223 REM to 220 SWIFT?

[Critch]

I have an SSi-One Mossberg in 223 that I have never shot, it is the sporter barrel, not the varmint.

I have 223 rifles out the ying yang and I was thinking about having this single shot rechambered to 22-250 or 220 Swift.
It is a 1 in 9 twist barrel. It would get me into that caliber for much less money than a brand new rifle.

Can I get the performance out of a 220 Swift or 22-250 with that twist barrel without compromising safety? I know that most of them are 1 in 12 or 1 in 14 twist.

My gunsmith will rechamber it for me for $40.00, I was thinking 220 Swift because it's rimmed and they eject easier from single shots.

If I rechamber, what weight bullets will get the best performance?

[Riposte1]

I have only looked at one of these and, to be honest, I did not look closely at the extractor. I suspect it is much like the N.E.F. or other break open single shots.

The rim is not very pronounced on a .220 Swift so I would not think there would be much difference.

Your gunsmith will have to re-cut and re-temper the extractor or simply order up an extractor for replacement. I expect it is the same for either one as the 30-06, .243, etc. I am just guessing but I doubt they are much different between the 22/250 and the .220.

Either cartridge should do fine with the twist you mention, even to heavier bullets. Higher velocity usually works in your favor. I once had a custom Ingram Contender barrel in .221 Remington Fireball. I dont know the twist but it would not stabalize 50 gr. bullets. I rechambered it for .223 and it got markedly better but not great. I then improved the case and it got even better but still shot about 2.25 MOA. Finally I went to 22/250 and it got still better but not what I wanted out of a varmint gun and so I traded it off to someone who just wanted the oddity of a Contender Carbine (which was not a factory option then) .

Good luck with the project!

Riposte

[Catfish]

I agree that eather should work well with the changeing of the extractor. As for the 1 in 9 twist that aslo will be better in the .22-250 or the Swift as it is better suited to heaver bullets. With the 1 in 9 you should get your best accuracy with bullets in the 55 gr to 69 gr. range. While you can`t push the 69 grn`s as fast the better BC of the bullet and less wind drift makes them a very good choice for longer range shooting.

[Hammerforged]

I agree with the above posts, plus another option would be to start with .22-250, then after you wear the throat out a bit, you could go to .220 Swift.

[Catfish]

Hammerforged,
Won`t work. While you would have pleanty of lenth, the head on the .250 is .022 larger than a .220. While one can blow out the case body or neck I believe you would get into some big trouble tring to blow out the head.

[Mike Moss]

Either use it as it is or sell it. I don't see that rifle worth an investment.

Just use it as it is or buy a rifle already chambered for a more powerful round.

A 243 makes an increase over the 223 in all ways.

[Hammerforged]

Catfish,

You are correct. Good catch!