>221 Rem Fireball
- Thread starter hk940
- Start date
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
40 grain bullet in a 14" barrel using W296 shows 14.0 grains as Max load at 2436 FPS.
Same bullet, same load in a 22" barrel shows 3031 FPS.
Less FPS in the shorter barrel.
If it was me, I'd be starting around 12.0 grains of powder and work up.
And, the .221 Fireball in my fav o rite round.
Same bullet, same load in a 22" barrel shows 3031 FPS.
Less FPS in the shorter barrel.
If it was me, I'd be starting around 12.0 grains of powder and work up.
And, the .221 Fireball in my fav o rite round.
Last edited:
The 20" barrel will simply let more powder burn in the barrel as opposed to letting it get pushed out of the shorter barrel unburned. You will see a rise in velocity and a decrease in pressure at the muzzle with the longer barrel.
I don't like those lighter bullets because I want some longer distance capability so I start with the 50 Grain bullets:
Here's the 40 grain selection just in case:
I am not a fan of Ball Powder which most companies and individual shooters prefer when it comes to that small opening in a case. It's easier to dispense and get it into the case.
In the .221 cartridge though I have found that VVN-125 is superb, albeit just a tiny pinch more work to get it into the case. You can end up with a nearly full case (better for consistency) and still maintain moderate pressure.
Enjoy!
I don't like those lighter bullets because I want some longer distance capability so I start with the 50 Grain bullets:
Here's the 40 grain selection just in case:
I am not a fan of Ball Powder which most companies and individual shooters prefer when it comes to that small opening in a case. It's easier to dispense and get it into the case.
In the .221 cartridge though I have found that VVN-125 is superb, albeit just a tiny pinch more work to get it into the case. You can end up with a nearly full case (better for consistency) and still maintain moderate pressure.
Enjoy!
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Just about anything that will work in a .223 will work in a .221 Fireball.
Went thru about 40 pounds (yes I did say about 40 pounds) of Accurate Arms 2230C when they still made it. For around $85.00/$90.00 for an 8 pounder, how could you go wrong. Shot LOTS of in my Mini 14 and Savage 110 AND my M1A. Used it in my .221 Fireball and loved it. Very close to 3000 FPS out of a 10" barrel in an XP 100. It's called a "Fireball" for a reason.
Deadly accurate.
No more AA 2230C so back to AA 2230 with super good results. Lil Gun is OK but flaked powder just doesn't meter like ball powder.
Most folks have a BUNCH of different powders on the shelf and my bet is, most of them havn't been worked enough to find their full potential.
Someone says XXXX powder is killer in XXX caliber rounds, so everyone goes after that killer powder and the other stuff gets put aside.
What ever you're using, work it till you can't work it anymore before you put it aside.
Went thru about 40 pounds (yes I did say about 40 pounds) of Accurate Arms 2230C when they still made it. For around $85.00/$90.00 for an 8 pounder, how could you go wrong. Shot LOTS of in my Mini 14 and Savage 110 AND my M1A. Used it in my .221 Fireball and loved it. Very close to 3000 FPS out of a 10" barrel in an XP 100. It's called a "Fireball" for a reason.
Deadly accurate.No more AA 2230C so back to AA 2230 with super good results. Lil Gun is OK but flaked powder just doesn't meter like ball powder.
Most folks have a BUNCH of different powders on the shelf and my bet is, most of them havn't been worked enough to find their full potential.
Someone says XXXX powder is killer in XXX caliber rounds, so everyone goes after that killer powder and the other stuff gets put aside.
What ever you're using, work it till you can't work it anymore before you put it aside.
Last edited:
Absolute favorite in 221Fireball with 40 gr bullets is AA1680 for 3500-3600 fps and .2 accuracy. The PD's really don't like that load. Others to try would be AA2200, CFE BLK and H4198; all these can give you some outstanding loads. Fireball is a great little round.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.