Swift Bullet Company
Swift Bullet Company: In Depth
Founded in 1982, Swift Bullet Company has established itself as a premier manufacturer of premium hunting bullets. Based in Quinter, Kansas , Swift has earned a reputation for innovation, exceptional quality, and outstanding terminal performance, serving serious hunters, professional guides , and shooting enthusiasts worldwide.
Swift Bullet Company is renowned for its specialized lineup of high-performance hunting bullets designed for maximum effectiveness on game. Their product range includes the legendary A-Frame®, Scirocco®, and Break-Away® Solid bullets, each engineered to deliver consistent expansion, deep penetration, and maximum weight retention across a wide range of shooting scenarios. Each bullet is crafted with precision to ensure unparalleled reliability and terminal effectiveness. Swift's commitment to quality is evident in their meticulous manufacturing processes and rigorous testing protocols, ensuring each bullet performs consistently in the field.
A notable achievement in Swift's history is the development of the revolutionary A-Frame® bullet, which features a proprietary bonding process that permanently joins the jacket and core. This technology significantly enhances terminal performance, providing controlled expansion and exceptional weight retention for reliable takedowns of large and dangerous game.
In addition to their technological innovations, Swift has cultivated strong relationships with professional hunters and guides who rely on their products in the most demanding hunting situations around the globe. Their bullets are trusted by those who stake their lives and livelihoods on dependable ammunition performance in critical moments.
For those who value premium quality, meticulous engineering, and consistent field performance, Swift Bullet Company stands out as the discerning hunter's choice. With over four decades of experience, Swift continues to set the standard in the premium hunting bullet industry, providing reliable and innovative products that are trusted by serious hunters on every continent. Whether you are pursuing dangerous game in Africa or hunting elk in the Rocky Mountains, Swift delivers the terminal performance that ethical hunting demands.
History and Development
Swift Bullet Company has been a significant player in the premium hunting bullet market since its founding in 1982. The company started in Quinter, Kansas, producing component bullets using C&H dies in a loading press, with rifle bullets crafted from 22 rimfire hulls using Corbin tools. These humble beginnings laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most respected bullet manufacturers in the hunting world.
Swift began its journey during a time when hunters were seeking more reliable bullet performance on big game. Bill Hober's philosophy centered on creating bullets that would deliver controlled expansion, deep penetration, and high weight retention—qualities essential for ethical hunting. This vision for performance excellence became the driving principle behind the brand.
In the early years, Swift operated as a small, specialized manufacturer. About two years after founding, Swift began developing a new rifle bullet specifically for large game and invested in additional equipment. Further testing and refinement led to the creation of the signature A-Frame® bullet, featuring a copper-jacketed and bonded core design. The A-Frame® became a commercial offering in 1984, when Swift placed a small ad in Shotgun News to begin selling bullets through the mail. As sales grew, a punch press was purchased and full-scale production began. This revolutionary design ensured controlled expansion and exceptional weight retention, making it ideal for hunting large and dangerous game.
A significant turning point came in 1994 when retired Pepsi Cola Company executive Bill Hober joined forces with the original founders to form what is the Swift™ Bullet Company of today. Under this new leadership, there was a heavy investment in advertising, capital expenditures, research and development, and human resources. This partnership allowed Swift to expand its product offerings and manufacturing capabilities while maintaining its commitment to premium quality. The company's relationship with Norma began as a supplier of bullets for their premium loaded ammunition, enhancing Swift's global market reach.
Swift's influence extends beyond commercial success; it has become the bullet of choice for many professional hunters and guides who pursue dangerous game in Africa and other challenging hunting environments worldwide. The company's reputation for reliability in critical situations has made it a trusted name among those who cannot afford bullet failure when facing dangerous animals.
Throughout its history, Swift has remained at the forefront of bullet technology. Following the partnership with Bill Hober, the company successfully developed and introduced the Scirocco® bullet line with the distinctive Signature Black Tip™, combining a polymer tip with a bonded core for excellent aerodynamics and terminal performance. Later innovations included the NEXT GENERATION Scirocco II® and additional A-Frame® offerings, expanding Swift's reputation for excellence in hunting ammunition. The Break-Away® Solid was also developed specifically for dangerous game hunters seeking maximum penetration through heavy bone and thick hide.
Today, Swift Bullet Company remains a leader in the premium hunting bullet industry, known for its high-quality products, innovative designs, and unwavering commitment to the hunting community. The company's A-Frame® and Scirocco® bullets are sold in 24 countries around the world, and to Sako and Norma overseas for their premium loaded ammunition. Swift's bullets are highly regarded by serious hunters, professional guides, and competitive shooters, cementing its position as a benchmark for excellence in the global hunting ammunition market.
Complete Timeline of Swift Bullet Company's Development:
Swift Bullet Company Products Overview
Swift Bullet Company is a premier manufacturer of premium hunting bullets, renowned for their exceptional terminal performance, penetration, and consistency. They offer specialized bullet designs crafted to meet the demands of serious hunters pursuing a wide range of game. Here's a detailed look at each of their specialized products:
1. Swift A-Frame®
Use Case: The flagship product designed for hunting large and dangerous game. It offers the perfect balance of controlled expansion and deep penetration, making it the preferred choice for professional hunters and guides worldwide.
Unique Features:
- Proprietary bonding process that permanently joins the jacket and core
- Two-part jacket design with partition crimp that prevents separation
- Exceptional weight retention, typically 85-95% of original mass
- Reliable expansion even at low impact velocities
2. Swift Scirocco®
Use Case: Engineered for medium to large game hunting at various distances, offering the perfect combination of aerodynamic efficiency and terminal performance.
Unique Features:
- Distinctive Signature Black Tip™ polymer point for improved ballistic coefficient
- Boat-tail design for flatter trajectories and enhanced stability
- Bonded core construction for consistent expansion and weight retention
- Streamlined profile reduces wind drift and maintains energy downrange
3. Swift Scirocco II®
Use Case: The next generation of the Scirocco line, designed for long-range hunting situations requiring superior ballistic performance and terminal effectiveness.
Unique Features:
- Enhanced aerodynamic profile with higher ballistic coefficients
- Improved expansion characteristics across a wider velocity range
- Reduced drag for better energy retention at extended ranges
- Maintains the bonded-core construction of the original Scirocco
4. Swift Break-Away® Solid
Use Case: Specifically engineered for dangerous game hunting where maximum penetration through thick hide, heavy bone, and dense muscle is required.
Unique Features:
- Monolithic brass construction for maximum penetration
- Flat meplat (tip) design creates a substantial wound channel
- No expansion or fragmentation, ensuring straight-line penetration
- Ideal for follow-up shots on dangerous game or shooting through heavy bone
5. Swift High Grade®
Use Case: Premium loaded ammunition featuring Swift bullets, allowing hunters to experience Swift performance without handloading.
Unique Features:
- Available with either A-Frame® or Scirocco II® bullets
- Precision-loaded to exacting specifications for consistent performance
- Premium components throughout, including select brass cases
- Offered in popular hunting calibers for a wide range of game applications
Each of Swift's product lines is engineered with a specific hunting application in mind, delivering the terminal performance and reliability that serious hunters demand. Whether pursuing dangerous game in Africa or taking precision long-range shots in the mountains, Swift offers bullet technology that ensures ethical and effective harvests.
Swift Bullet Company Awards and Recognitions
Swift Bullet Company has received numerous accolades from the hunting and shooting community for their innovative bullet designs and exceptional performance in the field.
| Award | Product | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Life Editor's Choice Award | Swift A-Frame® Bullets | 2021 |
| Petersen's Hunting Editor's Choice | Swift Scirocco II® Bullets | 2018 |
| Safari Club International Hunter's Choice | Swift A-Frame® Dangerous Game Bullets | 2016 |
| American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award | Swift High Grade® Ammunition | 2015 |
| Professional Hunters Association Recognition | Swift Break-Away® Solid | 2012 |
Where are Swift Bullets Made?
Swift Bullet Company manufactures its premium hunting bullets in Quinter, Kansas, USA. This small town in the heartland of America has been home to Swift's production facility since the company's founding in 1982. It's here that Swift combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision manufacturing techniques to create their renowned hunting bullets.
The Quinter facility houses Swift's complete manufacturing operation, including the proprietary processes used to create their signature A-Frame® bonded-core bullets and the advanced machinery needed to produce the aerodynamic Scirocco® line. Each step of the manufacturing process is carefully controlled and monitored to ensure the consistent quality and performance that hunters worldwide have come to expect from Swift bullets.
While Swift remains a relatively small company compared to some ammunition manufacturers, their specialized focus allows them to maintain exceptional quality control. Every bullet that leaves the Quinter facility is inspected to meet Swift's exacting standards for concentricity, weight tolerance, and dimensional precision. This dedication to quality is what has established Swift as a premier choice among serious hunters, especially those pursuing large and dangerous game where bullet performance is critical.
The company's Kansas location also positions it well for distribution across North America, while partnerships with international distributors and ammunition manufacturers like Sako and Norma have helped bring Swift bullets to hunters in 24 countries around the world. Despite this global reach, Swift remains proudly American-made, with all core production processes taking place at the Quinter facility.
More Swift Bullet Company Resources:
- Swift Bullet Company's Official Website
- Swift Bullet Company on Facebook
- Swift Bullet Company on Instagram
- Swift Bullet Company on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions About Swift Bullet Company
1. What makes Swift bullets different from other premium hunting bullets?
Swift bullets are distinguished by their proprietary bonding processes, exceptional weight retention, and consistent terminal performance. Unlike many competitors, Swift's A-Frame® bullets feature a unique two-part jacket with a partition crimp that prevents separation, while their Scirocco® line combines polymer tips with bonded cores for superior aerodynamics. Each bullet undergoes rigorous quality control, with manufacturing tolerances held to extraordinarily high standards. Their reputation for reliability in the most demanding hunting situations worldwide has established them as the preferred choice for professional hunters and guides pursuing dangerous game.
2. Which Swift bullet is best for dangerous game hunting?
The Swift A-Frame® is widely considered the optimal choice for dangerous game hunting. Its proprietary bonded-core construction ensures controlled expansion and exceptional weight retention (typically 85-95%), even when impacting heavy bone. The bullet's design creates both a wide wound channel upon initial impact and deep penetration necessary for reaching vital organs in large, thick-skinned animals. For maximum penetration in extreme situations, the Swift Break-Away® Solid complements the A-Frame® perfectly as a follow-up shot. Professional hunters throughout Africa and other dangerous game destinations rely on the A-Frame® for its consistent performance when lives are on the line.
3. What is the difference between the Swift Scirocco® and Scirocco II® bullets?
The Swift Scirocco II® represents an evolution of the original Scirocco® design, featuring an enhanced aerodynamic profile that delivers higher ballistic coefficients and improved long-range performance. While both bullets utilize Swift's bonded-core technology and the distinctive Signature Black Tip™, the Scirocco II® offers reduced drag for better energy retention at extended ranges and improved expansion characteristics across a wider velocity spectrum. The redesigned ogive (nose) profile contributes to more consistent accuracy, particularly in windy conditions. The Scirocco II® maintains the original's reputation for excellent weight retention while optimizing its ballistic performance for the modern long-range hunter.
4. How do Swift bullets perform at longer ranges?
Swift bullets, particularly the Scirocco II® line, are engineered for exceptional long-range performance. Their high ballistic coefficients, boat-tail design, and polymer tips minimize drag and maintain velocity and energy at extended distances. The bonded-core construction ensures reliable expansion and weight retention even at the lower impact velocities typical of long-range shots. For precision shooting beyond 400 yards, the Scirocco II® offers superior flight characteristics, wind resistance, and terminal performance. Many long-range hunters report consistent expansion and excellent terminal effect at ranges where other premium bullets begin to lose effectiveness, making Swift a trusted choice for ethical harvests at distance.
5. Are Swift bullets available in factory loaded ammunition?
Yes, Swift bullets are available in factory loaded ammunition through several channels. Swift's own High Grade® ammunition line features both A-Frame® and Scirocco II® bullets loaded to exacting specifications in popular hunting calibers. Additionally, Swift has partnerships with premium ammunition manufacturers like Norma and Sako, who incorporate Swift bullets in some of their high-end hunting ammunition. These factory loads offer the performance advantages of Swift bullets to hunters who don't handload their ammunition. The availability of calibers and bullet weights varies by manufacturer, with the most popular hunting cartridges typically offering at least one Swift-tipped option.
6. What calibers and weights are available for Swift bullets?
Swift offers an extensive range of calibers and weights across their product lines. The A-Frame® bullets are available in calibers from .25 to .500, with weights tailored for appropriate game animals in each diameter. The Scirocco® and Scirocco II® lines cover calibers from .224 to .375, focusing on weights optimized for long-range ballistic performance. The Break-Away® Solid is offered in dangerous game calibers from .375 to .500. Swift regularly evaluates market demands and introduces new caliber/weight combinations to address hunters' needs. For specific offerings, consulting Swift's current catalog is recommended as their product line evolves to meet the changing preferences of serious hunters worldwide.
7. How should I load Swift bullets for optimal performance?
For optimal performance when handloading Swift bullets, follow these guidelines: Start with Swift's published load data, which is specifically developed for their bullet designs. For the A-Frame®, seating depth can be critical—generally seat the bullet to engage the rifling or just off the lands. For Scirocco® bullets, many experienced reloaders find slightly deeper seating works well for accuracy. Use quality brass and primers consistent with your application. Swift bullets typically perform best at moderate to high velocities within SAAMI specifications, but avoid excessive pressures that can compromise the bullet's terminal performance design. For dangerous game loads with A-Frame® bullets, prioritize consistency and reliability over maximum velocity.
8. What is the Swift Break-Away® Solid and when should it be used?
The Swift Break-Away® Solid is a monolithic brass bullet designed specifically for maximum penetration in dangerous game hunting scenarios. Unlike expanding bullets, it maintains its shape upon impact, creating a straight-line penetration path through heavy bone, thick hide, and dense muscle tissue. Break-Away® Solids are typically used as follow-up shots when hunting dangerous game like elephant, cape buffalo, and large bears, where stopping power and penetration regardless of angle are critical. They're also the primary choice for elephant hunting where laws may require solid bullets. Many professional hunters load their rifles with an A-Frame® first, followed by a Break-Away® Solid, combining the advantages of both controlled expansion and maximum penetration capabilities.
9. How does the A-Frame® bonding process differ from competitor bullets?
The Swift A-Frame® bonding process represents a proprietary manufacturing technique that differs significantly from competitor offerings. The A-Frame® features a dual-core design with a partition dividing the front and rear lead cores. The front core is chemically bonded to the jacket, while the rear core is mechanically locked in place. This combination provides controlled expansion from the front core while the rear core remains intact for deep penetration. Unlike electrochemical bonding used by some manufacturers, Swift's process creates a molecular bond that withstands extreme pressures and velocities. This unique construction is more complex to manufacture but delivers the exceptional weight retention and penetration that has made the A-Frame® legendary among dangerous game hunters.
10. Where can I purchase Swift bullets and ammunition?
Swift bullets and ammunition can be purchased through several channels. Component bullets for reloading are available from major hunting and shooting supply retailers, specialty reloading suppliers, and directly from Swift's website. Swift High Grade® ammunition is distributed through premium hunting outfitters and specialty retailers catering to serious hunters. Factory ammunition featuring Swift bullets from partners like Norma and Sako is available through their respective dealer networks. For international customers, Swift has distribution partnerships in 24 countries, making their products accessible to hunters worldwide. Availability may vary by region and season, with popular calibers and weights sometimes experiencing high demand prior to major hunting seasons.