mugs79
Member
Whats the fastest (muzzle velocity) rifle cartridge straight from the factory? I know the .220 swift was the first to break 4000 ft/s, but I know there have to be others faster. Which cartridge can call itself number 1?
Fastest Factory Cartridge?
- Thread starter mugs79
- Start date
- Status
Float Pilot
Member
I think the old 17 remington mag claimed around 4,000
OAKVILLE SHOOTER
Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Messages
- 352
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but the .223 WSSM is supossed to be faster than the .220 Swift.
Battlespace
Member
The 120mm M829A1 APFSDS-T Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer round for the Abrams has a muzzle velocity in excess of 5100 fps. Not bad for a projectile weight of a tad less than 20 lbs.
Last edited:
Deer Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,097
The .223 WSSM is 300-400 FPS less than the .220 swift, if i remember correctly.
rangerruck
Member
not yet a factory cart, but Im sure it will be; the savage 5-35c is supposed to go 4500fps or faster with the 32 grainers, IIRW.
so right now, you are splitting hairs between the swift, 240 wetherby, 204 ruger, 17 remmy , 17 fireball, 223 wssm, or maybe even a 243 wssm.
so right now, you are splitting hairs between the swift, 240 wetherby, 204 ruger, 17 remmy , 17 fireball, 223 wssm, or maybe even a 243 wssm.
speed_kills
Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2007
- Messages
- 18
220 Swift
Orr89rocz
Member
yeah 220 swift is up near 4100 if not abit over in some loads.
225 winchester can hit 4000, same with the 17 rem
22-250 can hit 4000
30-06 accelerator with the 55 grain sabot can hit near 4100.
240 weatherby can hit 3900 with a 70 grainer.
Vmax loads for the 243 show 3750 for a 58 grainer
225 winchester can hit 4000, same with the 17 rem
22-250 can hit 4000
30-06 accelerator with the 55 grain sabot can hit near 4100.
240 weatherby can hit 3900 with a 70 grainer.
Vmax loads for the 243 show 3750 for a 58 grainer
S&WKING
Member
204 all the way the hornady says 4225 and the 220 swift hornady says 4220 so the 204 is fastest out of the box
rangerruck
Member
this is what I was talking about;
http://www.varminthunter.org/downloads/Issue59.pdf
especialy read the last 3 paragraphs, and look at the data graph.
http://www.varminthunter.org/downloads/Issue59.pdf
especialy read the last 3 paragraphs, and look at the data graph.
redneck2
Member
So, the progression of development is...
take one milk jug,
neck down to .17 or .20 caliber,
fill with appropriate powder,
shoot 500 times,
replace barrel
I know a guy that had a .30-378 Weatherby. IIRC, it approached or exceeded 4,000 fps with .30 caliber bullets. Barrel life was sub 1,000 rounds. Handloader showed a .50 MGB necked down to .30 for shooting at 1 mile. I believe the barrel life was 250-500 rounds for that one.
Maybe this one is better. Don't have time to read the article this morning. Still in all, somebody's always gotta have a new pony for the circus.
take one milk jug,
neck down to .17 or .20 caliber,
fill with appropriate powder,
shoot 500 times,
replace barrel
I know a guy that had a .30-378 Weatherby. IIRC, it approached or exceeded 4,000 fps with .30 caliber bullets. Barrel life was sub 1,000 rounds. Handloader showed a .50 MGB necked down to .30 for shooting at 1 mile. I believe the barrel life was 250-500 rounds for that one.
Maybe this one is better. Don't have time to read the article this morning. Still in all, somebody's always gotta have a new pony for the circus.
Shawnee
member
From that article and its' "visuals" it would seem the 5mm/35 SMe's accuracy is likely to peak at around 4300fps., and that could be a stretch in a factory rifle with a <28" barrel. Bullet makers may have to take the 30-32gr. pills back to the drawing board to help matters much. Would have been interesting to have seen some results of 35-40grainers launched from 1:16 barrels. Certainly worth watching. 
rangerruck
Member
yes, and bbl life on the 5-35 is excellent as well, as it is less hot than the 204.
but I am sure they will powder tweak, until they get an accurate round, going over 4400 or 4500 fps, just think of that as a selling point!!!
but I am sure they will powder tweak, until they get an accurate round, going over 4400 or 4500 fps, just think of that as a selling point!!!
Outlaws
Member
By the charts in the PDF, it uses more powder down the same 20 cal hole. That equals hotter.
Orr89rocz
Member
yeah there has been a few 50 calber creations that can shoot a pretty heavy bullet pretty fast
chemist308
Member
How about the old Remington Accelerators in 308 Win? It was a full 308 load pushing a 22 or 17 ball fitted into a piece polymer material? Have no idea how fast they were, but i know for a fact they could take a buzzard mid-flight at over 200 yards without leading. Uh...don't ask me how i came to know that...
MachIVshooter
Member
The .220 Swift is still King, with the .204 Ruger, .17 Rem., .17 Fireball and .223 WSSM nipping at it's heels.
That said, I have pushed my .17 Rem beyond my .220 using 20 gr. V-max's; 4265 15' from the muzzle. However, I have not loaded 40 grainers in the .220, and I'm sure they could chomp at the 4,400 mark. But 55 grain pills just below 4,000 seem to be the ticket for 400+ yard dog shots without absolutely murdering the chamber throat.
That said, I have pushed my .17 Rem beyond my .220 using 20 gr. V-max's; 4265 15' from the muzzle. However, I have not loaded 40 grainers in the .220, and I'm sure they could chomp at the 4,400 mark. But 55 grain pills just below 4,000 seem to be the ticket for 400+ yard dog shots without absolutely murdering the chamber throat.
northwolf
Member
.22-243 Middlestead
Not a factory BUT.. 5278fps
http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=100&LoadID=1147
Happy Holidays
Wolf
Not a factory BUT.. 5278fps
http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=100&LoadID=1147
Happy Holidays
Wolf
Neo-Luddite
Member
"Remington reported a muzzle velocity of 4,080 fps for the .30-06, 3,770 fps for the .308 and 3,400 fps for the .30-30. "
From: http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/March02.htm
Still for sale in .06 from Midway.
I've heard (reliable gossip I guess!??) that the accuracy from these was never all that great compared to a dedicated hyper velocity cartridge.
I've heard that folks have done some things with necked down .50 BMG that defy description--that must be a rewarding line of inquiry.
From: http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/March02.htm
Still for sale in .06 from Midway.
I've heard (reliable gossip I guess!??) that the accuracy from these was never all that great compared to a dedicated hyper velocity cartridge.
I've heard that folks have done some things with necked down .50 BMG that defy description--that must be a rewarding line of inquiry.
S&WKING
Member
tell me more about the 5-35 i read an artical way back but forgot about it who makes it and what gun shoots it
RugerOldArmy
Member
Which cartridge can call itself number 1?
There's a lot of misinformation in this thread. The fastest factory loaded cartridge is the .223 WSSM. Here's one reference to those indicating the Swift for the inevitable naysayer, and if you google, you'll find even more with that conclusion.
I'd clearly prefer .22-250 AI (not factory) over either the .223 WSSM (barrel burner with bad brass), Swift (burner rep, and serious case abuser), or .22-250 (stretches brass too.) But for a factory cartridge, you'll do fine with .204 Ruger or .22-250.
If you want real speed, and you reload, .22-243 Middlestead. It'll use barrels like .223 WSSM and the Swift, but move things along much quicker. There are Wildcats, like the .30-06 case necked down, that may push things faster, but then you're deep in diminishing returns territory.
Again, to be practical, most would be better off choosing the .204 Ruger or .22-250 for factory ammo. If you just have to have speed and you reload, .22-250 AI or .22-243 Middlestead would be better choices. The .22-250 AI runs neck and neck with the Swift but reduces the case stretch (and some say wears barrels slower in the throat due to the 40 degree shoulder.)
There's a lot of misinformation in this thread. The fastest factory loaded cartridge is the .223 WSSM. Here's one reference to those indicating the Swift for the inevitable naysayer, and if you google, you'll find even more with that conclusion.
I'd clearly prefer .22-250 AI (not factory) over either the .223 WSSM (barrel burner with bad brass), Swift (burner rep, and serious case abuser), or .22-250 (stretches brass too.) But for a factory cartridge, you'll do fine with .204 Ruger or .22-250.
If you want real speed, and you reload, .22-243 Middlestead. It'll use barrels like .223 WSSM and the Swift, but move things along much quicker. There are Wildcats, like the .30-06 case necked down, that may push things faster, but then you're deep in diminishing returns territory.
Again, to be practical, most would be better off choosing the .204 Ruger or .22-250 for factory ammo. If you just have to have speed and you reload, .22-250 AI or .22-243 Middlestead would be better choices. The .22-250 AI runs neck and neck with the Swift but reduces the case stretch (and some say wears barrels slower in the throat due to the 40 degree shoulder.)
- Status
