Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    
    re .0
    
    Fra,
    
    I just read an excellent article in Sports Afield (I think) about the
    .220 Swift...it goes through the whole history of 22 caliber stuff,
    and why the Swift lost popularity around the turn of the century.  When
    bigger use to be better there was a big move to smaller calibers, with
    the military going to 30 caliber the general populace started looking
    for smaller calibers that could do everything.  The problem with the
    Swift, as the author pointed out, was that it was never meant to be a 
    big game caliber, but people started using it that way because  a
    famous hunter/author of the time made it out to be magic.  Well it
    failed miserably as a general purpose big game gun...and so the
    popularity went south.  But the author goes on to say how it has to be
    the sweetest shooting varmit gun ever envisioned, with shots out to
    500yds not uncommon.  
    
    Just thought I'd share my enthusiasm about about the gun from that 
    article, if you haven't read it, I reccomend it.  Good luck with your
    new rifle.
    
    Kevin

    Kevin, thanks for the good words...
    
    It's definately got some nostalgia... and a little romance thrown in
    for good measure...  I read somewhere that is was and is the only
    bullet to break the 4000 fps mark, and is pretty much the cream of the
    crop of the 22's...  They say it's making a comeback now, although with
    the shrinking amount of huntable land it's hard to figure out how it
    ever could. It got some really bad press as a barrel burner, and this 
    along with the introduction of the 6mm's, really put a nail in the 
    coffin so too speak.
    
    I'm hoping to see it make that comeback...  
    
    Fra
    
    I could have easily picked up a 22-250, but I've always been a big fan
    of the underdog, and the Swift is actually a better performer.  My 
    neighbor had a custom built Swift that he loved...  shot many a chuck, 
    crow and hawk with it, at some astonishingly long distances... I'm
    hoping to cut down the chuck populace in VT as well as a few Coyotes 
    whenever possible. 
    
    

    Well, after a week of searching in several gunshops for ammo for this
    thing, I still havn't found any...  Been to Kittery Trading post and
    there looking at 4-8 weeks delivery till they get some more in... 
    Outdoorsman has none, Jakes, Hembrows, hell i've even tried Kmart ;^)
    
    Looks like i'm going to have to order up some brass from Gander
    Mountain...  shouldn't be a problem, but it would have been nice to
    shoot it this weekend.  I've picked up the dies, and a pretty good
    selection of bullets (Hornady 60 grain Spire point, Hornady 52 grain
    BTHP, and Sierra 55 grain FMJBT) Also picked up a couple of Lbs of
    powder 4895 and 4064...  all i need is Primers... 
    
    i'll keep you posted with results... If I ever get some brass ;^)
    
    Fra
    

    Hope your neighbor who considers hawks the same as crows and woodchucks
    reconsiders.

    I'm really surprised it took this long for someone to comment on the
    Hawk issue... although I knew it was inevitable... This was in Virginia
    back in the late 50's and early 60's when there were no laws protecting
    hawks etc... and ignorance was bliss.  Times change as do attitudes,
    today it's an issue, back then it was not.
    
    FWIW,  Fra
    
    ps, he dos'nt consider hawks to be the same as crows...

    Just an update here, My brass came in yesterday (thanks Kevin and
    Steve) Ended up ordering it through Midway.  Picked up 100 rds of
    Winchester 220 Swift brass for the incredibly low price of $22.50
    Tonight I start sizing and reloading...  hopefully tomorrow i'll get a
    chance to check out a few loads.
    
    Fra