I've ordered some odd-weight Swift A-Frames from Grafs (www.grafs.com) that come in bulk packaging. They are 217 gr .338's and 145 gr .277's. Both are intriguing weights, but I've never seen any factory ammo loaded with these bullets. Does anyone know the reason for their original manufacture?
Posts: 5053 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
I believe the reason for the odd weights is an FU in setting up the equipment. Instead of just trashing the bullets, they offloaded them as seconds. I'd look at the data for 225 and 150 gr bullets respectively, and you may be able to slightly increase the loads, then again, maybe not.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
If they did in fact FU the production run as Paul stated, I would seriously doubt they are well balanced. In other words, they may also fly like $hit. It would be interesting to see how well the perform, but I would have a low expectation on promising results.
BTW ForrestB, welcome to the forum!
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
The throat in my pet .270 is too short for the SAF 145's. But I've assembled a couple of starter loads that work well with various 140's and 150's that I will try in two other .270's this weekend. I'll report back. I don't have the 217 gr 338's yet.
BTW, the .277 145 gr SAFs seem to all weigh within one to three grains of each other. This is as close as other SAF lots I've weighed.
Posts: 5053 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
COUNT ME IN as wanting to know the accuracy results. A couple yrs ago midway was selling 100 .277 140 grainers for $29.95. They had 2 very big cannelures on em. Is that normal?? Anyhow they turned my finicky 270 wby into a tack driver-- 3" round groups at 300 yds. I'm just about out of them and would gladly resupply if accurate!!
I bought a couple hundred of the Midway bulk packed 270's as well and they are accurate in my 270's. I have asked the same question regarding the 217 gr 338's a couple of times in the past and received no response. I think the weight would be ideal in my 338-06. Recently, someone mentioned using them in a 338, maybe on HA, not sure.
Posts: 354 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 11 February 2001
Gentlemen, At one time Swift made a large production run of thoes bullets for I believe Federal or some munitions firm. the deal didn't pan out and Swift has been selling them off and on for several years trying to get rid of them....I bought 1500 of the 217 338's at the Reno SCI convention from the Swift booth about 4 years ago....then recently midway showed up with some of them....they are an outstanding bullet...Better grab them while you can.
Range results for the 270 145's: Two five shot groups out of my Dakota averaged 1.40". My guess is the bullets could do better, but probably not great, with some load tweaking. This rifle is capable of outstanding accuracy with several bullets/loads. If I get different results playing around with the Swifts I'll report back.
Posts: 5053 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
