.22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I'm trying to decide between these two calibers. I don't handload and the Federal ammuntion catalog shows me only 2 offerings for the .220 Swift. However, those 2 offerings outperform pretty much any 22-250 load....though not by much. The best 220 Swift drops 27 inches at 500 yards, the best 22-250 drops 28.8. Nota big difference in velocity either. Also, 22-250 retains more energy at longer range due to heavier bullets.

One mark against the 220 is that it isn't offered in many production rifles and most of them are rather spendy save for the Ruger etc.

What do you guys think?
Do you have a rifle in 220 or 22-250? Which one and how does it perform?

Thanks in advance.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

i dont have much expieriance with either round but i would go with the 22-250 because you can get many different types of ammo and all the gun makers make them it also depends on what you r using it for myself i like the .223 for the fact you can shoot it and it doesnt cost as much and i live in iowa so for coyote hunting here 200 yards is plenty and if you want to go farther it will

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

If you don't reload then the 22-250 is the only way to go unless you are not going to shoot it much.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Have had 2 different rifles in 220 swift. First had a ruger model 77v bought it in '78 fantastic shooting rifle. Had a handloaded load that group 1/2 in at 100yd, under 3 in at 300yd. Should have never sold that rifle. Second rifle is a Rem 700 with heavy fluted barrel shoots good but not like the ruger did.
For what its worth that ruger loved 52 hpbt match sierras with H380 spheric powder-3800fps.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I have owned a couple swift's and loved them. But now I own a 250 because I no longer load my own. You have a much better selection of off the shelf ammo in 22-250 than you could ever dream of with the swift. Good luck

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Over the years i've owned several of each, and if i was makeing the choise today, i'd take the 22-250. The Swift will cost you a lot more to own in many ways, as Swift ammo cost more. (even if you reload) Also, you have more choises in guns with the 22-250....

In this case the performance difference isn't worth considering...

DM

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Ok guys thanks alot.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

it depends a bit on your usage, too. the swift has made a bit of a come back recently, but mainly in varmint weight rigs. it might be difficult to find many sporters in .220 . but virtually everyone chambers the 22/250 in a light weight model.

and if you think a 2 inch drop difference at 500 yards is critical, i'd love to know what your shooting at!!

the swift is a bigger case, burns more powder, brass is not as common and factory loadings are limited. both will see a barrel past peak accuracy by about 2000 rounds. ( early on, it had a bad reputation for burning throats, did the swift. but if you clean the rifle like you should, it won't be much worse than the 250).

personally, of the two, i wentfor the 22/250, just because of a broader choice of ammo and rifles. although i'd still like a No1 in .220 at some stage.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

If you're not hand loading, the 22-250 is best because of commercial ammunition availability. Even with hand loading, the 220 Swift doesn't have any advantages over the 22-250.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

What???? Hey Ranger do you own a 220 Swift? These are varmit rifles and the Swifty is 200'/sec faster that the 22-250 with the 50 to 55 gr bullets. If you are a reloader, the Swift has no peer....none .....nada period. It's like comparing the 30'06 with most other cartridges.......the Swift is just superior. Regards, Rick.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Not according to Federal's catalog. Please post your data and source.

Federal's .220 and .22-250 offerings are about 200 fps apart, but not with 50 or 55 gr. bullets IIRC.

Federal's finest offerings in both calibers are only 200 fps apart and trajectory is less than1 inch apart at 500 yards.

.220 doesn't retain nearly the energy downrange either.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Having built quite a few .220 Swifts and .22-250's over the years, I am here to report there isn't much to choose from between them. Although the Swift can be loaded a little faster; if you try to handload it to speeds much above the .22-250, casegrowth and brass life become a significant issue due to the gently sloping case body and shoulder. Load both of them to around 3700 with a 55 gr. bullet and brass life is about the same. Both are capable of very good accuracy.

Within this class of calibers, the best of the lot is the .22-250 Ackley Improved - IMO. A little faster than the hottest Swift load and capable of providing very good brass life due to the superior case design. Or load it down to 3700 and get 20 reloads out of a case without ever having to trim it.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

What are you, some kinda whacko? I didn't realize someone had started a new religion around the 220 Swift. What's next? You gonna try to talk everyone into shaving our heads, snipping our balls, and committing suicide so we can book passage on the mother ship?

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Well based on the fact that he apparently feels the .30-'06 is better than "most other cartridges" then I would say yes....[&:]

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Had the same decision to make about 10 years ago. A gun nut friend of helped me out.
Put my on a Savage 112 in 22-250 with a 6x24x40 Tasco. Buy going on the low end of things I was able to spend a little lessand get into reloading.
After some trial and error on developing a load, it'sextremely accurate
52 Gr Speer HP, 34 Gr of 4064.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Don't use those factory ammo charts tell you how a certain cartridge preforms. That is just their stated ammo not what it is capable of. The .220 swift has 3.18cc case capacity while the 22-250 has 2.75 so yes the swift can be loaded hotter then the 250. They are both very good caliburs and both preform well. I have had both and I chose the swift for a number of reasons but the main one wasI love loading for it.It has been the most compared to varmit rifle years. I think if a guy had a .22LR ,.220 swift, 30-06, 45/70 and a 12 guage you would have all the long term ,most talked about , the ones everyone is trying to improve caliburs in the buisness.
Getting back to the subject, There are alot more factory ammo offerings for the 250 , hornaday's 40 vmax rounds are pretty awsome out of the swift, 4200fps while the 250's are 4150fps. I can take that same bullet and push it at 4400fps(Accur 2520 42 grain) loading it on my swift ,but I could only get about 4200fps(Accur 2520 38.5 grain) out of the 250. So there is some useful info for ya not based on the fact I own one or the other.But like I said they are both very good rounds. If you want to know I have a Ruger M77 MKII target .220 swift, andhad that same rifle in 22-250.Good luck !!!!!

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I've owned a number of both calibers. The Swift is a tad faster, but of course it burns out barrels a tad faster as well :) The Swift cases also don't seem to last as long as 22.2-50 cases do.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I have shot at groundhogs at ranges in excess of 700 yards with my 22-250. If I was a better shot I would of killed them. Its tough to compensate for a gun sighted in at 300 yards if youre not used to it.

The swift doesn't offer enough advantages at theaverage shooters ranges. I use a 55gr. NBT pushed by 39 gr. of H380, a WLP, and Nosler cases. I get about 3500 fps or so.(can't find my chrono sheets)

However, if I found one I liked I would buy a Swift in a heartbeat. Same goes for the .204. I don't need them, probably wouldn't use them much, but I have a empty spot for either or both in my safe. The 22-250 and the swift are fine guns. The 22-250 gets the nod if not reloading.
Good luck and good shooting.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Thank you DANTHEHUNTER. If you read this string, there is only one thing to say....all the posters who bad mouth the 220 Swift have never owned one, never fired one and never run one through a Chrony. I have fired thousands of bullets through my HVA, Shilen barrel Mauser without the slightest "erosion" problem at 4000+ feet per second It is the finestvarmit rifle I have ever owned and at 60 years, I've owned a bunch including 2 250's. See Pic attached.......now there is the ultimate varmit rifle IMHO!

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Did the swift thing in the 70's with a Ruger M77V.
Not impressed, don't wish for it back at all.
Doing it again I'd go with the 22-250.
The 22-250 is plenty fast enough and got other things going for it.

Kinda find a 223 more useful than either of them-- specialized tools those two are.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

For all you naysayers go to the reloaders nest:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_bw.asp?CaliberID=23&BulletWeight=50

and compare the 22/250 to the 22 Swift bullet by bullet and then come back to this forum and repent. You will be forgiven for your ignorance.....after all, this is what this forum is all about.....facts.....not calling down people (like me) based on hearsay. Additionally, nearly every caliber that hasbeen made sincethe '06 was born compares itself to this cartridge and most.....yes most, say the same thing......the .284 umpty up or whatever is very close to the 30'06 in performance. Yes close....but no cigar. Also, don't mix apples with oranges.....no Magnums. Regards, Rick.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Who cares?quote]ORIGINAL: 48thguns

For all you naysayers go to the reloaders nest:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_bw.asp?CaliberID=23&BulletWeight=50

and compare the 22/250 to the 22 Swift bullet by bullet and then come back to this forum and repent. You will be forgiven for your ignorance.....after all, this is what this forum is all about.....facts.....not calling down people (like me) based on hearsay. Additionally, nearly every caliber that hasbeen made sincethe '06 was born compares itself to this cartridge and most.....yes most, say the same thing......the .284 umpty up or whatever is very close to the 30'06 in performance. Yes close....but no cigar. Also, don't mix apples with oranges.....no Magnums. Regards, Rick.
[/quote]

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

As Rosko said and I also said in another post, the 22-250 AI is superior in every respect than either its parent case or the 220 Swift. It is the one that has no peers.

ASlso, in checking all of my manuals, you can expect only about 100 fps difference between the swift and the 22-250. Both are very good varmit rounds but the cost in brass, powder and barrel ife favors the 22-250. The 22-250 will operate at close enough to the same speed ao about 8-10 grains less powder.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Ok....what do you suggest I use to get information on factory loads? [&:]

If you read my orginal post I stated that I do not handload. Potential and case capacity don't mean much to me. However, as I said before, the availability of factory loads and their performance does matter to me.

I'll let you in on a little secret: I've guided Federal engineers and had alot of time to talk to them about what they do. The factory is starting to do things that handloaders will probably never do. Layering powders, shaping powder grains differently, adding secret things to powders etc. etc. All these things will soon add up to handloading performance from factory loads in production rifles without liability issuescaused by high pressures etc.

I'm reading reviews of rifles in recent months where handloads aren't producing much performance gain in some production rifles and factory loads are now catching up.

Just something to think about.

Thanks for your input.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I'm not badmouthing. I am all for going with a .220 if someone can prove to me that there is enough performance difference in the factory offerings to justify getting it in place of a .22-250.

So far all I'm hearing is opinions and nothing in the way of facts. I don't consider handload data relevant because I'm not handloading.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Again, if you read my original post I do not handload. Reloading data means nothing to me. I'm only interested in the acutal performance I can get from the factory, and so far by the catalogs there isn't enough difference between a .22-250 and a 220 to justify getting a 220 with less bullet offerings.The federal loads are only 200 fps apart and about an inch apart in trajectory. That isn't enough for me to be stuck with only 2 factory loads for my gun.

Can you show me some factory data to get me hooked on the .220? Until then, all the reloading data or potential is pretty worthless to me.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I'm interested but this requires reloading and/or fire-forming brass does it not?

Exactly my point thank you.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

My friend I will not argue with you over what you think is the best. All I am saying is if you are going to talk about this you have to be open minded. The .220 swift is the varmit rifle most compared to, That tells me it is the one to have .Its like having the original ,You just keep saying its only this or only that what does that tell you ? That is a sure sign that you are unsure. I am not saying the .22-250 is'nt a great round ,cause it is, I just dont like it as well as my swift. There is in on way anyone will tell me that the swift will burn the barrel out faster then the 250. So for arguement sake if there is ONLY 100fps differnce why will that not burn the 250 as fast ??? If they are the same ???? So that would make the .223wssm burn even faster cause it is 100fps faster then the .220 swift. See how it all centers around the swift !! Like I said before its just like the 30-06 in its world. If a north american hunter had a .220 swift and 30-06 he/she could just sit back a smile while all the talk of its as good as this or that is going on and just keep shooting and having fun.

On the subject of reloading and factory loads. I totally understand what you are saying about stated factory loads. They have a margin of error built in to there rounds. So what I am telling you, I can and have loaded the swift and the 250. They both load well, I can just get more out of the swift in all grain bullets there is just more case capacity with the swift. I am in no way saying that the 250 isnt good it's just right behind the swift.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I've owned and shot both. I can tell you that the only place the swift appears to be superior is over the chrono. In real world terms the 2 rounds are identical or nearly so. I love both rounds so don't flame me. For your purpose I would say get the 250 and never look back.

Also, May I suggest you research the 204 ruger. It is a real sweet shooter, though I don't know what you intended purpose is.If youhad caught the reloader bug I would suggest some others like the 20 VarTarg, or 17 MachIV they both are based on the 221 Fireball case. The 221 fireball is a fun gun to own but in no wayclose to the 250 or swift in terms of speed and ballistics. But I digress.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

You guys won't believe this, but my grandpa and Uncle there.

My great-grandpa shot an antelope from 900 yards with an open sight a a few years back, and my grandpa and uncle couldn't stop talking about it!
The 220 Swift has a flat trajectory, and is "Swift".:D

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

It is no small coincidence that the number of factory loadings for the .220 Swift has shrunk to only a couple,and that the .22-250 is so much more popular. Same situation with respect to the number of factoryrifles chambered for the two calibers -particularly when youconsider how much longer the Swift has been a legitimate factory caliber. I have owned and shot a Swift extensively - still have one in the cabinet that will cloverleaf Ballistic Tips. But when the barrel is shot out I will probably sell the dies.

Get the .22-250.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

I've looked at the .204. Everything I've read so far leads me to believe that it is a "fad" cartridge. As for now, the stated velocity and trajectory do not out perform the .22-250 or the .220 Swift.

Can you point me to something that says otherwise?

Thanks.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Have you actually read the thread?

Isn't that being openminded?

Just because everyone else thinks it's the best doesn't mean it's the truth.

Of course I'm unsure. If I was sure I wouldn't be asking a bunch of blow-hards on a internet forum would I? lol ;)

Again: you're not understanding. I don't reload so the fact that you can get more out of the Swift means nothing to me. Only the factory loads do.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

You shouldnt be asking for our opinions if you are just going to get mad when we show you what the differences are. You dont have to defend the 250 like I said it is a great round it's just behind the swift in performance.If you think we are all blow hards cause some of us disagree with you maybe the thread is misleading , you ask whats the advantage over the 250 I am showing you. I am sorry you dont reload cause that is where you can see the performance of your round shine. So stay in your little world and feel as if you have it all figured out.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

No need to get butt-hurt. I'm not angry at all. I just don't understand why you're telling me that I need to have a Swift and reload it when I stated in the begining that I don't reload. Then you don't understand why I ask for another reason to buy a 220 over a 250.

no one can give me one so I guess that is my answer

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Get a 220 swift, it killed an antelope at 900 yards with open sight. If you're an accurate shooter, a 220 will be just right. My great-grandpa used factory loads for that shot, and they should work as good fo you too.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

Well anything one will do in the field, the other will also do. If the 100 fps is worth the extra mone the you should own a Swift. When we shoot varmit rifles, its usually several hundres rounds per day. This would be darn expensive with the swiflt for a non loader.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

that has to be one of the most irresponsible posts i've seen. no self respecting "hunter" should take that sort of shot.

on the plus side, i suspect ol' great grandpa was jerking everybodies chain.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

i'm not so sure that the .204 offers no trajectory gain, brutal. since you don't handload, let's look at, say,remingtons ammunition. my catalogue shows they only do a 50g PSP for the swift. zeroed at 200 yards, it's 46 inches low at 500 yards. in .204, they do a 40g accutip boattail that is just 28 inches low at 500 when zeroed in at 200 yards. the 32g accutip v is almost identical.
retained energy is also in favour of the .204. the swift load is carrying just 204 ft-lb at 500 yards. the 40g .204 has held on to 343 ft-lb ( the ballistic co-efficient makes all the diference). so you could mount a case from the remington ballistic tables that the .204 ruger shoots flatter, and hits harder, than the swifty once you get out past 300 yards.

incidently, the remington catalogue also shows a similar advantage for the 22/250 over the swift, largely due to them loading accutip boattails into factory 22/250 loadings.

summary: factory loadings for the 22/250 are vastly better developed than for the swift ( at least from remington). you can get better performance off the shelf from the 250. but, depending on what you think your main usage will be, the 204 ruger can mount a good case too.

RE: .22-250 vs. .220 Swift
 

and just to round things out, i don't think the .204 ruger is a "fad" cartridge. i think it is a stayer. it offers several tangible benefits, including flat trajectory, low barrel wear and maintained sight picture. unlike something like the .223 wssm - now there's a "fad" round imo.