I'm going about this a little backwards. I have a scope and looking at a new rifle project to pair with it. Project is a long range (500 yards) varmint rifle in 220 Swift or 22-250. I have a Model 11 in 223 Rem that uses AI magazines and a Model 10P in 308 Win that uses Dark Eagle magazines that are potential donor rifles
I'm assuming the barrel swap will be pretty straightforward, but wondering about the magazines. I'll need to measure the magazines, but nominal cartridge lengths and diameters are:
Cartridge Length (IN) Rim Diameter (IN) 223 Rem 2.259 .378 308 Win 2.860 .535 220 Swift 2.680 .473 22-250 2.360 .4728
So what kind of challenges am I looking at with the magazines. Seems like the caliber I choose may dictate what rifle I need to use. If I elect to go with the 22.250, the Model 11 in 223 Rem would get rebarreled. If the 220 Swift, the 308 Model 10P would be the one.
Feed lips on the magazine might also be a factor given the differences in case diameter.
Am I making more of this than I should? I'd welcome any advice for those that have done a similar conversion.
Mike
Last edited by Marine24; 02-12-2016 at 11:51 AM.
Looks like the 22-250 will work in the AI mags and appears the 220 Swift will work as well.
Five round magazine appears the best option or limiting the rounds to six or seven if using the 10 rounders.
Whether the 22-250 will work in a factory Savage 223 magazine is the question.
I've always wanted a 220 Swift, and one of our local stores has bags and bags of brass. Might be time to rebarrel the 338-06 for ground squirrel season!
Last edited by iusmc2002; 01-23-2016 at 09:46 PM.
Based on other conversions and after talking with Dan at Dark Eagle, the 22-250 will need to be built off of the 308 10P rifle.
Anyone done a conversion to a 220 Swift? It is considered a short action cartridge and the cartridge length and diameter should work with a 308 magazine/bolt head.
you need to think about what bullet you need and what twist matches up with that bullet. typical swift & 22-250 twists are 12 & 14. these twists do not lend themselves to weights >55g. and 55g bullets dont lend themselves to those ranges. heavy for caliber bullets have a decided advantage in the long range department. typical 3-400yd range, which is reasonable for the =<55g, is not considered "long range" anymore.
been there done that
that being said, some 12 twist barrels wil stabilize 64g bergers. i cant w/ 12 twist, even at 3500fps
always wondered what a custom swift or 250 would do with a 10 twist. anyone tried that?
Last edited by 1953greg; 01-25-2016 at 12:20 PM.
Why? I thought any short action would work as long as you had the correct bolt head.Originally Posted by Marine24
BTW, if I were ordering a barrel to replace the 12 twist on my 250 it would be a 10. Mine shoots 55gr bullets great but the wind really gets them out at 350-400 yards. In all fairness I haven't tried anything heavier yet, I hate to buy a box of bullets just to see.
Point taken. 220 Swift definitely is a reloader's caliber. 55gr ammo is the typical bullet weight I'm seeing in production ammo with Nosler offering 60gr ammunition. Both have the legs to reach out to 500 yards, but expect there will be some Kentucky windage involved.
JustinP61: Issue isn't the action. That will work just fine as you pointed out. More of an issue with the magazine feeding reliably. For both the factory mags and AI mags, the recommendation is to use the 308 magazines.
Decided to go with a Savage 12 FV in 22-250 initially. I'm not reloading as much anymore and availability of production ammo, to include heavier 64gr bullets, makes this the more prudent decision. 220 Swift is still in the future though. Redundant but really like that caliber too.
Did you consider a .243? It'd be much more ideal for what you're looking to do.
[I]"In the end, run what 'ya brung because it's better than nothing and don't give two ****s what some interwebs chat board guy says about your rig."[/I]
More a passion for fast 22 calibers. The 243 is a lot of bullet for a prairie dog but does have the advantage of handling the wind better.
I had a Savage model 12 223 with a 9 twist rechambered to 22x250 ai which closly resembles the 220 swift.
A bolt face change was necessary otherwise no changes were required. I use it as a single feed only so the magazine
wasent an issue. With 69 gr bullets it does well for the longer distance p dogs.
May have to go that route. From what I'm reading, the semi-rimmed case on the 220 Swift seems to get hung up on the feed lips. Behavior is with AI magazines but fixable by adjusting the feed lips and addition of anti-tilt follower. I don't think Savage produced a DBM version of the 220 Swift with the ones I'm familiar with all being single shots.
Ended up going the 22-250 route. Picked up a Model 12FV and swapped out the stock for a B&C Medalist M40 stock. New bottom metal, trigger guard and action/trigger guard screws from Savage and came together nicely (rear action screw needs some trimming). Dark Eagle 10 round 308 mags work like a champ with no feeding issues. Only loaded up three rounds but we'll see how it does with a few more.
The 220 Swift case diameter is not .473. It's a rimmed cartridge and the rim is .473 but the body diameter is .445. I have a model 12 F t/r with a McGowen barrel in 220 Swift. It's a single shot target action so feeding is not applicable.
True statement. Updated the table. For the purposes of this discussion the larger rim diameter is the key measurement.
So I've now come across this gem. Listed as a Savage Model 112, serial number C050226. My guess it is a 112FV but I'm guessing it was rebarreled since it has a stainless barrel and blued receiver.
Good information, I've got a 12" twist coming. I was reading about the 22-250 on accurate shooter. com and they advised 12 twist was good up to 63 grains. I think I'll limit my shooting to the 60 grain V-max for going out to 400 yards or so.
Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67
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