I have a Savage 12 lrpv, right bolt left port in 22-250. The rifle has good accuracy, but not as fun to shoot as some as my other varmint rifles. I’m thinking of re-barreling it in 221 fireball and keeping the same barrel profile. I know and have a Savage 223 bolt head that will have to be changed out. Since this is a single shot will I need to change out the front bolt baffle? I also plan on removing the ejector and just removing the fired case by hand. I believe this should rectify any issues with the short case of the fireball. Is there anything I’m missing?
221 fireball build questions
- Thread starter 22vartarg
- Start date
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks to me like you've pretty much got it figured out. 
Single shot follower or sled will get you where you want to be.
As far as a .223 bolt head? No issues, just a regular, turned over to kick out to the open side. No ejector rod/spring sure makes short work of extracting/ejecting issues.
Fired brass stays on the bolt head till YOU pick it off.
With the .223 bolt head, nothing but the .221 Fireball barrel to deal with. You're single feeding anyway so no issues.
I started out with a 110 V (J) Series in .223 way back in the day. Swapped barrels to .221 Fireball. Been a fun ride since then.
The .221 Fireball showed me the shortcomings of the Savage actions. I've learned "a lot" since then. The "short round" didn't work in the Savage actions till you understand what's going on and you learn the "single shot" thing. After that, you can chamber just about anything.
Only suggestion would be go "zero freebore" on the chamber and start off with the lightest bullets you can get your hands on. Will be a long time before the throat wears enough to go to heavier bullets.
Best 5 shot group came out at .110" at 100 yards. And as you might guess, I LOVE MY .221 FIREBALL. Started life as a Remington XP 100 but got converted to a rifle. Might even pick up another XP Pistol in .221 Fireball.
Single shot follower or sled will get you where you want to be.
As far as a .223 bolt head? No issues, just a regular, turned over to kick out to the open side. No ejector rod/spring sure makes short work of extracting/ejecting issues.
Fired brass stays on the bolt head till YOU pick it off.
With the .223 bolt head, nothing but the .221 Fireball barrel to deal with. You're single feeding anyway so no issues.
I started out with a 110 V (J) Series in .223 way back in the day. Swapped barrels to .221 Fireball. Been a fun ride since then.
The .221 Fireball showed me the shortcomings of the Savage actions. I've learned "a lot" since then. The "short round" didn't work in the Savage actions till you understand what's going on and you learn the "single shot" thing. After that, you can chamber just about anything.
Only suggestion would be go "zero freebore" on the chamber and start off with the lightest bullets you can get your hands on. Will be a long time before the throat wears enough to go to heavier bullets.
Best 5 shot group came out at .110" at 100 yards. And as you might guess, I LOVE MY .221 FIREBALL. Started life as a Remington XP 100 but got converted to a rifle. Might even pick up another XP Pistol in .221 Fireball.
Already have over 800 new Lapua cases and 500 Nosler. I also shot a 20 VT, so I try to have a good number of cases on hand.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
From my love affair with the Furball, I've found that RL-7 and H4198 do the absolute best, followed by A2200. Virtually all my shooting is at ground squirrels and rock chucks, so my bullets of choice are the Nosler 40gr BT and their 40gr Varmageddon, which is a flat base. I seem to get the best accuracy with the flat base bullet But the BT is right behind.
I'm using Lapua and Nosler brass, all loads fired with the 7-1/2, speeds are just a tad over 3,700 fps in my Cooper M38 and CZ 527. The Cooper will print in the high ones/low two's.
I REALLY like my Furballs!
I'm using Lapua and Nosler brass, all loads fired with the 7-1/2, speeds are just a tad over 3,700 fps in my Cooper M38 and CZ 527. The Cooper will print in the high ones/low two's.
I REALLY like my Furballs!
3700 from a 221 fireball?I'm using Lapua and Nosler brass, all loads fired with the 7-1/2, speeds are just a tad over 3,700 fps in my Cooper M38 and CZ 527. The Cooper will print in the high ones/low two's.
I REALLY like my Furballs!
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Arggggh! You got me!
Yes, that was a bumble on my part, that's my 20VT velocity....sorry.
My two Furball's run right at 3,100 - 3,300 fps, depending on the load with a 40gr BT.
Using LilGun, it's possible, but I shy away from it due to pressure excursions.
20 TAC
Silver $$ Contributor
You might give Accurate 1680 a try. Accuracy on par with H4198 but velocity is some 150-200 fps better. Refer to your manual but work up to around the 20 grains book loads posted.
H4198 has given excellent accuracy for me, if less than optimum velocities.
Lil-Gun. Juice is not worth the squeeze, for me at least. Big time velocity, but super sensitive to minor charge variations and temp. Plus I've had that powder randomly set up in my cases like concrete over a 12 month period. In short....no thanks, Lil Gun.
H4198 has given excellent accuracy for me, if less than optimum velocities.
Lil-Gun. Juice is not worth the squeeze, for me at least. Big time velocity, but super sensitive to minor charge variations and temp. Plus I've had that powder randomly set up in my cases like concrete over a 12 month period. In short....no thanks, Lil Gun.
I'm with 20TAC, load 20.2 grs 1680 with 40 V-Max for 3550fps and accuracy in the .2 range. Used to load a little hotter but gain not worth the wear and tear. This is a great PD load out to about 350 yds where most of your shooting is done.
Also agree about the LG, it can be great at times but it can be a real booger at others, seen the agglomerated powder thing, too, stopped using it.
Also agree about the LG, it can be great at times but it can be a real booger at others, seen the agglomerated powder thing, too, stopped using it.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I must be the only one that had issues with the 221. Had a rifle and pistol, nothing to write home about.
I picked up a 222 a couple of years ago. The easiest and most user friendly cartridge I have to date. Ran across a fellow at the GS a year ago. He had what he called a 222 1/2. A 222, 1/2” short with long neck. He had some pics of outstanding groups and said it was heck on varmints. He was working on the same necked to 20.
I picked up a 222 a couple of years ago. The easiest and most user friendly cartridge I have to date. Ran across a fellow at the GS a year ago. He had what he called a 222 1/2. A 222, 1/2” short with long neck. He had some pics of outstanding groups and said it was heck on varmints. He was working on the same necked to 20.
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
You’re very fortunate to have all that Lapua 221 brass. Hang onto it, the stuff should last forever. I’ve gone to a lot of trouble turning Lapua and IMI 223 cases into 221 and MachIV. But Lapua wasn’t making 221 back when the project was begun.
Both of my 221s are on the small Sako action and great fun to shoot. For years it was with RE-7, then switched to 2200 and 2300, 40 and Calhoon 42gr bullets at about 3450. But 50’s also shoot well. Love how effective these things are on even rockchuck size varmints. Have your chamber cut with NO freebore and .250 neck if Lapua brass is .248 loaded
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.