220 Swift

srhaggerty · #1 03-18-2005, 07:13 AM

I just got a Ruger M77 220 swift yesterday. Can anyone share some load data for 50 and 55 grain V-max bullets? I appreciate it.

brian b · #2 03-18-2005, 07:48 AM

A 220 swift is one of those cartridges that there is no secret recipie what my gun likes might not work in yours so you will have to tinker a little to see what your barrel likes best mine loves 55gr bal.tips with 41.5gr Win760 at 3825fps. I have more than 2000 rounds down my barrel with this combo and it still shoots sub 3/8" groups at 100yds.one drawback with my 220swift is that it will NOT shoot under 1 1/2" groups unless the bullet is touching the lands, making it a single shot only. one other bit of advice with this round is try Norma brass and neck size only until you have to bump the shoulder back.
B

srhaggerty · #3 03-18-2005, 09:41 AM

I appreicate the reply. Since this is a varmint rifle being on the land is not a problem. I will tiner some this weekend. I am going to try IMR 4064 in a 50 grain tip. Maybe some h380 on 55 ones.

Freebore · #4 03-18-2005, 10:05 AM

srhaggerty,
Your gonna love that Swift! I have the best results with VV N160 w/55 Bal Tip (Speer book) or IMR4831 (Nosler book).
Just off the lands (.007)

srhaggerty · #5 03-18-2005, 11:24 AM

thanks I will give that a try.

Alucard · #6 03-18-2005, 06:57 PM

Srhaggerty

I would stay away from the IMR powders in the .220 swift. While they are great powders and do perform very well, they have very high burn temperatures. I used to use IMR 4831 with a charge of 42.2 grains. After 2-3 shots the barrel would be VERY hot - I have heard that this is the case with IMR 4064 as well. I have shot a Swift for years and tried just about everything out there. I personally use Alliant Reloader 15. It is a very good powder with a slightly low burn tremperature. I use Speer TNT 50 gr bullets with a charge of 39.5 grains of Reloader 15. I had chronoed them at about 3850 fps. The bullets hold together and I have group averaging 5 shot 1/4" groups at 100 yards. My Cart overall length is 2.770" I have to single shot the rounds, but hey, that is what varmint shooting is all about. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Another great load for me was 38.0 grains of Reloader 15 with a 55 gr Nosler Ballistic tip. About 3/8" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I have personally shot this load out to 800 yards ( won't even fleck paint anymore at that range [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] )

Good luck with that swift! You will love the performance and the accuracy.

brian b · #7 03-18-2005, 08:26 PM

srhaggerty,
you were talking about trying H380, it is probably the most temp. sensitive powder I have EVER used. if you want to use Hodgden try H414 instead far superior in the swift.
B