>222 Swift

[kes]

My closest friend left me his Sako .222 swift in his will. I can deal with the variation as its with his RFD but I was wondering how it would fare as a dedicated night vision rifle ( which is the variation I will be seeking).
Apart from the great sentimental value, I know he valued it as a precision calibre and used to load his own but I also wonder how freely available factory rounds are ?
I will now have to renew my certificates as I cannot pass this on.
Any other thoughts on the calibre ?

 

[Acm]

My closest friend left me his Sako .222 swift in his will. I can deal with the variation as its with his RFD but I was wondering how it would fare as a dedicated night vision rifle ( which is the variation I will be seeking).
Apart from the great sentimental value, I know he valued it as a precision calibre and used to load his own but I also wonder how freely available factory rounds are ?
I will now have to renew my certificates as I cannot pass this on.
Any other thoughts on the calibre ?

Do you mean a 220 swift or a .222 ? Either way that’s going to be a beautiful rifle to hunt with and bound to handle very well being a sako. You can get factory fairly easily in either chambering but probably more so the .222.
.222 will throw a 40 grn bullet about 3400fps and is good for anything from crow to roe, the swift will throw them about 1000fps faster, but the quarry species are the same really. Very fun and effective calibres, all that being said, very sorry for your loss.

 

[kes]

Do you mean a 220 swift or a .222 ? Either way that’s going to be a beautiful rifle to hunt with and bound to handle very well being a sako. You can get factory fairly easily in either chambering but probably more so the .222.
.222 will throw a 40 grn bullet about 3400fps and is good for anything from crow to roe, the swift will throw them about 1000fps faster, but the quarry species are the same really. Very fun and effective calibres, all that being said, very sorry for your loss.

I'm sure its .222 calibre but my friend may have said he nearly bought a 'swift' so perhaps my memory of chatting to him has wrongly conflated the two ?

 

[Greenmist]

.222 was/is renowned for accuracy and ease of reloading, .220 swift always had a reputation as a barrel burner

 

[John Gryphon]

220 swift always had a reputation as a barrel burner

That theory is long outdated with the introduction of model barrel metals.

 

[Greenmist]

That theory is long outdated with the introduction of model barrel metals.

It probably is, I'm a .22/250 shooter, another alleged barrel burner that burnt through a barrel after about 5k

 

[John Gryphon]

It probably is, I'm a .22/250 shooter, another alleged barrel burner that burnt through a barrel after about 5k

Those that don't actually own them keep spreading the same.

 

[20-250]

That theory is long outdated with the introduction of model barrel metals.

And modern cleaning products.

 

[Smellydog]

Rattle them off until the barrel is hot to touch and yep it's not good. Modern powders have also helped barrel life.

 

[old 30-06]

I load a 50 gr V-Max into my 222. I have used CFE 223, 8208 XBR, and Hornady Superformance powders, all running around the 3200fps mark. I am currently using H4895, giving 3000 fps. All of these loads are impressively accurate, and devastating on all types of vermin.

 

[stubear]

If it’s a .222 it’ll be a cracker - light recoil, very accurate and a joy to shoot and reload for.

I have an Anschutz and it’s a belter, plus it rolls deer and foxes over a treat

Been using RWS ammo in mine (50gn) which is sub MOA and just bought some Norma and a few others to try at the range plus working up a home load for it

 

[JockStalk]

Remember that a 220 swift is a .224 calibre which may be the confusication?
Either treble deuce or swift you’ll be happy as a nv rifle.
My swift pushes 50gr at 4,250 fps. 40gr vmax are…….swifter

 

[cjs66]

Under different circumstances you be classed as a lucky boy, both great cals you will enjoy using and at the same time, remembering your mate. Enjoy

cjs

 

[John Gryphon]

I am currently using H4895, giving 3000 fps.

Positively pedestrian old chap...get a Swift one.

 

[richard griffith]

My closest friend left me his Sako .222 swift in his will. I can deal with the variation as its with his RFD but I was wondering how it would fare as a dedicated night vision rifle ( which is the variation I will be seeking).
Apart from the great sentimental value, I know he valued it as a precision calibre and used to load his own but I also wonder how freely available factory rounds are ?
I will now have to renew my certificates as I cannot pass this on.
Any other thoughts on the calibre ?

Exactly what calibre it is will be clearly marked on the barrel as the 220 swift and the 222 are at both ends of the 22 centreline spectrum.

 

[old 30-06]

I know 3000 fps for my 50 gr V-Max is not swift ( factory stuff runs about 3140 fps ) but there are two things in its favour. Firstly it is very accurate, it groups sub one inch off the wing mirror at night with a lamp, and secondly I have SHED LOADS of H4895.

 

[Smellydog]

I have SHED LOADS of H4895.

I'm not jealous at all!

 

[cjs66]

I'm not jealous at all!

Well I certainly am!

cjs

 

[MAH]

sure its .222 calibre

Probably worth checking before you submit your variation..

220 swift vs 222 rem from this article

Unknown 22 Cartridge Shoots Faster than 220 Swift — Ron Spomer Outdoors

The .220 Swift is one hell of a cartridge, often said to be the fastest commercial cartridge on the market. But is that true? Perhaps not quite! The claim might be valid in the American market, but there’s a certain german cartridge that can shoot .224 bullets of any given weight up to 100 fps faste

www.ronspomeroutdoors.com

M

 

[richard griffith]

Exactly what calibre it is will be clearly marked on the barrel as the 220 swift and the 222 are at both ends of the 22 centreline spectrum.

Read- centrefire spectrum-predictive text!!!