221 fireball vs 17 remington

[boltman223]

what do you guys think for coyotes, 221 fireball vs 17 remington?(not the 17 fireball)

 

[WyleWD]

A fellow hunter has a 221 that he has taken several yotes with, I have a 17Rem that I've taken a few with as well. Comparing notes on the two, I believe your range will be limited to around 250yds and you have to use well placed shots for on the spot kills with either one. I prefer the 17 vs the 221. But don't feel that it is a hands down decision. WD

 

[wapiti25]

I'm not a fan of the smaller than 22 calibers because of fouling issues. I think the 221 Fireball is a neet little plinking round, the 223 is a better hunting round in my opinion with more range.

 

[johnmyers]

I used to have a 221fb and didn't like it, too slow & bad in wind. Rebarreled to a 17MachIV with a 1:9 twist and it will run circles around the 221. Shooting Woodchuck Den 30 Gold bullets over 3800fps and these will do a number on coyotes. BC on the 30s is .271 so if you have a ballistic program you will see when you run the comparison.

 

[wapiti25]

I have friends that jumped on the 204 ruger wagon and the 204 is a good hunting cartridge the barrel cleaning was a pain in my opinion. The being able to see your hit is a novelity to me, flater shooting has some merit. The 223 is like the 30-06 it just works.

 

[bheadboy]

i preferthe221, the sierra 50bk at 3000 out of 22" bbl sighted zero at 175yd is +1 at 100 and -1.6 at 250witn 6.9 drift in 10mph 3:00wind at 250

what is to not like- i have taken hundreds of pd and the bbl life is long, case life long, bbl easy to clean and cool as the smaller dia bbl does not vent as well

Bob

 

[RJinTexas]

I like my 221FB in fact it's my favorite cartridge for use in long range pistols. I prefer the 20 VarTarg in a varmint rifle. I amazed at just how flat the 20 caliber 40gr Vmax bullets shoots in a dog town. It just bucks the wind much better then the .224 bullets or 17 cal bullets do.

RJ

 

[boltman223]

what do you all think about using a 221 fireball with a 40 vmax at 350 yards? Do you think it is sufficient?

 

[bheadboy]

while the 40gr will drop .6" less it will blow 2" more at 350, the bc of the 50 is the ticket.
it always blows in pd towns!
Bob

 

[boltman223]

bheadboy

thanks for the input, I might consider switching now that you mention it. For right now with the 40's I am more concerned about penitration and killing effectiveness.

 

[bheadboy]

with the plastic tips, all them thar thangs go poof, i have even had hits 350-400 and explode, the 50s have 357ft lb at 350yds and that on hittin a 2-3lb pd is wild.
The 40s have only 288ft lb at that range, why bother
Bob

 

[CT10ring]

I have to agree w RJ, the .221 w 40 g is a dam FLAT & fast ( & quiet & no recoil) cartridge. I have killed yotes w . 221 fb.- close in tho. 40g V max 15.0 g lil gun powder ....

It will turn a PD inside out @ 150 yds so has to be good for yotes nearby. My .02.

 

[WyleWD]

what do you all think about using a 221 fireball with a 40 vmax at 350 yards? Do you think it is sufficient?

350yds.... for praire dogs probably ok. For Coytes, which was the original request, IMHO that is too far for either the 221 or the 17 to be reliably effective. Again, just my humble opinion based on experience. WD

 

[bheadboy]

a 357 mag had about 350+ ft lp,at muzzle, do not think that 357ft lb at 350 yds will not take a yoke

bob

 

[CT10ring]

Varmint Hunter mag has a good article Oct-Dec. 2007 on 221fb, yotes & loads, fwiw. VH sells back issues.

https://www.varminthunter.org/shop/getproducts.asp?cID=13

 

[WyleWD]

Varmint Hunter mag has a good article Oct-Dec. 2007 on 221fb, yotes & loads, fwiw. VH sells back issues.

https://www.varminthunter.org/shop/getproducts.asp?cID=13

Yep, a really good article. WD

 

[th82457]

I would agree with either a .221 with 40 gr. bullet or go in between with the .20 VT. It gives a much flatter trajectory that the .221 yet can use 32 to 40 gr. bullets for a little more pop on a coyote. 20-25 gr. bullets from a .17 may be fast - but seem light for a big coyote at any significant distance. Just ny 2 cents.