220 swift

[CJW]

With the right bullet a cape buffalo round?

It's all about shot placement.

 

[Rare Breed]

A buddy traded for a ruger tang safety 77 in 220 swift.
Said the guns probably 70% condition and has a 1-14 twist barrel.
He asked what bullets to use for deer
I told him don’t.
I am not sure what bullets it will stabilize. I read a few post and the limite seams to be around 50gr
I can’t think of a 50gr or under 22 I would use on deer.
I think money wise he did ok on the traid.
But I don’t think it will be a good deer or hog rifle.

Although your friend is not asking about using it in Africa I seem to remember in "Horn of the Hunter" Ruark saying he used it on PG twice both with horrible results wounding animals after multiple shots. He told Harry Selby, "Give it to the deserving poor...I never want to shoot it again."

 

[Flbt]

Oh, not more than 35 pounds live weight. Terrain is hilly. You American gents will probably know them as "Barking Deer".

I saw a show about hunting them in the uk
They called them vampire deer I think
I am guessing because of the teeth being out of the mouth

 

[Tintin]

He told Harry Selby, "Give it to the deserving poor...I never want to shoot it again."

I recall reading an article suggesting that Ruark had ‘killed’ the 22/250.

Certainly not the case, but I’d expect he didn’t help its cause.

 

[Wheels]

I don’t necessarily recommend it but I had good success with both the 220 Swift and 22-250 on deer and deer sized animals. The largest animal was probably a topi. I don’t recall ever loosing a wounded animal. On broadside shots the would channel was generally massive with the thorax jelled. Most animals were shot with either silver tips or core locks. I could easily see a bullet hitting bone like a shoulder causing a wounded animal. IMO there are definitely better options. My deer rifle the past 50 years has been a 270.

 

[K E Johnson]

I took exactly 1 whitetail deer, I believe a doe, back in the 1980’s with a Ruger 220 Swift . I used a hand loaded 70 grain bullet from a small manufacturer that was supposed to be triple jacketed. It did the job on a lung shot but I was not impressed. I don’t plan on trying that ever again but it can be done.
I have so many better choices available.

Karamojo Bell used a 220 Swift on red deer in Scotland after he retired from Africa apparently quite successfully.
I am not Bell and will never be close to his prowess.

 

[WyoBull]

I have been an avid 220 Swift shooter since the late 1970's. Over all those years I have worked up loads for a lot of different bullet/powder combinations. The heaviest bullet a 1:14 twist will stabilize is a Hornady 60 gr HP and that is right on the edge of being able to stabilize it.
The smallest bullet I shoot in it is the Barnes 36 gr Varmint Grenade and the largest is a 55 gr Sierra HPBT (#1390), the 55 gr being my favorite for coyotes.
While a Swift will kill deer size game with the right bullet, I don't recommend it. At the very least, I would use a minimum 60 gr bullet in a 1:7/1:8 twist barrel but even then, there are much better options.
Also, the Swift is made to run fast with a lighter bullet so why lug it down?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A buddy traded for a ruger tang safety 77 in 220 swift.
Said the guns probably 70% condition and has a 1-14 twist barrel.
He asked what bullets to use for deer
I told him don’t.
I am not sure what bullets it will stabilize. I read a few post and the limite seams to be around 50gr
I can’t think of a 50gr or under 22 I would use on deer.
I think money wise he did ok on the traid.
But I don’t think it will be a good deer or hog rifle.

@Flbt
The only heavier bullet that will stabilise in the swift is the old Speer 70gn semi spitzer.
This bullet was designed for the slow twist 22-250 for use on deer. Driven to 3,000fps it was dynamite on pigs and goats out of my old REM 788 in 22-250.
That 70gn Speer is a dumpy little bullet compared to the sleek plastic tip bullets in 50-55gn range so should work well.
Bob

 

[Flbt]

@Flbt
The only heavier bullet that will stabilise in the swift is the old Speer 70gn semi spitzer.
This bullet was designed for the slow twist 22-250 for use on deer. Driven to 3,000fps it was dynamite on pigs and goats out of my old REM 788 in 22-250.
That 70gn Speer is a dumpy little bullet compared to the sleek plastic tip bullets in 50-55gn range so should work well.
Bob

I think I have about got him talked out of using it on deer.
I told him of a ruger collector that might give him 1 grand for it. I think he going to talk to him and see.