65gn SGK in a .220 swift

Any of you guys have experience shooting a heavy bullet in a swift? Mine has 1x9 twist and I just bought some 65gn SGK BTs to try in it. It loves 52gn and I should prolly just leave it be. Mostly curious to see how it does over 35gn of Varget.

Thanks and any suggestions are appreciated!

It will work fine in the 1:9" twist barrel.

Well, I loaded up the .65 grains and shot this week. They were all over the place. I'm talking 10" groups at 100 yards with keyholes in the paper. Will go back to 40-52gn for the swift. It loves those anyway. It was worth a try, lol

I've had the same experience with the 65gr in a .22-250 1-14" twist. Key holes & machinegun groups. The 63gr Sierra Semi-Pt will stabilize if you need that heavy a bullet.

Your 220 Swift is not a 1:9" twist then. The 65 grain should be plenty stable in a 1:9", especially at the speeds a 220 Swift pushes them at. If it's key holing, then it's a slower twist barrel.

A 1:12" twist is right on the edge of stable vs. not stable, depending on the speed and a few other factors. A 1:14" twist is fully unstable, and will tumble. You have a 1:12" or slower twist (1:14") in that rifle for the bullet to tumble, which is common twist for a 220 Swift. Just curious, what info did you have that you had a 1:9" twist barrel?

Chads correct you should be able to shoot up to 70gr bullets maybe longer depending on design with a 1/9 twist. Obviously its not so must be the traditional 1/12 or 1/14

Gonna have to find your real twist rate with a jag, patch, and cleaning rod that has a rotating handle.

I used a rod with a rotating handle and measured that way. Said it was 9" twist. Could my load be too hot? 33.5 grains of Varget. Barrel is 24"

I may just got back to anything under 55 grains. It loves them. No sense in trying to reinvent the wheel.

If trying to find a load with better bullet for deer, try the 60gr partition. it is a semi-spritzer with a flat base so in reality it is as short or shorter than some boat tail 55gr.

No, that load is too light, is more like it.

Try a slower burning powder for the heavier bullets.

That 65 grain Sierra GK will not work in a 1 in 14 twist. The 60 gr Partition will almost work, depending on weather conditions. The 63 gr Sierra SMP should work just fine. I know this from experience. Been there...tried that. Oh, and the Nosler 64 gr BSB won't work either, though maybe if you have a 26 inch barrel and just the right powder for max velocity, it and the 60 gr Partition might barely stabilize. I have a 21 inch barrel on my Swift.

What gun is it and has the barrel been changed?

I would reconsider your measuring procedure etc. to verify the twist. If its a factory gun its 99.999% not a 1:9 twist.

It's a custom rifle. I could recheck twist by measuring.

I would re-check your twist rate.

I run these 65gr SGKs in my 1:10 twist 22-250 and I've never had a problem at all with stabilization. It will handle Sierra 69 SMKs also.

I use Varget in .22-250 and 75 gr A-maxes. Varget is perfect for heavier bullets. 7mm-08 and 162-168 gr bullets, Varget. .308 and 178 gr belts, Varget. It is a very versatile, and reliable powder.