As the .220 Swift travels downrange, a 50-grain bullet sheds its speed rapidly due to its light weight and low ballistic coefficient, dropping to roughly 840 fps at 1,000 yards. At the muzzle, velocities measure roughly 3,900 fps for standard 50-grain varmint loads and a blistering 4,200 fps for ultra-light 40-grain projectiles. The charts below detail these velocity measurements across extreme distances and varying barrel lengths.
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.220 Swift Velocity Chart at 100 to 1,000 Yards
Note: The .220 Swift is a dedicated high-velocity varmint cartridge optimized for flat trajectories within 400 to 500 yards. Data beyond 600 yards represents mathematical model extrapolations. Pushing a lightweight .22 caliber bullet to 1,000 yards subjects it to severe wind drift and transonic destabilization.
| Distance (yards) | Distance (meters) | Ammunition / Bullet Weight | Barrel Length (inches) | Estimated Velocity (fps) | Velocity Loss from Muzzle (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle (0) | 0.0 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 3,900 fps (Published) | 0 fps |
| 100 yards | 91.4 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 3,420 fps (G1 Calculation) | 480 fps |
| 200 yards | 182.9 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 2,980 fps (G1 Calculation) | 920 fps |
| 300 yards | 274.3 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 2,580 fps (G1 Calculation) | 1,320 fps |
| 400 yards | 365.8 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 2,210 fps (G1 Calculation) | 1,690 fps |
| 500 yards | 457.2 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 1,870 fps (G1 Calculation) | 2,030 fps |
| 600 yards | 548.6 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 1,570 fps (G1 Calculation) | 2,330 fps |
| 700 yards | 640.1 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 1,310 fps (G1 Calculation) | 2,590 fps |
| 800 yards | 731.5 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 1,100 fps (Transonic) | 2,800 fps |
| 900 yards | 823.0 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 940 fps (Extrapolation) | 2,960 fps |
| 1,000 yards | 914.4 m | 50-gr Hornady V-Max (BC: ~0.242) | 24.0 | 840 fps (Extrapolation) | 3,060 fps |
.220 Swift Muzzle Velocity Chart
| Ammunition Type | Bullet Weight (grains) | Barrel Length (inches) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-grain Polymer Tip |
Hornady V-Max
[Manufacturer Spec] | 40 | 24.0 (Standard Rifle) | 4,200 (Advertised) | 1,567 |
| 40-grain Polymer Tip
Hornady V-Max
[Independent Estimate] | 40 | 26.0 (Varmint Profile) | 4,260 (Estimated) | 1,612 |
| 50-grain Polymer Tip
Hornady V-Max
[Manufacturer Spec] | 50 | 24.0 (Standard Rifle) | 3,900 (Advertised) | 1,688 |
| 50-grain Polymer Tip
Hornady V-Max
[Independent Estimate] | 50 | 22.0 (Standard Rifle) | 3,820 (Estimated) | 1,620 |
| 55-grain Soft Point
Remington Pointed Soft Point
[Manufacturer Spec] | 55 | 24.0 (Standard Rifle) | 3,680 (Advertised) | 1,654 |
| 55-grain Soft Point
Remington Pointed Soft Point
[Independent Estimate] | 55 | 26.0 (Varmint Profile) | 3,740 (Estimated) | 1,708 |
Factors Affecting Velocity
- Massive Case Capacity: The .220 Swift is famous for being the first factory cartridge to break the 4,000 fps barrier. It achieves this by acting as an “overbore” cartridge, burning a relatively massive charge of rifle powder to push a tiny .224-caliber bullet.
- Ballistic Coefficient (BC): While the muzzle velocities are incredibly high, the lightweight 40-grain to 55-grain bullets have very low Ballistic Coefficients. This means they are highly susceptible to aerodynamic drag. Despite starting at 3,900 fps, a 50-grain bullet will shed nearly half its velocity by the time it reaches 400 yards.
- Barrel Length: To achieve speeds exceeding 4,000 fps, the slow-burning powders require ample barrel length to completely combust. A 24-inch or 26-inch barrel is heavily recommended to maximize the Swift’s potential. Cutting the barrel down to 20 inches results in unburnt powder, massive muzzle blast, and a significant loss of velocity.
- Barrel Wear and Throat Erosion: Forcing immense heat and pressure through a narrow bore at 4,000+ fps acts like a plasma torch on the rifle’s throat. Sustained rapid fire will quickly erode the rifling, which can lead to a drop in both muzzle velocity and accuracy over the life of the barrel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the .220 Swift compare to the .22-250 Remington?
Both are legendary high-velocity varmint cartridges. The .220 Swift has a slightly larger case capacity and typically edges out the .22-250 Remington by about 100 to 150 fps with identical bullet weights. However, the .22-250 became much more popular because its rimless case design feeds more reliably in modern short-action bolt rifles.
Is the .220 Swift a “barrel burner”?
Historically, yes. When it was introduced in the 1930s, the extreme velocities quickly wore out the barrel steel of the era. Modern metallurgy and better powder formulations have vastly improved barrel life, but it remains a high-wear cartridge. Shooters should avoid rapid, sustained firing strings that overheat the barrel to prolong its lifespan.
At what distance does the .220 Swift go subsonic?
Because it launches at such an extreme velocity, a standard 50-grain bullet fired at 3,900 fps will not drop below the speed of sound (roughly 1,125 fps) until it reaches approximately 750 to 800 yards.
What is the effective hunting range of the .220 Swift?
For explosive terminal performance on small varmints like coyotes and prairie dogs, the .220 Swift is highly effective out to 400 or 500 yards. Its incredibly flat trajectory over the first 300 yards means hunters essentially do not have to account for bullet drop at typical field distances.