.220 Swift Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.220 Swift: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Small Rifle |
| Used For | Varmint Hunting, Target Shooting |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1935 |
.220 Swift: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely high velocity, reaching over 4,000 fps
- ✔ Excellent long-range accuracy
- ✔ Flat trajectory for easier aiming at distance
- ✔ Devastating on small game and varmints
- ✔ Low recoil compared to larger calibers
Cons
- ✘ Excessive for some small game, causing meat damage
- ✘ Barrel wear is accelerated due to high velocities
- ✘ Not suitable for medium or large game hunting
- ✘ Ammunition can be more expensive than common calibers
- ✘ Wind drift can be significant at extreme ranges
.220 Swift Ammo: In Depth
The .220 Swift is a high-velocity centerfire rifle cartridge developed by Winchester in 1935. It was the first factory loaded rifle cartridge to break the 4,000 ft/s (1,200 m/s) barrier. Known for its flat trajectory and exceptional accuracy, the .220 Swift has been a favorite among varmint hunters and long-range target shooters for decades. Its high velocity and relatively light bullet weight make it particularly effective for small game hunting and pest control.
History and Development
The .220 Swift was introduced by Winchester in 1935 as a new high-velocity cartridge. It was based on the .250-3000 Savage case, necked down to .224 caliber. The cartridge was designed to achieve unprecedented velocities, pushing a 48-grain bullet to speeds over 4,000 ft/s.
Initially, the .220 Swift faced challenges due to the limitations of rifle barrel technology at the time. The extreme velocities caused rapid barrel wear, leading to concerns about the cartridge's practicality. However, advancements in metallurgy and barrel manufacturing techniques have largely mitigated these issues.
Throughout its history, the .220 Swift has maintained a dedicated following among varmint hunters and long-range shooters. Its flat trajectory and high velocity make it exceptionally effective for shooting small targets at extended ranges. The cartridge has also found use in benchrest shooting competitions, where its inherent accuracy potential can be fully realized.
Despite facing competition from newer cartridges like the .22-250 Remington, the .220 Swift has retained its place in the shooting world. Modern loadings have expanded its versatility, with heavier bullets improving its performance on larger varmints and even some small predators.
Ballistic Performance
The .220 Swift's claim to fame is its exceptional velocity. With standard 40-55 grain bullets, it achieves muzzle velocities between 3,800 and 4,100 ft/s. This high velocity translates to a very flat trajectory, making range estimation less critical for accurate shooting at moderate distances.
The cartridge's high velocity also results in explosive expansion on small targets, making it highly effective for varmint control. However, this same characteristic can lead to excessive meat damage on larger game, limiting its use primarily to small game and varmint hunting.
Modern loadings have expanded the .220 Swift's versatility. Heavier bullets in the 60-75 grain range, while not achieving the same extreme velocities, offer better ballistic coefficients and improved long-range performance. These heavier loads have made the .220 Swift more suitable for larger varmints and even small predators at extended ranges.
Timeline of .220 Swift Development:
.220 Swift Performance Characteristics
The .220 Swift offers exceptional ballistic performance, particularly in terms of velocity and trajectory. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 3,800-4,100 ft/s with 40-55 grain bullets Velocity varies based on bullet weight and barrel length |
| Energy | 1,400-1,600 ft-lbs at the muzzle with 50-55 grain bullets Provides excellent performance for varmint hunting |
| Trajectory | Extremely flat trajectory at medium ranges Minimal bullet drop out to 300 yards, making it ideal for varmint hunting |
| Accuracy | Capable of sub-MOA accuracy in quality rifles Excellent for long-range varmint hunting and target shooting |
| Recoil | Low to moderate, depending on rifle weight Manageable in most rifles, allowing for quick follow-up shots |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .220 Swift loads.
.220 Swift: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .220 Swift ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varmint Hunting | 0-500 | Excellent for long-range varmint control |
| Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Capable of extreme long-range accuracy with proper loads |
| Predator Hunting | 0-400 | Effective for coyotes and similar-sized predators |
| Competitive Shooting | 0-1200 | Popular for long-range benchrest competitions |
| Small Game Hunting | 0-300 | Suitable for small game, but may cause excessive damage at close range |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .220 Swift is known for its extremely high velocity and flat trajectory, making it particularly effective at long ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .220 Swift
The .220 Swift's high velocity and flat trajectory make it suitable for specific applications:
.220 Swift Ammo Comparisons
The .220 Swift is known for its high velocity and flat trajectory. To understand its place in the rifle world, let's compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .220 Swift with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .220 Swift with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .220 Swift with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .220 Swift with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .220 Swift
The .220 Swift is known for its high velocity and flat trajectory. This table compares the sectional density of various bullet weights for the .220 Swift cartridge.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .220 Swift | 40 | 0.142 |
| .220 Swift | 50 | 0.178 |
| .220 Swift | 55 | 0.196 |
| .220 Swift | 60 | 0.214 |
| .220 Swift | 75 | 0.267 |
Note: The .220 Swift cartridge is known for its extremely high velocity, often exceeding 4,000 fps with lighter bullets. While it has excellent long-range performance and flat trajectory, the high velocity can lead to rapid barrel wear. The sectional density values indicate good penetration potential, especially with heavier bullet weights.