Rechambering 223 Handi to 220 Swift

[Snakeoil Willie]

Last year I bought a 223 Heavy barrel Handi for a potential gift.  Situation has changed and now I was going to sell this rifle and then I thought about rechambering to a Swift. I have about 400 cases and dies left over from a previously owned bolt action Swift.

The 223 handi is a 1 in 9 twist.  Could it be rechambered to 220 Swift without great dificulty.  I would use moderate handloads in rifle.  This is one of those crazy thoughts and if it did not work out then I would not have wasted a great deal of money.

What is you fellow's opinion.

Snakeoil Willie

[Dinny]

It may be a moot point since you already have the components for the Swift, but I would consider the .225 Win instead. It has a most righteous rim. 
 
Thanks, Dinny

[Darreld Walton]

I'm not so sure that you'd be happy with a 1-9 twist Swift.  I assembled a 1-10 .220 last year, with a notion to using heavier bullets at extended range.  Unfortunately, there is a dearth of data for anything heavier than the 70 gr. Speer.  My rifle also gets "blue mist" disintegration of light (52 gr. and lighter) bullets at elevated velocities that are "normal" for a Swift, but the same bullets in my .22-250 Ackley at the same velocities with a 1-12 twist perform most satisfactorily.
If yer .223 heavy is shooting well as a .223, I'd hesitate to punch it out to Swift.

[LaOtto222]

1. You can bore it out to a 220 Swift
2. It has a rim, small, but a rim. The extractor will have to be modified - not a big deal
3. If you have a newer 223, it will be a 1 - 9" twist so keep the warning above in mind.
4. More than likely you will need to shoot heavier bullets 65 grain - 70 grain due to the 1 - 9" twist

I have an older 24" Ultra that has a 1 - 12" twist. Check yours out to be sure, then - knowing the above you can make up your own mind

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Catshooter45]

Had my 223 bored out to 225 Win.  Shoots 60 Noslers into less than an inch at 100 yards.
 
Color me happy!
 
 
Cat

[gendoc]

 the swift will be better than most here think, if done right and with the right handload.............

[trotterlg]

I also think you will not be happy with a 9 twist Swift.  Any of the light bullets that are what a swift is really good at will turn to dust about 20 yards out.  Even a 12 twist is too much really.  A Swift is all about speed, so running heavy bullets slower just isn't what it is made for.  It will shoot, but just not like it was intended for.  The hot item would probably be a 22 Mag barrel with a 1 in 16 twist chambered in a Swift, that would be a little bit of fun.  Larry

[gendoc]

i guess someone needs to explain to me about why my 1 in 12 rechamber only performs with a 40gr v-max @ 4220 fps !!! i have done 3 of these and all perform close to the same.
theory is one thing but things can be different in tha real world..................
i have done a couple 1-9's for kiyot hunt'n and they did great with 50gr nosler
if ya want a 1 in 14 go witha 22-250 rc. little difference was noted. or jus find you one and keep it that caliber.   its fast but not swift
jus my .02

[LaOtto222]

Velocity is a barrel's worst nightmare. That is what got the 220 Swift a reputaion of being a barrel burner. It is a barrel burner when you start shooting an over bore case at 4000+ fps. A barrel shooting at 3500 will last considerably longer. 3000 fps makes a barrel last for a long, long time. 2000 fps is practically impossible to wear out from shooting. The smaller the bore, the worse the wear and the bigger the case capacity the worse it is too. An over bore case running 4000 fps will not last 1000 rounds before the throat will be shot. When you see throat/bore problems at lower velocities, it is usually due to improper cleaning or lack there of.

Of course shooting projectiles out at 4000+ fps can be a lot of fun, until it is shot out. To some it is worth it

Good Luck and Good Shooting