220 Swift

[BILLY D.]

I first met the Swift in 1956. It was housed in a Model 70 action. It and I had 2 powder preferences for bullet weights from 50>55 grains it liked IMR4895 and the 55>63 grain bullets it liked IMR4064.

Somewhere around 2000 it finally gave up the ghost. Accuracy was lousy, 1 1/2". And the throat, well there almost wasn't any. It looked like a Weatherby.

I was working? in a Gunshop at the time and a guy brought in a almost pristine pre 64 model 70 in 270 cal. and he wanted to convert to 35 Whelen. I bought the 270 barrel from the boss and put it on the Swift. Mainly I just wanted a Jack O'Connor rifle.

I already had a 22-250 AI that I was using. For all practical purposes it is a Swift in a funny looking case. Very similar ballistics.

And now I hate you because you have renewed my love for the Swift. I bought my first Swift from my college roomie. For some unknown reason his girl friend got PG and he needed the money. Cost me $70. I seen this guy hit a crow at 300 yds. I was impressed. He was using one of the old Unertl target scopes. 10x with a Lee tack hole dot. I knew he was an excellent shot. We shot on the same rifle team together.

By the way, 2 years later my G/F got PG also, so the rifle had bad Karma. But boy, could it shoot.

Enjoy your Swift, it's a great cartridge.

Best wishes, Bill