quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
My 22-284 would break 5500fps with most of the available 55gr bullets.
Rich

And you only used it on 350+ bull elk, right...

quote:

Originally posted by Blair 338RUM:
The Swift is a notorious bad feeder in a repeater.

I wouldn't have one ever.

A far better alternative is the 22-243 with a fast twist; 1:8. Mine have always shot AND fed brilliantly.

You just have to stack the rims! I am on my 3rd swift barrel, but if I didn't have brass already, it just makes more sense to do a .22-243. I honestly don't think you need a 1 in 8, that will shoot 75's at 223 velocity of 2600 fps or so. Bump it up to 3300 or so, and 1 in 10 should work. Mine is currently an AI 1 in 12 Shilen, and it is the best barrel I've had on it, 47 H414 and a plain 55 Sierra will shoot mid .3's at 3990 fps.

I love the Swift, but the 22-243 makes more sense. I would also go the Middlestead, sharpen the shoulder and put a little more neck on it, but that's just me.

You know, I don't know where that feeding hogwash came from. My guess is a writer looking for advantage, when the 22-250 Remington first came out.


Jerry

thanking back, I never had feeding issues with my old mod. 70 Win. pre war Swift. I now recall I did havet serious issues with its destruction on deer with the factory 48 gr. bullet at 4000 FPS plus. It would give me a half a carcass of blood shot meat..and that was why I sold it, and never owned another that I recall.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
thanking back, I never had feeding issues with my old mod. 70 Win. pre war Swift.

Nor did any of mine - have two postwars still. Every M-70 Swift I owned - and every one a collector friend had (that makes about 10) - was good for 1/2" @ 100 yds with John Dewey's load.

Take the 22.250 and re-chamber it in 22.250 AI, it is the same case capacity as a 220 Swift without the brass growth problem that the Swift has.

I'm having my 22.250 re-chambered on Wednesday because on some days the 69 grain SMK is not staying supersonic at 1,000 yards. The barrel is a 10" twist so I can't use heavier bullets.
The extra 100-150 fps should do the trick though.

The main thing is the Swift is a rimmed case in a bolt action, brass is becoming harder and harder to find, the bores need to be babied to death or you will shoot the barrel out, they made heep big noise also, and were heavy to pack..

I liked the Swift, but it was all about nostalgia, and that's about as good a reason to own one as I know of.

From a practical standpoint, I think the 22-250 or even the .223 is the best bet for my use.

I have no trouble finding cases for it. If you are going to build one, put a fast twist barrel on it and shoot 80 grain bullets - they have half the wind drift of a 50 grain bullet at long range. The higher BC bullets are also less impacted by environmental changes.

I was out shooting LR yesterday. I shot at 800 yards with my Swift; held almost 2 MOA for the wind and hit my 3 inch aiming circle - better than I did with my Edge, which hit 2 inches right and 3 inches low (wind was blowing a bit harder). (But at 1290, I don't even try with the Swift.)

I have never cared for the .22-250; never could get them to shoot accurately. I prefer a .223 over a .22-250; seems like a snap to get them to shoot accurately.