Varmint Rifle

[JackEllis]

I may have an opportunity to purchase either a .220 Swift or a .22-250. I don't need either one but both calibers are sort of attractive because I have plenty of .224 projectiles and both rifles will come with some brass. I'm not that interested in buying both of them unless I can get a screaming deal, which is unlikely.

I haven't seen either rifle so it's about the relative merits of one caliber vs. the other.

Any thoughts?

[damon1272]

You can purchase 22-250 off the shelf rarely see 220 Swift. For that reason alone I would got 22-250

[dfletcher]

The rifle and not the caliber would determine it for me. Not much difference between the two cartridges, especially if you handload.

I have a 1948 made Winchester M70 and a Ruger No1 in 220 Swift, and a Remington 700 stainless varmint model in 22-250. The shortcoming of the Remington is the rate of twist - IIRC it's 1 in 12 and that limits to bullets 55 grains and under. If you're looking to shoot heavier I think the 22-250 (and Swift) come up short. If it's a matter of shooting lighter bullets fast as heck, either works.

I get better accuracy from the 22-250 but that's most likely due to the rifle and scope rather than the cartridge, and that getting best accuracy from a Ruger No1 can be a bit of a challenge.

[ar15barrels]

I may have an opportunity to purchase either a .220 Swift or a .22-250. I don't need either one but both calibers are sort of attractive because I have plenty of .224 projectiles and both rifles will come with some brass. I'm not that interested in buying both of them unless I can get a screaming deal, which is unlikely.

I haven't seen either rifle so it's about the relative merits of one caliber vs. the other.

Any thoughts?

Assuming the same rifle make/model/condition, I would take a 22-250 over a 220 swift purely on the basis of brass/ammo availability and the 22-250 being an intrinsically more accurate and longer barrel/brass life case design.
Now if one rifle were particularly more interesting, I would go that route because either one can be reabrrelled into a 22-250 if you want a more modern twist rate to shoot heavy/long lead-free bullets.

[RNE228]

My concern would be target vs hunting. Depending on twist rate it may affect what bullets you can use for lead free. For target should not be as much an issue.

[Leadwarning]

All things being equal 22 250, just for avaiblity/ cost/ options.

Not being able to order ammo from ojt of state pretty much killed my intrest in odd ball chamberings. Yeah i know i can reload for them, but i dont shoot them enough to do it.

[JackEllis]

Thanks for the suggestions. They line up with my initial thought, which was that the .22-250 was probably a good choice and the Swift would end up being a safe queen I might not be able to get rid of.

Both are part of an estate and if the owner's widow offered either or both of them at the right price, I might be tempted.

[hambam105]

JackEllis,
Are you sure you want invest in either of those obsolete calibers?
Be seeing you soon to buy & trade for any .32acp or .32 Long Colt brass you
have kicking around.

[MongooseV8]

22-250 for sure Lapua makes brass.

220 Swift is a neat round though.

[-hanko]

JackEllis,
Are you sure you want invest in either of those obsolete calibers?
Be seeing you soon to buy & trade for any .32acp or .32 Long Colt brass you
have kicking around.

.257 Roberts with 70 grain bullets...~3000 fps. It loves coyotes.

[Fjold]

220 swift was built for 50 grain bullets and has a 1:14" twist usually, it is really hamstrung for long distance varmint shooting.

[pennstater]

OP, pay NO ATTENTION to this hambam105! He has no clue of what he types.
22-250 is an outstanding round. No help on .220 Swift, sorry.
What are the rifles?

[JackEllis]

What are the rifles?

Wish I knew.

[jimmykan]

My concern would be target vs hunting. Depending on twist rate it may affect what bullets you can use for lead free. For target should not be as much an issue.

220 swift was built for 50 grain bullets and has a 1:14" twist usually, it is really hamstrung for long distance varmint shooting.

What are the standard twist rates for these two calibers? Same as 223 Remington?

[ar15barrels]

What are the standard twist rates for these two calibers? Same as 223 Remington?

Both are older varmint cartridges and in 22 caliber, most ammo will be 50gr or less so both 22-250 and 220 swift typically come with 1:14 or 1:12 twist in factory barrels.
Lead free bullets are typically longer than lead core bullets so those slow twist really limit older barrels to very lightweight bullets.
On a custom basis, you can rebarrel to any twist rate you want and then both cartridges can be very good longrange calibers with suitable heavy/long bullets.