Swift reloading manual

Jannie Lockem · Aug 29, 2019

Jannie Lockem said:
Hi, is it possible for someone to share the Swift A Frame load data on a 375 H&H, also what would be the recommended powder?

Most people reloading in South Africa has now moved over to Hodgdon or IMR.

Thanks in advance

Swift A Frame 270gr (this will help)

Shootist43 · Aug 29, 2019

Jannie, I use H-4350 for my 300 Gr. SAFs), however it isn't listed for the 270(s). My book shows three Hodgdon powders H-380,H-4895 & Varget. Which of these powders do you have available? What length barrel are you using?

Jannie Lockem · Aug 29, 2019

Shootist43 said:
Jannie, I use H-4350 for my 300 Gr. SAFs), however it isn't listed for the 270(s). My book shows three Hodgdon powders H-380,H-4895 & Varget. Which of these powders do you have available? What length barrel are you using?

Hi it seems we have H-4895 & Varget available, barrel length is 24"

Thanks

Wyatt Smith · Aug 29, 2019

I’ve never tried H4895, but I am soon because it will not be compressed and should give good velocity. I’m just looking for a alternative to compressing my IMR4350. Also H414 gives top velocities in all my load manuals for 300grain loads, but will be slightly compressed also.

Shootist43 · Aug 29, 2019

Velocity is nice, but what load gives you the best accuracy? The combination of the two is what I strive for.

Wyatt Smith · Aug 29, 2019

My H414 load at 2525 gives me about 1 inch or a little over at 100 yards, which I good enough. I should add that I’ve never loaded a swift bullet(never needed a premium as my state is shotgun only) but I shoot and reload a lot. I was just saying what powders from hodgon I have used and what I liked and disliked about them.

Firebird · Aug 29, 2019

Sent you a pm with the information you seek

Jannie Lockem · Aug 29, 2019

Firebird said:
Sent you a pm with the information you seek

Thanks will let you know if I don't get it.

shootist~ · Aug 29, 2019

I'm in the process of working up a .308 load with the 165 gr A-Frame right now.

I did some initial loads with RL-17 this morning. It's not in the swift manual, but Alliant online does show some loads (for Speer 165 BTSP at COL 2.800" minimum). MAX @50.0 grains is said to do 2,739 fps with the Speer.

Three 165 AF at COL 2.770" loaded at 49.0 grains RL17 at did .75" from the 22" Franchi at 100 meters.
One (only) ran 2,699 fps using a MV3 (Magnetospeed).

These are compressed loads - powder is about half way up the neck.

I only loaded one at 49.5 grains. It ran 2,734 fps (MV3). Temp was 70*F.
No pressure signs with any that I could see (in this specific rifle). F210 primers had rounded edges.

More testing needed.
I plan to load a handfull at 49.5 grains RL17 at same COL and see how they do.

Note, at this COL, the base of the 165 AF is slightly below the bottom of the neck. I'm waiting on a threaded case ( arrives tomorrow), to see what Max Chamber measures in the Franchi.

shootist~ · Aug 29, 2019

Oh - brass for above was new 308W Lapua. Large primer.

sgt_zim · Aug 29, 2019

Radovan Abramovic said:
Great. With that load it could bring around 2750ich fps?
Could you just share OAL?
I use swift a frame 180 in my 30-06 from norma and that is the best I have seen so far. From 20kilo piglet to 130kilo boar everything fell on spot with exit. Just have to try it in my 308. I bought one box of Norma 165 but they are way too expensive.

Funny. In the US, Swift is about 2X the price of Norma Oryx.

You guys overseas might take a look at loaddata.com. For about 30USD annual membership, you get access to a lot of the factory load data (Norma, Swift, Barnes, Hornady, Berger, Nosler, Speer, Sierra, and quite a number of others). About the only common bullets I've never seen any load data for there is Woodleigh.

Mr. Zorg · Aug 30, 2019

Norma loads the Swift A-Frame in some calibers Sgt. Zim, starting at .308 diameter, but a quick search on Ammoseek found none for sale in the USA for retailers that list with Ammoseek.

Norma also loads some calibers with Swift Scirocco II projectiles, a similar search on Ammoseek turned up several retailers with Norma 6.5CM ammo loaded with Swift Scirocco II available in the USA that list with Ammoseek.

We see a very narrow portion of the full catalog of Norma's ammunition options available for retail sale in the USA vs other areas of the world.

Norma 2019 catalog in pdf format here

https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en/Media-Center/downloads/catalogs/

bruce moulds · Aug 30, 2019

shootist,
lapua 308 brass might be thicker than Winchester or rem, and as such hold less powder, or give more pressure for the same powder.
bruce.

Jannie Lockem · Aug 30, 2019

sgt_zim said:
Funny. In the US, Swift is about 2X the price of Norma Oryx.

You guys overseas might take a look at loaddata.com. For about 30USD annual membership, you get access to a lot of the factory load data (Norma, Swift, Barnes, Hornady, Berger, Nosler, Speer, Sierra, and quite a number of others). About the only common bullets I've never seen any load data for there is Woodleigh.

swift is more expensive in SA too especially the A Frames

bruce moulds · Aug 30, 2019

swift 9.3 bullets are about oz$3.00 per unit here in oz.
they are still worth it where applicable.
bruce.

shootist~ · Aug 30, 2019

Absolutely, and thanks for the reminder!

I almost never use Rem or Winchester brass for reloads. I've been very happy with Norma/Nosler quality and that's what I usually buy. Just decided to go with Lapua for the .308. (I use Aussie surplus 7.62x51 brass for the 7.62 gas guns, which is even heavier than Lapua 308 or LC - but not by much.)

I make it a point to weigh and record case weights when I get a new brand or lot.

Just now checking against some fired Norma .308 brass (from factory 165g Oryx), there is a significant difference in case weights. Laupa at ~175 grains vs decapped Norma at 166ish. It might be worth checking to see if there more space in the Norma brass. ( Since I'm out of room.)

bruce moulds said:
shootist,
lapua 308 brass might be thicker than Winchester or rem, and as such hold less powder, or give more pressure for the same powder.
bruce.

Radovan Abramovic · Nov 4, 2020

shootist~ said:
I'm in the process of working up a .308 load with the 165 gr A-Frame right now.

I did some initial loads with RL-17 this morning. It's not in the swift manual, but Alliant online does show some loads (for Speer 165 BTSP at COL 2.800" minimum). MAX @50.0 grains is said to do 2,739 fps with the Speer.

Three 165 AF at COL 2.770" loaded at 49.0 grains RL17 at did .75" from the 22" Franchi at 100 meters.
One (only) ran 2,699 fps using a MV3 (Magnetospeed).

These are compressed loads - powder is about half way up the neck.

I only loaded one at 49.5 grains. It ran 2,734 fps (MV3). Temp was 70*F.
No pressure signs with any that I could see (in this specific rifle). F210 primers had rounded edges.

More testing needed.
I plan to load a handfull at 49.5 grains RL17 at same COL and see how they do.

Note, at this COL, the base of the 165 AF is slightly below the bottom of the neck. I'm waiting on a threaded case ( arrives tomorrow), to see what Max Chamber measures in the Franchi.

Hello,
Im late to answer. I tested 2.8in OAL with 48grain RS60(Should be rl17 poweder) and with 23 inch i got only 2585fps.

Tried with 49 and 49.5 but had awful accuracy. (2inch at 100 meters)

Just shot small boar tonight at 7 meters with Norma swift load(i still have some) it was headshot and i pulled the bullet from 35cm in the ground. 156grain recovered weight

shootist~ · Nov 4, 2020

Radovan Abramovic said:
Hello,
Im late to answer. I tested 2.8in OAL with 48grain RS60(Should be rl17 poweder) and with 23 inch i got only 2585fps.

Tried with 49 and 49.5 but had awful accuracy. (2inch at 100 meters)

Just shot small boar tonight at 7 meters with Norma swift load(i still have some) it was headshot and i pulled the bullet from 35cm in the ground. 156grain recovered weight

Hi Radovan,

My guess is your RS60 powder is not the same as my RL17 - or possibly our 308 rifles just act differently. The picture below shows my final load with RL17 and the Swift 165 A-Frame in a Franchi 308 Winchester using Lapua brass and Federal 210 primers.

This same load in 2nd fired Norma brass showed some ejector marks on the case head, btw. Factory Swift 165 A-F loads also showed ejector marks - and just felt like they were hot.

The Cartride Headspace for fired brass in this rifle measured .002" shorter than the unfired Swift factory loads, so it appears there was an unusual stacking effect in play. (Tight chamber and slightly oversized brass.) So use caution when looking at my load data.

Note the COL @2.771" for my load was .135" off just touching the lands in the Franchi. The Swift factory loads @ 2.703" were even shorter.

Radovan Abramovic · Nov 4, 2020

shootist~ said:
Hi Radovan,

My guess is your RS60 powder is not the same as my RL17 - or possibly our 308 rifles just act differently. The picture below shows my final load with RL17 and the Swift 165 A-Frame in a Franchi 308 Winchester using Lapua brass and Federal 210 primers.

This same load in 2nd fired Norma brass showed some ejector marks on the case head, btw. Factory Swift 165 A-F loads also showed ejector marks - and just felt like they were hot.

The Cartride Headspace for fired brass in this rifle measured .002" shorter than the unfired Swift factory loads, so it appears there was an unusual stacking effect in play. (Tight chamber and slightly oversized brass.) So use caution when looking at my load data.

Note the COL @2.771" for my load was .135" off just touching the lands in the Franchi. The Swift factory loads @ 2.703" were even shorter.

View attachment 374345

AWESOME!
Are you really 0.135 of the lands(3.4mm) My load is only 0.033inch. Maybe thats where i get less accuracy.

shootist~ · Nov 4, 2020

Radovan Abramovic said:
AWESOME!
Are you really 0.135 of the lands(3.4mm) My load is only 0.033inch. Maybe thats where i get less accuracy.

Yes, .135", or 3.43mm off of just touching using the Hornady tool.

I also do my 30-06 180 A-Frame loads the same amount off the lands with good results. (The '06 also did well at considerably closer to the lands, btw.)

Swift reloading manual

Jannie Lockem

Shootist43

Jannie Lockem

Wyatt Smith

Shootist43

Wyatt Smith

Firebird

Jannie Lockem

shootist~

shootist~

sgt_zim

Mr. Zorg

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