.220 Swift

[bowhunthard88]

Hello, I have a pre-'64 220 Swift model 70 hunter grade with a 26" barrel. Does anyone know for sure what twist the barrel has? The throat seems to be extremely long (eroded?) and the only bullet I have tried that will produce a .030" jump to the lands is the Nosler 69gr custom competition. I was wondering if the 220 would be able to stabilize this bullet. Probably going to load @ about 3100 fps.

Thanks for the info.

 

[J E Custom]

Hello, I have a pre-'64 220 Swift model 70 hunter grade with a 26" barrel. Does anyone know for sure what twist the barrel has? The throat seems to be extremely long (eroded?) and the only bullet I have tried that will produce a .030" jump to the lands is the Nosler 69gr custom competition. I was wondering if the 220 would be able to stabilize this bullet. Probably going to load @ about 3100 fps.

Thanks for the info.

Probably not .

Most of the early 220 swifts and 22/250s were 1 in 14 twist for 45 to 55gr @ 3700ft/sec +
They did not make the heavy bullets back then.

If your wanting to shoot 70gr bullets @3100 you will need a 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 twist
and you might get buy with a 1 in 9.

Also the throat is longer normaly because in there day these were very hot loads.

Don't worry to much about freebore ! Just fire form your brass and neck size only
and it will supprize you how well it will shoot unless the barrel is used up.

J E CUSTOM

 

[bowhunthard88]

I have another post here, I shot 2 different loads with same bullets. See results a the link below.

You were right tho, bullets keyholed beautifully @ 100 yds.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/69-gr-nosler-cc-36194/

 

[Sendero_Man]

try 36 to 38 grains of 4064 with the 55 Vmax. All the swifts I have shot love that combo !

good luck.

 

[tulku]

Hello, I have a pre-'64 220 Swift model 70 hunter grade with a 26" barrel. Does anyone know for sure what twist the barrel has? The throat seems to be extremely long (eroded?) and the only bullet I have tried that will produce a .030" jump to the lands is the Nosler 69gr custom competition. I was wondering if the 220 would be able to stabilize this bullet. Probably going to load @ about 3100 fps.

Thanks for the info.

Here's a tip given to me by an old Gunsmith friend . When your old slow twist Swift appears to be burned out , try some 60 Gr. Hornady HPs . This worked for me in a very early Ruger M77 Swift . It also worked well on windy days for Pdogs . Buy a box and try 'em !

 

[bowhunthard88]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice, I'm loading 52gr AMAXes now over Varget. Haven't shot them yet tho.

Here's some pics of the gun.

lightbulb http://varmintxt.webs.com/win70hg.htm

 

[Two-0-four]

It couldn't be eaiser to measure the twist rate. Just start your cleaning rod with a brush into the barrel from the breach. Once the brush and rod combo are in the barrel a few inches, put a visible mark on your cleaning rod to show a start position against the action. Also put a length wise mark somewhere near the handle of the cleaning rod so you can count the revolutions.
It is very, very important to be sure the rod spins free and you don't have your hand on it keeping it from spining freely in the bore so grab the handle only. Next slowly push your cleaning rod into the barrel and stop when the rod spins one complete revolution. Now, put another mark on your cleaning rod at the same point by the action and remove the cleaning rod. Now measure the distance between the marks and that is how many inches between twists, or your twist rate. For instance, if you measure 14 inches between marks, you have a 1 in 14 inch twist.lightbulb
Hope this helps.

 

[specweldtom]

I've got a .220 Swift project that will have a 12 twist barrel. I intend to try 69-77 gr bullets. Doesn't look good based on your experience. I will probably end up shooting 50-60 gr bullets.

If you can find someone with a Hawkeye borescope or equivalent, take a look at the throat. If it's eroded, it'll show.

Thanks for the big bullet results, Tom

The old Model 70's always look like they mean business. Good pictures.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice, I'm loading 52gr AMAXes now over Varget. Haven't shot them yet tho.

Here's some pics of the gun.

lightbulb http://varmintxt.webs.com/win70hg.htm

Both of the loads with 52 gr. A-MAXes where a little smaller than 1.5" @ 100 yds., which is not really acceptable. But, this wasn't a hot load.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Hey guys,

Here's an update: fired 3 different groups of 3 shots each + 1 cold bore shot. 33.1 degrees F, @ 100 yds. Cartridges were loaded with Varget and 52 gr. HP Speers (#1035), with different COLs of 2.6065", 2.660", and 2.680".

(COL: 2.680") The smallest group averaged 3591 fps with 36.4 grs. @ 0.259" 3-shot group. 98.70 fps extreme spread.

(COL: 2.6065") Second smallest group averaged 3537 fps with 36.4 grs. @ 0.823" 3-shot group (including cold bore). 69.16 fps extreme spread.

(COL: 2.660") Third group averaged 3575 fps with 36.4 grs. @ 1.062" 3-shot group. 83.05 fps extreme spread.

I've got a good start, I just need to figure out a way to lower extreme spread. They are ridiculously high for this rifle/load.

Thanks.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I've got a .220 Swift project that will have a 12 twist barrel. I intend to try 69-77 gr bullets. Doesn't look good based on your experience. I will probably end up shooting 50-60 gr bullets.

If you can find someone with a Hawkeye borescope or equivalent, take a look at the throat. If it's eroded, it'll show.

Thanks for the big bullet results, Tom

The old Model 70's always look like they mean business. Good pictures.

Check out this post, it is related to heavy bullets and barrel twist in a 220 swift.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/69-gr-nosler-cc-36194/

Good luck.

 

[Two-0-four]

3500fps with a 52gn bullet in a Swift is pretty slow. Normal speed for that bullet in that gun should be around 3800-3900fps. There's nothing wrong with 3500 but if it was mine, I'd be turning up the speed. Just my .02

 

[bowhunthard88]

3500fps with a 52gn bullet in a Swift is pretty slow. Normal speed for that bullet in that gun should be around 3800-3900fps. There's nothing wrong with 3500 but if it was mine, I'd be turning up the speed. Just my .02

I'll probably be working the load up as I go, but I will stop at the powder charge that gives me my best accuracy. The previous load data was experimenting only with COL, nothing else. Once I get the COL down, then I'll start playing with charges. It's only got a 10x Lyman Super Target Spot on it tho lol.

 

[specweldtom]

Update on my .220 Swift. I started barrel break-in last Thursday. 52gr Hornady mkhp's sub 3/4 moa cleaning between shots. 40gr Win black box factory ammo about the same. 75gr Amax's; fired 3 rounds; sent out a search party, none printed on a 2 ft square target at 100 yds. Got lost? Blew up? I think 50 - 60gr bullets are going to be the best range. (12 twist). The rifle is fun to shoot, even with all the cleaning between shots. The Lilja barrel got slick quick. I think it will go sub 1/2 moa easy.

Used Varget and H-414. Will try 4064.

Tom