I know that the .221 Remington Fireball was originally developed by Remington for their XP-100 bolt-action pistol, but there seem to be a lot of custom and semi-custom rifles (and possibly some standard factory rifles) built for the cartridge. When compared with the .222 Rem., how does the Fireball stack up accuracy-wise? And has it ever been used in serious 100-yard benchrest shooting? From loading manuals, I've found that the case capacity is about 16% lower than that of the .222 Rem. Is this a disadvantage or advantage in terms of accuracy potential? Clearly, bullets can't be driven to .222 Rem. velocities, and, therefore, the .221 might suffer in 200-yard shooting and beyond, but how do the two--.221 and .222--compare at 100 yards?
.221 Fireball in Rifles: How Accurate?
- Thread starter South Pender
- Start date
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Guess it depends on many variables....both of my 221FB's shoot purty well.
Here's a couple of targets shot with my Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221FB recently. Both targets were shot with Nosler 40gr BT factory seconds:
For work in the rat patch under 350 yards, it's one of my favorites:
My other rifle is a CZ 527 American also in 221FB, and it shoots the same load just a tad under 1/2" with boring regularity. Can't compare it to a 222, but it's fully as accurate as my best shooting Cooper 223.
Here's a couple of targets shot with my Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221FB recently. Both targets were shot with Nosler 40gr BT factory seconds:
For work in the rat patch under 350 yards, it's one of my favorites:
My other rifle is a CZ 527 American also in 221FB, and it shoots the same load just a tad under 1/2" with boring regularity. Can't compare it to a 222, but it's fully as accurate as my best shooting Cooper 223.
I have had a number of both 221, 222, 222m and to compare them I have to say clearly they all are accurate, however, my experience, (using 700's trued, 40x's, and sleeved 40x's) with Hart bbl.'s etc. produced results that were notable in their difference.
the 221 was limited to lighter bullets 50 and less, 52/53 match bullets seemed to stretch the case capacity for any "match "accuracy past 100yd - I had a 40x 221 hart bbl that would shoot under .200 readily at 100 but wind etc got it beyond and on pd limit was about 250/300max -(700/Hart bbl., 40x Hart bbl
The 222 handled 50/52-3 gr pills easily and was match ready all things being equal out to 200, there the wind was a growing problem, (trued 40x hart bbl , sleeved 40x Hart bbl HV rifle
The 222m had in my personal experience equal 100 accuracy and a slight advantage at 200yd with increase velocity, however it took a little more attention to the load workup and seating depth than the 222 - for me ( 40x, 40x Hart bbl, 700rtrued Hart bbl
So all things being equal, I think my experience and I have shot BR with the 222 and 222m, which I found hard to differentiate once the 222m loads were worked out - Actually Robert W. Hart favored the 222m and it was his BR rifle when I started BR and he sold me my first 40x 222m to compete in 100/200 br in 1967.
Bob
the 221 was limited to lighter bullets 50 and less, 52/53 match bullets seemed to stretch the case capacity for any "match "accuracy past 100yd - I had a 40x 221 hart bbl that would shoot under .200 readily at 100 but wind etc got it beyond and on pd limit was about 250/300max -(700/Hart bbl., 40x Hart bbl
The 222 handled 50/52-3 gr pills easily and was match ready all things being equal out to 200, there the wind was a growing problem, (trued 40x hart bbl , sleeved 40x Hart bbl HV rifle
The 222m had in my personal experience equal 100 accuracy and a slight advantage at 200yd with increase velocity, however it took a little more attention to the load workup and seating depth than the 222 - for me ( 40x, 40x Hart bbl, 700rtrued Hart bbl
So all things being equal, I think my experience and I have shot BR with the 222 and 222m, which I found hard to differentiate once the 222m loads were worked out - Actually Robert W. Hart favored the 222m and it was his BR rifle when I started BR and he sold me my first 40x 222m to compete in 100/200 br in 1967.
Bob
Rick in Oregon said:Guess it depends on many variables....both of my 221FB's shoot purty well.
Here's a couple of targets shot with my Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221FB recently. Both targets were shot with Nosler 40gr BT factory seconds:
For work in the rat patch under 350 yards, it's one of my favorites:
My other rifle is a CZ 527 American also in 221FB, and it shoots the same load just a tad under 1/2" with boring regularity. Can't compare it to a 222, but it's fully as accurate as my best shooting Cooper 223.
Just terrific groups, Rick, and with factory-second bullets yet. A little surprised to see that these loads had a .08" jump into the rifling (if I'm reading your targets correctly). I've always done best with either no jump and a little engraving on the bullets when chambered or, maybe .01"-.02" jump.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
My best 5 shot group, from the bench at 100 yards, shooting 40 grain V Max bullets stuffed .010 into the lands with 18.4 grains of AA230 measured .110. That's with a XP pistol action converted into a rifle with a 22" E.R. Shaw barrel. This thing is deadly accurate on a regular basis. 8)
Even in the pistol configuration, it was deadly accurate and would put a smile on your face out to 400+ yards. ;D
Even in the pistol configuration, it was deadly accurate and would put a smile on your face out to 400+ yards. ;D
I was always rehearsing in asking this question. I am a great fan of little cartridges and I personally own a 20 Vartarg, which normally shoots in the teens. Have you tried finding information about the .22 Vartarg, a 221 fireball with a few mods? I really would like to hear about this one. Cheers
Great info, guys. Thanks. I'll come clean about the main reason for asking this: There's a .221 FB for sale, and I'm considering it. My plan was to buy a .222 Rem. for the accuracy potential, but I ran across this FB in a nice rifle, and this got me to thinking (always a dangerous activity). If I can convince myself that the FB will likely produce accuracy equal to that of the deuce, I might take the plunge.
17cal Fan
Silver $$ Contributor
Sorry for digging up an old post but this was a nice read and now I'll have to try A2200. I recently finished my 2nd 221 FB build and bought a pile of factory 2nds in 40 gr polymer tip. They shoot very well. I confess to being addicted to 222 but the 221 FB has impressed me as well. This one will go to the PD fields this summer and I don't expect I'll be disappointed.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
.221 Fireball in a rifle configuration, 24" SS straight pipe, 5 shot group, from the bench @ 100 yards measures .010" without even trying. 
mmcu
Gold $$ Contributor
What are the Berger load details? I've never tried H335 in my Fireball and you now have me curious.
ArtinNC
Gold $$ Contributor
20.3 gr of H335 , 52 gr Berger bullets and .005 jump and .001 bullet case tension . Shot from BR shot out 22" barrel .
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
221FB Rifles How Accurate?
I'll just add they're accurate enough for head shots on rockchucks out to 300+ yards where I shoot them here locally with my Cooper M38 Phoenix and 40gr Nosler BT's or Varmageddon's. I like that Phoenix stock for work around the lava rock, that would tear up those nice Claro Cooper stocks if it ever came into contact with that nasty stuff.
The only chuck shot and lost with this load was one that limp-slithered down a boulder pile after being shot that was so deep, I couldn't even see a hair. There was no doubt as to his demise, as he launched off the rock at impact with a solid "thwop" sound.....never to be seen again.
I'm lovin' the little 'Furball' more every season I take her out.
South Pender: Most of my other small caliber varmint rifles seem to like a shorter jump, but this particular one prefers the .08" jump, even after some experimenting with a shorter jump. So seeing as it shoots so well like this, I don't dink with it.
I'll just add they're accurate enough for head shots on rockchucks out to 300+ yards where I shoot them here locally with my Cooper M38 Phoenix and 40gr Nosler BT's or Varmageddon's. I like that Phoenix stock for work around the lava rock, that would tear up those nice Claro Cooper stocks if it ever came into contact with that nasty stuff.
The only chuck shot and lost with this load was one that limp-slithered down a boulder pile after being shot that was so deep, I couldn't even see a hair. There was no doubt as to his demise, as he launched off the rock at impact with a solid "thwop" sound.....never to be seen again.
I'm lovin' the little 'Furball' more every season I take her out.
South Pender: Most of my other small caliber varmint rifles seem to like a shorter jump, but this particular one prefers the .08" jump, even after some experimenting with a shorter jump. So seeing as it shoots so well like this, I don't dink with it.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Tried the 20 VT. Brass made from fired .221 Fireball. Brass necks were all over the place. New not too bad. Didn't do what I had planned for it so dumped it and stuck with my Fireball.
Got involved with my 20 MGM Wildcat. (necked down to 20, 22 TCM)
Factory brass is beautiful!!
.221 Fireball is my favorite, hands down.
Got involved with my 20 MGM Wildcat. (necked down to 20, 22 TCM)
Factory brass is beautiful!!
.221 Fireball is my favorite, hands down.
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luckyshot52
Gold $$ Contributor
On Ed of my favorites. I have an early Cooper that is so accurate it’s scary. 40 gr blitz kings and lil gun powder gets it done. Kills coyotes at 350-400. Shot in right spot and their taking a dirt nap where they stood.
luckyshot52
Gold $$ Contributor
For some reason I’ve been building them again. 3 in last 4 months.
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