Quote:
Originally Posted by winders
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Hah - one of the oldest debates there are among us riflemen. Good clean fun. I do have to point out, however, that these two calibers are only as close to one another as they are when we compare factory load ballistics. The factories have essentially neutered the .220 Swift, reducing it to its current status as really no more than a less convenient .22-250.
The .220 Swift is, if one wants to take full advantage of it, the provence of the experienced hand loader. When loaded to its full potential by a diligent, attentive hand loader, it really does provide a worthwhile increase in velocity over the .22-250. One can beat .22-250 velocities by about 200 fps with bullet weights typically used for varmint shooting, say 50 to 60 grains.
I find it interesting that the author bemoans the slower twist of these two fine cartridges, and their resultant inability to handle the really heavy .22 caliber bullets. I think he completely misses the point. These are not "big game" cartridges by any stretch, and were never meant to be. They are at their best as extremely high velocity, flat shooting varmint calibers. As I mentioned above, it's all about taking the guesswork out of "how far away is he?...", all about the ability to forego the use of range finders and the like. The use of these extremely heavy for caliber bullets negates all of those advantages.
To me, in the end, I'm willing to put up with its issues. Hearing that slower, lesser calibers are not as hard on barrels and are therefor "better" is, to me, much like telling a Top Fuel driver "you know, if you didn't run nitro in that thing, it would probably last longer..."
