220 swift for big game?

[gbflyer]

The bullets do the work and .224" bullets are not heavy lifters. I dont care what case they are propelled from they will never be a big game caliber. Lets discuss the bullet for a second. The frontal area of a .224" diameter bullet sucks. It also has very poor sectional density which matches their track record as a poor penetrating round, you need a very well constructed bullet to avoid these tiny light bullets from breaking up or deflecting after hitting heavy bone. Typically they also have poor ballistic coefficients so they get blown off target much more easily and their velocity falls off faster(this velocity is crucial for them to produce good wounding) than many of the other bigger caliber hunting bullets available. Nothing magical happening here.

.223 95gr SMK has the same SD as a .308 180gr and a .600 BC over 1600fps.

Ever shot a deer with one?

 

[MerKuryM8]

While I do in no way suggest it, I personally would use it on some big game (I prefer to say Medium Game for deer sized species) in certain situations. I have a .308 as a be all end all rifle, from Warthogs to Eland, but am looking to pick up a .22-250 soon, for Jackals and Warthogs, though I know that if by some odd chance I have the .22-250 and not my .308 and an Impala gives a perfect opportunity I would take it.

I am choosing it over .243 for one big reason, which is price. The bullets I am interested in, i.e. Rhino Solid Shank, for the same price you get 100 .224 bullets instead of just 50 .243 bullets.
A .22-250 is very adequate (in my eyes) for Jackals or Warthogs, but if I were specifically looking for an Impala and Blesbuck/Bontebok rifle, I'd go with a .24 or even a .26.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Lord knows you can’t kill any game animal without using a self propelled howitzer but it still should be a 155 mm to get the job done!!! Fire for effect!!!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

.223 95gr SMK has the same SD as a .308 180gr and a .600 BC over 1600fps.

Ever shot a deer with one?

I would prefer not to shoot deer with a .308 180 SMK. The proper bullet is as important as the caliber.
Because one can, does not mean one should.

 

[gajie270]

well something to think about here is the 220 swift with a 60 grain bullet energy wise is very comparable to the average 30-30 170 grain. that being around 1700~ ft lbs.

 

[JimP]

well something to think about here is the 220 swift with a 60 grain bullet energy wise is very comparable to the average 30-30 170 grain. that being around 1700~ ft lbs.

While I wont advocate for the use of a 220 Swift, 22-250, or a 223 on larger animals I will say that it has been done quite often.

When shooting a smaller caliber the shooter needs to use bullet placement over raw power to get the job done.

 

[gbflyer]

I would prefer not to shoot deer with a .308 180 SMK. The proper bullet is as important as the caliber.
Because one can, does not mean one should.

I didn’t say to use a .308 180 SMK for game. We’re talking about .220 Swift.

Of note, Berger spent years trying to tell people their bullets were only for targets.

 

[Rocco490]

.223 95gr SMK has the same SD as a .308 180gr and a .600 BC over 1600fps.

Ever shot a deer with one?

How many 220 swift rifles or 22-250 rifles came out of the factory with a barrel that will stabilize them? And what factory sells that load? Why cherry pick? I will look up factory options

here is federals only load as far as i could find for the 220 swift

Buy Varmint & Predator for USD 41.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Varmint & Predator - Learn more about the latest Nosler Ballistic Tip and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

here is hornadys only 220 swift load

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/220-swift-55-gr-v-max#!/

here is winchesters only load

X220S | Winchester Ammunition

winchester.com

here is remingtons only load

Buy High Performance Rifle, 220 Swift, 50 Grain, Pointed Soft Point, 3780 fps Ammo | Remington

Shopping for the High Performance Rifle, 220 Swift, 50 Grain, Pointed Soft Point, 3780 fps - Learn more about the latest High Performance Rifle and other hunting or shooting gear at Remington.

www.remington.com

here is noslers only load

22 Hornet 35gr Tipped Varmageddon Ammunition

22 Hornet 35gr Tipped Varmageddon® Ammunition

www.nosler.com

I'm noticing a trend here...........

Not trying to be a jerk and not meaning to offend but my opinion I just do not consider the 220 swift or any .224 caliber a good big game round no matter the speed. I do think they are adequate for smaller deer with the right bullets and shooting conditions and should deliver consistent clean ethical killing but certainly not ideal/best cartridge for a dedicated deer gun. Some folks are talking specifically smaller deer but the OP was BIG GAME which is not limited to smaller deer species. As I tried to highlight in an earlier post of mine.
As for some good .224" bullets specs
noslers 60 grain partition bc .228 is and its sectional density is .171
swift sirocco 75 grain bc is much better at .419 the sectional density is still only .214
barnes tipped tsx 62 grain bc .294 sectional density .177 (the construction of these should penetrate well regardless of the terrible sd)
A major limiting factor is the twist rates of many 22-250 and 220 swift rifles is too slow for using long heavy .224 bullets because the focus for the game intended to be hunted was towards varmints and smaller game where the great 220 swift is ideally suited.

 

[Rocco490]

I’m going to agree with BeeMa on this. No vote.

we all know in our practical hearts that for big game. A .224 anything isn’t a wise choice. I’ve been around a .220 swift and it just isn’t in any way qualified for big game. We can define shot placement and bullet type and even what big game is and is not.

At the end of the day this was a rouse to get commentary, nothing more; I probably shouldn’t comment myself.

Big game should be hunted and shot with an appropriate big game caliber/cartridge , we all know that.

John

Exactly.

 

[Rocco490]

well something to think about here is the 220 swift with a 60 grain bullet energy wise is very comparable to the average 30-30 170 grain. that being around 1700~ ft lbs.

Not sure the intent here but if anyone is actually trying to convince others that selecting a 220 swift for hunting BIG GAME as stated over all the other options available is a good idea I have to disagree completely! If that's the intent here I will not be posting on this thread any further maybe everyone should vote and show just how significant the majority is that does not condone this. Hunters making poor choices is a great way to get the privelage and right to hunt taken away or further restricted for all of us

 

[gbflyer]

How many 220 swift rifles or 22-250 rifles came out of the factory with a barrel that will stabilize them? And what factory sells that load? Why cherry pick? I will look up factory options

here is federals only load as far as i could find for the 220 swift

Buy Varmint & Predator for USD 41.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Varmint & Predator - Learn more about the latest Nosler Ballistic Tip and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

here is hornadys only 220 swift load

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/220-swift-55-gr-v-max#!/

here is winchesters only load

X220S | Winchester Ammunition

winchester.com

here is remingtons only load

Buy High Performance Rifle, 220 Swift, 50 Grain, Pointed Soft Point, 3780 fps Ammo | Remington

Shopping for the High Performance Rifle, 220 Swift, 50 Grain, Pointed Soft Point, 3780 fps - Learn more about the latest High Performance Rifle and other hunting or shooting gear at Remington.

www.remington.com

here is noslers only load

22 Hornet 35gr Tipped Varmageddon Ammunition

22 Hornet 35gr Tipped Varmageddon® Ammunition

www.nosler.com

I'm noticing a trend here...........

Not trying to be a jerk and not meaning to offend but my opinion I just do not consider the 220 swift or any .224 caliber a good big game round no matter the speed. I do think they are adequate for smaller deer with the right bullets and shooting conditions and should deliver consistent clean ethical killing but certainly not ideal/best cartridge for a dedicated deer gun. Some folks are talking specifically smaller deer but the OP was BIG GAME which is not limited to smaller deer species. As I tried to highlight in an earlier post of mine.
As for some good .224" bullets specs
noslers 60 grain partition bc .228 is and its sectional density is .171
swift sirocco 75 grain bc is much better at .419 the sectional density is still only .214
barnes tipped tsx 62 grain bc .294 sectional density .177 (the construction of these should penetrate well regardless of the terrible sd)
A major limiting factor is the twist rates of many 22-250 and 220 swift rifles is too slow for using long heavy .224 bullets because the focus for the game intended to be hunted was towards varmints and smaller game where the great 220 swift is ideally suited.

I suspect no factory rifle came out with the correct twist to stabilize them. The OP asked about potential use of the cartridge for hunting if I read it right. New projectiles, powders, and bullets have changed a lot of things from the day the Swift debuted in the 1930’s. Look what new combinations have done for the once impotent .35 Whelen as an example.

I am obviously in the minority here and that’s OK. I’ll continue to learn. I should know better than to get into these Ford/Chevy discussions. [emoji1]

 

[WyoBull]

Most factory 220 Swifts are going to be 1:14 twist rate which is ideal for bullets up to 55 gr. A couple of 60 gr bullets will work such as the Hornady 60 gr HP but you are on the edge of being able to stabilize them.
IMHO, after shooting a Swift for 40+ years, it should be used for its intended purpose which are varmints. For that, the caliber is fantastic.

 

[gajie270]

i would say that a sound start for a big game cartridge(whitetail and up) is 1600 foot lbs and up and the ability to carry around 1000 ft lbs of energy to 200yds. take 243 and 30-30 they do that perfectly. so then you look at 220 swift around 1600 ft lbs at the muzzle and carries 1000ft lbs out to 200 yds.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have no dog in this fight, and my opinion probably wouldn't be on the side of the majority (e.g. I'd have no issue for most situations on caribou with good bullets; they fold up mighty fast). I think bullet construction and shot placement are the critical issues for any caliber, and I think bullet types today open up new possibilities.

That said, this came up on my FB newsfeed this morning from Ron Spomer. If someone already shared this, my apologies. There is a link to a story; I am only doing a copy and paste of the teaser. I think most of us would agree that while small pronghorn are big game.

"At roughly 110-pounds, the lightly-framed North American pronghorn may be the ideal big game animal to hunt with a 22-250, 220 Swift, 223 Remington or any other legal 22 centerfire."

 

[John the Electrician]

well something to think about here is the 220 swift with a 60 grain bullet energy wise is very comparable to the average 30-30 170 grain. that being around 1700~ ft lbs.

I have no dog in this fight either, a guy can do whatever he wants within the law of the place you are hunting.

But, think about this. If I were to track a black bear after it had been shot with archery equipment and I only had my 30-30 and my .220 swift in the truck. I would take the 30-30.

I don’t care how comparable the two are on paper. It’s pretty telling that the most veteran members of this forum are not even participating in this thread.

 

[gajie270]

i argue more on the 220 swift just because so many people here 22 and just discount it as a bad rifle for anything bigger than predators when the reality is just the opposite. i mean heck some people hear even a 243/6mm and say the same things people have been saying about the 220 swift(or any other high power 22) on this very thread.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

i understand its a hot topic primarily because the 220 swift was the rifle that sparked "use enough gun." however have also read and heard accounts of hunters and gun writers saying that the 220 swift is a faster killer on game than cartridges like the 7x57 mouser and 30-06. curious what people think on this?

@gajie270
Depending on what you call big game. If it is smaller deer or pigs then I would say yes. Speer designed the .224 70gn semi spitter for use one white tail deer and pig. I used that bullet in a 22/250 on pigs and goats to great effect. Then you have the various monumental projectiles like the 53gn Barnes tSX and others..
Bib

 

[gbflyer]

I have no dog in this fight either, a guy can do whatever he wants within the law of the place you are hunting.

But, think about this. If I were to track a black bear after it had been shot with archery equipment and I only had my 30-30 and my .220 swift in the truck. I would take the 30-30.

I don’t care how comparable the two are on paper. It’s pretty telling that the most veteran members of this forum are not even participating in this thread.

Black bear? Just use a sling shot to finish it off. [emoji1]

 

[CJW]

I really thought this was going to be about 220 gr Swift A-Frames.

 

[CoElkHunter]

@gajie270
Depending on what you call big game. If it is smaller deer or pigs then I would say yes. Speer designed the .224 70gn semi spitter for use one white tail deer and pig. I used that bullet in a 22/250 on pigs and goats to great effect. Then you have the various monumental projectiles like the 53gn Barnes tSX and others..
Bib

Bob,
I would think a .22 Sooper (.308 necked down to .22) would be just the ticket? Get a 26" barrel with a 1:7 or 8 twist, shooting 90gr bullets in a Savage 110 and take everything in OZ with it! You could switch the barrel out with your Savage .35 Whelen and use surplus brass so no need to find .22-250 or .220 Swift brass? Just trying to be helpful?
CEH