221 remington fireball ammunition

[HawkEyeEarl]

I, recently, came upon several boxes of new old stock 221 remington fireball ammunition and dies, looked around a little more and found a contender barrel. I had been wanting to try the caliber for a long time and the ammo cinched it - I would look for a barrel. Ammo and dies came at a good price. The barrel was high enough but I was happy to get it so quickly after getting the ammo.

I picked up some 17 Remington fireball ammo years ago, but never have happened up on a barrel - yet. But the all the 221 stuff was there within a couple aisles of each other. Providence. :)

[Spruce]

Good on you, lucky dawg. That's a caliber I have wanted to try as well, but have not run across one.
Have fun with it.

[gnostic]

I have a XP100, with a four power scope, that I haven't been able to shoot very well, about 2.5MOA. I can see some movement in the scope. I make cases with a trim die, out of 223 range pick-up's. I think it's a strange little case that you can't quite get to hold enough powder.

[HawkEyeEarl]

I was looking at an xp100 years ago over a few days, then someone bought it while I was thinking about it.

I will shoot this contender with iron sights, at least at first.
I may try a scope after awhile depending on how I like what I do with the iron sights.

[Von Gruff]

Mine is an XR100 and is chambered for the 20 VarTarg. I originally bought 500 fireball cases but since then have made 100's from 222 and 223. I shortened a 222 neck die to get the shoulder back to the correct place then a simple necking in the 20VT fls die gives me these great little cases. Easily the most accurate rifle I have ever had with the 35gn bullet at 3700fps and accuracy in the .2's. Taken a great many rabbits with it.

[GARD72977]

I have a Virgin Valley custom Encore barrel in 221. I love the cartridge. It holds plenty of powder for a pistol length barrel and accuracy is as good as you can hold a hand gun on sand bags. Mine is a 1/14 Shilen air gauged barrel with tight neck.

If you are forming brass be cautious with military brass. The reduced capacity is more important in this smaller case.

[Texas by God]

I want an XP100 in 7 BR dang it. Had one when they came out with no ammo or formed brass to be had. I couldn't/ wouldn't pay $100 for form dies so away it went. I had a Fire Ball and it was a true hand rifle- 1" groups at 100yds easy any day I could hold it that steady. Alas- they bring collector prices now. Best, Thomas.

[Blackwater]

My fireball is a 10" oct. Contender. I love it ... all except for the fact it's LOUD and piercing to my ears. I've long had a permanent ringing in my ears, and don't want it to get worse, but can't for the life of me trade that gun off! It'll do some amazing things for a handgun, and with that 10" oct. barrel, handles much like a SAA 7.5" barrel, except for the grip shape. VERY accurate! Haven't shot mine in a good while now, and I need to. Have a friend who'd love to help me empty some cases. We've both been long range handgunners long before it got to be "cool." We just didn't know where the limits were, so we went out in search of them. And found they're a LOT further than we'd ever suspected. Wish we'd had a fireball back then! We'd REALLY have suprised ourselves.

And FWIW, a buddy with a .223 Super 14 once, standing on his knees and offhand, hit a plow share we'd used for a target 4 for 4 at 420 lasered yds.! That boy is a shootin' MACHINE, though! Was VA state silhouette champ for a number of years. Great guy. Humble and SO helpful to anyone who wants/needs instruction. I asked, and he helped. My hands just weren't as steady as his. I love it when I shoot with someone who can beat me! Keeps me spurred to do better!

[HawkEyeEarl]

My 221 fireball contender is 10 inches. I will try it out soon.

I have had some good luck with super 14 contenders shooting accurately for me, a 223 rem in particular.
I have only 1 super 14 now in 41 magnum which I have be working with the last few months.

[Greg S]

I've got a 221 in a Rem700 LV. Nice metal but the synthetic stock is like a marshmellow. It's fine off hand or resting on a day pack but as soon as you put a bipod on it ya can't hit a barn door consistantly.

Case making is a labor of love. Lapua is available from powder valley. Don't fret on the price as Remington bent you over for a bag just about as bad. Neck turning was required on the 300 pcs of new Winchester brass that I converted. I used a Redding body die and a 0.010 oe 0.012 shim under the case head in the hold to get the shoulder bumped back enough.

If I was to do it again, I'd just get the Lapua brass. Forming and trimming wasn't too bad, just turning 300 necks was abit tedious. I'm looking at ordering 2 boxes of Lapua for future use anyway.

For powders with a jacketed bullet, I've had ok results with re7 but really want to try H322.

[MarkP]

The kids and I have 221's in the Rem 700 LVSF sweet little round. I have made cases from 222, 223 commercial and 5.56 military not much difference, I still need to ream necks with any parent case I have used.

RL-7, AA1680 work well with jacketed; 225107 shot well with 2400, 4227 higher velocity loads and Reddot, 7625 for 22LR - 22 WRM equiv loads.

[HawkEyeEarl]

I shot a box yesterday just before dark, got it sighted in at 25 yards, had to move it down about a foot to get on target and 3 inches to the right.

I did see a fireball every shot.

[Leadmelter]

Played with the 221 in an Octogon TC barrel. Recently got a bull barrel, waiting to try it out. Brass prices are kind of a drag but within reason given todays market.

Back in the day I bought a 22LR insert which is a hoot to shot.
Leadmelter
MI

[joesig]

The 221 Fireball is an addictive little cartridge. Reloder7 and Nosler 40gr BTs served me well. The NOE/RCBS .22 055 SP with the starting load of H335 from Hodgdon was sub MOA. Funny now, Lapua, Norma, and Nosler make 221 Fireball brass (www.bullets.com) but try to find Remington! (I'm set for life. Just an observation.) Best of luck with your new toy. I'm sure you'll love it!

[PB234]

CZ 527 American 221 Fireball here and a sweet little rifle. Interested in using it also at the lower end of velocity and soon to try some 35 Grain NOE with Bullseye and small pistol primers. I am thinking 3.5 grains Bullseye. Any suggestions?

[Kevin Rohrer]

The FB cartridge likes L'ilGun, and is supposed to really like the brand new Hodgdon CFE BK.

[Leadmelter]

The money boys at Remington don't know what they gave up when they stopped making components.
Hello Cerberus! Dogs from Hell!
Leadmelter
MI

[MarkP]

CZ 527 American 221 Fireball here and a sweet little rifle. Interested in using it also at the lower end of velocity and soon to try some 35 Grain NOE with Bullseye and small pistol primers. I am thinking 3.5 grains Bullseye. Any suggestions?
All with

NOE 225107 FN --- 22" REM M 700 LVSF, WWSR

6.0 gr Trailboss : 2,000 fps
5.0 gr Red dot: 2,115 fps
2.0 gr Red Dot: 1,080 fps
7.0 gr SR-7625: 2,350 fps
15.5 gr RL-7: 2,525 fps

[GRUMPA]

For you folks that either hate paying the price, making it on your own, or are looking for a supply of brass for the FB.

I make those all the time, have for years, no complaints, price is reasonable. I've never had a complaint, ever....and if you click the link in my signature and click the 221 Fireball thread, I have pictures....

[PB234]

I have acquired 221 brass from Grumpa. It is very good brass.

[tdoyka]

it goes great with my 20 vartarg!