Why the .22-250 over the .220 Swift?

salukipv1 · 02-14-2009, 11:15 AM

I understand why some other rounds are more popular than other better rounds...

but why is the .22-250 Rem more popular than the .220 Swift?

My understanding is the .220 Swift was developed earlier, and is simply better, yet nowadays of the fast .224 calibers, its overwhelmingly the .22-250 over the Swift?

Pawildman · 02-14-2009, 11:45 AM

The .220 Swift is notoriously finikky to load for. It can drive you crazy. The one I own (a 77 V Ruger) darn near put me over the edge. One time I'd get a great group near .25 in., and then repeat that load EXACTLY the next evening, and it wouldn't shoot it inside a .50 cent piece. Happened time after time. I finally gave up on it. It sits in the back of the safe. Some day I may take it out and try it again. Maybe. The 22-250 is much more loader-friendly.

eldeguello · 02-14-2009, 12:10 PM

The 220 got a bad rep early on for burning up barrels as well as being hard to reload. In addition, early bullets were overstressed by the high MV and tended to blow up on just air alone w/o getting to the target!

But Harvey Donaldson liked it, and was able to get it to perform for him.

3000fps · 02-14-2009, 12:15 PM

As Layne Simpson thats what happens when youre on top of the heap.Ive owned both and reloaded both,I had less trouble with the Swift.There is nothing the 22-250 will do that the Swift does'nt do better.Ive had both
and Id pick the Swift everytime

haystack · 02-14-2009, 12:19 PM

For me, It was all about the money. I like to shoot, and the .223 was more economical. However the .220 is great caliber, suitable for all varmint applications.I often regret trading that gun. It is amazing though that the .220 has survived since the 1930's.That says alot about it alone. Part of the .220's bad press has came from guys using thin-jacketed varmint bullets on deer, results are seldom satisfactory. It's unfair the .220 gets put down because of a couple fools.

3000fps · 02-14-2009, 12:24 PM

I totally agree haystack Ive never had a 223 but had the 22-250 and the 220 Swift.I see why they call the 220 Swift the King of the Varmint cartridges.

salukipv1 · 02-14-2009, 12:33 PM

I think eventually I'll have a .22-250

I just wish the better rounds were also the most popular...but like someone said, maybe I'm missing something as regards to "better" such as being finicky to load....I did read the .22-250 is not finicky at all. So maybe this is why.

3000fps · 02-14-2009, 12:47 PM

I actually had less trouble loading the 220 Swift than I did the 22-250,If youre wanting optimum performance get the Swift. The other is like going and buying a Corvette with a v6

mauser06 · 02-14-2009, 12:50 PM

ammo price is why i chose the 22-250 over the swift...

but at the current time im stuck shooting factory ammo...when shooting 100 or so rounds a year just hunting, that extra 10+$ a box makes a difference....

3000fps · 02-14-2009, 12:54 PM

I do understand that mauser Is say with factory loading the 22_250 is about equal with the swift.The Swift shines though if you reload