I vote for the Swiflt hands down.
According to Jim Carmichal's book of the Rifle, Ruger did a test between the .22-250 and the Swift over a long test period nad many rifles-all heavey barreled M77's and the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

My expiriance with my swift has been that the twist is to slow for heavy bullets and the light bullets are flying so fast that they don't give good accuracy.

I shot some 69 gr. sierras and they key holed Next I slowed the 55 gr. ( A max, Hornady fmj and I don't remember the thered one) down and got good accuracy but I did'nt want a 10 pound .223. Finally I tried a barns X and that did the trick. Took me forever to figure this recipie out though.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker48:
I vote for the Swiflt hands down.
According to Jim Carmichal's book of the Rifle, Ruger did a test between the .22-250 and the Swift over a long test period nad many rifles-all heavey barreled M77's and the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

Golly! Now why do you suppose that is? roger

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker48:
and the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

I don't buy it. No rifle will do its best when pushed to 110%. The Swift with its larger case will always beat the 22-250 velocity wise, but accuracy is dependent upon the quality & craftsmanship of each individual rifle tested. Both calibres will push 50 grain bullets to rotational destruction when forced to the ragged edge of operational pressures, and both are equally accurate when fed a proper diet from the get go.

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker48:
and the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

I don't buy it. No rifle will do its best when pushed to 110%. The Swift with its larger case will always beat the 22-250 velocity wise, but accuracy is dependent upon the quality & craftsmanship of each individual rifle tested. Both calibres will push 50 grain bullets to rotational destruction when forced to the ragged edge of operational pressures, and both are equally accurate when fed a proper diet from the get go.

absolutely roger

Since when do we judge the accuracy potential of a cartridge by what it does in a Ruger?

Well lets get away from the what if's and get to actual practicle experience. My experience with a Ruger 77 in 220 Swift, is EXACTLY as Ruger indicates. I have had this Swift since 1974, and it is on it's second RUGER barrel 1996. This is what I shoot, 38GrainsRL15/55 Nosler Ballistic Tip/3800+ fps, by my cronograph. Accuracy for three shots is one hole. I never wanted to shoot a heavier bullet, as I just do up to 24 if I need more, so I don't believe that is an argument that is worth a hoot! More accurate than a 22/250, I don't know about that, as I believe that may be more of a rifle to rifle thing. In the field I see no difference between the 2, but in my case the Ruger 220 Swift is one accurate barn burner.

Jerry

Another vote of confidence for the Mark I Ruger 77V.

Mine's from 1990 or 1991. Still on the first barrel. I've never done the bedding or even messed with the crap factory trigger. I'm loading 38.0 gr of IMR-3031 under 52 gr. Hornady BTHPM'a and Nosler BT's for 4080 and 4130 fps, respectively. It shoots .4's with the Hornadys and .5's with the Noslers (5 shots at 100).

Strut10:

Good to see another happy Swift/Ruger person. I will say this though: there was a time when Ruger Rifles had the reputation as NON SHOOTERS, I have seen this, in fact when I was contemplating the purchase of that Swift all those years ago, the gun shop guy, who was a very good friend let me take the rifle out and shoot it before the purchase.To relieve my fears, so to speak. I am sure that is not the case now.

Jerry

I have never thought of the Swift as the most practical cartridge around.. and consider it really the smallest of the magnums..

however it has always had a nostalgic appeal to it, being around since the 1930s at least..

Recently picked up a Marlin XL 7 in 270, since these are a long action..and also have the ability to switch barrels much like on a Savage or Stevens.

My first barrel I plan on getting as a Switch barrel is a 257 Roberts on that platform..

the second chambering I am planning on doing for the rifle is the 220 Swift. just question on what twist to do for the barrel.

This will be a sporter barrel. If that proves to be fun, then I will pick up a barrel with a heavier profile for a Mauser action.

Seafire: Most early Swifts, as mine is also, are twisted 1-14. Since I only shoot 55'S this is perfect for my application. I would consider 1-10 if I were concerned about shooting heavier bullets. In the AR15 with the long heavier bullets I am using 1-7 or 1-8, with great results. The caveot, in the 223 these bullets are moving at vels, below 3000fps. In the Swift with a 1-10 barrel, and with the lighter bullets the rotaional velocity with the quicker twists may be too much to keep the bullets together. One may see a grey mist at about 50 yds from the muzzel. While this may be neat to watch, it dosen't do much for hitting anything, LOL! Since you live up in Oregon, Pac-Nor may be your answer for a great barrel.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker48:
and the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

I don't buy it. No rifle will do its best when pushed to 110%. The Swift with its larger case will always beat the 22-250 velocity wise, but accuracy is dependent upon the quality & craftsmanship of each individual rifle tested. Both calibres will push 50 grain bullets to rotational destruction when forced to the ragged edge of operational pressures, and both are equally accurate when fed a proper diet from the get go.

I had thought that the case capacity of the Swift was larger than the 22-250. But, I just checked Howell's book on case design and it has both cases equal in capacity; 68 grains of water each. Given that, I say NO way can one be more accurate than the other, all things being equal w/r rifles, ammo, and sample size. And, a test conducted by an INDEPENDENT test activity, not someone who has a vested interest in the outcome of the test..

Don

Edit to add: If Howell's book is wrong about case capacities for each case, please advise.
Thanks.

due to the 220 swift tattoo on by ass i am not going to comment

quote:

the Swift was significantly more accurate than the .22-250

I'm in the market for bridges......got any to sell?

DMB

The case capacity for a 22-250 is on the order of 44 grains of water using winchester brass, and around 48 grains for the swift.

68 grains would be closer to a 240 weatherby mag case.

So I would say Howell's book is incorrect

I've never done a case capacity check, comparing a 22-250 to a 220 Swift, but if you stand them side by side it looks like the swift is larger, as a matter of fact and just for the F""" of it, I'll go into the garage and weigh what a Win 220 Swift will hold. 50 to 50.3 grains, Howell must be measuring some of those super duper 22/250's and Swift's that I haven't had the chance to see yet. Considering I load 38 grains of RL15/55 Ballistic tip/3800fps and that is considered near max, I don't know who's smokin what. Plus every manual I have ever read shows, the Swift with a velocity advantage. Don't get me wrong here, the 22/250 is just about as good as it can be, but if velocity is where you'll hang your hat, I don't, your going with the Swift.

Jerry