxicillin 250mg cost</a> cost trimox 250mg
Kyydac
11 Dec 2022 at 02:15 AMgeneric lamotrigine <a href="https://fstlamotrigin.com/">buy lamictal online cheap</a> order retin online
Hmqmov
08 Dec 2022 at 03:55 PMbuy fildena 100mg sale <a href="https://justcarepro.com/">bimatoprost pills</a> robaxin usa
Hykfrq
06 Dec 2022 at 02:13 AMlosartan order online <a href="https://gnnexi.com/">cost esomeprazole 40mg</a> imitrex 50mg brand
Eorspj
01 Dec 2022 at 08:13 PMrosuvastatin cost <a href="https://atetracycl.com/">purchase tetracycline online</a> tetracycline usa
Alnfnw
22 Nov 2022 at 09:58 PMpurchase zovirax generic <a href="https://xyacyclov.com/">buy generic acyclovir 800mg</a> buy zyloprim 300mg online
Qoqowa
21 Nov 2022 at 12:21 AMlasix 40mg sale <a href="https://toplasis.com/">medication furosemide 20 mg</a> ivermectin 3mg dosage
Ilqpvz
10 Nov 2022 at 02:56 AMzithromax pill <a href="https://neuromns.com/">order neurontin 600mg generic</a> gabapentin 600mg for sale
Zobgyb
08 Nov 2022 at 11:44 PMbuy tadalafil 20mg pills <a href="https://provpll.com/">modafinil ca</a> provigil online order
Ewhwns
04 Nov 2022 at 11:34 PMfenofibrate 200mg usa <a href="https://uroxatrn.com/">cost alfuzosin 10mg</a> buy alfuzosin 10 mg sale
Pvbkpw
01 Nov 2022 at 10:26 AMbuy remeron 30mg generic <a href="https://pameln.com/">buy nortriptyline 25 mg generic</a> order pamelor 25mg generic
Xahbbb
30 Oct 2022 at 01:18 PMketorolac uk <a href="https://cozaadereza.com/">order generic losartan 50mg</a> buy losartan 50mg without prescription
Libvsr
25 Oct 2022 at 03:19 AMbuy glucophage 500mg online <a href="https://amlodpis.com/">amlodipine 5mg oral</a> norvasc 5mg oral
Bgikgn
21 Oct 2022 at 01:10 AMorder cephalexin 500mg generic <a href="https://erythromycinea.com/">erythromycin for sale online</a> buy erythromycin 500mg for sale
Xhiyxz
15 Oct 2022 at 10:15 AM