Best Pet Loads for 221 Fireball

[20VarTarg]

So I've always wanted a 221 Fireball and finally got one. Beautiful Cooper Model 21 Classic with the Schnable forend. It's the perfect walk around varmint rifle. Anyone have any pet loads they really like. I have 40 and 50 grain bullets on hands. Will most likely stick to the 40's unless the gun doesn't like them at all. Let me know what you are shooting and typical results. Thanks!

 

[Shutstr8r]

Accurate data list a generous load of AA1680 behind a 40grn Nosler ballistic tip. My CZ loves that load and it’ll sure make an awful mess of whatever it hits.

— Darrell

 

[Jeff]

So I've always wanted a 221 Fireball and finally got one. Beautiful Cooper Model 21 Classic with the Schnable forend. It's the perfect walk around varmint rifle. Anyone have any pet loads they really like. I have 40 and 50 grain bullets on hands. Will most likely stick to the 40's unless the gun doesn't like them at all. Let me know what you are shooting and typical results. Thanks!

I use in my CZ 527
Rem brass
40gr Ballistic tip bullet
Lil Gun 15.3 powder
Win primer
shoots in the 3's and 4's all day long

 

[sw282]

l have a little Rem 700 LVSF in 221FB. Its been on my last 3 Prairie Dog outings. The factory stock is a Bell&Carlson ADL type. My favourite load uses a Berger 35gr JHP. It likes 1680 pdr and 4227. Those 35gr Bergers are no more. Forcing me to go up to a 40gr Berger JHP. 40gr BlitzKings fly good in my FurBall too.

 

[JohnHenry]

Got a couple of 221FB (Cooper 21 VE and custom on Kelbly Atlas action). Both love 40 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips with 21 gr. CFE BLK. In my experience the 221FB is not finicky to reload. A number of loads will leave you smiling.

 

[areaone]

14.9 lil gun…50 gr Hornady SX…..Rem 700 LVSF. Very accurate varmint load

 

[linebaugh]

40gr Btips with RL7. Dont recall the charge but it would shoot very well in a custom bbld ruger

 

[tominboise]

Congrats on a very fine rifle and cartridge. My go to load is 18.4gr RL7 with 40gr Vmax or Nos Bal tips. I have a Remington 700 LVSF that shoots this very well.

 

[mmcu]

A 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip with RL7 (somewhere between 17.5 and 18.5 grains) should shoot quite nicely for you.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Both my Furballs (Cooper M38 VR & CZ 527 American) favor A2200 and RL-7 and either the Nosler 40gr BT or Varmageddon flat base with a 7.5 in any brand of brass....it all seems to work in this little caliber.



The joy of this underrated caliber cannot be understated....it's one sweet performer.

 

[ArtinNC]

This is a target that I was testing loads with and just 3 shot groups . Shooting a Savage #12 with a Brux 1:14 barrel and a Baxis trigger . Don't have pictures of later targets . I'm not loading for varmints just paper punching . I had lots of Berger 52 gr bullets on hand .

 

[LitLBoy]

CFE Black

 

[Rick in Oregon]

CFE Black

I've heard CFE BLK works wonders in the FB case no matter the bullet diameter. Problem is around here it seems to be non-existent. I'd like to try it if I could only FIND IT.

(No HAZMAT shipping for me)

 

[20VarTarg]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I am a huge fan of CFE BLK in the 2 20 Vartarg’s I own so I decided to give it a try today in far less then perfect conditions. Probably had wind gusts if 30-35mph. I tried 40 grain Blitzkings and 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. 19.5,20.0, and 20.5 grains of powder. All shot half MOA or better at 100 yds. Attached are the best groups of the day. I loaded 5 rounds of each. Shot 3 @ 100 yds and 2 @ 200 yds.
I think I found a load and I’d agree with Rick. This is a very underrated caliber.

 

[mmcu]

Heck, that was easy! Good shooting and a fine looking rifle.

 

[JohnHenry]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I am a huge fan of CFE BLK in the 2 20 Vartarg’s I own so I decided to give it a try today in far less then perfect conditions. Probably had wind gusts if 30-35mph. I tried 40 grain Blitzkings and 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. 19.5,20.0, and 20.5 grains of powder. All shot half MOA or better at 100 yds. Attached are the best groups of the day. I loaded 5 rounds of each. Shot 3 @ 100 yds and 2 @ 200 yds.
I think I found a load and I’d agree with Rick. This is a very underrated caliber.

Only underrated by those that have never owned one !

 

[ArtinNC]

Today at 8:40 70 degs I shot this . With my Savage #12 , Brux barrel ,1:14 twist , 221 Fireball . Shot at 100 yds .

 

[20VarTarg]

Today at 8:40 70 degs I shot this . With my Savage #12 , Brux barrel ,1:14 twist , 221 Fireball . Shot at 100 yds .

Impressive Shooting!!!!

 

[SmokinJoe]

Not much said about AA1680 but that is what has become my absolute favorite in the 221FB with 40gr bullets. Try 18.9grs and work up from there. I shoot a book max load and get 3550-3600fps with exceptional accuracy. I'm loading for PD shooting so looking for the velocity. If you are just punching paper you might want to stay below the max loads as this little cartridge has great accuracy at any decent pressure level.

 

[sqrlgtr]

This thread came at a good time for me was just getting ready to drag my rem 700 lvfs out of the safe that I’ve had for about 5yrs anf have shot exactly 6 rounds threw since my ownership . Been itching to try cfe black and some 40gr blitzkngs. Thats the plan any how. Heres a pic of target of the 6 shots I had when lineing up scope it shows promise anyway (100yds with factory nosler varmagedon ammo)….