After my father passed away, He left me his rifle collection. One of them is a 220 swift he had made up for him in the 1960's. The rifle is a 98 mauser action, i beleave a 22" or 24" bbl I topped it with a Nikon 6x24x40 scope. I have not shot it yet. The rifle is in perfect condition. What is this 220 cal good for in the hunting world. Is it still a popular cartridge, and is it still produced commercialy and who makes them.If the cartridge is not obsolet i would like to get the rifle bbl shortend to maybe 20" would this affect the accuacy . Thanks.
Fri, 2010-12-31 08:29
220 swift
Fri, 2010-12-31 11:15
#1
The 220 Swift is still alive
The 220 Swift is still alive and doing well as a varmit cartridge. In a lot of areas it was replaced by the .22-250 as a popular round. Where it is legal it has been used on quite a few deer not to mention the number of coyotes and ground squirrels that it has taken. If you can't find any ammo for it try Midway. They have a nice supply of rounds for you rifle.
Sat, 2011-01-01 09:19
#2
.220
I echo the comments above. Even though I've never owned a .220 Swift it's reputation as a fast and accurate varmint cartridge is legendary. I would caution, however, against shortening the barrel quite that much. In a cartridge such as the .220Sw, you'd loose some significant velocity and gain, even in such a small caliber, a good bit of muzzle blast, IMHO. I don't believe it would effect the accuracy, but you're talking a good bit of unburned powder, if shot in a 20" tube.
Some loads for the .220 can be found made by some after-market loaders too, such as this one:
http://www.wisconsincartridge.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCa...
Congratulations on getting what must be a very special family heirloom! 
Sat, 2011-01-01 11:38
#3
Ditto on what Tndeerhunter
Ditto on what Tndeerhunter said. The .220 Swift has a slight velocity edge over the .22-250, and is an excellent varmint cartridge. I see NO benefit in shortening the barrel on yours.
With proper bullets and bullet placement, the .220 Swift is quite effective on deer. I have a friend in eastern Montana that used to hunt all big game from varmints to elk with his Swift. And he has killed more BIG big game animals than most hunters will even see in the wild.
I'm not advocating the .220 Swift as a big game cartridge, just saying it can and has been done.
Sat, 2011-01-01 21:43
#4
I
Have a 22=250 I love, but believe me I've thought of getting a 220 Swift more then once. Prolly will one day. A great predator hunting round. Shortening the barrel would affect the velocities you can attain. If you want to squeeze out the fastest velocities you can leave it longer.
Mon, 2011-01-03 07:36
#5
220 swift
Thank you all, I'll keep the rifle the way it is. The rifle was built on a FN 98 muaser action. I mostly hunt deer.small game. and water fowle. I guesse it would make a good coyote rifle too.I'll get bher sighted in. I only have a 120yd range to use. Should i sight her in like my 06, 2" high at 100 yds . what would you all recomend.
Mon, 2011-01-03 09:38
#6
.220 sight in
Thank you all, I'll keep the rifle the way it is. The rifle was built on a FN 98 muaser action. I mostly hunt deer.small game. and water fowle. I guesse it would make a good coyote rifle too.I'll get bher sighted in. I only have a 120yd range to use. Should i sight her in like my 06, 2" high at 100 yds . what would you all recomend.
With a typical 50gr load flat base bullet @ 3780 FPS (common load), a sight-in at 2" high @ 100yds will give you about a 250 yd zero and allow you to shoot to about 300 yds without correction. It will be about 3" low at 300 yds with this type sight-in. Hope that helps a bit.
Mon, 2011-01-03 08:57
#7
.220 Swift
The .220 Swiftis a great cartridge for varmit's and coyotes. Even for just target shooting with. I have a rifle chambered in 220 Swift and another in .22-250 Rem. I like them both.
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