.220 Swift AI

Coolhand

Well-Known Member
My .220 Swift AI , has just been completed and had its first run at the BR Range to fire form some cases. The stock is from a tree grown from seeds bought in from the UK over 100 years ago. The receiver is a Pierce Eng SA 700 Rem Clone, barrel 26" Krieger 1:14". Kahles KX 3.5-10 X 50 Scope.

220AI2.jpg

regards

Mike.
 
Greener Jim , not that much faster. A popular misconception is that the 220 AI will provide a swag more speed than a standard Swift. I have seen posts where people claim to have achieved 200+ fps over a standard Swift. If one wants pure speed, I believe the 22/243 Middlestead out does the .220 AI. But again that was an internet posting making the claim.

Mike.
 
Greener Jim , not that much faster. A popular misconception is that the 220 AI will provide a swag more speed than a standard Swift. I have seen posts where people claim to have achieved 200+ fps over a standard Swift. If one wants pure speed, I believe the 22/243 Middlestead out does the .220 AI. But again that was an internet posting making the claim.

Mike.

I see, so the benefit is mainly the increased case life gotten from the sharper shoulder?

I bet it looks like an aggressive round nonetheless.
 
I appreciate the replies Gentlemen , firstly when I began this project I had opted for the standard Swift. When I contacted my 'smith and suggested it, he counter suggested the .220 AI.
Keith explained to me that as the standard .220 has a rather long tapered case and is prone to rapid case growth and requires frequent trimming. By fire forming into the 40 degree Ackley chamber the problem almost disappears and with consistent annealing brass life is significantly extended. Velocity gain is an after thought BUT I can tell the reader that after a session at the BR Range yesterday I think this particular barrel is a real 'screamer.'
The big surprise was the 60 Grain Nosler BT , conventional wisdom suggests that a 1:14" barrel will not stabilize a 60 grain projectile, however this barrel proved otherwise. 5 shot group measuring 1.051" strung horizontally but the impressive thing was the velocity. Quickload suggests 3,580fps for a load of 43 grains of RL17. Magnetospeed revealed MIN 3,739fps MAX 3,771fps
AVE 3,755fps SD 13 ES 32. The group was not impressive by Swift standards but shows potential for improvement.

I opted for the Kahles 3.5-10 x 50 simply because the shop selling it had Kahles on special with 15% off. The problem that arises here with quality glass and high magnification scopes is mirage.
Even during the winter months it can be a problem and yesterday when the Kahles KX was set a 10X, I had to dial it down several times to acquire a sight picture. However I must confess that I am considering another scope in the 4-16X range.

regards
Mike.
 
Shad , I have just loaded up a mixed bag of projectiles and I am heading off Friday for week of hunting. The feral dogs & Foxes on my oppo's sheep station are kicking up like old Davys Sow ! I also will keep an eye out for other variants, Reds in particular but will switch to the .260 Rem if required.

P5070001.JPG 220 Swift & 220 AI

P5070003.JPG

regards
Mike
 
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I hold you entirely responsible for me wanting to ai my swift now! That case looks beautiful. Please keep the thread updated, my swift is based on a tikka lsa65 action with a 26" Douglas barrel, previoisly had a ruger m77 vt, not had that much trigger time with her since my wifes pregnancy but now the little fellas here that (may) improve. Atb.
 
I hold you entirely responsible for me wanting to ai my swift now! That case looks beautiful. Please keep the thread updated, my swift is based on a tikka lsa65 action with a 26" Douglas barrel, previoisly had a ruger m77 vt, not had that much trigger time with her since my wifes pregnancy but now the little fellas here that (may) improve. Atb.

Labrador , a 26" Douglas ? Is it a Premium Air Gauge ? I will buy it off you ! Douglas Premium Air Gauge barrels were my first choice when I was a pup. Where did you get it ? They have not been available down here for many years. And if my past experience with these barrels has any merit then it should be a beauty.

img048.jpg

Group measures 0.496" Average Velocity 3,823fps.
img054.jpg Group measures 0.585" 6 shots VERY HOT LOAD ! Advice to any body with .220 AI , don't exceed 45.4 grs of RL17.
regards
Mike.
 
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Mike, I bought it from a member on here but via another site. He done all the smithing himself I believe. I'll contact him and see if he can give me any other background on her. If I wasn't such a numpty with technology, I could post some photos but if your interested in seeing her, I can email you some. Atb, Gareth.
 
I had an 220 Ackley Swift in 1983 and it was a sensationally accurate rifle. (This is a tribute to the builder, not the chambering.) As to speed increase, it was negligible.~Muir
 
I had an 220 Ackley Swift in 1983 and it was a sensationally accurate rifle. (This is a tribute to the builder, not the chambering.) As to speed increase, it was negligible.~Muir

Muir , your comment has me thinking about that very thing. I have a Magnetospeed Chrono recently acquired. Now what has me thinking is that the velocity predicted by Quickload is a little understated compared to the Magnetospeed velocities. I am wondering if my Magnetospeed might be playing me false. Another curious thing is the velocity difference between 40gr Noslers & 40gr Vmax's.

Nosler 40 Grain BT + 49 Grains RL 17
Series1 Shots:5
Min4401 Max4471
Avg4423S-D27.2
ES 70
SeriesShotSpeed
114417 ft/s
124413 ft/s
134401 ft/s
144416 ft/s
154471 ft/s
Hornady 40 Grain VMAX + 49 Grains RL 17
Series2 Shots:5
Min4478 Max4538
Avg4500S-D24
ES 60
SeriesShotSpeed
214501 ft/s
224478 ft/s
234481 ft/s
244504 ft/s
254538 ft/s
Nosler 60 Grain BT + 43 Grains RL 17
Series3 Shots:5
Min3739 Max3771
Avg3755S-D13.5
ES 32
SeriesShotSpeed
313744 ft/s
323739 ft/s
333765 ft/s
343771 ft/s
353756 ft/s

regards
Mike.
 
I have owned a couple 22- 250s and a 22-250 Imp. Like you I found that case life was better with the Imp version. Velocity increase was approx. 100 fps but that is meaningless at close to 4000 fps. My accuracy hunting load was 50g BT at 3850 fps.
 
Mike, lovely looking stock and great to hear you've got it all up and running.

Ive settled on 4340 fps with N150 and 40g moly V max's, how was the accuracy with your loads?

Steve
 
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