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

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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....

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

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

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

i hear guys say all the time that the 223 is cheaper to shoot,not true if your going to use accurate ammo. sure you can buy military surplus ammo cheap,but you get what you pay for. cheap ammo,that in most guns shoots like crap.

i'll put my savage model 12 22-250up against and swift or 223 .

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

id take that offer if I had'nt had to sell my 220 Swift

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

Well, I sure aint knocking 22-250, I've got a buddy that shoots one, and I'll admit he can put it on me with my .223, out at 300 or more yards especially, so I know that first hand. As far as ammo, I dont use cheap stuff, and the .220 when available, was always 3 to 10 dollars higher. I've never reloaded, and that's what lead me seek a cheaper, more readily available caliber.

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

well,just get a new one and lets do it.... out to 250yds i'll just shoot my 10in barreled xp-100 in 221fb.

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

I wish I could get a new one.It was a Remington 700 VSSF i bought it and took straight to a gunsmith,The action was blueprinted and a new trigger.Even during load development at a 140 yds it never shot over a .442 group with anything

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

I'm very partial to the .22-250, it being my all-time favorite CF cartridge to shoot. If you're just looking for high numbers, then go with the Swift. It's a good cartridge. But the .22-250 is only 150fps or so slower, and under 350 yards or so that isn't going to make a lot of difference. If you're regularly planning to shoot farther than that, you'd be better served with a fast 6mm with their higher BC bullets. The .22-250 burns a little less powder, cases are a plentiful and inexpensive, and if you want to buy factory ammo, .22-250 will be much less expensive just because it's so much more popular.

Neither cartridge is a bad choice, per se, but unless you handload, the .22-250 is clearly the better choice.

Mike

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

"Even during load development at 140 yards it never shot over a .442 group with anything"

Uh..Huhhhhh......Wow........That's a good one.......

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

You didn't mention what weight bullet or hunting you were going to do. You might look at the 204 Ruger and or the 243 Win as well? Just a thought, maybe not a good one?

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

22-250 all the way federal makes good over the counter rounds so you dont have to worry about reloading

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

but i can shoot .442 with that little 10in xp-100 221fb. my xp has cost all my hunting friends a bunch of dollars over the past 10yrs. i love smoking them with it.

the 22-250 has been very accurate for me

i shoot 35gns of imr 3031 behind a 50gn v-max w/CCI BR primers

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

.....Quite possible. But did you do it during LOAD DEVELOPMENT as well, as was stated by the other poster previously? And remember, it "never shot OVER .442 with anything"...
I've spent far too many years on the bench both loading and shooting to swallow that one. Sorry.

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

I'm just wondering how many of these people will actually be present AND willing to put up gun against gun with winner taking both when I get done building my latest rifle and work a load up?:D

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

I predict, you will have at least one, maybe two, myself not included. I would pay a small fee to watch though.

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

I had both and I ended up with my .220swift.Both were ruger m77 vt targets.I think its more the history of it then the difference.They are real close with the swift a slight edge. If you can get a good deal on a swift I would get it,I just dont buy the saying ammo is hard to get,if you nave that cartridge then plan ahead.If you reload they are both easy to load.I like my swift load 43gr H414,hornaday brass,winchester large rifle primer,40gr hornaday vmax. It shoots great for me