About .220 Swift

About .220 Swift

Few cartridges have maintained their mystique across generations of shooters quite like the .220 Swift. Since its introduction nearly nine decades ago, this cartridge has been revered for its extraordinary velocity and flat trajectory. We here at True Shot Academy are exploring this legendary varmint cartridge that continues to captivate precision shooters and varmint hunters with its exceptional ballistic performance. This article examines the .220 Swift's storied development, ballistic capabilities, available ammunition, compatible firearms, and ideal applications.

What is .220 Swift?

The .220 Swift emerged in an era when velocity was becoming the new frontier in cartridge development. Introduced by Winchester in 1935 for their Model 54 bolt-action rifle, the .220 Swift was a groundbreaking achievement—the first commercial cartridge to break the 4,000 fps barrier. At a time when most rifle cartridges struggled to reach 3,000 fps, the Swift's 4,110 fps with a 48-grain bullet represented a quantum leap in ballistic performance. The cartridge's development stemmed from wildcatters' experiments with the .250-3000 Savage case, which was necked down to .22 caliber. Winchester formalized this concept but based their commercial offering on the larger 6mm Lee Navy case, necked down to .224" diameter. This provided ample case capacity for propelling lightweight bullets to unprecedented velocities. The case design features a semi-rimmed base with a shallow shoulder, measuring 2.205 inches in overall length and fitting standard long actions. The Swift's development coincided with growing interest in varmint hunting across the American West, where long shots across prairie dog towns or at coyotes demanded flat-shooting cartridges. The .220 Swift instantly claimed the title of "world's fastest cartridge"—a designation it held for nearly four decades until the development of smaller wildcats in the 1970s. Even today, factory .220 Swift loads remain among the fastest commercial ammunition available. Despite its exceptional performance, the Swift experienced a somewhat turbulent history. Early criticisms centered around excessive barrel wear due to the cartridge's high velocities, a concern that was somewhat valid with the barrel steels available in the 1930s and 1940s. Additionally, the cartridge developed a reputation—somewhat undeserved—for poor accuracy due to "burning out" barrels quickly. Modern metallurgy and manufacturing techniques have largely addressed these concerns, but the reputation has lingered in some circles. Nevertheless, the .220 Swift has maintained a dedicated following among varmint hunters and long-range shooters who appreciate its flat trajectory, minimal wind drift, and explosive impact on small targets. It stands today as a testament to forward-thinking cartridge design and remains competitive with modern offerings despite its considerable age. Purchase .220 Swift Ammo Ammo

Ballistic Characteristics and Performance

The .220 Swift's primary claim to fame has always been its extraordinary velocity, but its overall ballistic performance encompasses several impressive characteristics: Velocity: The Swift's velocity figures remain remarkable even by modern standards. Factory loads typically deliver:

• 40-grain bullets at 4,200-4,300 fps.
• 50-grain bullets at 3,800-4,000 fps.
• 55-grain bullets at 3,600-3,800 fps.
• 60-grain bullets at approximately 3,500-3,600 fps.

These velocities exceed those of most other commercial .22 caliber cartridges, including the popular .22-250 Remington, which typically propels similar bullets 200-300 fps slower. Trajectory: The Swift's flat trajectory is a significant advantage for varmint hunters and long-range shooters. With a 100-yard zero, a typical 55-grain bullet drops only about 2.5 inches at 300 yards and 8 inches at 400 yards. This minimal drop allows shooters to make hits on small targets across varying distances without significant holdover adjustments or complex ballistic calculations. Wind Drift: High velocity gives the Swift exceptional resistance to wind deflection. In a 10 mph crosswind, a 55-grain bullet typically drifts only about 5-6 inches at 300 yards—significantly less than bullets from cartridges like the .223 Remington at the same distance. This reduced wind sensitivity makes precise shot placement on small targets much more manageable in field conditions. Energy: Despite using relatively light bullets, the Swift's tremendous velocity generates substantial energy:

• 50-grain bullets deliver approximately 1,600 ft-lbs at the muzzle and maintain over 1,000 ft-lbs at 300 yards.
• 55-grain bullets produce about 1,650 ft-lbs at the muzzle and over 1,100 ft-lbs at 300 yards.

This energy translates to explosive terminal performance on varmints and small predators, creating dramatic effect on impact that varmint hunters appreciate. Recoil: The Swift produces moderate recoil—noticeably more than the .223 Remington but still manageable in properly designed rifles. In a typical 8.5-pound varmint rifle, the .220 Swift generates approximately 6-7 ft-lbs of recoil energy—about half that of a standard .308 Winchester load. This manageable recoil allows shooters to observe impacts through their scopes and make quick follow-up shots. Barrel Life: The Swift's high velocity does accelerate throat erosion compared to more moderate cartridges. However, modern barrel manufacturing techniques and materials have significantly improved the situation compared to the Swift's early days. Today, a quality barrel in .220 Swift typically provides 1,500-2,500 rounds of accurate life, depending on firing schedule, maintenance, and accuracy standards. While this falls short of more moderate cartridges like the .223 Remington, it's entirely adequate for most varmint hunters who may fire only a few hundred rounds per season.

Available Ammunition Types

Though not as widely available as some more common varmint cartridges, the .220 Swift maintains a respectable selection of factory ammunition options: Winchester: As the cartridge's developer, Winchester has maintained production of .220 Swift ammunition throughout the decades:

• Winchester Super-X with 50-grain Polymer Tip at 3,870 fps.
• Winchester Varmint X with 40-grain Polymer Tip at 4,200 fps.

Hornady: Hornady offers premium options in their Superformance and Varmint Express line:

• Hornady Superformance Varmint with 50-grain V-MAX at 3,975 fps.
• Hornady Varmint Express with 55-grain V-MAX at 3,680 fps.

Federal: Federal Premium produces select options for the Swift:

• Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic Tip with 40-grain bullet at 4,250 fps.
• Federal Premium Sierra GameKing with 55-grain BTHP at 3,780 fps.

Remington: Remington has periodically offered Swift ammunition:

• Remington High Performance Rifle with 50-grain PSP at 3,825 fps.

For handloaders, the .220 Swift offers excellent versatility with bullets available from 35 to 75 grains, though bullets in the 40-60 grain range are most common. The Swift responds well to careful handloading, and many enthusiasts feel that handloads maximize the cartridge's potential. Powders like H4350, Varget, and Reloder 15 are popular choices that provide excellent velocity while maintaining good accuracy. The Swift's case capacity allows it to achieve optimal velocities with slower-burning powders that often produce excellent consistency. Many Swift enthusiasts are dedicated handloaders who appreciate the cartridge's capacity for customization. Some handloaders deliberately use reduced loads to extend barrel life while still maintaining ballistic performance that exceeds more moderate cartridges. Others push the envelope with maximum loads optimized for extreme long-range performance. This flexibility is part of the Swift's enduring appeal among serious varmint hunters.

Compatible Firearms

The .220 Swift has been chambered in numerous firearms over its long history, though it has always remained primarily the domain of bolt-action rifles optimized for varmint hunting and long-range shooting. Winchester naturally led the way with their Model 54 and later the iconic Model 70, which became synonymous with the cartridge in its early decades. The pre-64 Model 70 Varmint rifles in .220 Swift are now prized collectibles that combine historical significance with outstanding shooting performance. Modern production Winchester Model 70s are periodically offered in .220 Swift, typically in heavy-barreled varmint configurations that excel at long-range precision. Remington has chambered their Model 700 series in .220 Swift for many years, with the Varmint and Sendero variants being particularly well-suited to the cartridge's capabilities. These heavy-barreled bolt actions provide the consistent precision needed to take advantage of the Swift's flat trajectory at extended ranges. The Model 700's strong action handles the Swift's pressures with ease, while its precision manufacturing ensures the accuracy that Swift shooters demand. Savage Arms offers several models that showcase the Swift's potential, including variants of their Model 110, 12, and Axis series. Many feature the acclaimed AccuTrigger system that enhances practical accuracy in field conditions. Savage's reputation for outstanding accuracy at reasonable prices has made their .220 Swift rifles popular among varmint hunters who want excellent performance without breaking the bank. Ruger has periodically included the .220 Swift in their M77 Hawkeye lineup, typically in their heavy-barreled Varmint or Predator configurations. These rifles combine Ruger's renowned durability with the precision necessary for successful long-range varmint hunting. The controlled-feed M77 action provides reliable operation in field conditions, while the cold hammer-forged barrels offer good accuracy and longevity despite the Swift's high pressures. European manufacturers like Tikka, Sako, and CZ have occasionally offered the .220 Swift in their precision hunting rifles. These European imports typically feature excellent craftsmanship and outstanding accuracy, though they command premium prices compared to many American-made options. The Tikka T3x Varmint and Sako 85 Varmint models, when available in .220 Swift, provide exceptional precision and reliability in an elegant package. For those seeking a custom or semi-custom option, rifle makers such as Cooper Firearms of Montana have offered the .220 Swift in their Model 22 and other precision varmint rifles. These hand-fitted actions and hand-lapped barrels can extract the maximum potential from the Swift cartridge, though at significantly higher cost than production rifles. Many dedicated Swift enthusiasts eventually graduate to these custom options after experiencing the cartridge's capabilities in factory rifles. The .220 Swift typically performs best in barrels with a 1:12" or 1:14" twist rate, which provides optimal stability for the most common bullet weights in the 40-55 grain range. Barrel lengths usually range from 24" to 26" for maximum velocity development, with heavy contours being preferred to manage heat during extended shooting sessions and to dampen harmonics for enhanced accuracy. Purchase .220 Swift Ammo

Optimal Uses and Applications

The .220 Swift excels in specific shooting disciplines and hunting scenarios where its unique ballistic characteristics provide distinct advantages: Long-Range Varmint Hunting: The Swift reaches its full potential when used for shooting prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other small varmints at extended ranges. Its flat trajectory allows for precise placement on small targets from 100 to 500+ yards without complex ballistic calculations. The explosive terminal effect creates dramatic results, with the high-velocity impacts typically producing instant, humane kills on small varmints. Predator Hunting: For coyotes, foxes, and bobcats, the .220 Swift offers excellent performance when paired with appropriate bullets. The cartridge's high velocity creates devastating effect on these thin-skinned predators, while its flat trajectory simplifies holdover on running shots or when ranges are difficult to estimate precisely. For predator hunters, heavier bullets in the 55-60 grain range typically offer the best balance of expansion and penetration on coyote-sized animals. Long-Range Target Shooting: Before the development of dedicated competitive cartridges like the 6mm BR and 6.5 Creedmoor, the .220 Swift was popular among long-range target shooters. Its minimal drop and wind drift allowed competitors to focus on reading conditions rather than making complex adjustments. Even today, some informal long-range shooting enthusiasts appreciate the Swift's performance and historical significance. Fur Collection: When proper bullet selection is made and shot placement is precise, the .220 Swift can be excellent for hunters collecting prime fur. The cartridge's ability to deliver precise shot placement with minimal wind drift helps shooters place bullets in the head or neck area, preserving valuable pelts from damage that body shots might cause. Compared to other varmint cartridges, the .220 Swift offers some distinct advantages:

• It shoots flatter than the .22-250 Remington and .223 Remington.
• It produces less wind drift at all ranges than these more common cartridges.
• It delivers more downrange energy than most other .22 caliber options.

The cartridge does have some limitations worth noting:

• It's generally not suitable for deer or similar medium game (though it has been used for such in the past, modern ethical standards and often game regulations preclude such use).
• It produces more barrel heat and accelerated wear compared to more moderate cartridges.
• It requires careful handloading to maximize its potential.
• Factory ammunition is less widely available and typically more expensive than more common varmint cartridges.

Conclusion

The .220 Swift stands as a remarkable achievement in cartridge design—breaking velocity barriers that seemed impossible at the time of its introduction and remaining competitive nearly nine decades later. Its combination of flat trajectory, minimal wind drift, and explosive terminal performance continues to impress new generations of varmint hunters and precision shooters. While modern cartridges like the .22-250 Remington have claimed a larger share of the varmint hunting market due to wider ammunition availability and slightly longer barrel life, the Swift maintains its dedicated following. For those seeking the flattest-shooting .22 caliber cartridge with factory ammunition—or those who appreciate its pioneering role in high-velocity cartridge development—the .220 Swift remains an excellent choice. There's something undeniably satisfying about using a cartridge that broke the 4,000 fps barrier when most military cartridges struggled to reach 2,700 fps, and doing so with technology developed in the 1930s. The Swift represents a bold step in cartridge evolution that helped shape modern high-velocity cartridge design while remaining eminently practical for today's shooters. For varmint hunters who value extreme long-range performance and don't mind paying a premium for ammunition (or who enjoy handloading), the .220 Swift continues to deliver outstanding results almost a century after its introduction—a testament to the forward-thinking design that made it the velocity king of its era. We here at True Shot Ammo carry .220 Swift ammunition for sale in addition to our range of ammo for sale. This inventory of ammunition for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy .220 Swift ammunition or buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. Till then, take your best shot and see you at the range.