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Thread: 220 swift for deer

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
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    220 swift for deer

    In a recent post on the use of the 30 carbine for deer got me thinking
    if the 30 carbine is such a good deer slayer my 220 swift should be like
    a bolt from the blue on a unsuspecting whitetail
    What say you
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    I'd be a little picky on which bullet to use, but it should do as well as, say a .243.

    I don't know how all the state laws are, but I'd heard in years past some states had minimum caliber restrictions.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy memtb's Avatar
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    I’m certain it would work, and some states allow the use of .223 diameter bullets ......ours about 8 or so years ago with specific bullets have allowed the use of .223 Rem. for Deer/Antelope.

    Personally, I’m against it, and feel the minimum should be .24 cal. But, that’s just my opinion, and should be viewed as such! memtb
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  4. #4
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    I've killed enough deer with a .223 and 22-250 to say yes. Put that fast little bullet in the right spot and the deer will drop right there. Assuming such is legal in your state.

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  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    I have an acquaintance who uses nothing other than a 22LR for deer. It is not legal down here. He says he has never lost one, and I have seen 2 of 10 points that he killed with the Ruger 10-22. 3 quick shots to the heart-lung area is better than buckshot.

    The 220 swift should do fine. I use a 60 grain Nosler partition in my 22-250.
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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Winger Ed. View Post
    I'd be a little picky on which bullet to use, but it should do as well as, say a .243.

    I don't know how all the state laws are, but I'd heard in years past some states had minimum caliber restrictions.
    round these part's it legal to use 22 cal for deer
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    It will work given proper bullet and placement.

    OTOH, just because one can climb Mount Everest walking backwards doesn’t mean it’s the best idea.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master
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    sure but how many will do it
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

  9. #9
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    I know someone who uses 220 Swift for headshots on whitetail. Antlers go flying and the meat is all in perfect condition. I wouldn't think less of anyone who did the same.
    I'm a big fan of data-driven decisions. You want to make me smile, show me a spreadsheet! Extra points for graphs and best-fit predictive equations.

  10. #10
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    I’ve used the Nosler 60gr Partitions, and Hornady 60gr. SP. in 22-250. All shots have been placed behind the ear. I do prefer using the partitions. I do have plans on trying out the 70gr. Accu-bonds.

  11. #11
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    There are folks who need to prove something....or maybe they do not have a better option. I will leave it that.

    I would have no issue with using a .220, but I know my abilities and my way of hunting.
    Don Verna


  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy memtb's Avatar
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    We should start a post (battle) on the ethics of head shooting deer (animals)! memtb
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  13. #13
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    Here in Virginia you can't use .22 caliber to hunt deer.

  14. #14
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    It requires a little more discipline in shot placement but the .223, 22-250 and 220 will kill deer and Antelope like the Hammer of Thor with broadside lung shots with 55 grain soft points from personal experience.

    In the mid 70's I was just a kid but I was friends with the local game warden. His deer rifle of choice was a 22-250 with 55 grain bullets soft points. I thought he was nuts since I read all the gun rags claiming how hard deer were to kill. After some actual experience I learned shot placement is paramount. Since 1972 I've averaged about 4 or 5 deer a season.

    I have both native American and Eskimo friends that a quite proficient at killing moose, caribou and elk with 55 FMJ's out of 12 twist barrels in .223. They claim two or three quick shots to the lungs works great since the bullets tend to tumble. In one case the person uses the M16 he smuggled back for Nam.

    Personally the only issues I have had with killing deer has been due to placement or using much heavy calibers with bullets designed for much heavier game.

    During the 30's and 40's a friend of my Dad's would kill a deer a week to feed the family with 22 rimfire. He got a beating from the old man if you used more than one shot per deer. I asked him about it one time and he figures he killed over 500 with a 22 and he only got beat a couple of times.
    Last edited by M-Tecs; 04-25-2021 at 11:25 AM.
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  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    The barrel's twist rate is all-important. I have a Ruger M77 whose original barrel had a 1 in 10" twist. I found the Speer semi-pointed 70 gr bullet accurate and very effective. I also know a number of men who used Hornady 55>60gr softpoints for deer hunting. Note: These were not V-Max bullets.

  16. #16
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    it sure will do it with soft point bullet, my first deer ever was 275 lb taken with one Remington factory load out of a 22-250, exploded both lungs that old buck toppled after jolting less than 30 yards. if a 22-250 will do it there is no reason why 220 swift would not. as stated in previous posts shot placement is key.

  17. #17
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    i cant tell you how many deer I killed in montana with my old ruger 22-250.. very high velocity kills quite effectively. i once killed a large mulie about 175 yards away feeding with a doe. the deer fell over, kicked once, and was drt, the doe barely lifted her head and continued feeding with that dead deer. but there was no pass through, and the bullet exploded.
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master 444ttd's Avatar
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    i used a 22-250ai to kill a doe. shot her in the head at about 50+/- yards. i was using 75gr hornady a max. it was the only time i have ever done it and it will be the last.
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  19. #19
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    As the youngest of five farm kids, at age 14 I could only afford one centerfire rifle. My mentor suggested the 22-250 because in North Texas we hunt varmints for 12 months a year and deer for two months. I’ve never regretted the decision, every single deer that I have shot with it was a one shot kill. I won’t use it for walking the thickets or “ money hunts”, or past 200 yards, but with 55 gr soft point on up( including the old Sisk copy 70 gr Speer)- it will do the job right now if you do the job. Now I have lots of rifles that are “ better” for deer, but the deer don’t die any deader. I only use head shots on sick cattle or trapped hogs ( with handguns) I’m not condemning those that do if they can be sure of the shot.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master
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    What got me thinking about this,other than the 30 carbine post,was a book I read on the 220 Swift.
    The author had no misgivings about using the 220 Swift on everything and he hunted in Africa with it
    he has taken game far larger than whitetail I think he even took a Elephant with it. Just thought I would
    see what other people's experiences have been with it.
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

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