I have a two part question for you guys, first have any of you loaded the 220 Swift for a long gun? I have a Ruger MKII Varmint I'm just starting to play with and I'm looking for pet loads you may have come up with. Second is on scopes. I've never been a long range shooter although I've had guns like the 300RUM and WTHBY that were capable of it but I just ran Leupold VXIII 3.5-10 scopes because I was more concerned about horsepower for elk specifically as none of my elk or mulies have been shot much past 200 yds because of the country I hunt. The gun has a cheapo Tasco on it, it's a 10-40X with target turrets but I'm thinking on changing but most of the stuff I've looked at is more than a grand and I'm not sure I want to put that into a gun that will probably see more paper than anything and possibly some sage rats and coyotes. First what power would you run, I've been looking at 4-12x and 6-18x and what scopes in particular or would you just stay with the Tasco? I've always been big on Leupold but like I said I don't know I want to put the dollars out for this gun.
Thanks for any help,
Rod

I would put a better scope on it. I think that I would use the 4-12 if you are going to call coyotes. I have only shot 60 grain bullets in my encore barrel. I can't remember the load though. When I get a chance I can look it up in my records.

Aaron

Punching paper and sage rats would make a scope in the 20X range a good choice. I personally like seeing the small targets eaisly. The Nikon Buckmaster 6~18X is a decent scope for the money. Midevilway runs a sale on the mil-dot, side focus version for $299.00 from time to time. I also like the Meuller scopes. I have an Eraticator model that's 8.5~25X. It's also available with a mil-dot and in the $300.00 range. Stepping up some is the Nikon Monarch and the Clearidge XP scopes. For a little less than $500.00. I have a Clearidge Ultra XP 6.5~20X on the 243 Striker and like it alot.

I have no first hand experience with the Swift. One of the guys that shoots winter league with us had a Ruger Varmint in 220 Swift and I remember it shot well. The faster he ran it the better it liked it.

YOU TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!!

I have a 4-14 Nikon that sat on a 25-06. It now resides on a 30-06. The scope is about 5 years old and I haven't had any problems with it.

I have been looking at the Millett scopes as well. I haven't heard anything but good remarks and they are know owned buy Bushnell.

Nikon
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#123107____-_1-2-4_8-16

Millett
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#740823____-_1-2-4_8-16

Rod I had a 220swift in years past and regret ever letting it out of my sight,but that's niether here nor there but IMHO it is the best of the 22 centerfires.Can't help with loading used factory stuff way back then but on scopes I'd talk with Dan B about that Mueller he is using.From what I have seen him write it sounds good and is affordable.

i have used tascos on my guns and have had good luck
so if you really want to change i would see how
well the tasco shoots and then see what you want
to do bushnell or weaver would also be good on it
larry

I have a ruger 77V (26"barrel) in the 220 swift, my pet load is IMR 4064 37.4gr with a 50gr bullet at 3700fps. The tasco scope I have is over 20yrs old and still holds zero. Good luck with your swift.

Thanks for the input guys, that gives me some stuff to think on and I'll try jimmylee's load.

I also like the Nikon BM 6-18x mil-dot on my 17 Fireball XP for prairie dogs--