Ok, first of all I'M OLD. I guess I live by an older thought process that if you want bigger bullets, less wind effects, wanna shoot larger animals.....you just get a gun that does that.

Over and over I read of custom barrels for 22-250, 220 Swifts with faster twist to stabalize longer bullets. Neat? Sure! But...my old brain just says buy a 24 or 25 caliber and be done with it. Got the heavier bullet, less wind effecting flight AND a bigger diameter bullet.

I have a 700 VSSF in 220 Swift coming and looking forward to loading for it. I know the 52-53 grain BTHP bullets are famous for doing very well. I am itching to try some Barnes Varmint Grenades and maybe something SLIGHTLY upper end in weight for IF I decide to lug that tank around to hunt whitetail somewhere (out of state, IN has no sense of humor at all).

I guess I just don't quite "get" the entire purpose of custom barrels just to be able to shoot longer bullets out of a caliber not originally meant to use them. Sure you have a better BC but considering the cost, I can't get past the option of just buying a bigger caliber (lordy, we got TONS to choose from)and going from there.

Using the Swift for deer where it's legal, Ill be very cautious of brush, distance, shot placement ...like we should be ALL the time but even more so.

Quite certain it will do the job, hands down but I wouldn't want to mess up for all the obvious reasons PLUS I think the Swift has an entirely undeserved rep as it is. Not going to add to it. If I don't think its at least a "viable" option, I'll use a bigger caliber.

However, the "jist" of this post would be this. Should I want a heavier bullet that is less affected by wind.........I just think buying a 7mm-08 would be a better option than rebarreling a presently owned gun.

Another thing that I personally enjoy is learning TO USE your setup and loads. "Judging" the wind isn't ALL that hard if you shoot much. Gonna miss? oh Sure...it's part of the learning process and I surprise even myself with how the computer in my head "automatically" can figure out how much to allow for wind.

Like shooting a bow instinctively without sights
or watching a Pro NBA player shoot over half court and it's "nothing but net". Practice, practice, practice and more practice (aka experience)and you CAN know where your bullet will go. Even though I've done it for decades.....I still amaze myself sometimes.

OR......is the "playing" with the rifling twist and longer bullets....all part of the fun? That I would understand.

No offense to anyone. Forgive me for being ignorant and confused.

One thing about faster twists in 22 cal, in most cases you can still shoot the light/cheap/low recoil varmint bullets fine, but still be able to reach out there with a 75/80 grain bullet when you want to play long distance. I dont know if I would re barrel just to get a faster twist, but if you need a new barrel anyway, why not go for a twist that will handle heavy bullets and AI the chamber? Cant hurt anything...

I'll agree there. I've yet to "shoot out" a barrel and hope never to do so but should I do plan a replacement anyway the twist would be considered.

Interesting that the major companys like Remington DON'T use faster twists then?

Gotta be a reason they choose the twist they did?......I hope anyway.

thanks, Derek

As I recall most of the heavy/long bullet development is for target shooters. For example. NRA service rifle shooters, using the M16/AR15.
Requires shooting at 200, 300, and 600 yards. The only way to get that "poodle squirter" to be competitive vs. the M14/M1A (308)and the M1 (30-06) was to develop the heavy bullets.In the 1990's the military brass ordered the marksmanship units to use the M16 in competition.It didn't look good for the military marksmanship units to compete with a rifle that was put out of service over 30 years before.

muck

My understanding is that faster twists will reduce your max velocity some and with a fast caliber there is an increased chance of bullet disintegration with lightly constructed 'varmint' bullets. Its a trade off, if you never plan on shooting bullets over 60 grains, there is probably no need to go faster than standard twist in a 22 caliber but if you want the option to shoot heavier/longer bullets you will want something that spins them fast enough to keep them accurate.