220 swift for big game?

[TucsonFX4]

Trying to pack 10# of stuff into a 5# bag is not the way to go about things. Uploading the 220SWIFT is to get the desired performance of a 243WIN (still not good for big game IMO) isn't the place to start. There are a mountain of other calibers to choose from that are better suited to hunting big game.

I define "big game" animals as starting at 100#, so no I would not use the 220SWIFT in this case.

In truth, I think you are taking a deliberate poke at the membership and expecting some sort of outcry and heated debate with such a thread. For this reason, I will not cast a vote.

I agree and also don’t think casting a vote is productive.

 

[Joker12]

Not for me it isn't. There are so many better choices. I say this and I own and really like a swift but not for big game.

 

[buffybr]

It would not be my first choice. I have one friend that used his .220 Swift for just about all game animals in Montana from elk down.

I have taken deer and antelope with my .22-250.

I had two other friends that took just about all Montana game animals from Buffalo down with their .22-250s and 55 grain Remington soft point bullets.

I have another friend that worked on a Buffalo ranch, and he killed at least one buffalo with a single shot from his .22-250.

Montana does not have any caliber restrictions for hunting big game.

 

[Philip Glass]

i understand its a hot topic primarily because the 220 swift was the rifle that sparked "use enough gun." however have also read and heard accounts of hunters and gun writers saying that the 220 swift is a faster killer on game than cartridges like the 7x57 mouser and 30-06. curious what people think on this?

For small southern Whitetailed deer anything legal(center fire) will work. Ideal? No. But a shot through the lungs with anything bigger than a .22mag will kill them. I guess for me, at this stage in my life and knowing what I know now, I find the search for the smallest caliber possible for the species pursued borders on unethical. It’s not like Bass fishing with crappie gear!

 

[geoff rath]

Personally, NO. A good friend uses 80 grain A-Max (no longer available?) for small meat animals (Deer), as already written, shot placement counts. IF NECESSARY, use 70 grain+ Barnes, 74 grain RWS Cone Point, or the above Hornady in an 8" twist barrel.

 

[Wheels]

I have used a 220 Swift for animals up to the size of topi. Have seen it used on zebra. I wouldn't recommend it but if you get a bullet into the thorax it tends to gel everything close to the wound channel.

A 220 Swift will rip a dik dik, duiker, steenbok, baboon, etc. in half, and make softball-volleyball size exit wounds in bushbuck and impala.

Speed kills.

 

[C.W. Richter]

First and foremost, 'must choose actual big game hunting bullets (Nos PT, etc.) NOT highly frangible, low SD varmint bullets. That, and limit it to the typ farmer taking head shots on deer in the US to preserve as much meat as possible, and/or limiting it to taking the pygmy antelope, primates (esp. loudly-calling sentinels out of trees at 400 yds! and possibly even springbok and impala. But, in the balance, it's better to have a medium bore rifle imparting much more bullet E and SD to properly dispatch the relatively think-skinned African game (not to mention the much larger trophies that'd never be contemplated w/ a .223") No in my book, but if you wish to play....(Imagine the damage of that 4,000 fps pill exiting a costly dik-dik! A .375 w/ solids would be a better idea, for comparison. This concept certainly sold a lot of rifles and ammo, once upon a time (thanks to writers working for the MSM.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I’m a simple man and since I have an ‘06 I use on deer and plans game and so forth, I haven’t messed with any 22 calibers on such game.

That said, people are more or less in the same weight class as whitetail. If 5.56 NATO isn’t adequate on deer, something is dramatically wrong somewhere.

 

[gajie270]

@TucsonFX4 it was forgot the name but from a Ron Spomer article/video on 22 centerfires for deer saying that a meat hunter in the 40s or 50s(maybe even earlier) used many many different cartridges(7x57, 303, 30-06, ect) in that era an deer and found the 220 swift to be the fastest killing of them all. just saying what I've heard.

 

[C.W. Richter]

The guy in FL that kills deer and boar w/ the .22 WMR is interesting. It'll do. lol

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Our former member @Kawshik Rahman told the story of an Indian Professional Hunter who was hanged because a Royal Bengal Tiger killed his client. The client tried to kill the tiger with a 220 swift Winchester model 70. The story is still here somewhere.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I believe it was he or Major Khan that told the story. Haven’t seen him at all in a long time it seems.

 

[curtism1234]

Medium/large game cartidges start with a .3

 

[TucsonFX4]

@TucsonFX4 it was forgot the name but from a Ron Spomer article/video on 22 centerfires for deer saying that a meat hunter in the 40s or 50s(maybe even earlier) used many many different cartridges(7x57, 303, 30-06, ect) in that era an deer and found the 220 swift to be the fastest killing of them all. just saying what I've heard.

Thanks. I’ll keep my eyes open for that. I do find those types of topics interesting and help provide different perspectives.

 

[ofbiro]

Terminal ballistics should be studied on inert targets (soap, phone books a.s.o.).
Tests on living animals, unless dictated by hunger and/or unavailability of suitable ammo/weapon are as indecent as child porn.

 

[HWL]

In the 60s, RWS in Germany developed a quite similar cartridge, the 5,6x57, also available as 5,6x57R with a rim,for break open guns.

This cartridge, also of .224 diameter, had even more case volume than the .220 Swift.

But it came with a 1:10 inch twist and the 74 gr KS (soft point) bullet, made for hunting medium game, at least.

I shot dozens of little roe deer, a lot of gams (chamois) and some red deer with this cartridge.

Never had any issues, its accurate, flat shooting and a great killer.....

But I never ever would use it for (the real) big game..... know your limits.


HWL

 

[fourfive8]

Terminal ballistics should be studied on inert targets (soap, phone books a.s.o.).
Tests on living animals, unless dictated by hunger and/or unavailability of suitable ammo/weapon are as indecent as child porn.

Dang well said! IMO, we "should be" a hundred years beyond the need for such behavior and attitude or the need for such experimentation.... but apparently not

Harry Selby forever cursed himself and lamented his decision to have a Swift in camp. He stated that even hyenas deserved better after trying to use it on them.

 

[Wheels]

I have used a 220 Swift for animals up to the size of topi. Have seen it used on zebra. I wouldn't recommend it but if you get a bullet into the thorax it tends to gel everything close to the wound channel.

A 220 Swift will rip a dik dik, duiker, steenbok, baboon, etc. in half, and make softball-volleyball size exit wounds in bushbuck and impala.

Speed kills.

View attachment 460745

Just reread my post from yesterday and don't think I was clear. Animals up to impala in size it is probably fine to use, as long as a broad side shot is available.

There are better options for large and medium sized game.

There is a soft spot in my heart for the 220 Swift. It is the first rifle I ever had.

 

[JPmbogo]

Elmer Keith must be rolling in his grave!

 

[gajie270]

@JPmbogo he hated the 270 Winchester much less a 220 swift.