221 Fireball build?

[Lucky Shooter]

Not sure about any other brand rifle but on a Savage, on extraction, the .221 Fireball case will pop off of the bolt head before the bolt gets to full open at the loading port.
That's where removing the ejector rod and spring comes into play. (makes it a single shot)
If the action you choose is designed for the short .221 Fireball case you'll be OK. If not, you may have issues. Plan ahead.

@NorCalMikie
I checked this old 700 / SA and it appears the ejector spring has been shortened---no
problems in this old Dog Town Sweetie.

A. Weldy

 

[NorCalMikie]

@NorCalMikie
I checked this old 700 / SA and it appears the ejector spring has been shortened---no problems in this old Dog Town Sweetie.
A. Weldy

Seems like I remember shortening the eject spring on my XP.
Brass kinda flops out and lays there waiting to be picked up.

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Someone on ebay sells a version of this-----made with a 3D printer.

A. Weldy

 

[Shutstr8r]

My suggestion is to get a Model 7 chambered for 300 black out or 17 fireball. As was previously mentioned, the clocking of the extractor is different and makes it feed like butter. I had a 17 Mach IV on a Remington 700 that didn’t extract very well and turned that into a .223 Remington. No I have a Model 7 in 17 fireball and won’t ever part with it. The other option would be a Howa mini action, close to the CZ’s and function well.

—Darrell

 

[kberch]

I also recently rebarreled a SAKO L461 action to 221 FB. It came to me with a "shot-out" 223 rem barrel. I then had it rechambered to 17 Remington by Dan Dowling. After seeing lots of hide damage from the 17 it was a safe queen for many years. Last fall I finally had it rebarreled to 221. FireBall. WOW what a fun rifle/caliber combo. I do have a single shot adapter sled in the rifle but it works fine feeding from the mag also.
So far I have been shooting 50 to 52 grain bullets but plan on trying some 40 or 45 grainers when I can find them at a lower cost or with free shipping.
Presently using Norma N201, Reloader 7, 1680 and Lil Gun powders. I have lots of N201 on hand so that has been my go to for now.
I say again, this is one fun combo.

 

[Godsdog]

I am wanting to build a rifle in 221 fireball. I have always been intrigued by this caliber. My biggest question is what is the best path for magazine? Internal box or detachable mag? Will the shorter 221 case feed out of 223 magazines reliably? The rifle will be used for recreational target shooting to about 500 yds. I thought about buying an older Rem 700 and then rebarreling and new stock. Or start from scratch with a Mack Bros action. Any advice appreciated

The 221 Fireball & 17 Fireball magazine is shorter than the Remington "Short Action Magazine that houses the 222 Rem / 223 Rem. length cartridges. Trying to find the 221 Fireball Magazine is like looking for Chicken Teeth! You will have to search all the places online like Numrich Arms and Shooting sites to get the Carrier, Spring and Box. Also, I think the ejector on the bolt face has to be in a different place on the face of the bolt to eject the shorter case out of the action properly. I have changed 2 Rem Mod. 722's to the shorter cartridge and they don't eject the case a lot of the time and you have to pick it out of the action.

 

[Gabe22BR]

My son’s little Bat SB likes the 52gr Bart’s it’s only a single shot… with dual ports..

 

[Perf22]

I am wanting to build a rifle in 221 fireball. I have always been intrigued by this caliber. My biggest question is what is the best path for magazine? Internal box or detachable mag? Will the shorter 221 case feed out of 223 magazines reliably? The rifle will be used for recreational target shooting to about 500 yds. I thought about buying an older Rem 700 and then rebarreling and new stock. Or start from scratch with a Mack Bros action. Any advice appreciated

I finally made the commitment to build a rifle in 221 fireball. I tried for a long time to find a gunsmith that would build it as a repeater. No such luck. I settled on a Borden Mountaineer single shot right bolt left port. My gunsmith thinks that I may not have ejection issues but if he finds that to be the case he will just remove the spring from the ejector. I'm having a one and a quarter inch straight barrel installed and it's will sit in a MPA matrix chassis. I'm running lapua brass so I'm having the reamer made to accommodate it. I hope it gives my 6 mm PPC a some competition.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I finally made the commitment to build a rifle in 221 fireball. I tried for a long time to find a gunsmith that would build it as a repeater. No such luck. I settled on a Borden Mountaineer single shot right bolt left port. My gunsmith thinks that I may not have ejection issues but if he finds that to be the case he will just remove the spring from the ejector. I'm having a one and a quarter inch straight barrel installed and it's will sit in a MPA matrix chassis. I'm running lapua brass so I'm having the reamer made to accommodate it. I hope it gives my 6 mm PPC a some competition.

It’ll feed & eject fine-

Wind will be the loser on the fireball vs the ppc

 

[Richard Jones]

@Gabe22BR

Your son's rifle is stunning while keeping that 'working' gun look.

 

[Larry Koch]

CFE BLk powder works well in both 221 fb and 20 vartarg

 

[Gabe22BR]

@Gabe22BR

Your son's rifle is stunning while keeping that 'working' gun look.

Thanks !!!
I hand made the stock from a 2-1/2”x8”x40” slab cut here on the place back in 99’

 

[T 700]

Here's the difference in extracter location

 

[Richard Jones]

Thanks !!!
I hand made the stock from a 2-1/2”x8”x40” slab cut here on the place back in 99’

Even more special.

 

[Perf22]

It’ll feed & eject fine-

Wind will be the loser on the fireball vs the ppc

No doubt. On the bright side I'll probably be able to shoot two or three times as many rounds before the barrel heats up.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I had a 1.250” @ 22” on a REM VSSF in 221FB.. I never could heat the barrel up, and it was accurate. I sold it and all other rifles that wasn’t Bat S, SV, SB… I now own a cooper, I custom built around the that action in 20-221AI…. Unfortunately my son is the only one now with a 221FB… although I do have the reamer… I think you’ll enjoy the heavy barrel rifle, hope ya don’t have to carry it very far…

 

[Perf22]

I had a 1.250” @ 22” on a REM VSSF in 221FB.. I never could heat the barrel up, and it was accurate. I sold it and all other rifles that wasn’t Bat S, SV, SB… I now own a cooper, I custom built around the that action in 20-221AI…. Unfortunately my son is the only one now with a 221FB… although I do have the reamer… I think you’ll enjoy the heavy barrel rifle, hope ya don’t have to carry it very far…

That's the exact length that I have planned for my barrel. Fortunately it's only about 15 feet from the car to the bench. I'm hoping it will be finished by around March. I will post a picture of it when I get it.

 

[bobcat93]

Year after year post after post how many of these will we read before some gun manufacturer pumps out a line of rifles people continually ask for.
There is a good demand for 221FB, .20 VT, 17FB mag feed rifles in left and right bolt action offerings. Jesus how freak-n hard is that?
Or keep making 308 and 6.5 creed maybe they can cram a few more on the gun racks in the LGS.

man honestly i hate to even suggest this but just have one built just how you want it and be done with the subject. Probably about 3000$-5000$ pew pew ouch!
You can assemble one but as others have said it wont be flawless in function
for a bench gun thats not realy an issue but a single shot isnt the answer not in my opinion..not when you want a mag feed
Mine works good but only when i rack my bolt back fast on ejection or case pops off bolt. Not really what you want to do with a bench rifle as it can or will pull you badly off target
Savage model 12, MTD chassis , improved Savage extractor installed (hold s cases good but not perfect)

 

[243winxb]

Had the Remington, till the Contender came along in 223 & out shot the Fireball.

 

[Piglet]

Not benchrest quality but I did a 17 m4 on a mini mauser. Feeds fine from a 223 magazine. 700 fireball magazine box are out there, ptg makes a follower and spring. 700 w sako extractor feeds good in a 700 20 VT.