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221 Fireball loads using 8208 and 40gr bullets??

GAnderson

Gold $$ Contributor
Have been searching for load data using IMR 8208 and 40gr bullets in the 221 Fireball...doesn't seem to be anything out there. Before everyone gives their best powder besides 8208, I have all the "go to" powders for 221 Fireball and they shoot well...I just have a lot of 8208 and use it in most all of my other calibers with great accuracy and velocity. Just would like to know if anyone has any info with this powder for 40gr bullets. Thanks

Gene
 
I used 8208 in my 20VT with 32 grain Vmax. A case full
(19 grains) was very accurate with no pressure signs whatsoever. Definitely lower velocity about 150fps less sent me back to 4198.
 
I used 8208 in my 20VT with 32 grain Vmax. A case full
(19 grains) was very accurate with no pressure signs whatsoever. Definitely lower velocity about 150fps less sent me back to 4198.
Yes, I am using 8208 in my 20VT also...very accurate load and I am getting just as good of velocities as the other powders in the 20VT...you have a little more room left with your load that should get you the extra 150fps back. That is what I like about 8208, it has a real good case fill factor and never seems to have pressure issues. A lot of people seem to say 8208 is slower in velocity, but that has not been the case for me.
Anyway, do you have anything for the 221 Fireball with 8208 and 40gr bullets? I could extrapolate and start working a load up...just wondered if anyone has already done so. Thanks
 
I tried 8208 & 50 gr Bullets. Worked up till I ran out of case room.! You can’t get enough in the case..
If you want to shoot 22WMR velocities- fill the case up & seat the bullet.
There’s a reason why there isn’t anything out there.
 
I tried 8208 & 50 gr Bullets. Worked up till I ran out of case room.! You can’t get enough in the case..
If you want to shoot 22WMR velocities- fill the case up & seat the bullet.
There’s a reason why there isn’t anything out there.
That is why I am asking about 40gr bullets and not 50. Thanks
 
Nosler manual #7 has a max load of 20 gr of 8208 with a 20 gr bullet for the 17 Fireball! It works very well in my model 7 17 fireball!! well enough that
I've been wanting to try it in my 221 fireball with the 40 gr bullets! My father is using it in his 222 with a 52 Gr Berger & 22 gr of 8208 & it is producing some mighty fine groups! Pretty sure you will run out of room before you hit max pressure & yet it produces some good velocities!
 
Nosler manual #7 has a max load of 20 gr of 8208 with a 20 gr bullet for the 17 Fireball! It works very well in my model 7 17 fireball!! well enough that
I've been wanting to try it in my 221 fireball with the 40 gr bullets! My father is using it in his 222 with a 52 Gr Berger & 22 gr of 8208 & it is producing some mighty fine groups! Pretty sure you will run out of room before you hit max pressure & yet it produces some good velocities!
Ya, I have some loaded up and going to test them out today...I test fired some yesterday and showed nice rounded primers, no flattening, no case head marks and easy extraction. With a slow pour, I am able to get 20.8gr without a heavy powder compression. I will see what the velocity is also. Velocity may or may not be there. I have had extremely good accuracy and velocities from 8208 in other cartridges, but it may not be a good match.

Gene
 
I'm getting a little over 4000 fps in the 17 fireball so i'm thinking you should get some decent velocity out of the 221. Have a great day & please post your results.

Ron
 
Two of my very favorites, 221 Fireball and 8208 powder. Unfortunately there is not enough space in this case to get pressure and velocity with the 40 grain bullet selection.:( Take this for what it’s worth, it is NOT a decent combination. You can wish and hope all you want but you can’t make this case bigger which is what it needs.

Pick another powder and go shoot!:D
 
I'm getting a little over 4000 fps in the 17 fireball so i'm thinking you should get some decent velocity out of the 221. Have a great day & please post your results.

Ron
Ran things over the chronograph and while it didn't set any speed records, it certainly wasn't a dog...3168 with 40gr bullet out of a 24" barrel. I think it clearly beat out the WMR as was suggested by another poster;). Of the 3 powders that I tested, this was absolutely the most accurate. The fastest powder was A1680 at 3504 and very good accuracy with high .3xx 3 shot groups @ 100, next fastest was RL7 at 3336 and it also shot very accurate with mid to high .3xx 3 shot groups @ 100...a fully compressed load of 8208 without making a seating ring on the bullet came in at 3168 and shot the most accurate with mid to low .2xx 3 shot groups @ 100.
The A1680 really surprised me velocity wise! I have always used RL7 in my previous 221 Fireballs and was always pleased with the results...was more curious than anything of how 8208 would perform and also had some A1680 that a lot of people recommend.
While I was aware that case capacity was going to be a limiting factor using 8208, it wasn't a waste of time by no means and showed that it wasn't bad at all. I am sure a prairie dog won't be able to determine the difference between 8208 and the others. It may not be the absolute powder of choice but it is definitely accurate and can be used in a pinch.

Gene
 
Mine loves RL7
Yes, RL7 was all I ever used in my very first 221 Fireball...it probably is the overall best for the Fireball. I have a very fast and accurate 20VT load with 32gr bullets and 8208 powder...that is why I thought I would see how 8208 would do in the 221.
 
I would say you had a very successful day!! While it didn't set the world on fire, we both know the 221 fireball isn't the cartridge to look for top velocities. Comparing Noslers loads in there manual it is right up there with rest! And as you said a PD wont know the difference!! As a matter of fact the 40 gr sierra blitzking works very well at the velocity we're talking about as well as many other 40 gr bullets! Thank You for posting your results!!
I will be trying the load in my fireball & am already Grinning from ear to ear! Thanks Gene

Ron
 
I would say you had a very successful day!! While it didn't set the world on fire, we both know the 221 fireball isn't the cartridge to look for top velocities. Comparing Noslers loads in there manual it is right up there with rest! And as you said a PD wont know the difference!! As a matter of fact the 40 gr sierra blitzking works very well at the velocity we're talking about as well as many other 40 gr bullets! Thank You for posting your results!!
I will be trying the load in my fireball & am already Grinning from ear to ear! Thanks Gene

Ron
Sent you a PM Ron
 

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