Barrel Burner or BS
I know many people have been turned off by the the stories of this cartridge burning up barrels. The fact is it will burn a barrel, just like a 22-250 and most other varmint rounds if they're shot through a poor quality barrel, are over shot with a hot barrel, or not religiously cleaned. What makes this round a little different is that it's simply the fastest production cartridge you can buy. The best analogy I've read with regards to using this round and expecting a barrrel to last for ever is like putting a 426 Hemi in your Pinto and expecting it to still get good mileage. There's nothing freakish going on with this cartridge. The reason it's so fast is more powder and more powder means more heat. The difference however is negligible between it and the other top varmint rounds.
If you want bragging rights with your buddies than this is the gun for you. If you're content to shoot something less, well that's your choice.
The following are from leading sources on firearms:
History
Since its introduction in the Winchester Model 54 in 1935, the .220 Swift has been a favorite punching bag of those who seek to find fault with everything in life. First the Swift was put down by wildcatters who were envious of its performance and even today it is a favorite target of those who find it impossible to praise one cartridge without condemning another. Despite its unfair treatment, those who actually have experience with Winchesters big .220 consider it to be the finest factory loaded cartridge available for shooting varmints at extremely long ranges.
Inherently, the .220 Swift is extremely accurate. Recent testing of the cartridge loaded with custom benchrest quality bullets in a Remington 40X rifle produced 25-shot aggregates of less than .270". Another 40X rifle in the same caliber with slightly over 3000 full power loads fired in its barrel averaged .344" for 5-shot groups with various powders. The key to enjoying long accuracy life with the .220 Swift, or any other high velocity cartridge, is to choose a top quality barrel of modern steel, never subject it to a high rate of sustained fire, and the maintenance of its bore by proper cleaning.
As this is written, the Remington 40X, Ruger Models 77 and No. 1, and Ultra Light Arms Model 20 rifles are available in .220 Swift. The Swift is seen at its best when loaded with a good 55 grain spitzer at 3800 to 3900 fps. If you want less velocity, buy a .22-250 or .223. It could be that more IMR-4064 has been burned in the .220 Swift than any other powder and it is a dandy, but H380 and H4895 often produce equally fine performances.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
Historical Notes
The 220 Swift was developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 as a new caliber for their Model 54 bolt action rifle. When the Model 70 Winchester bolt action was first issued in 1936, the 220 Swift was one of the standard calibers offered and continued to be until 1964 when it was discontinued. Now the Savage Model 112V, the Ruger M77 and the Ruger No. 1V single shot are offered in the 220 Swift chambering. Norma of Sweeden lists the 220 Swift with a 50 grain bullet at 4110 fps, and they also sell unprimed brass cases for reloading. Hornady / Frontier offers a 55 grain SP and a 60 grain HP loading.
The 220 Swift was and still is the fastest commercial cartridge in the world. It is also one of the most accurate super velocity 22 cartridges ever developed. Its popularity has benn somewhat retarded by the fact that the ammunition in this caliber is expensive. Swift barrels have never been noted for long life, but this factor has been negated to a large degree by development of modern, erosion resistant barrel steels since WWII. Factory ammunition has always featured the 48 grain and 50 grain bullets, but the Swift is considered adequate on all animals up to deer size. Most varmint hunters agree that the 220 Swift is the best varmint cartridge made.
Source: Cartridges of the World: 10th Edition
Rifle
The Ruger Model 77 Mark II features a controlled feed Mauser pattern action with a flat bottom receiver and an integral recoil lug, one piece bolt, full length Mauser type extractor, fixed ejector, steel hinged magazine floorplate,
generous ejection port for fast loading from the top of the action, square bridge action with integral scope mount bases, and an innovative diagonal bedding screw. The barrel is precision hammer forged. The bolt release is at the left rear of the receiver, and the three position (Model 70 type) safety is located at the right rear of the receiver.
This rifle is chambered in the hard to find 220 Swift, king of the varmint rounds. It has an all stainless action and heavy varmint barrel. It has a new Boyd's laminated thumbhole stock with plastic-coat textured finish and stainless snap swivels. Not sure of exact round count, but from visual and barrel inspection it's not many. Rifle is in excellent condition.
Scope
Bushnell 6 - 18 x 50mm Banner Dusk & Dawn Series
The Banner riflescope is designed from maximizing Dusk & Dawn brightness so that you can get the most out of your hunting day. Features:-Fully coated lenses for clarity in low and bright light.-Fast focus eyepiece for the clearest
view throughout the hunting windage and elevation controls with resettable dials help you spend less time sighting in and more time shooting.-Matte Satin finish to minimize glare.-Sure-grip power change ring for fast easy zoom changes.
Price was $850, now $750 or will consider trades for a compact 1911. Contact Duane at 503-449-1282 or email at [email protected].
I know many people have been turned off by the the stories of this cartridge burning up barrels. The fact is it will burn a barrel, just like a 22-250 and most other varmint rounds if they're shot through a poor quality barrel, are over shot with a hot barrel, or not religiously cleaned. What makes this round a little different is that it's simply the fastest production cartridge you can buy. The best analogy I've read with regards to using this round and expecting a barrrel to last for ever is like putting a 426 Hemi in your Pinto and expecting it to still get good mileage. There's nothing freakish going on with this cartridge. The reason it's so fast is more powder and more powder means more heat. The difference however is negligible between it and the other top varmint rounds.
If you want bragging rights with your buddies than this is the gun for you. If you're content to shoot something less, well that's your choice.
The following are from leading sources on firearms:
History
Since its introduction in the Winchester Model 54 in 1935, the .220 Swift has been a favorite punching bag of those who seek to find fault with everything in life. First the Swift was put down by wildcatters who were envious of its performance and even today it is a favorite target of those who find it impossible to praise one cartridge without condemning another. Despite its unfair treatment, those who actually have experience with Winchesters big .220 consider it to be the finest factory loaded cartridge available for shooting varmints at extremely long ranges.
Inherently, the .220 Swift is extremely accurate. Recent testing of the cartridge loaded with custom benchrest quality bullets in a Remington 40X rifle produced 25-shot aggregates of less than .270". Another 40X rifle in the same caliber with slightly over 3000 full power loads fired in its barrel averaged .344" for 5-shot groups with various powders. The key to enjoying long accuracy life with the .220 Swift, or any other high velocity cartridge, is to choose a top quality barrel of modern steel, never subject it to a high rate of sustained fire, and the maintenance of its bore by proper cleaning.
As this is written, the Remington 40X, Ruger Models 77 and No. 1, and Ultra Light Arms Model 20 rifles are available in .220 Swift. The Swift is seen at its best when loaded with a good 55 grain spitzer at 3800 to 3900 fps. If you want less velocity, buy a .22-250 or .223. It could be that more IMR-4064 has been burned in the .220 Swift than any other powder and it is a dandy, but H380 and H4895 often produce equally fine performances.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
Historical Notes
The 220 Swift was developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 as a new caliber for their Model 54 bolt action rifle. When the Model 70 Winchester bolt action was first issued in 1936, the 220 Swift was one of the standard calibers offered and continued to be until 1964 when it was discontinued. Now the Savage Model 112V, the Ruger M77 and the Ruger No. 1V single shot are offered in the 220 Swift chambering. Norma of Sweeden lists the 220 Swift with a 50 grain bullet at 4110 fps, and they also sell unprimed brass cases for reloading. Hornady / Frontier offers a 55 grain SP and a 60 grain HP loading.
The 220 Swift was and still is the fastest commercial cartridge in the world. It is also one of the most accurate super velocity 22 cartridges ever developed. Its popularity has benn somewhat retarded by the fact that the ammunition in this caliber is expensive. Swift barrels have never been noted for long life, but this factor has been negated to a large degree by development of modern, erosion resistant barrel steels since WWII. Factory ammunition has always featured the 48 grain and 50 grain bullets, but the Swift is considered adequate on all animals up to deer size. Most varmint hunters agree that the 220 Swift is the best varmint cartridge made.
Source: Cartridges of the World: 10th Edition
Rifle
The Ruger Model 77 Mark II features a controlled feed Mauser pattern action with a flat bottom receiver and an integral recoil lug, one piece bolt, full length Mauser type extractor, fixed ejector, steel hinged magazine floorplate,
generous ejection port for fast loading from the top of the action, square bridge action with integral scope mount bases, and an innovative diagonal bedding screw. The barrel is precision hammer forged. The bolt release is at the left rear of the receiver, and the three position (Model 70 type) safety is located at the right rear of the receiver.
This rifle is chambered in the hard to find 220 Swift, king of the varmint rounds. It has an all stainless action and heavy varmint barrel. It has a new Boyd's laminated thumbhole stock with plastic-coat textured finish and stainless snap swivels. Not sure of exact round count, but from visual and barrel inspection it's not many. Rifle is in excellent condition.
Scope
Bushnell 6 - 18 x 50mm Banner Dusk & Dawn Series
The Banner riflescope is designed from maximizing Dusk & Dawn brightness so that you can get the most out of your hunting day. Features:-Fully coated lenses for clarity in low and bright light.-Fast focus eyepiece for the clearest
view throughout the hunting windage and elevation controls with resettable dials help you spend less time sighting in and more time shooting.-Matte Satin finish to minimize glare.-Sure-grip power change ring for fast easy zoom changes.
Price was $850, now $750 or will consider trades for a compact 1911. Contact Duane at 503-449-1282 or email at [email protected].
