220 Swift or 22-250?

I have both and vote for 22-250. In my rifles, the 22-250 is easier to find more accurate handloads and has much better selection of factory ammo. It provides adequate velocity to reach 1/4 mile coyotes. More bullet weight friendly(since the 220 was originally designed around a specific bullet weight), uses less powder, and better case life. 220 has the advantage of top end velocity at the expense of barrel life(?). Hard to say since I haven't worn out a barrel on either. 22-250 will work in a short action Rem 700 but I don't think 220 will. My 220 is on a Mauser action and is slightly temperamental as to feeding issues but it works if you pay attention to how you load the mag and work the bolt.
If I was looking at both on a display rack, I'd pick the 22-250 and not look back.
 
I'm with Mehavey. I've had a 220 since the 80's. The only thing I'd change today if I was rebarreling would be to have a slightly faster twist to easily stabilize the 60 gr Nosler Partition and the 65 gr Sierra GK. I'd like the option of those bullets for pig hunting here on my place in Texas.
 
Sounds like a "chocolate or vanilla" question. Typically, you can get about 3-5% more velocity out of the 220 Swift. I prefer the 22-250. Brass is cheaper and easier to find, it takes about 5% less powder to get the same velocity with the same bullet, and since it is a rimless cartridge there are fewer issues with feeding (although factory rifles in 220 Swift have this pretty well under control 80 years after introduction). And if you want that extra 5% velocity, get a barrel that is 2" longer and you will more than recover it.
 
I'm not looking for excess velocity so much as I'm looking for 22-250 velocities at
considerably lower/barrel-burning/case-abusing pressures than the 22-250 requires (for those
same velocities).

The Swift is perfect for that. ;)
 
.22-250 is slightly more efficient.
.220 Swift will give the highest velocities.

.22-250 is slightly easier on brass.
.220 Swift feeds a little more reliably.

.22-250 is easier to find brass for.
.220 Swift is less temperamental.

.22-250 stands out from .220 Swift with heavier bullets (60+ gr -- the Swift just doesn't handle the heavier stuff as well).
.220 Swift stands out from .22-250 with "laser beam" bullets (30-40 gr -- if you want the speed that comes with those bullets, the Swift is king).

Your barrel will determine accuracy potential.


Both cartridges are capable of sending thousands of rounds down the pipe without "burning out" the barrel, as long as the shooter is responsible and not abusive.
I had a circa-1983 Ruger 77 in .220 Swift that I rebarreled for a 6mm wildcat. That original Swift barrel had an estimated 3,600+ rounds through it, and was still performing very well (it had been in my family, since new). It was still going strong, but I was done with it and sold it. The new owner stripped the copper fouling from the barrel and was surprised to find what he considered to be a "like new" throat and rifling. He was absolutely ecstatic about the condition of the barrel, since he was using it to salvage his own burned-out M77 .220 Swift.

If you don't get the barrel scorching hot (and don't keep shooting through it at that temperature), they can last for a long time.
And if accuracy starts to degrade... strip the copper, before assuming the throat is eroded, the crown is damaged, or some other mythical failure has occurred.


As for my preference...?
Well, I have already made that decision: I went to 6mm cartridges. ;)
 
Performance is about equal with both. The Swift will have less barrel life.

Accuracy will be better with the 22-250 because the front of the case automatically centers in the chamber when fired. Rimmed centerfire cases haven't quite equalled rimless ones in this department.
 
The Swift can exceed 22-250 velocities for the same pressures/bullets* by a not insignificant amount.
The Swift will equal the 22-250 for those same bullets* for far less pressure -- and therefore greater brass and barrel life.**

* 40-55gr (22-250, however, will handle heavier if req'd)
** Assuming the OP is a reloader
 
Look at the pressure difference req'd if the 22-250 tries to match the Swift, Bart.
It's that difference that makes the Swift easier on barrels & brass for the same velocities.

(Of course, one has to handload to get that advantage -- but then we are amongst the 1%r's aren't we ?) :D
 
What's the charge change to get the 22-250 to equal the Swift's velocity?

What's the 22-250's pressure going to be when that happens?

Quickload, where are you?
 
Accuracy will be better with the 22-250 because the front of the case automatically centers in the chamber when fired. Rimmed centerfire cases haven't quite equalled rimless ones in this department.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't, exactly, call the .220 Swift a "rimmed" cartridge. Even most classifications for it only put it in "semi-rimmed" territory.
...Because the rim is only 0.018" larger than base diameter (0.009" per 'side', or less, since most manufacturers don't draw the rims all the way to 0.473").

It doesn't headspace on the rim, either. It headspaces on the shoulder. It'll center just as well as any other cartridge with the same shoulder and body taper dimensions.
 
Bart, I think we're all speaking of the handloaded comparisons between the two cartridges.
As such we get to run each to its true potential in cases, bullets, powders, etc.
 
I know that. True potential is whatever pressure or velocity level one wants to load for. To some, that levels the playing field.
 
Have you given thought to the .22-250 AI?

You would be right up there with the swift in velocity while not burning the throat out quite as fast, and it is "theoretically" a more accurate design with the straight case and sharper shoulder angle.

If you're looking for a "hot rod" .22, check out the .224 TTH (Texas Trophy Hunter). It's basically a 6mm rem case necked down to .224. It will give velocities greater than the swift, but like the swift it's hard on barrels.

All this is assuming you reload. If not, .22-250 is your only real choice.
 
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