Thoughts on a project rifle


Texan_Til_I_Die

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I've got a Ruger 77 in 220 Swift that I almost never use for varmints. Lately, I've been thinking about turning it into a nice little deer rifle. I've loaded and shot 70 gr Speers in it and found that it performs fine on smaller deer. Currently it has a sporter weight 24 in barrell. I'm thinking about rebarrelling it with a shorter, midweight barrel and I've got a couple of questions. First, if I'm only planning to shoot 70+ gr bullets, should I get a different twist? Say a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9? And secondly, what's the shortest pratical barrel length for this type of setup?

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Re: Thoughts on a project rifle

For small bores with big cartridges, you need longer barrels to get the benefit of the larger case. I would not think of getting a barrel shorter than 24" and would probably lean towards a 26".

For the twist, the typical twist in a Swift is 1:14" - 1:16" which is way too slow for good accuracy with most of the heavy bullets. I would step down to a 1:8" twist. Swift has a 75 gr Scirocco that should be sweet in a bigger case gun like the Swift.

Since you are rebarreling anyhow, why not go with a better choice for deer? I would look at the 243 Win or 6mm Rem.

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Re: Thoughts on a project rifle

I have to go with you on that one again AJ. My cousin has a .224 TTH and been shooting some 80 gn bullets in it and shot one deer with it in the spine and thinks it is the berrie's. I tryed to tell him that if he was a 1" lower that deer would have gone to a long hard death and if he was lucky, he would have got it.

Not that what you are looking at would not kill a deer, the .243 or 6mm would be a little more forgiving. Just my $.02

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Re: Thoughts on a project rifle

[ QUOTE ]

Since you are rebarreling anyhow, why not go with a better choice for deer? I would look at the 243 Win or 6mm Rem.

[/ QUOTE ]

No particular reason except I like the Swift round. I've also already got the components, dies, etc to reload for the Swift.

I'll think about it some. Thanks

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