223 Remington barrel re-chambered in 220 Swift...couple questions

[vonfatman]

I hit a garage sale today and low-n-behold came home with a gaggle of Contender barrels.

One, a Super 14 Bull Barrel has been re-chambered into a 220 Swift barrel.

Is this a "good" conversion for a Contender barrel.  A friend was surprised at the 220 Swift being selected because he thought it might be a bit "much" for a Contender.

Secondly, if this re-chambering is considered "OK" for the Contender, is 220 Swift a caliber Contender shooters use much?

No mention of the re-chambering is on the barrel.  What is generally done by shooters to make the caliber change known to folks who might later acquire the barrel?

Thanks.

Bob

[ralfus]

How are you sure its a 220 Swift?

[vonfatman]

Mr. ralfus,

That is a very good question.  I was going on two bits of information.  1. the seller told me this (he was not the user/owner of the barrel, he's just passing along info that he was told when he inherited the batch of barrels).  2. he chambered a brand new 22 Swift factory cartridge into the barrel.

Other than these two items I have no clue at this time.  What can I do to verify the caliber?

Since last night when I posted the first questions...I was told by a very trusted seller of T/Cs that a Contender is not strong enough to handle full blown 220 Swift.

Thanks for any help you might pass my way.  Sorry, I'm not real educated on the process of determining caliber.

Bob

[ralfus]

You could have a gunsmith do a chamber casting or do it yourself. The material is under $15 from Brownells and reusable. Very good stuff to have around.

Is there a lower pressure 22 cartridge of bigger dimensions that it could be converted to? I don't know.

You found my barrels. Last spring I bought a Contender frame assembly at a yard sale for $10. It was inherited stuff and no barrels were present  Then another guy in town sold me a 70's vintage 357 Mag barrel and Pachmayr grip set for $80.    Deals are out there.

I've got 2 pistol scopes for sale now that you need a bunch for your barrels.

[Grumulkin]

If a gunsmith rechambered a Contender barrel to 220 Swift, he was an idiot.  This is definitely NOT a safe Contender chambering.  If you ever decide to shoot it never shoot factory cartridges in it.  In fact, if it were mine, it would be demolished and go in the trash where it couldn't hurt anyone.

[vonfatman]

Great thoughts.  I will verify the caliber.

Bob