220 swift

beretta391

just wondering about this caliber, i know not much about them, wondering how much they are new and in what make would be the best to go for? does the barrel last long on them?

paddy2008

http://www.shoot.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24&products_id=71


http://www.shoot.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_15_47_48&products_id=27

Great round but expensive to feed.

beretta391

oh thats expensive gun? is that the going price, thanks for that
mate

bunny shooter

I've a remmy VSSF .220 swift for sale s/h in Stakelums, Thurles, for €800ish and she's a tac driver and she's in very good condition

ormondprop

I've seen that rifle aswell and it is spotless, you'd swear it was new, i tried buying it off bunny but couldn't sell my hornet privately

beretta391

thats the real heavy one, less weight the better for me, that with a scope

bunny shooter

beretta391 wrote: »

thats the real heavy one,

Tell me about it I got a Remy LVSF in .204 Ruger :cool:

beretta391 wrote: »

.........that with a scope

No what ya want sugar on it :P

beretta391

iv that in my 223, better job, how do you find the 204

The Big Fella

beretta391 wrote: »

iv that in my 223, better job, how do you find the 204

.223 is the job for foxes in the right hands.;)

bunny shooter

beretta391 wrote: »

iv that in my 223, better job, how do you find the 204

Had a few 223's and now I now have a .204 and I won't be changing back :cool:

Any more than 3 x shots in a fast string & zero wanders a bit BUT shooting foxes I only ever need 1 shot with her

IMVHO only calibres for foxes are .204, 220 Swift or 22/250 :cool:

The Big Fella

Dont knock the .223. The .204 has alot to prove and live up to.:cool:

Tackleberrywho

The Big Fella wrote: »

Dont knock the .223. The .204 has alot to prove and live up to.:cool:

Especially one that to date has not shot and killed a single fox or bunny.

.223 is used on deer in parts of US.
I ripped a fox in half with a 75 grain hornady BTHP

Dev110 has killed several foxes with €14 .223 ammo.
I personally prefer 55grain BT's as they are a laser out to 200 which is normal fox shooting domain

These new 35 grain Hornady's will be something else if they group ok.
Swifts like the, 5.6x57, and .22-250's will all fade out and eventually disappear

bunny shooter

The Big Fella wrote: »

Dont knock the .223. The .204 has alot to prove and live up to.:cool:

Simple question for you .......... have you ever fired one or seen it fired?

If your answer to above is 'no' ............. don't waste my time :P

The Big Fella wrote: »

.223 is the job for foxes in the right hands.;)

Sure a .22lr is the job on foxes in the right hands

I'm not knocking the .223 I'm saying the .204 is BETTER

The Big Fella

[I'm not knocking the .223 I'm saying the .204 is BETTER [/QUOTE]

Better at killing a fox?:rolleyes: Il stick to the .223:cool:

beretta391

Time to call in gerry springer

bunny shooter

The Big Fella wrote: »

Better at killing a fox?:rolleyes: Il stick to the .223:cool:

The answer to my question is "no" then :P

Well when you've tried both, as I have, come back to me and we'll compare notes

beretta391 wrote: »

Time to call in gerry springer

PMSL

The Big Fella

It will be only hand bags that would be thrown on here.;):D
Ive seen a .204 been fired many a time.

bunny shooter

The Big Fella wrote: »

It will be only hand bags that would be thrown on here.;):D

Mine has a brick in it

The Big Fella wrote: »

Ive seen a .204 been fired many a time.

Of course you have

pugw

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Swifts like the, 5.6x57, and .22-250's will all fade out and eventually disappear

I wouldnt agree with this TBH i only have experience with the 22-250 and the swift but I think that they will always have their followers, being able to point and aim out to 300 yards gives the shooter great compfort! Also if you buy in bulk when when ammo is comming in at good value there isnt a whole lot of difference in price between them and high quality .223 ammo!

Tackleberrywho

pugw wrote: »

I wouldnt agree with this TBH i only have experience with the 22-250 and the swift but I think that they will always have their followers, being able to point and aim out to 300 yards gives the shooter great compfort! Also if you buy in bulk when when ammo is comming in at good value there isnt a whole lot of difference in price between them and high quality .223 ammo!

Only a tenner a box :eek:

You can buy .223 ammo in Bulk too

FISMA

beretta391 wrote: »

just wondering about this caliber, i know not much about them, wondering how much they are new and in what make would be the best to go for? does the barrel last long on them?

Beretta, give this a read.

The 220 swift is a nice flat round that looks to have been introduced in 1935. Back then, the metallurgy wasn't what it is today and barrels burnt out fast. The above article cites 200-300 shots through a hot barrel as a killer.

Definitely today the barrels are much better and the lifetime of the barrel much longer. However, this hot round will burn through barrels faster than the 223.

I think for lamping foxes and bunnies, the cost of the 223, its availability, accuracy, and more, make it one of the best choices.

But what the heck, if you have shot enough, splurge and get something different. If, however, you still like to shoot a lot, check out a 223.

Slan

steelfixerking

EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT OPINIONS BUT I COULDN'T FAULT THEM,FOR ACCUARACY,POWER, AND RANGE THEY ARE THE BEST.I HAVE TAKEN SHOTS OUT TO 400 YARDS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT I NEVER USED TO HAVE THE RIFLE OUT OF MY HAND.DO YOUR RESEARCH AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.

pugw

steelfixerking wrote: »

EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT OPINIONS BUT I COULDN'T FAULT THEM,FOR ACCUARACY,POWER, AND RANGE THEY ARE THE BEST.I HAVE TAKEN SHOTS OUT TO 400 YARDS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT I NEVER USED TO HAVE THE RIFLE OUT OF MY HAND.DO YOUR RESEARCH AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.

Well said If someone has experience of rifles already and the gun is only used on foxing swift would be a good job for the amount of shots you would fire!

beretta391

thank for that, iv already the remington 223 in a light fluted barrel, i love it too

murtdono

i agree with steelfixerking , have a ruger swift for the past five years, super flat shooting and hard hitting, hard to be bet , but everyone to their own !!!!

epff

murtdono wrote: »

i agree with steelfixerking , have a ruger swift for the past five years, super flat shooting and hard hitting, hard to be bet , but everyone to their own !!!!

have a remington swift myself
2 mates have 223s
swift is most accurate powerful ect
but very costly to run
if you only foxing its the way to go
but if like to hit targets blow off stream ect you wont be able to afford to buy ammo for it
listen to everyones story and then do your own thing

Deise Musashi

I also have a Remington 700 in .220 Swift, love it for Fox and long range rabbit (not for eating).

I also have a CZ 452 in .22 rimfire for when I want to do a bit of shooting without breaking the bank!

rimfireguy

Don't have a Swift but know two shooters who do. Accurate and powerful but ferocious report from them. Need to really know your ground when using one and without a moderator
I think you could not take many shots without attracting attention.

Hezz700

I've had a swift for 12 years, bought it second hand with unknown ammount of shots fired. I've put 2742 rounds(i know cos i got all the brass) through her before it burnt out. She has been lovingly rebarreled by a certain gentlman in Kilmacow and i intend to keep on using her until she's burnt out again or, i'm unable to lug around all that weight anymore.

4200fps

beretta391 wrote: »

Time to call in gerry springer

Ive a .220 swift remington 700 with a swarovski 6x24x50 which cost 1800 mounted with warn mounts..ive it zero'd in at 200yards and if u couldnt hit a euro coin with it at that range i think you dont deserve the rifle i can pop a 2ltre bottle at 400 yrds just aim a foot above it ...you will get lots of know it alls that will say ammo is expensive for them..i use 50 grain hornady moly balistics and they are 35euro a box in ballymahon co.longford and 33euro a box in drumshambo co.leitrim... swift is the king of the 22's and if your afraid of barrel wear use 50 grain.

4200fps

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Only a tenner a box :eek:

You can buy .223 ammo in Bulk too

thats cheap what brand and type are they and where can u buy at that price? full metal jackets?

The Big Fella

You can buy it in any good rfd. There a 55gr jacked hollow point bullet.;)

.220 swift

4200fps wrote: »

Ive a .220 swift remington 700 with a swarovski 6x24x50 which cost 1800 mounted with warn mounts..ive it zero'd in at 200yards and if u couldnt hit a euro coin with it at that range i think you dont deserve the rifle i can pop a 2ltre bottle at 400 yrds just aim a foot above it ...you will get lots of know it alls that will say ammo is expensive for them..i use 50 grain hornady moly balistics and they are 35euro a box in ballymahon co.longford and 33euro a box in drumshambo co.leitrim... swift is the king of the 22's and if your afraid of barrel wear use 50 grain.

well said 4200fps swift is king im sick of listening to them being a barrel burner
and the ammo is to expensive as a dedicated foxing rifle they will not be beaten

MKC1

Just shot my 2nd fox with my swift this evening.The damage 55gr vmax does is serious!:eek:

4200fps

did u call him b4 u shot him? to be honest id recon even a 40grain would do some damage like theres more speed,they put out good foot lbs:D my bitch wants me to bring her out so no lamping for me

johnnymolloy

220 swift is what im thinkin on buyin my bro has a 223 rem and its a great gun we always go hunting together so im thinkin is their much point in buyin another 223 rem i do like to blow off some steam.

to be honest it will be mostly used for rabbits with the occasional fox.

am i a bit mad to buy a 220 swift with the cost of ammo

also i seen that the ammo can be gotten for 33 euro a box if it was bought in bulk could it be gotten cheaper

4200fps

epff wrote: »

have a remington swift myself
2 mates have 223s
swift is most accurate powerful ect
but very costly to run
if you only foxing its the way to go
but if like to hit targets blow off stream ect you wont be able to afford to buy ammo for it
listen to everyones story and then do your own thing

Hornady ammo moly coated balistic tip 50 grain is 35euro a box not too expensive now

vixdname

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

These new 35 grain Hornady's will be something else if they group ok.
Swifts like the, 5.6x57, and .22-250's will all fade out and eventually disappear

I had a .220 Swift years ago (Ruger) it was a great rifle, but all I was listening to were RFDs and other lads harping on about how it was nearly nearly obselete and how I wouldnt be able to sell it against another rifle if I held on to it for too long. I foolishly listened to them and traded it in on a CZ .223.
The CZ .223 was another great rifle but I really missed the crack I got off the swift. Amazingly, 12 or 13yrs later, the swift is still around and holding its own.
For a foxing rifle its had to beat the .223 but I agree the .220 swift is better and as I dont know much about the .204 I cant comment but believe its another great round for the red fella.
Lesson learned...Dont listen to the s**t about the swift dying away, I've been listening to it for years and as for the expensive ammo, well I was paying 40 PUNTS 12 or 13 yrs ago, they're now €35 a box, so if anything they've come down in price over the years !!!

johnnymolloy

4200fps wrote: »

Hornady ammo moly coated balistic tip 50 grain is 35euro a box not too expensive now

wheres selling them for that price

4200fps

johnnymolloy wrote: »

wheres selling them for that price

David Mulvehil in Ballymahon Co Longford 0868229827 is 35euro a box
or if u buy 3 boxs together of Kevin Scollan in Drumshambo Co. Leitrim
he will sell 3 boxs for 100euro and his number is 0879209493..

Tackleberrywho

If reloading was an option I might consider it, but then I would probably go .243 instead and have a more versatile round.

from 58 grain to 95 grain would make a lovely rifle IMvHO.

€37 was the cheapest I have seen them, I know Dave Mullvihill and I take your word on his price.
I also appreciate that from time to time there may be ammo shortages as so few people shoot it most RFD's usually only buy 200 rounds.

4200fps

vixdname wrote: »

I had a .220 Swift years ago (Ruger) it was a great rifle, but all I was listening to were RFDs and other lads harping on about how it was nearly nearly obselete and how I wouldnt be able to sell it against another rifle if I held on to it for too long. I foolishly listened to them and traded it in on a CZ .223.
The CZ .223 was another great rifle but I really missed the crack I got off the swift. Amazingly, 12 or 13yrs later, the swift is still around and holding its own.
For a foxing rifle its had to beat the .223 but I agree the .220 swift is better and as I dont know much about the .204 I cant comment but believe its another great round for the red fella.
Lesson learned...Dont listen to the s**t about the swift dying away, I've been listening to it for years and as for the expensive ammo, well I was paying 40 PUNTS 12 or 13 yrs ago, they're now €35 a box, so if anything they've come down in price over the years !!!

Your right i was told the very same but i didnt listen to them..Swift is actually begining to become a popular caliber again among hunters according to my local gun dealer... Its a good flat round,lazor accurate with brute force behind the bullet. lol i got a 200 x 200mm placte of mild steel 8mm thick and put it on a hinge so plate wouldnt take all the impact,shot it with a 223 went through and hinged shot with swift went through bigger holes left and didnt hinge atall..heres images

4200fps

vixdname wrote: »

I had a .220 Swift years ago (Ruger) it was a great rifle, but all I was listening to were RFDs and other lads harping on about how it was nearly nearly obselete and how I wouldnt be able to sell it against another rifle if I held on to it for too long. I foolishly listened to them and traded it in on a CZ .223.
The CZ .223 was another great rifle but I really missed the crack I got off the swift. Amazingly, 12 or 13yrs later, the swift is still around and holding its own.
For a foxing rifle its had to beat the .223 but I agree the .220 swift is better and as I dont know much about the .204 I cant comment but believe its another great round for the red fella.
Lesson learned...Dont listen to the s**t about the swift dying away, I've been listening to it for years and as for the expensive ammo, well I was paying 40 PUNTS 12 or 13 yrs ago, they're now €35 a box, so if anything they've come down in price over the years !!!

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

If reloading was an option I might consider it, but then I would probably go .243 instead and have a more versatile round.

from 58 grain to 95 grain would make a lovely rifle IMvHO.

€37 was the cheapest I have seen them, I know Dave Mullvihill and I take your word on his price.
I also appreciate that from time to time there may be ammo shortages as so few people shoot it most RFD's usually only buy 200 rounds.

Daves a good ole skin.hes good prices...if i had a deer licence i would get a 243 but i cant untill then.95 grain would stop a tractor lol..fair round

Tackleberrywho

Let me Guess, your Local Gun Dealer has a load of Swifts in stock
To weak for deer and OTT for Foxes IMHO

If you want to know what is a popular round, look at ammo manufacturers and see how many rounds are chambered in that calibre.

Hornady, one of the biggest ammo makers in the world chamber
3 rounds in .220 Swift
14 in .223
and 8 in .243

Deise Musashi

My auld lad has a 5.6x57 Krico for Deer and I've a .220 Swift for foxing.

We may be awkward auld feckers, but the auld lad was a RFD and we could have had any rifle and calibre available in Ireland at that time. We didn't have the internets back then, but we had a lot of books, gun club members and hands on shooting to guide us.

I loved the .22-250 for most shooting on this island, especially Sako rifles in that calibre.

My Dad loved the 5.6 and stuck with it all these years.

My cousin shot more with a .22 Hornet than any man before or since

My choice for Deer was .270 Win. and .220 Swift for fox.
I was buying ammo from my Dad at trade price so that helped, but the absolute best round for me at that time was as above.
I could have had anything really, but the Swift was and is the Daddy for that application, in my feeble opinion!

As the auld lad was fond of saying..."Speed Kills", and the Swift had speed!

I was thinking of rebarreling to .223, but as long as ammo is around the Swift shoots flatter and hits harder. I have seen youtube vids. of hits made at 600 yards with .223. :eek:

Imagine what could be done with a Swift then!

Barrel Burner? We don't camp on a ground squirrel site and shoot all day, I'm doing well if I get four shots at Charlie a night!

Ammo is expensive? So are fast cars and the ladies, this is my hobby and that's where my spare bobs are going, even not so spare bobs!

I changed my .270 for a rimfire for economical reasons, and my kids can't handle full bore yet

Small boy can shoot the .220 Swift though, it's a learning curve :cool:

4200fps

I enjoyed that thread Deise Musashi well said.

4200fps

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Let me Guess, your Local Gun Dealer has a load of Swifts in stock
To weak for deer and OTT for Foxes IMHO

If you want to know what is a popular round, look at ammo manufacturers and see how many rounds are chambered in that calibre.

Hornady, one of the biggest ammo makers in the world chamber
3 rounds in .220 Swift
14 in .223
and 8 in .243

223 is a nato round so why wouldn't they be popular..Yes he has some old 220 swifts in stock all his new ones sold. you recon they are too weak for deer? I got this on Wikipedia :
The Swift remains a controversial deer caliber, but its use is prohibited in many US states and also in the Netherlands, England, Wales and Northern Ireland for large deer such as Red, Sika and Fallow, but some states, such as Minnesota, currently allow smaller caliber rounds like the .220 Swift to be used. In the cartridge's early days during the 1930s, expert red deer stalkers such as W.D.M. Bell, the recently retired African elephant hunter, used the .220 Swift on large stags with great success, and extolled the caliber's seemingly magical killing powers, which they attributed to massive hydrostatic shock waves set up in the animal's body by the impact of the very high-velocity bullet. the 22-250 and the 220 is a identical round on a 60 grain but compared to the 22-250 the swift has more foot lbs on smaller grains and fps.. so would u run that down?

Tackleberrywho

Believe what you like, as for Wiki?

I have edited Wiki so its far from reliable Or accurate :eek: Not evenb accepted as FACT

Was not that long ago that a lad from Leitrim was asking was there any Deer in Leitrim :eek::eek:

First time I fired a swift was over a decade ago.
And I don't own one, even though when I bought my .223 Money was no object

Deise's father was a RFD and used a 5.6 on Deer. I have also fired one of those, over a decade ago. They .used them as with the RFD it was easier to get ammo at a fair price

Today, with Options. We Op for the best calibre to suit the Irish situation.

And a .223 is not a Military Calibre, I have fired 5.56x45 NATO and .223.
.223R wins hands down Every time.


Exactly how long have you had a .220Swift?
And how many rounds have you put through it??

Little Bird Tells me that you only bought it recently. I have fired over 1000 .223 rounds and I have never been disappointed

Deise Musashi

I would imagine the swift will knock even the largest Deer with decent shot placement.

I have fired over 1000 .223 rounds and I have never been disappointed

I wouldn't doubt it, the .223 is a geat round! I can remember lads paying for their houses with fox bounties made with .22 WMR... was a while ago but not ancient history.

Tell lads shooting now about paying lads for hauling Deer to your van with fox tails and they'd be thinking this was some banana republic!

It happened though, back when a tenner was worth something...like ten quid...?

MKC1

Tack purely as a round, cost and availability aside would you rate the .223 over the swift??

Tackleberrywho

Yes.
It does it job brilliantly.
Especially with 53 grain Superformance.
Premium ammo €10 a box cheaper :eek:

If cost was aside I'd go .243 as a fox rabbit & odd deer rifle, or a 6XC perhaps.

The swift has 1.2" less holdover at 300 Vs a .223 53 grain
with almost identical BC.

It also has the option of 75 grain ammo to shoot out to 600 yards with .395 BC.