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.

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

Calling @takbok !

Three 22 250s ! In my 43rd edition lyman manual it's 40 grains of 4064 and 3855fps, not that I put too much faith in book velocities.
I've noticed over the years that all manuals seem to dial back for whatever reason.
When I start reloading I will probably use the lyman starting point and go from there.
I now have barrel envy, mines only 25 inches.

Well I have rings and decided a period "correct" vx1 3-9 seeing the rifle was made in 1990.
It's a shooter, 3 rounds to zero then 5 into 3/4 in at 100 yds.
True to form someone always tries to rain on your parade, and a mate turns up with his new no 1 in the slower but "more manly 3006 calibre"
Two very elegant rifles in the bench together. Lurking in the background was a 223 omark and two martinis in 303 and 38/55, so it was a bit of an overload of single shots.
It was a pretty good day.

Marty that is a fine piece of wood on that No1. Having the red buttplate suggests that it is an earlier rifle?