Used one on Sika and hybrids across the water. Terrific round.
.220 Swift for Muntjac and CWD
- Thread starter KaramojoBell
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KaramojoBell
Active Member
It's something to consider certainly, I often wonder if it's something that was more prevalent in the early days of the Swift when metallurgy was not as advanced as it is today and also style of shooting, for example rapid succession of shots without allowing the rifle to cool in-between.
KaramojoBell
Active Member
If I was to shoot somewhere between 10-20 foxes a year and maybe a couple of Deer I'd be satisfied. That coupled with zero and practice I'd probably put 200-300 rounds through it in the same period.
No experience with it, but like you it has always appealed.
However I'd personally go for a 22-243 Winchester variant if after a screaming. 224" purely because parent brass is cheap and everywhere, and wildcats are ridiculously cool.
However I'd personally go for a 22-243 Winchester variant if after a screaming. 224" purely because parent brass is cheap and everywhere, and wildcats are ridiculously cool.
Always fancied a 22-06 myself, just for fun.
Same, or a 22-284 but I like to have cheap brass readily available.
kenbro
Well-Known Member
This?
Ken.
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
No - it was called a 22 wildcat and had a steeper shoulder than 243. More akin an Ackly Improved shoulder. Very similar performance though. One downside of the sharp shoulder was it did not feed well. It belonged to a friend who used to spend time in the US with a custom gun maker. It was a Rem 700 fully blueprinted, long 26” heavyweight stainless barrel that was fluted with a bell & carlson stock. It was the mid 1990’s so exact details a bit hazy these days.
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Its a shame about all the regulations you have because in reality the swift 222 223 22-250 all cover everything from your small varmint to the largest deer you have.
Can only fix so much in the steel , especially when barrels are not made from anything that can be less or more effected by that heat . The more powder and the temperature of that burn are the factor at play in the same bore size ( this is why .22 hornet lasts for many , many thousands of rounds and 222 / 223 are very long lasting ( 556 under full auto isnt even that bad ) 22-250 is worse on barrel life as more of those hot gasses are produced , then 22 swift that amount again .
Download your 22-250 though ( it can go down to sub 22 hornet levels ) and it will last what might seem like forever . Cadence of fire helps of course single shot clean and cool , single shot clean and cool - you might wish it got shot out at the end of all that cleaning and waiting ! Full auto though and you can see the barrels glowing dull red , do that for an hour and your barrel will be scrap
Funny isn't that you never read anything negative about the 220 Swift from someone who has actually owned one! Best 22 cf on the planet.
Quote from The Modern Rifle by Jim Carmichel, ' I am frequently asked about the barrel life expectancy of different calibers. My stock answer is that a shooter only needs to hope that he will be so lucky as to wear out a 220 swift barrel. with proper care a 220 swift barrel will last long enough to shoot a groundhog every day for nearly fifteen years.'
Quote from The Modern Rifle by Jim Carmichel, ' I am frequently asked about the barrel life expectancy of different calibers. My stock answer is that a shooter only needs to hope that he will be so lucky as to wear out a 220 swift barrel. with proper care a 220 swift barrel will last long enough to shoot a groundhog every day for nearly fifteen years.'
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I have a 220 Swift and it's probably my favourite rifle. I'm currently in South Africa and last year went for an eating antelope, Springbok, Impala or whatever. After an unsuccessful search we were on our way back when the PH crossed the "road", and opened a wire gate I now know which was the field they use to grow food for the cattle and the 8 ft high fence is to keep wild animals out. We just got through the gate and he put the sticks up - it was nearly dark and I couldn't see anything but he said there was a Kudu, and though the scope I could see it, the then said, "There's a bull behind it - shoot the bull" so I did, just under its chin as it was looking at us. It was large in the scope so I thought 30-40 yards and we walked on and on to find it almost 100yards away stone dead. He radioed the "boys" and the four of them struggled to get it off the field even on a drag bag. He estimated it at 250 -300 kg. Too big for my freezer and they process the meat shot so I had the fillets and some sausage. Never found the bullet though
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Hence its on every gunshop shelf and nearly every rifle manufacturer has it in their line up i suppose? Factory ammo flies off the shelves !
Seriously its got its uses , it might be into a new one soon as long copper bullets 70 grain up in 22 become more popular via the 22 creed but then the same barrel life issues exist with this, talk seems to be 700 ish
As a grouse moor keeper one might find these things very handy dealing with daylight fox with long for caliber bullets say ? Best 22 on the planet has to be a very individual thing right ? if it was via sales over the last 50 years or so ammo and rifles i am sure the .223 rem will be the one elected
It is a fantastic cal. But to be fair to the other 22s the 223 went through the stratosphere because it was militarized. Remington knew it was going to be so quickly released it as a sporter 1st b4 the 5.56 was officially announced. Most soldiers who used it (if they were outdoorsey) used them recreationaly and it really was the beatles of the CF world. It got a great start as a calibre and backed itself up with results so remains so. The 308 did something similar.
yep ! Although if a person really wants a 22 swift i say go for it , just dont be under any illusions . new and different guns are always a heap of fun for a while
Think you will have a lot of fun trying to shoot out a barrel in terms of fox and deer accuracy under normal use and not abuse, mine were semi sacred and saved for fox’s and special occasions on the very odd roe deer who were in wrong place at wrong time. Best get one and get it out of your system 
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
My brother keepers in Norfolk,lots of sugar beet grown on his place. Keeps the Swift for fox control only, generally headshot as that's all you can see in beet! Uses 50 grain SP, before moderated it would light up the night when he touched off.
Had it a fair while without rebarreling so much still be accurate enough.
Had it a fair while without rebarreling so much still be accurate enough.
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