22-250 or Swift & 22 cal VLD's?

[johnmyers]

Exhaust3,

I'm also using 36.5gr of H4350 behind 80gr SMK's in a 28" barrell getting 3230fps. I havn't tried H4350 with 75 AMax but have used 37.5gr of IMR4831 and got 3320fps. The 80's make a fantastic long range pd load.

 

[Chopaka81]

If you want to knock off P-dogs pick one and start kill'n. Now F-class is a different story. If you don't shoot a .223 or a .308 you can't compete in F T/R you are going to have to compete in F-open. they call it open for a reason. All of the calibers mentions may fly strait and kill dogs at long range. The problem is when you are on the F-class line you are competing againts the likes of the 6.5-284, the 6mm-284, and Something I recently heard of (can't confirm this yet) the 6mm-300 which uses a necked down 300 short magnum case. you will be competing with anything less than 35 caliber. all of these will out shoot the 22-250 or the swift when you are talking about hold the x-ring at 1000 yards. Another problem you will run into is an F open gun can weight up to 22 pounds. the big magnums you will have to compete againts don't hurt and be shot repeatedly and well when the gun weighs 22 pounds. What I'm getting at is while the calibers you mentioned can and will hit targets in the next zip code they will get bet up pretty bad with the likes of what you will find at an F open category match.

My personal advise is build a heavy F-class gun for long range targets and build a varmint gun for kill'n

I am more into PD shooting than matches. thanks for the input. Sounds like I should just be on the look-out for a M700 VSSF 22-250 as a building platform and get it rebarreled for a faster twist 22 cal and forget about F-class.

 

[Exhaust3]

Exhaust3,

I'm also using 36.5gr of H4350 behind 80gr SMK's in a 28" barrell getting 3230fps. I havn't tried H4350 with 75 AMax but have used 37.5gr of IMR4831 and got 3320fps. The 80's make a fantastic long range pd load.

Makes sense now, I have a 25.5" barrell. Thanks for the information.

 

[Chopaka81]

My brother ran into to a riflesmith at his range and the guy brought up an interesting point regarding long barrels, resonances and barrel whip. His claim was that this is the reason why benchrest shooters (300 yds or less) perfer 22 & 24 inch barrels (or shorter).

If all one is concerned with is "minute of prarie dog", then perhaps this in not a major issue?

 

[Freebore]

Get SS Supply to put you a HV rifle together using the Savage action. You can then have a switch barrel rifle that can compete with the best, not win alot but scary close for alot less than 5k.

I have a 220Swift 1-12 Douglas barrel and run the 55 Bal-tips at 3900 using N-160. It will shoot low 2's all day long. The 243AI is a 1-9 Pac-Nor shooting the 95VLD's at 3250 very accurately and the 105A-Max's overs 3300 using N-165. It takes about 30 min. to swap out the barrels leisurely. Every (almost) custom barrel maker sells pre-fit Savage barrels today in any caliber.

You can best of both worlds this way. I don't shoot competitive although I've been tempted, just don't need another crutch to take my monies out of the field and hunting trips. Savage also has new heavy duty single shot competition action and it available left or right handed too. There is write-up on this web site about them.

The SMK69's out of that standard Swift case launched w/RL-22 shoot very well too and killed PD's out to 700 in that forever Wy wind.

If you get a Swift you will never look back, just remember to check your case length every other firing unless you get the improved chamber which pretty much eliminate case growth I been told.

Sharp Shooter Supply - The Savage Specialists

 

[Chopaka81]

Interesting web site Kevin. Thanks!

 

[sscoyote]

Here's another option that may be worth considering. If u're shooting 12 or 10 twist 22's (or faster), the JLK Low Drags may help u some. The 60 rated for 12 twists has a BC of .339 (left), and the 65 has a BC of .395 10-twist. 60 V-Max in center for comparison--

www.swampworks.com

 

[Leathel]

I am in the process of sorting a rifle for a freind for longer shots at small animals, he currently has a std SPS varmint 22-250 that has been Ackley improved, 1:14 twist so didn't try the heavy pills but had the 55gr pills in .274 @ 100 doing 3750fps....at 3950fps it didn't group as well and a little close to preasure, Great round but he is converting all his rifles to LH so has another to LH rig to rebarrel but still tosing up between 22-250AI again or 243AI faster twist as my 1:10 wont stabalise the 105amax (As I shoot that so have the dies for both) If the mag was longer would love to do 6mm rem AI as with its long neck seals the gases well (also shoot a 6.5-6mm Rem AI )

If you do go longer barrels you need the larger profile to keep wip under controll.......6mm BR is an efficent killer and you dont get too much extra for a longer barrel so if you want a shorter rig its a handy cal

 

[yobuck]

this has been an enjoyable post. all good stuff, no b.s.
except of coarse from the pa. guys and they just cant help it.
thanks to chopaka81 for starting it, and a special hello to handgun steve out there in co.

i recently aquired a lefty savage in 223. its a model 12 and shoots very well.
according to my cleaning rod it has a 1 in 9 twist.
id like to rechamber it to a swift or 22 250.
i have a 6x284 so the heavier bullets arent important.
im leaning toward the swift, as my father had a model 70 swift back in the early 50s. i still have the pacific dies.
with the better components of today, it would be a much better gun than his.
i think.

 

[B23]

Unless you are sure you want to go with the 22-250 or a 220 Swift you may want to take a look at a 22-243 Middlestead.

You can use the very best brass available. Works great in a short action. They shoot like a lazer. Heck, what's not to love about it.

 

[Leathel]

Unless you are sure you want to go with the 22-250 or a 220 Swift you may want to take a look at a 22-243 Middlestead.

You can use the very best brass available. Works great in a short action. They shoot like a lazer. Heck, what's not to love about it.

and if you want to cook a barrel those light pills will get up to 5255 (done after a barrel change was decided and it did wreck the rifleing) but it does get over 4k with a 55gr pill

 

[yobuck]

i am familiar with the 243, and 6 mm cases necked down to 22 cal. i just dont see the point to that since i have a 6x284.

 

[TAC]

yobuck, I have a Savage Stainless fluted 1-9 twist 223 barrel that is now chambered in 22-250 (tight neck). The stainelss fluted 223's are fine barrels and worth playing with. It's great for reaching out a bit further than a regular 22-250 with 68gr. and 75 gr. bullets. Mine spits the 75's out at 3040 fps without any pressure signs (that's it's sweet spot). I still get a bit of brass flow and trim my brass constantly. A 22-250AI would curb a lot of the flow issues.

TAC

 

[yobuck]

thanks for that information tac. i would assume the shoulder angle makes the difference on the trimming issue. i like the 223 very much. but this gun is too heavy to carry around. id rather have a standard savage in 223, like a classic model, and use this as a mid range varmit gun. the improved 22 250 might just be what ill do.