Hornady .220 Swift Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases (50 Count): The Foundation for Precision Reloading

For serious shooters, competitive marksmen, and dedicated hunters, the pursuit of ultimate accuracy and consistent performance is a perpetual quest. At the heart of achieving these goals through handloading lies the quality of your brass. Hornady, a name synonymous with innovation and precision in the ammunition industry, delivers foundational excellence with their Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases for the potent .220 Swift caliber, available in convenient 50-count boxes. These cases, bearing the SKU 8615 and UPC 090255486155, are engineered to uphold Hornady’s steadfast philosophy: "Ten bullets through one hole."

Why Choose Hornady Brass for Your .220 Swift Reloads?

Hornady’s commitment to exacting standards is evident in every piece of brass they manufacture. From their beginnings as a two-man operation in 1949, they have grown into a world leader by not only meeting current customer demands but also anticipating future needs. This forward-thinking approach is directly applied to their reloading components, ensuring that your handloaded ammunition performs flawlessly.

The .220 Swift is a legendary cartridge, renowned for its scorching velocity and incredibly flat trajectory, making it a top choice for varmint hunting and long-range precision shooting. To fully harness the potential of such a high-performance cartridge, the brass must be of superior quality. Inferior brass can lead to inconsistent pressures, poor accuracy, and premature case failure. Hornady addresses these concerns head-on, providing cases that are not merely containers for powder and bullets but are critical components optimized for repeatable ballistic excellence.

Reloading enthusiasts consistently ask: "What are the best brass cases for achieving consistent accuracy?" and "How can I extend the life of my reloading brass?" The answer frequently points to Hornady. They rigorously test their brass to ensure optimal performance and longevity. This includes meticulous checks for wall concentricity, uniform wall thickness, and the ability to withstand multiple pressure cycles. These detailed quality control measures translate directly into tangible benefits for the home reloader.

Unlocking Precision: Key Features and Their Impact on Your Shooting

Hornady Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases (8615) are crafted with several critical features that directly impact your reloading experience and the performance of your finished ammunition:

• Tight Wall Concentricity: This is paramount for accuracy. Concentricity refers to the uniformity of the case wall around the central axis. Cases with poor concentricity can cause bullets to seat off-center, leading to "bullet runout." Bullet runout is a major contributor to poor accuracy, as the bullet enters the rifling at an angle, disrupting its flight path. Hornady’s tight wall concentricity ensures that the bullet is seated perfectly in line with the bore, promoting true, consistent bullet flight and allowing your loads to achieve their full accuracy potential. This feature is especially critical for a high-velocity, precision cartridge like the .220 Swift where even minor inconsistencies are magnified downrange.
• Uniform Case Wall Thickness: Consistency in wall thickness is vital for consistent neck tension and uniform pressure distribution upon firing. Variations in thickness can lead to uneven neck tension, affecting bullet seating force and how consistently the bullet leaves the case. More importantly, inconsistent wall thickness can result in pressure variations, which directly impact muzzle velocity and, consequently, trajectory and accuracy. Hornady's commitment to uniform wall thickness ensures that each case behaves identically under pressure, contributing to predictable velocities and tighter shot groups. This attention to detail helps solve the common reloader's problem of "how to achieve consistent muzzle velocity."
• More Reloads per Case: For the cost-conscious or high-volume reloader, case longevity is a significant factor. Hornady brass is designed for durability, allowing for a greater number of reloading cycles. This means a lower cost per round over time and less time spent preparing new brass. The ability to reuse cases multiple times depends on the brass's metallurgical properties, its annealing process, and the uniformity of its manufacture. Hornady performs extensive testing to ensure their brass can withstand the stresses of firing and resizing repeatedly, offering an economical advantage without compromising performance. This addresses the question, "How can I maximize my investment in reloading components?"
• Consistent Weight and Capacity: Each Hornady brass case is manufactured to precise weight and internal capacity specifications. Why does this matter? Consistent internal volume ensures that when the same amount of powder is loaded, it occupies the same space and produces similar pressures from one case to the next. This directly contributes to consistent muzzle velocity, which is the cornerstone of predictable ballistic performance and tight groups. Variations in case weight often indicate variations in internal volume, leading to pressure and velocity fluctuations. Hornady’s meticulous manufacturing process minimizes these variations, providing a reliable foundation for precise powder charges.
• New Unprimed Brass Cases: This product consists of new, unprimed brass. This means the cases are fresh from the factory, free from previous firing stresses, and ready for your preferred primers, powder, and bullets. Starting with new, high-quality brass like Hornady’s provides the most consistent foundation for developing your custom loads, eliminating variables introduced by previously fired or mixed-lot brass. It’s the ideal starting point for handloaders who demand the utmost control over their ammunition's performance.

The Philosophy of Reloading: Why Handload Your .220 Swift?

Reloading ammunition is more than just a hobby; it’s an art and a science that offers significant advantages to the discerning shooter. For a cartridge like the .220 Swift, known for its high-performance characteristics, handloading allows for:

1. Tailored Performance: Factory ammunition often represents a compromise, designed to perform adequately in a wide range of firearms. Handloaders can fine-tune loads to their specific rifle, barrel length, twist rate, and intended use. This means optimizing bullet weight, powder type, and charge weight to achieve the best possible accuracy and velocity for their unique setup. Want a specific varmint load that flies flatter, or a precise target load for long-range competition? Reloading with Hornady brass makes it possible.
2. Cost Efficiency: While there's an initial investment in reloading equipment, the long-term savings are substantial. Once you own the basic tools, the cost of components (brass, primers, powder, bullets) is significantly less than purchasing factory-loaded ammunition, especially for niche or high-performance calibers like the .220 Swift. The reusability of quality brass like Hornady's amplifies these savings.
3. Educational Value: Reloading provides a deeper understanding of internal and external ballistics, firearm mechanics, and the intricate relationship between components. This knowledge enhances your shooting skills and appreciation for the science behind every shot.
4. Availability: Sometimes, specific calibers or bullet types can be difficult to find on store shelves. Reloading ensures you can always produce the ammunition you need, regardless of market availability fluctuations.

Hornady’s Legacy of Innovation: From Concept to Cartridge

Hornady’s journey from a humble two-man operation to a global leader is built on relentless innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality. The "Ten bullets through one hole" philosophy isn't just a marketing slogan; it's the guiding principle behind every product they design and manufacture. This dedication to precision extends from their iconic bullets and loaded ammunition to their crucial reloading components like this .220 Swift brass.

The rigorous battery of tests Hornady performs—checking wall concentricity, wall thickness, and pressure testing—is not merely about meeting industry standards; it’s about exceeding them. They understand that every component, no matter how small, contributes to the overall performance of the finished round. When you use Hornady unprimed brass, you're not just buying a component; you're investing in a legacy of precision engineering and a promise of consistent, reliable performance for your handloaded ammunition.

Getting Started with Your Hornady .220 Swift Brass

These Hornady Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases are a component for reloading, not loaded ammunition. To transform them into functional cartridges, you will need several other essential reloading items:

• Reloading Press: The primary tool for performing reloading operations.
• Dies: Specific to the .220 Swift caliber, these dies resize the brass, seat primers, and seat bullets.
• Primers: Small explosive charges that ignite the powder. (Remember these cases are unprimed).
• Smokeless Powder: The propellant that generates the energy to push the bullet.
• Bullets: The projectile itself, chosen for your specific shooting application (e.g., varmint, target).
• Reloading Manual: An absolutely essential resource containing safe load data and detailed instructions. Always consult multiple, current reloading manuals and start with minimum recommended loads.

The .220 Swift is a high-pressure cartridge, and meticulous attention to detail is paramount for safety and performance. Using high-quality components like Hornady brass provides a solid foundation, but adherence to established reloading practices and strict adherence to published load data from reputable manuals is critical.

Where to Find Your Hornady .220 Swift Unprimed Brass

For those seeking to elevate their reloading game and achieve unparalleled precision with their .220 Swift firearms, Hornady Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases (SKU: 8615, UPC: 090255486155) are an indispensable choice. These premium components are available from trusted suppliers like DEGuns, where reloaders can find a comprehensive selection of Hornady products and other essential reloading supplies to support their pursuit of perfection. Opting for Hornady means choosing a component engineered for consistent performance, extended case life, and the ultimate precision that serious shooters demand.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Manufacturer	Hornady Manufacturing
Product Type	Unprimed Brass Cartridge Cases
Caliber	.220 Swift
Count Per Box	50 Cartridge Cases
Condition	New, Unprimed
Key Enhancements	Tight Wall Concentricity, Uniform Case Wall Thickness, Consistent Weight & Capacity
Designed For	More Reloads per Case, Enhanced Accuracy, Consistent Performance
SKU	8615
UPC	090255486155