Thread: Anyone still using the 220 swift

I've always had a hankering for a farquharson in a proper "flanged" cartridge as a hunting rifle, but have never been in the right place at the right time.
Anyhow I now have a no1 ruger in 220 swift, it qualifies as it's "semi rimmed"
Does anyone else use this "relic round". I would be interested in hearing your experiences, is it any better than the 22 varminter (22 250)
My intention is for it to be a "specialty" wallaby and hare number.
Economy of powder etc isn't a consideration in this case.

I'm shooting a 22-250 Improved. The performance is pretty much identical to the Swift. Both gain a little bit of extra speed over 22-250. This isn't better or worse... It's just different.

The thing that put me off of 22-250 was the amount of case taper and the shallow shoulder angles. I think the swift is similar. Keep an eye on case length as you reload, as it'll stretch a fair bit.

They'll all make wallabies extremely dead. The sheer amount of shock from such high speed impacts makes them highly emphatic on such small game.

Originally Posted by muzza

I have a Ruger No1- the round is semi- rimmed , not flanged.
If you like nostalgia the Swift is cool but the 22-250 is a far more practical round

I guess thats just it, I'm not a very practical person

This old dude has a good vid on them

https://youtu.be/I3yXn5jmup8

one of those cartridges that made sense back in the day for varminting before rangefinders, and common dialing of scopes . . . now we have high BC heavier longer bullets that take critters at what varmint shooters of yesterday would think impossible ranges.
when i was reading Guns & Ammo articles or Nick Harvey articles on varminting 300-400 yards was seem as extreme range where all the big guns/wildcats were bought out, now its common for a .223 to do it.
Ruger No.1 in the Swift will be a natural pair . . hope to see pics in the future

I think I'll be putting a bit more magnification on.

I have a pile of 220 brass and dies.. its my intention to have one! Id be interested in your loads and range reports, I don't know anyone else shooting one.

At the moment the journey is just beginning I'm waiting on some ruger rings to arrive before I can mount optics (these never had irons).
Initally ammo will be factory, I've tracked down 4 boxes of Norma 55 gr to start with which will give me some brass.
Dies I guess will be next. Once she is dressed a few photof will go up.

Have 30-40 Norma cases new and once fired if anyone has a use.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

I've always had a hankering for a farquharson in a proper "flanged" cartridge as a hunting rifle, but have never been in the right place at the right time.
Anyhow I now have a no1 ruger in 220 swift, it qualifies as it's "semi rimmed"
Does anyone else use this "relic round". I would be interested in hearing your experiences, is it any better than the 22 varminter (22 250)
My intention is for it to be a "specialty" wallaby and hare number.
Economy of powder etc isn't a consideration in this case.

Greetings @Marty Henry,
Congratulations on getting your semi Farquarson semi flanged 220 rifle. It is a near copyof your hearts desire. It matters little if it is better or worse than any other cartridge. Choosing a more popular recent cartridge might have made load development a little easier but where is the fun in that? Enjoy it.
I now need to recover from my latest bout of Rugerno1itis brought on by this post.
Regards Grandpamac.

I may have some rings on sunday, otherwise it will be a search of retailers and thanks for the offer @7mmwsm but putting some loan ones on zeroing then taking them off and doing it all again much as I like shooting fails to really appeal.
If I go that route I would keep yours and send you the new ones.

ive got a surplus set of rcbs dies if anyones after a pair

Originally Posted by muzza

There is a lot of Norma ammo available - the NZ Army had a brain fart years ago and tried to use the Swift as a sniper rifle. All that ammo hit the retail market and it still turns up quite often

is that when Mr Mapp bought heap of ammunition that was of no use???

Calling @takbok !

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

is that when Mr Mapp bought heap of ammunition that was of no use???

Understand they brought up large BEFORE trialing the calibre-cartridge. Probably banned by UN for military use, 50 cal more opponent friendly?