Varmint Rifle Cartridges and Elmer Keith Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Suppose you are walking through a used gun store. You read the tag on a rifle you like. The tag reads "Pre-64" "220 Swift". You buy the rifle. Who manufactured the rifle and what would you most likely hunt with it?

Answer: Winchester & Varmints

The 220 Swift was the fastest factory loaded centerfire cartridge when it was developed. Any Winchester made before 1964, is of course, legendary.

2. You chose the 220 Swift because you know it's one of the finest cartridges ever developed. What case was the Swift developed from?

Answer: 6 MM Lee Navy

The Swift was badmouthed from the beginning. Some writers were miffed that their ideas were not used. These writers tarnished the Swift with rumors and gossip, claiming the barrel would not hold up to the Swift's speed. It was also written that the Swift was not a great deer cartridge, even though it is a pure varmint cartridge.

3. What year was the 220 Swift introduced?

Answer: 1935

At 4,100 FPS, the Swift made quite a splash in the early years.

4. In question 2 you named the case the Swift was developed from. What case did most writers and shooters of the day think would be used?

Answer: 250 Savage

The 250 Savage necked down to 22 caliber was a very popular "wildcat" cartridge. It had good velocity and was accurate. It also won a number of benchrest competitions. When Winchester announced their new cartridge, most just assumed it would be from the 250 Savage. An editor from the "American Rifleman" wrote about the Swift in an article.

He described the new round but thought he was writing about the 250 Savage product, whoops!

5. As you can tell I am a fan of the 220 Swift. Let's look at some other Winchester cartridges. From the following list, which is NOT a factory Winchester cartridge?

Answer: 17 Javelina

The 17 Javelina was developed at the A & M Gun Shop in Prescott, AZ. The Bee and Zipper had limited success. The Bee and the Zipper were introduced in lever action rifles with tubular magazines. The rounds were loaded " nose to Tail", so only flat or round tipped bullets could be used. The 22 WCF is the parent cartridge to the 22 Hornet.

6. Did Winchester ever introduce a cartridge known as the 225 Winchester?

Answer: Yes

This cartridge proved that Winchester never caught on to the varmint hunting scene. In that fateful year of 1964, Winchester introduced the "new" Model-70 chambered for the 225 Winchester, a rimmed case. The 225 became a failure for a couple of reasons. People might have given it a chance but the new Model 70 was just too ugly to buy.

A year later Remington delivered the knockout punch to the 225, by making the 22.250 a factory cartridge.

7. I believe that rifle shooters are divided into two groups. These two groups are the Elmer Keith Group and the Jack O'Connor Group. If your favorite cartridge is the 270 Winchester, you belong to the Jack O'Connor group.

Answer: True

These two characters had to be the best writers of all time. Each had their own opinion and wasn't afraid to say it, often to each other. I belong to the Keith Group. O'Connor's beloved cartridge was the .270 Winchester. Keith thought it more a "pea shooter". Keith often referred to O'Connor as ".270 Jack".

8. Where did Elmer Keith spend most of his hunting and outfitting days?

Answer: Idaho

He was a guide for many years in the state in which he lived. In 1931, Keith guided the author Zane Grey and friends in the Middle Fork country. It was from this trip that Grey wrote the novel "Thunder Mountain".

9. Keith always wore a six gun. Which handgun cartridge did he develop loads for that was brought out by Remington?

Answer: 44 Magnum

Keith's favorite load was the 44 Special. He experimented with this round and finally convinced the big boys to make it to his specs. Keith also had a hand in designing the Winchester Model 70.

10. Which handgun did Elmer Keith say was the finest single action sixgun ever produced?

Answer: Ruger Super Blackhawk

The Super Blackhawk had an all steeled trigger guard, unfluted cylinder, longer barrel and an adjustable rear sight. This is the gun that Keith wanted Colt to make. Colt refused to change their peacemaker design. The Super Blackhawk was introduced in 44 Magnum in 1959. Keith wrote for magazines such as "American Rifleman" and "Guns and Ammo". From 1961 to the late 70's Keith had a monthly column called "Gun Notes". Keith passed away in 1984.

His first articles started appearing in magazines before the start of World War II.

He wrote 10 books in his lifetime including "Safari" and the autobiography "Hell, I Was There".

Source: Author Formula409

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This is a quiz on the cartridges most often used for predators and varmints.

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