220 Swift for LR Why No Love?

[sanpedroranch]

Went out yesterday with my 1-8 swift and worked up a great load with 38gr H4831 and 85gr RDF. It got me thinking why more people do not run a swift for LR. I forgot my chrono, but it had no signs of being hot. I see 22 Creedmoor, 22x47L, and 22-250’s a lot but never a swift. I definitely have room to go up but am happy with group and rough idea of velocity. I have always liked the 22/6 ai but it’s extra work loading and why I went to the the swift based case.

If anyone has QL would you run the load for me. thanks in advance. 22” 1-8 tw, 38gr H4831, 85gr RDF, 3.43” base to ogive.

 

[spife7980]

Length in a short action aics mag is one big reason that comes to mind.

 

[sanpedroranch]

I know the SA is the preferred action length for PRS but I haven’t found an appreciable difference running a SA over a LA. I’m not good enough to probably see a tangible gain, but if I can’t I would imagine that all the shooters who are better can. I would see it as a wash. There skill/ability would make up for the cycling difference. PRS rigs are not light, which is why I’ve never bought into the SA over LA preference. I think it’s a mute point personally.

 

[moosemeat]

You just dont see that many swifts around today. 22-250 pretty much killed it around here. As in I have only seen 2 for sale at a shop around here in my life. I bought one, was young, couldn't find ammo and sold it. Same thing I did with my 264 winchester westerner.
For a build I would consider it but is quality brass (lapua or the like) available?

 

[hollowoutadime]

Nosler makes brass, as does hornady and remington. Haven't seen any Lapua. Mines a jheavy barrel 40XB single shot, no magazine out of Rem's custom shop.

 

[sanpedroranch]

I’m using Federal and surprisingly I have had no issues with it. Haven’t weighed or done any extensive prep work and it’s held up well and I’m getting very good groups with 80 custom comps and 85gr rdf.

 

[dgheriani]

I know the SA is the preferred action length for PRS but I haven’t found an appreciable difference running a SA over a LA. I’m not good enough to probably see a tangible gain, but if I can’t I would imagine that all the shooters who are better can. I would see it as a wash. There skill/ability would make up for the cycling difference. PRS rigs are not light, which is why I’ve never bought into the SA over LA preference. I think it’s a mute point personally.

The reason for the preference of SA over LA is mags. 10rd LA mags are gigantic.

 

[Soulezoo]

Most factory releases have barrels suited to light bullets and therefore twists of 1-12 are common, unsuited for the heavies.

Also Swift had a reputation (Ill deserved or not) for burning out barrels prematurely that really hurt popularity. Add in semi-rimmed brass, less support for it and etc. .22-250 did everything a Swift could do at 100 fps less and didn't have the negatives attached to it.

If one wanted to spin up a quick twist barrel and play with it, I think the return would be worthwhile.

 

[sanpedroranch]

My 1-8 is a dandy. I do t think I would ever go without a 220 Swift shooting 80gr or heavier

 

[RTH1800]

A Swift performs very well but is stuck with a strange case in several respects. tapered body, odd rim, low angle shoulder, sub optimal length, no Lapua brass.
Deck is stacked against it.

 

[sanpedroranch]

Tapered helps feeding one reason the 7x57 feeds like butter, but I agree with your points. It goes against conventional and modern case design.

 

[Steel head]

A Swift performs very well but is stuck with a strange case in several respects. tapered body, odd rim, low angle shoulder, sub optimal length, no Lapua brass.
Deck is stacked against it.

That’s how I see it.

 

[Soulezoo]

A Swift performs very well but is stuck with a strange case in several respects. tapered body, odd rim, low angle shoulder, sub optimal length, no Lapua brass.
Deck is stacked against it.

True.
It's based off of the old 6mm Lee Navy. Also back in the early years through the 70's, it had the reputation of blowing up bullets. That is well documented.
AI the sucker and push the shoulder back a smidge and there you go.
Or just get a .22-250.
I had a swift for years. One of my favorite rifles.

 

[b6graham]

cause i can get the same velocity with the same powder in a short action case (22LRV/22Creed)

 

[sanpedroranch]

Swift is a short action case.

 

[chevy_man]

Because they torched barrels quickly when varmint hunting.

Factor in the "tactical syndrome" that just 10 years ago you'd barely see anything besides a 308 at a match.

It's old and not a cool new thing. No real support for it anywhere so very few people still shoot them.

 

[Brazo]

Coal and barrel life

 

[b6graham]

Swift is a short action case.

with a 90/95 class bullet seated correctly?

 

[spife7980]

22-250, 223, 204, 220 swift

223, 220 Swift, 308 win

Looks like it would be too long to me for aics mags and a good bullet.

Edit: But lets find out.

My 22 creed with an 85 rdf boat tail right at the neck shoulder transition and also right at the lands 2.61 oal and my case is 1.920 coal leaving my bullet hanging out .69" and the 22 creed neck is .240 long.

The swift has a case length of 2.205 plus my .690 of exposed bullet with a matching freebore gives us 2.895. If you stuffed the boat tail down to the shoulder in the swifts longer neck (.30-.240=.060 of difference) it would give you an oal of 2.835 but then you lose all that extra case volume under the bullet.

So depending on components and chamber specs it could or could not be too long. For long range I would say it is when there are other alternatives.
In last weekends coarse first round of 22creed load testing going in .5gr increments looking for max load I got my first ejector marks at 3,381 fps.

 

[RTH1800]

Don’t forget it’s lacking quality brass.

 

[sanpedroranch]

The brass is an issue no argument there. As shitty as federal brass usually is the brass I have on hand has been excellent. I’m not arguing the 22 creed isn’t a great round, it is. My whole thing with new cartridges is most of the time it’s not a new mouse trap or a magic technological marvel. Take the 6.5 creedmoor it’s slightly more efficient than the 260 Rem which has existed for decades.

 

[sanpedroranch]

I give a lot of credit to the innovation of yesteryear

 

[b6graham]

brass alone should push you away from 220 swift

while it may do the same. it doesn't do it as well or with as many options

look at reamers. 22LRV 22Creed meant for 90as. 220swift not even close

 

[RTH1800]

Semi rimmed case presents feeding issues if not placed in magazine with care.

 

[sanpedroranch]

There is Norma brass and it’s good. I’m not debating the 22 creed is more efficient. Is it “better” that is debatable, but I’m not interested in debating so we can agree to disagree.

 

[b6graham]

it is better

same powder charge
same speed
shorter coal
better brass/more brass
good reamers
prefit barrels

 

[steve123]

If you like your 220S then that's fine!
I'm guessing you aren't feeding from AICS style mags though, right???
I have about 200 220S virgin brass that's calling me to be used but I sold my Swifts many years ago. I thought about having a Remage Swift barrel done for my old 40x with a fast twist like you've done.