XP100 221 Fireball

[PD Gohil]

My dad just gave me his Remington XP-100 221 Fireball. I have Remington brass on the way, Federal 205 primers and 40 gr v-max on hand. Now I'm down to powder selection. Originally was planning on using w296/h110 as I have a surplus of it. But further reading seems to point to IMR 4198 and 4227 with the 4198 being a preferred load in the Hornady manual. Thoughts?

Also any accuracy tips with the XP100? It still has the original plastic stock and the barrel does not seem to be free floated at all.

Thanks

PD Gohil
WV

 

[Gabe22BR]

Search function on this forum works..
Hogdon powder load data had some
Saubier forum has quite a bit of info on 221 loads

 

[NorCalMikie]

You meaning "Saubier" forum??
I use AA 2230 with no issues.
Pounding steel out to 400 + yards with a 10" barreled pistol?
PRICELESS!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Im a 4198 guy. Dont be concerned with the barrel not floating- a barrel that small you may not want it to float. All the ones ive shot over the years do just fine in factory form.

 

[V509]

Either of the powder choices you mention will do just fine

 

[PD Gohil]

Well, now the hunt is on for some IMR 4198!

 

[justpassinthru]

2400 is another good powder.

 

[PD Gohil]

 

[centershot]

Now all that you need is a Nylon 66 to with it! Nice gift.

 

[NorCalMikie]

As far as powder choice, TRY what you've got first.
Most folks will jump all over because someone shot bug holes with XXXX powder and the next thing you know, you've got 10 different powder cans 3/4 full and not one of them has REALLY been worked.
Work them till you can't work it anymore before you jump to something else.
Been shooting AA 2230 for YEARS in everything I load for. From 17 VHA on up to .308 with a bunch in between. All with "bug hole" results. Got a few different powders but they don't get used. Why mess with a good thing.
And I don't worry about speed. (FPS) They're all going in the same hole and my targets don't care how fast the bullets are going.
Now if the XP 100 pistol came as a lefty? No reaching over or removing your hand from the stock to work the bolt. Not asking for much. As is, perfect for a left handed shooter. Left hand stays in control of the rig while your free right hand works the bolt.
I happen to be right handed but built myself a bench shooter out of a Savage Model 10 lefty repeater. Changed it to a single shot with a modified mag block.
It's mounted it in a Richard's Micro-Fit BR style "right hand thumb hole stock" on top of a Whidden V Block. Metal to metal contact. Right hand stays in the thumb hole while my free left hand works the bolt and feeds the ammo. LOVE IT!!Only problem is, I find it real strange taking my right hand off my right hand rigs to operate the bolt.

 

[PD Gohil]

I am a lefty. I shoot pistols left-handed and rifles predominantly right-handed. This stock seems to fit really well in my left hand. I'd like to get it lined out and then maybe get a custom hardwood stock for it.

 

[PD Gohil]

I pulled the stock off this evening because I kept hearing something rattle in the fore end. It looks like someone had drilled out some holes and dropped bullets down in there. They measure 0.354 in diameter. I'm guessing this was done just to add a little weight to the front?

 

[LCazador]

I pulled the stock off this evening because I kept hearing something rattle in the fore end. It looks like someone had drilled out some holes and dropped bullets down in there. They measure 0.354 in diameter. I'm guessing this was done just to add a little weight to the front?

Those holes come drilled from the factory for 357 diameter bullets. I doesn't really do anything to make it shoot better. That slim little barrel will shoot or not if it wants to. I still own an original 1963 four digit XP100 in the Dupont hard case. All of my Fireballs shoot best with AA1680 ball powder but in the old days IMR 4227 or Win 296 both worked well. I see the rear sight is missing. If you can find one buy it and keep it original.

 

[PD Gohil]

Those holes come drilled from the factory for 357 diameter bullets. I doesn't really do anything to make it shoot better. That slim little barrel will shoot or not if it wants to. I still own an original 1963 four digit XP100 in the Dupont hard case. All of my Fireballs shoot best with AA1680 ball powder but in the old days IMR 4227 or Win 296 both worked well. I see the rear sight is missing. If you can find one buy it and keep it original.

No shit???. I can't believe it came from the factory like it That's crazy. Was the idea to add a little bit of forward weight?

 

[NorCalMikie]

My dad just gave me his Remington XP-100 221 Fireball. I have Remington brass on the way, Federal 205 primers and 40 gr v-max on hand.

Been told a "BUNCH of times", Remington .221 Fireball brass is crap. Me? Never had an issue!! Got a "pretty good stash" of once fired as well as new. All my loads are mid range and I've NEVER had to beat the bolt open on a hot fired round.
Even got a fresh box of Nosler .221 Fireball that I've never opened.
Treat your brass right and it will last a long time.

 

[LCazador]

No shit???. I can't believe it came from the factory like it That's crazy. Was the idea to add a little bit of forward weight?

With a scope especially you wind up with most of the weight in the rear. Adding the weight up front keeps the pistol more balanced. By the way faster powders like 296 are best with the 40g. bullets where slower powders like 1680 and RE7 are best with 50gr bullets. Picking a powder that will burn efficiently in ten inches is difficult to say the least so faster is better.

 

[RonS]

I have a custom built 221 Fireball bolt gun, 22" barrel, I shoot Sierra 52gr bullets in front CFE BLK and CCI 400 primers at under .25 MOA @ 100 yards

 

[K9TXS]

Go to the Specialty Pistol Forums

This is a great forum for this type of handgun. You'll be reading for the next couple of days.

I use Nosler brass, AA2200, H4198, Reloader 7, CCI 400 primers, 32 gr Vmax, 40 gr Vmax and 32 gr Nosler Varmageddon. I don't care to much for 4198 since it is a longer pencil style powder. Shoots fine, just doesn't throw very well for me.

 

[Frankm]

+1 to AA1680. I ve got 2 Fireball rifles and 1680 works well with both when using 40-50 gr bullets.
I ve had good velocity and accuracy with Lil Gun in past with 40 gr bullets but it’s pretty sensitive with minimal charge increases and can go high pressure quickly. Also ES not near as good as 1680 in my experience.
That’s a cool pistol, my cousin had one back in the 90 s and that’s what pipped my interest in the cartridge.

 

[NorCalMikie]

The REAL FUN PART is when you out shoot the rifle guys with an XP at distance. PRICELESS!!

Had a young kid, maybe 12 or 13 show up at the range with his Grampa.
He kept watching me shoot my XP so I asked his Grampa if he could shoot my rig?
Grampa agreed so I set the kid up, showed him how to sight thru the LER scope and warned him about the "hair trigger".
Got him set and stepped back. When the XP went BANG and he heard the "TANG" of the bullet on the 400 yard target gong, I thought his teeth would fall out for the BIG GRIN on his face. It's the little things that counts. My bet is he's still grinning.
Grandpa liked it too.