Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .220 Swift with .223 | 55gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 85 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Hodgdon CFE223 and Hodgdon LEVERevolution.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3694 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 3701 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 3645 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 3668 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 3684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 3668 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 3579 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 3655 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 3678 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 3625 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 3691 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 3753 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 3773 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 3678 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 3707 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,430 psi | 82% | 3724 fps | 97.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 3517 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 3675 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 3698 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3615 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 3720 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 3750 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 3645 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 3668 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 3704 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 3684 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 3704 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,924 psi | 54% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3688 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 3684 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 3638 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 3573 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 3681 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 3625 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 3684 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 3609 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 3638 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 3593 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3635 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 3579 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3675 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 3625 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 3691 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 3720 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 3642 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 3615 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 3609 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3783 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 3825 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 3665 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 3665 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3675 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 3684 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 3638 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3635 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 3573 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3681 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,591 psi | 84% | 3681 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3638 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 3652 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3694 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3570 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 3661 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 3658 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 3681 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3514 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 3648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 3602 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 3625 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3648 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,486 psi | 78% | 3507 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 3668 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 3704 fps | 98.4% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 63% | 3274 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,300 psi | 82% | 3615 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 83% | 3619 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 69% | 3386 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 51% | 3100 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 61% | 3297 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,039 psi | 51% | 3136 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 77% | 3412 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,573 psi | 78% | 3432 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,338 psi | 71% | 3451 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,504 psi | 84% | 3517 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,573 psi | 78% | 3524 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 77% | 3530 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 3343 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 59% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 71% | 3520 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 39.1 gr | 92% | 50,082 psi | 80% | 3698 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 3399 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 72% | 3425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,283 psi | 77% | 3563 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 3560 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 76% | 3392 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,198 psi | 80% | 3596 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,191 psi | 66% | 3399 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,509 psi | 65% | 3284 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,044 psi | 63% | 3337 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 36.5 gr | 84% | 46,427 psi | 74% | 3589 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 3442 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 72% | 3455 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,533 psi | 84% | 3632 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,800 psi | 67% | 3396 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 35.8 gr | 86% | 40,190 psi | 64% | 3406 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,976 psi | 40% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,265 psi | 69% | 3412 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 56% | 3268 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,819 psi | 77% | 3501 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 73% | 3406 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,308 psi | 69% | 3461 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 3343 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,678 psi | 84% | 3615 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 69% | 3379 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,519 psi | 55% | 3202 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,831 psi | 72% | 3386 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 3287 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,604 psi | 81% | 3514 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,553 psi | 65% | 3327 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 57% | 3215 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,411 psi | 71% | 3474 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,367 psi | 71% | 3484 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,035 psi | 74% | 3494 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,802 psi | 72% | 3406 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,367 psi | 41% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 69% | 3399 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,282 psi | 76% | 3619 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,376 psi | 58% | 3337 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 62% | 3271 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,305 psi | 61% | 3258 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,089 psi | 66% | 3386 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,678 psi | 84% | 3615 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,519 psi | 55% | 3202 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 3287 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,992 psi | 74% | 3422 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,675 psi | 78% | 3537 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 3533 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 73% | 3451 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,837 psi | 83% | 3579 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,774 psi | 73% | 3478 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 60% | 3179 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,516 psi | 49% | 2989 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 66% | 3360 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 3176 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 3432 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,221 psi | 68% | 3399 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,388 psi | 84% | 3455 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 68% | 3307 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 3196 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,518 psi | 52% | 3133 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 54% | 3127 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,797 psi | 61% | 3255 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,828 psi | 65% | 3330 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,343 psi | 52% | 3097 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 3360 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 60% | 3297 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,974 psi | 67% | 3402 fps | 95.3% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 85 powders for .220 Swift loaded with the .223 | 55gr | Merlin Virtus. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,825 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,297 fps to 3,825 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 55.0 gr projectile in 0.223" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Hodgdon CFE223, Hodgdon LEVERevolution rank at the top here: for .220 Swift with the .223 | 55gr | Merlin Virtus they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.