221 fireball for fox?

Bluedog

Bluedog

Member
To those guys with a 221 fireball, who use it for fox hunting...is it worth it or would you have stuck with the 223 loaded down? I am considering a fireball barrel for my savage, but would like some opinions on it before I make the plunge. Thanks
 
I have shot quite a few gray fox with my rem 700 in .221 fireball. These Texas grays are probably much smaller than yours (guessing), but I can tell you that my 221 shooting factory ammo does MAJOR damage to fox in my area. I am in the process of working up some loads that I hope will improve that. It is a heck of an accurate round though. I won't be getting rid of it in my lifetime.
 
I love my .221 and it is probably excellent for foxes (don't know I don't see many foxes around here) but you may want to check with some guys that have changed their Savages to .221. There are some feeding issues if you are trying to use a .223 magazine box.
 
Thanks for the heads up. If I get it, I will probably load either the 35 or 40 grain v-max's keeping the velocity on the lower end of the spec. Hopefully the report would be less than a 223, but with better ballistics than a hornet. Something that wont get the folks out of bed when they hear it crack at 2 in the morning. I am not really into the 17 rem idea, and a hornet does not interest me either, however the more I read about this little fireball the more I like the idea. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
It is quieter than the 223 & better than the Hornet which is a fine round in itself. And skb is correct with the feed problems from a 223 mag. You'll need a FireBall magazine. The 223 mag is too long & doesn't allow the next round to come up at the proper time & angle. The nose will flip up hit above the chamber opening. But you can always get the single feed ramp from Savage.

FWIW--I know this wasn't asked but I would like to let you know that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my CZ American 221FireBall with a 4-12x40AO Swift Premier!! This little baby with the sporter weight barrel puts the 50gr BK's in a 1/2" group at 100yds every time I've tried it with 18.6grs of Re7 & WSR primers out of Rem brass. The rifle cost me all of $425 also. And it's not for sale. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
 
I have a fireball, and unless you load it down you will be overgunned for foxes.

While being the most accurate round I shoot, it has proven too much on fox (for hides), and marginal on big Northeastern coyotes....... it has however become my Bobcat gun of choice /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Here is a nice 'yote shot with a Remmy 221 LS and a FOXPRO. If you REALLY are choosey about shot placement, it will work OK. (note bullet hole right behind shoulder)

DSC00300.jpg
 
If my .17 Rem doesnt work for a fox/coyote, as a fur friendly round, if i had to stick with a factory caliber, Id say the 221 would be in the top 2 or 3. If I was just hunting fox hunting with this rifle I can think of many factory, and nonfactory options that would be better. As an all round predator/varmint rifle, again in the top 3.(factory)

But to your original Question. If your refuring to a caliber being fur friendly, id imagin the 221 being a better choice than the 223. But with the factory loadings available with the 223 it may be better to just stick with the 223 and get a 22mag or 22hornet if just for fox with the extra $. Also you cant beat a 12ga. for fox either.

!!!DISCLAIMER!!!

I have never hunted with a 221, nor does anyone i predator hunt with use one. This advice ive given you isnt thru personal experiance. Just a year and a half of research of factory, and custom calibers to find the best caliber for hunting fox, and coyotes in Pennsylvania and still be fur friendly. I am still searching.

The .17 rem gets my nod for best factory caliber, if you reload (my opinion) I'll be running it thru the tests this season, and will post my results.

For my kind of hunting... 50% fox 50% coyote (1% if i draw a bobcat tag) fur friendly , and within 200 yards id consider the 221 a better choice than the 223, but messy on fox with full loads as the others have sugested.
 
.221 is an awesome round. Too back it took so long for rifles to become available. I have shot .221's for over 25yrs and it should put the Hornet to bed finally. I use it along with my .17 Rem in populated areas as they are quiet compared to the others. You might try Hornady SX bullets on the fox or a 55gr SP's for what you are looking for. It will be a trial and error thing until you find the bullet for your load. If I were shooting fox for hides, would use a .17 Rem and 20gr V-max.
 
I shot a medium sized for with a 221 FireBall, at 50 feet.

Load was a Hornady 45gr SX softpoint.

I hit him broad side just behind the rib cage, and he dropped like a stone - the bullet never exited.

The 211 is a very good choice!
 
I bought a TC G2 in 221 earlier this year. I haven't shot anything with it yet but it is very accurate. I also have the Remington classic 221 FB which I use for crows and ground hogs. It does a fine job on them and is also very accurate. I have some 52 grain BTHP loads for the TC that I will try on coyotes and fox this winter. I expect it will do the job.
 
you will love the heck out of the .221 round, I been using this round since the late 1970's out of my TC Contender. Works great on fox, bobcat...
 
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