221 Fireball brass / reamer advice

[Fordnutter]

I picked up a lovely stocked Zastava M85 mini mauser in 223 with a wrecked barrel with a re-barrel in mind. The internal magazine box measures 1.88" long so guessing maximum practical useable length will be around 1.85" for some wriggle room. I don't fancy a deep seated projectiles which I think rules out 223 or 222 as an option for me. Thinking this would be a perfect candidate for a 221 Fireball build. I'm attracted to using the Nosler Premium brass as it seems to be the best currently available & shouldn't need much / if any case prep. I've done some searching on the Net & cant find what the neck wall thickness is of this brass to figure out what neck diameter reamer I should order. Ideally no turn neck but if the other brass brand offering were significantly thinner then maybe I might be better to spec for a tighter neck & turn these. This would at least give me a suitable chamber for other brass shouldn't I be able to get some more Nosler. Does anyone have recently manufactured Nosler (or other brand) fireball brass that can advise on it's neck thickness. Thinking of ordering a match spec reamer with zero freebore with a neck diameter maybe 2-3 thou larger than the Nosler Brass loaded diameter. Really appreciate any advice or information on the subject.

 

[L.Sherm]

Why not based off Lapua brass?

 

[TonyL]

I just measured neck diameter on 10 rounds loaded in Nosler 221 REM Fireball brass with Hornady 40 grain Vmax 22cal bullets. I measured with a Mitutoyo digital micrometer. Smallest diameter was 0.2483. Largest diameter was 0.2486. Most were 0.2483 to 0.2485. I don’t remember when I obtained this brass, but I have fired about 50 rounds in my rifle chambered with my reamer which has a 0.252 neck and zero free ore.

 

[L.Sherm]

I would go with a JGS saami that reamer is .376+ at the .200 line i believe and will work with any brass

 

[TonyL]

Additional comment: I believe Lapua no longer makes 221 brass and it may be hard to find. I don’t know if you’ll be able to find Nosler or any other 221 brass right now.

 

[L.Sherm]

Additional comment: I believe Lapua no longer makes 221 brass and it may be hard to find. I don’t know if you’ll be able to find Nosler or any other 221 brass right now.

Lapua still makes it, any fireball brass is hard to come by, its why I said use the saami JGS good for any brass.
Theres always making your own from 223 brass too

 

[Ackman]

Both my .221's are on Sako short actions, they seem to be just made for the Fireball cartridge. Chambers have a .250" neck, 0 freebore, and work perfectly. That's what I'd recommend. They shoot very well.

 

[lawman29]

Lapua still makes it

.221 Remington Fireball

Introduced by Remington in 1963 in the new XP-100 bolt action pistol, the groundbreaking .221 Remington Fireball cartridge set new standards for handgun performance. Fireball brass has recently seen a…

www.lapua.com

No longer in active production

 

[L.Sherm]

.221 Remington Fireball

Introduced by Remington in 1963 in the new XP-100 bolt action pistol, the groundbreaking .221 Remington Fireball cartridge set new standards for handgun performance. Fireball brass has recently seen a…

www.lapua.com

No longer in active production

I know it says that just like it says they don't make 20 cal Berger 55's anymore.
About 3 months ago some popped up briefly

 

[L.Sherm]

I wouldnt be betting the farm on finding any fireball brass, its why I make all my VT brass from LC223.
Just do the saami reamer and if your lucky enough to find some 221 fireball brass your good to go no matter the brand

 

[ArtinNC]

My reamer is a .249 neck with zero free bore . you may have to turn necks but will work for any brass .

 

[NorCalMikie]

Got some NEW Nosler .221 Fireball brass for sale BUT, shipping to NZ??? Probably cost more to ship than the cost of the brass.

 

[Oso]

As Sherm indicated, converting 223 cases into fireball is really easy. I'm sure Bulberry has a nice die or you can use Reddings Form Die #1 (90101) and Form & Trim Die Series A (83101). The first sizing die, Form Die #1, does the heavy lifting by relocating the shoulder and also reducing the newly-formed neck O.D. down to 0.296". The second sizing die, Form & Trim, further reduces the new neck's O.D. to 0.251". All that is left is to remove the excess neck length using a mini-chop saw, hacksaw, or whatever your fancy. Presto... 221 Fireball case. The only other consideration with forming your own cases is that the thickness of the neck wall tends to be thicker because of the necking-down process. Select a reamer that will give you adequate clearance or if you would prefer then neck turn cases.

 

[lexs toys]

I picked up a lovely stocked Zastava M85 mini mauser in 223 with a wrecked barrel with a re-barrel in mind. The internal magazine box measures 1.88" long so guessing maximum practical useable length will be around 1.85" for some wriggle room. I don't fancy a deep seated projectiles which I think rules out 223 or 222 as an option for me. Thinking this would be a perfect candidate for a 221 Fireball build. I'm attracted to using the Nosler Premium brass as it seems to be the best currently available & shouldn't need much / if any case prep. I've done some searching on the Net & cant find what the neck wall thickness is of this brass to figure out what neck diameter reamer I should order. Ideally no turn neck but if the other brass brand offering were significantly thinner then maybe I might be better to spec for a tighter neck & turn these. This would at least give me a suitable chamber for other brass shouldn't I be able to get some more Nosler. Does anyone have recently manufactured Nosler (or other brand) fireball brass that can advise on it's neck thickness. Thinking of ordering a match spec reamer with zero freebore with a neck diameter maybe 2-3 thou larger than the Nosler Brass loaded diameter. Really appreciate any advice or information on the subject.

I have been having a great time with my new 20 VarTarg. Bit less recoil and can hold on target and see the hits. 32 gr blitz king are impressive on prairie dogs and pushing 350 to 400 yards.