? about 220 Swift

J

Joey P.

New member
I'm not a ballistics or firearms specialist by any means, so forgive me if this is a stupid question. But does any mfg. make a semi auto rifle in 220 Swift? By looking at Hornady ballistic tables, 220 seems to be real similar to 22-250. So my next question is, is there any advantage of either one of these calibers over the other?
TIA for any info.
 
Not that I have ever heard of. There is no meaningful advantage in performance between the 220 and 22-250, but one advantage the 22-250 has over the 220 is the availability of factory ammo.

Lou
 
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What Dr Lou says.



But, I think that an AR-15 (or the like) in .220 Swift would be pretty dang cool! I would love to have one.


As a .220 Swift owner since 1975 I am very fond of the round and let anyone that wants to hear it know it. BUT, at most (and then with handloads) it has 200 fps over the 22/250 with 100 fps being closer to it. Two ballistic peas in a pod really.


Rounds such as the .224 WSSM and various .22 bore wildcats will beat the Swift for speed, but not by much. Not enough to make it worthwhile to have a barrel burner that in some cases gives you a barrel life than can be measured in hundreds of rounds.


Those of us that own and love the Swift know that starting in 1935 it became The King of varmint cartridges. As far as we are concerned, it still is and always will be.
 
I love my swift, but as stated the 2 rounds are very similar. If you're in the market for a fast varmint rifle either one will suit your needs. On the original question about semi auto rifles in .220 I dont anyone builds an AR 10 in this round but my buddy just picked up an RRA in .204 and that would probably suit your needs also.
 
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I had a 220 Swift barrel for my TCR-83 years ago, it turned out to be a favorite of mine. I didn't have a barn burning load for it(matter of fact it might have been on the slow side for Swifts) but I loaded a 60gr Sierra HP with RL-15 and ended up getting about 3500FPS out of it. Boy it was accurate though, scored more head shots on groundhogs with it than any other rifle I owned.
 
Great post been comparing the two found a ruger varminter in .220swift for $550.00 or a savage axis in .22-250 for $300.00?Really wanting the swift but I am trying to buy a house and don't reload.Descions suck!!!!!!!
 
I don't know of any semi auto swifts, but you can get a .22-250 AR. Olympic makes them, and I'm sure a few of the custom builders will make you one as well.
 
There is one advantage I know of with the Swift...it is a semi rimmed cartridge so it lends itself well to single shot rifles like the High Wall or Ruger No. 1.
 
If I didn't load I would go with the 22-250.Originally Posted By: smokybluehunterGreat post been comparing the two found a ruger varminter in .220swift for $550.00 or a savage axis in .22-250 for $300.00?Really wanting the swift but I am trying to buy a house and don't reload.Descions suck!!!!!!!
 
The 243wssm is very similar ballistics wise to the 220 swift when shooing the 55gn round, and it works great in an AR. Wont burn out a barrel any quicker than a regular 243... At least 3000 rounds before accuracy falls off bench rest standards, more like 5000 rounds before varmint minute of angle is exceeded.
 
Originally Posted By: WhoCaresThe 243wssm is very similar ballistics wise to the 220 swift when shooing the 55gn round, and it works great in an AR. Wont burn out a barrel any quicker than a regular 243... At least 3000 rounds before accuracy falls off bench rest standards, more like 5000 rounds before varmint minute of angle is exceeded.

Never happen. At best I'd bet 1500 rounds and you'd notice something wasn't quite right anymore.
 
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