Elevate Your .220 Swift Reloading with the RCBS Full-Length 2-Die Set (Group A)

For serious shooters, precision reloaders, and avid varmint hunters, the ability to craft consistent, high-performance ammunition is not just a hobby—it’s a commitment to accuracy and efficiency. This pursuit often leads to questions like: "What are the best tools for reloading my .220 Swift cartridges?" or "How can I ensure my handloads are consistent for optimal performance?" The answer for countless enthusiasts lies in investing in reliable, high-quality reloading dies. The RCBS 10701 Full-Length 2-Die Set Group A for .220 Swift is engineered to meet these demands, providing the foundational tools necessary for producing factory-spec or even superior ammunition right from your workbench.

Why Handload Your .220 Swift Ammunition?

Before diving into the specifics of this exceptional die set, let's consider the core benefits that drive shooters to handload their own .220 Swift ammunition:

• Cost Savings: In the long run, reloading significantly reduces the per-round cost of shooting, especially for high-volume calibers like the .220 Swift, known for its rapid-fire applications in varmint control.
• Enhanced Accuracy and Consistency: Factory ammunition, while good, often has slight variations. Handloading allows for meticulous control over every variable – powder charge, bullet seating depth, primer selection, and brass preparation – leading to tighter groups and improved downrange performance. This is particularly crucial for a high-velocity, flat-shooting cartridge like the .220 Swift, where even minor inconsistencies can impact trajectory.
• Customization for Specific Firearms: Every rifle is unique. Handloading allows you to tailor loads to your specific firearm’s chamber, barrel harmonics, and rifling twist, unlocking its true accuracy potential. This often translates to better bullet stability and less fouling.
• Availability: During times of scarcity, having the ability to produce your own ammunition ensures you can continue shooting without interruption.
• Educational Value and Skill Development: Reloading is a rewarding skill that deepens your understanding of ballistics and firearm mechanics. It transforms shooting from a passive activity into an engaging, hands-on science.
• Optimized Performance: Achieving higher velocities, flatter trajectories, or better terminal performance for specific applications (like varmint hunting or long-range precision shooting) is made possible through tailored handloads that factory ammunition cannot match.

For these reasons, the investment in a quality die set, such as the RCBS 10701, becomes an indispensable part of the serious shooter's toolkit.

Understanding the Essential Reloading Dies

A basic reloading setup typically requires at least two dies: a sizing die and a seating die. The RCBS Full-Length 2-Die Set provides both, precisely calibrated for the .220 Swift cartridge.

The Full-Length Sizer Die: Restoring Brass to SAAMI Specifications

The first and most critical step in reloading a fired bottleneck rifle case is resizing it. When a cartridge is fired, the brass expands to fit the rifle's chamber. For reliable feeding, extraction, and consistent chamber pressure in subsequent firings, the case must be returned to its original, unfired dimensions. This is the primary function of the Full-Length Sizer Die.

The RCBS Full-Length Sizer Die, included in the 10701 set, is designed to bring the entire spent case back to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) minimum cartridge dimensions. SAAMI specifications are industry standards that ensure ammunition and firearms are interchangeable and safe.

Here's how this innovative die works:

• External Sizing: As the fired case is pressed into the die, the die's internal dimensions reshape the outside of the case body, the shoulder, and the neck, returning them to their factory specifications. This ensures the reloaded cartridge will chamber smoothly and reliably in any rifle chambered for .220 Swift.
• Decapping: Integrated within the Full-Length Sizer Die is an Expander-Decapping Unit. As the case is pushed up into the die, a decapping pin pushes out the spent primer from the primer pocket, preparing the case for a new primer.
• Neck Expanding: Following decapping, the expander ball, part of the Expander-Decapping Unit, is pulled through the inside of the case neck. This precisely expands the neck to the correct internal diameter, ensuring it can snugly accept a new bullet without deforming it or providing insufficient neck tension. Proper neck tension is paramount for consistent bullet release and, consequently, accuracy.
• Vents for Precision and Safety: A thoughtful design feature of the RCBS Sizer Die is the inclusion of vents. These small channels prevent case damage that can be caused by trapped air during sizing, especially when using a press with a powerful ram. Furthermore, these vents provide an escape route for excessive lubricant, which, if trapped, could deform the case shoulder or create hydraulic dents, compromising case integrity and reload consistency.
• Headspace Control: Achieving proper headspace is vital for safety, brass longevity, and accuracy. The RCBS Full-Length Sizer Die holds headspace to minimum tolerances. This precise control is crucial to avoid changing the case body length during the full-length sizing process, preventing "case stretching" that can lead to premature case failure or compromised accuracy due to inconsistent bullet seating depths relative to the chamber leade. By minimizing changes to the case body length, these dies help extend the usable life of your valuable brass.

This meticulous sizing process ensures that every piece of brass processed through the RCBS 10701 Full-Length Sizer Die is perfectly prepared for the subsequent steps, laying the groundwork for highly accurate and safe ammunition.

The Seater Die: Precision Bullet Seating and Crimping

Once the case is resized, primed, and charged with powder, the final critical step is seating the bullet. The Seater Die with Bullet Seater Plug, the second component of the RCBS 10701 set, is responsible for this precision task.

• Bullet Seating: The primary function of the Seater Die is to press the bullet into the case mouth to a precise depth, achieving the desired Overall Cartridge Length (OAL). The included Bullet Seater Plug is designed to match the profile of common .220 Swift bullets, ensuring consistent and non-damaging contact with the bullet as it is seated. Consistent OAL is a cornerstone of reloading accuracy, directly influencing chamber pressure, bullet jump, and barrel harmonics.
• Built-in Roll Crimper: A significant advantage of this RCBS Seater Die is its built-in roll crimper. As the bullet is seated, the die simultaneously applies a roll crimp to the case mouth. A roll crimp is generally applied to cartridges with a cannelure (a groove around the bullet) or to provide a strong hold for cartridges that experience heavy recoil, though for the .220 Swift, it primarily ensures consistent neck tension and prevents bullet movement during handling or recoil in a magazine. This integrated function streamlines the reloading process, performing two crucial steps in one efficient operation and contributing to overall load consistency. For the .220 Swift's high velocity, a secure crimp can be beneficial, especially in tubular magazines or under heavy recoil, though typically for bolt-action rifles, consistent neck tension is often prioritized over heavy crimping. The ability to apply a light, consistent crimp can be advantageous.

The combination of precise bullet seating and simultaneous crimping ensures that each reloaded .220 Swift cartridge is uniform, contributing directly to reliable feeding and, most importantly, consistent accuracy shot after shot.

The .220 Swift: A Caliber Demanding Precision

The .220 Swift, introduced by Winchester in 1935, is renowned for being one of the fastest commercial cartridges in existence, capable of propelling a light bullet at scorching velocities often exceeding 4,000 feet per second. This incredible speed translates to an exceptionally flat trajectory, making it an ideal choice for:

• Varmint Hunting: Its unparalleled velocity and flat trajectory make it a favorite for dispatching small, distant targets like prairie dogs, groundhogs, and coyotes with minimal bullet drop over significant ranges.
• Long-Range Target Shooting: While not a traditional long-range target cartridge, its speed offers advantages in understanding wind drift and bullet drop at extended distances, making it valuable for specific precision applications.

Given the extreme velocities and the typical long-range applications of the .220 Swift, consistency in handloads is not merely desired but absolutely critical. Any minute variation in bullet concentricity, seating depth, or case dimensions will be magnified downrange, leading to significant deviations in point of impact. This is precisely where the RCBS 10701 Full-Length 2-Die Set excels, providing the meticulous control needed to harness the full potential of this legendary cartridge.

Why Choose RCBS Dies for Your Reloading Journey?

RCBS (Rock Chucker Bullet Swage) has been a cornerstone of the reloading community for over 75 years, building a reputation for durable, reliable, and precise reloading equipment. When you choose the RCBS 10701 Full-Length 2-Die Set, you are investing in:

• Unwavering Quality: RCBS dies are manufactured from heat-treated, polished steel, ensuring exceptional strength, longevity, and smooth operation. This means your dies will withstand countless reloading cycles, maintaining their precise dimensions for years to come.
• Precision Engineering: Every RCBS die is designed to meet strict manufacturing tolerances, ensuring that your reloaded ammunition consistently adheres to SAAMI specifications, promoting safety and reliability.
• Ease of Use: While precision tools, RCBS dies are designed with the reloader in mind. They are straightforward to set up on any standard reloading press, making the reloading process efficient and enjoyable, whether you are a novice or an experienced handloader.
• Industry Standard: RCBS is an industry leader, and their dies are compatible with virtually all standard reloading presses, offering versatility and peace of mind.
• Comprehensive Support: RCBS stands behind its products with excellent customer service and a commitment to helping reloaders succeed.

By selecting the RCBS 10701 Full-Length 2-Die Set for your .220 Swift, you are equipping yourself with tools that embody precision, durability, and the heritage of a brand trusted by generations of reloaders. This set is a vital component for anyone serious about achieving optimal performance and consistency from their .220 Swift rifle. It addresses the common needs of reloaders: achieving factory-like dimensions for reliable chambering, decapping spent primers, expanding case necks for new bullets, and seating bullets precisely while simultaneously crimping. This comprehensive functionality ensures that each handload is prepared to exact specifications, delivering the accuracy and reliability the .220 Swift demands for its extreme velocity applications in varmint hunting or precision shooting.

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Product Specifications: RCBS 10701 Full-Length 2-Die Set Group A .220 Swift

Feature	Description
Brand	RCBS
Series	Group A
Model	Full-Length 2-Die Set
Caliber	.220 Swift
Die Type	Sizer / Seater
Gun Type	Rifle
In Set	2 (Full-Length Sizer, Seater)
MPN	10701
UPC	076683107015