Bullet for 220 Swift?

[zzzippper]

I have a custom Mauser 220 Swift, 24" Shilen barrel, twist rate unknown on the way. What bullet (Hornady VMax or Sierra MK), and what bullet weight? If you want to suggest a powder and load too feel free. Sierra lists an accuracy load but Hornady does not.

 

[fredj338]

Regardless of twist rate, it will run a 52-55gr bullet. Waaay back when I had one, I used to use 4320 & 50gr bullets to reach 3900fps+ with good accuracy. Today I would give Varget & aa2520 & h4350 a try.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;

the 55gr should work in any .22 high vel with a large case.

4320 is a nice fine, short powder that goes through a unit nice...
4064 hangs up a little and there is also 4895 and the 748 ball type powders for your medium loads.
For heavy loads the slower powders have worked for me, with 4350 and H414 getting most of the work.

By chance you get a 1in10 twist, there are 60gr and larger that may be the way to go with the new long range bullets now on the market.

Good luck getting supplies.

 

[fredj338]

I keep thinking I need anothe Swift, but if I were going to go high vel 224, I think I would go 22-250ai, just because. That & 22-250 brass is cheap & plentiful, plus I would want a 1-10 twist for slightly heavier bullets.

 

[Coaltminer]

I usually try what the normal factory weight is first, there are lots of options for powders and bullet makers to try before I'd move on to another bullet weight. Sometimes you get lucky. Had a 1965 Winchester Model 70 Varmint rifle in 225 Win. First reloads I tried put 5 shots under 1/2" at 100 yds. with a Weaver 10x scope. Totally shocked.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have a old Ruger "Bull" that has a 1:14 but oddly enough it shoots the speer 70gr under a 1/2" at 100 yards and on a windy
day at the 200 I managed 2.5" group with 5 rounds.........

but the 55 and 52gr do shoot a LOT BETTER from 2770 fps with SR 4759 to 3800 fps with BLC and W748. My best target loads are with imr 4895. 4350 and H414 work but you sure have to use a lot more powder vs just 32grs of 4895 in my rifle.

later.

 

[SMSgt]

Shove a cleaning rod with a patch on it into the barrel, from the muzzle. Make a mark on the rod. Pull it out slowly until the mark rotates 360 degrees one time. Measure the distance from the muzzle to the mark. You have your twist rate.

 

[sbrmike]

I would bet it is a 14 twist. Hard to beat a 52 gn Sierra HPBT Matchking and IMR 4064 in a Swift. If they doesn't thrill you the 53 gn Sierra HP Matchking may work better. Swifts get dirty fast and need to be thoroughly cleaned after shooting.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In my large capacity 22 Center fires, the 50 grain polymer tipped bullets have been fantastic in 10 to 14 twist barrels. There are 4 brands that I am aware of; Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, and Combined Technologies. I keep at least on box of each on the shelf as any gun will prefer one over the others. I usually take the Sierra accuracy load then find how far off the lands the gun shoots best, then load up 5 of each brand. The gun will pick the bullet it likes best! If you have other Shilen barrels try the same set back it/they like first, I found the different barrels of the same brand perform close to each other. If for some reason you have a 9 twist barrel try the 75 grain A-max (If any can be found) or the Berger 75 grain VLD or Hybred, these over Varget have been working real well (.3 MOA) out to 1000 yards for 4 or 5 of us. I think Hornady is the only company making brass for 220 Swift anymore. Ivan

 

[Homie]

Of the bullets mentioned for your Swift, I think you'll have better results with the Sierras.

That being said, Noslers usually outshoot those! Additionally, for pure accuracy with store-bought bullets, Bergers will usually outshoot all other mass produced ones.

Also, "Accurate 2700" powder has worked very well for me and my shooting buddies in a bunch of Swifts.

Good luck with the new .220!

 

[TSQUARED]

I have not shot a 220 Swift for many years. When I owned one I used to shoot the Sierra 52 gr HP and 55 gr SP as well as a Hornady 53 gr HP.