221 Fireball w/heavy bullets
- Thread starter MFG_BOP
- Start date
RussellJ
Gold $$ Contributor
MFG;
I have no data for you however, I have wanted a 6mm x 221 Fireball for a while and I see that Pacific Tool & Gauge has a Chamber Reamer listed on their website.
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Folks said the same thing about my fast twist 20 Vartarg. When you get into smaller cartridges, everyone's got an opinion on what is "ideal" and it usually circles around rodent control and the using lightest bullets for caliber. My 20 Vartarg can shoot the 55gn Berger at 3200fps - this combination makes it to 1000 yards with plenty of steam left: 1600fps or more.
I think a fast twist 221 could be really nice. I'd go 8 twist and try the 75ELD in it. 9 twist isn't quite enough for the heavier bullets and ends up being a bit of an odd middle ground. Based on my 22BR, I think you should go for a 0.100" freebore to balance case capacity with neck engagement.
Glad to help. If you plan to only shoot heavier bullets (mid 50gr - 80gr) then 1:7.5 or 1:7 twist. However, if you think you might also still like ability to shoot light bullets (40gr class) then you're going to need to pick a rate that can also handle it... maybe the 1:9 twist to cover 40gr - 69gr. Keep in mind that if you go really heavy then you'll need to throat chamber long so that you don't loose valuable case capacity (powder volume) by having to seat the long bullets deep inside the case. Most reamers for 221 Fireball are geared toward lighter varmint bullets (short throat).
I'm not a Valkyrie fan because you have to full throttle every aspect to get it to deliver at expense of case life. Fireball shooting 60gr - 70gr would be a Valkyrie Lite.
Curious minds want to know what you plan to do with the cartridge???
linebaugh
Silver $$ Contributor
I like your idea and have thought about it several times just as a fun gun. Also think it could have some very accurate short range ability. For my idea it would be a properly throated chamber for 75ELD in an 8 twist and a 26-30" tube.
I would sure like to see the quick load projections on such a combo.
I would sure like to see the quick load projections on such a combo.
thanks everyone for the answers. appreciate!
the heaviest bullet I will use is the 69 gr. I make them and have a huge supply of jackets (for this weight).
i also like small cartridges and they are easier in many ways and specially the 221 FB. i can make them out of 223's.
i had a 20 vartarg that used to shoot in the teens at 100m.
221 FB is a very accurate round and I want to try it as a 100m bench gun. crazy, i know, but why not try? i want my 6 years old son to shoot it too.
probably going for the 1X9 as I can use lighter (normal weight) bullets as well.
thanks again!
mfg
the heaviest bullet I will use is the 69 gr. I make them and have a huge supply of jackets (for this weight).
i also like small cartridges and they are easier in many ways and specially the 221 FB. i can make them out of 223's.
i had a 20 vartarg that used to shoot in the teens at 100m.
221 FB is a very accurate round and I want to try it as a 100m bench gun. crazy, i know, but why not try? i want my 6 years old son to shoot it too.
probably going for the 1X9 as I can use lighter (normal weight) bullets as well.
thanks again!
mfg
When folks ask why I do some of the oddball things I do, I generally use one of 2 answers:
Because I want to have something different
Or
Because I can
Life is way too short to always run with the pack.
I was seriously asking why. Where would a heavy bullet 221 fit in the scheme of things. The fellow shooting birds with the 221 due to cartridge restriction want to shoot heavies to mitigate wind deflection. You mentioned 100 yard accuracy but a 222 Rem or 22 PPC would be a better base for that as they have proven to be more accurate at that range, nobody is shooting a 221FB in the BR game and 69gr bullets don't rule at a hundred either. There aren't any actions for the 221 FB that would be too short for a 222R or 22 PPC. So the question is WHY as you didn't post why you want to build it.
I'm not a luddite, I've built a few wildcats no one had done at the time 6mm-204 and 25-204 plus a 22-204 that I didn't know others had built and they all had a good reason to exist, I'm curious what you intend for your wildcat that can't be done better with an existing round.
I'm not a luddite, I've built a few wildcats no one had done at the time 6mm-204 and 25-204 plus a 22-204 that I didn't know others had built and they all had a good reason to exist, I'm curious what you intend for your wildcat that can't be done better with an existing round.
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aws, some of the reasons are: i had 221 fb before and i simply love it. then, 20VT came in and i gave it a try. loved it too. but i make my .224" bullets and my press is already set up for 69 gr bullets using berger jackets. i got plenty of it. 18 grains of powder, no recoil, accurate, easy on brass. i also have, from my other 221s, a redding S type die set, form and trim dies. so, having some experience with this round, why not try some accurate ammo with it?
one other thing i have to mention is that i like little rounds. so much so (but not limited to that) i have a company down here in NZ that makes long rifles for pistol ammo, specially in 9mm. really accurate at 50m. if you are curious, google marshal precision in new zealand. our first rifle lot was aimed for hunters, but I will try a bench rifle using a 9mm round next. why? i really don't know this time!
yes, 9 twist should be the ticket. straight tube!
thanks again!!!
mfg
one other thing i have to mention is that i like little rounds. so much so (but not limited to that) i have a company down here in NZ that makes long rifles for pistol ammo, specially in 9mm. really accurate at 50m. if you are curious, google marshal precision in new zealand. our first rifle lot was aimed for hunters, but I will try a bench rifle using a 9mm round next. why? i really don't know this time!
yes, 9 twist should be the ticket. straight tube!
thanks again!!!
mfg
My pondering about what to do with a 6.5" twist 223 AR barrel brought me to this thread. It's a persnickety barrel that occasionally *poofs* bullets on its current match rifle and I have another, more conventional barrel standing by to go on. The idea of running 75 Amaxes, 80 Matchkings or VLDs, or even 90s from the magazine, utilizing 221 brass at a bit slower speeds is intriguing. It would lend itself to suppressed use as well. Not going to do anything serious with it, it's just an idea to utilize a barrel I already have. Think of it as a 22 Blackout. Could be fun!
Mark
Mark
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Sounds a little like the guy that felt that he loved revolvers, so he had to have every firearm made from a revolver; Revolver, Revolver Shotgun, Revolver Varmint Rifle, Revolver Carbine.... He must not have realized that those were already conceived on the firearms market and in a proper form.
Danny
Who wants to run with the pack. I say go for it!!
Paul
Paul
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