221 Fireball Load

PABob

PABob

New member
I just picked up a Remington 700 LVSF in 221 Fireball and was wondering what bullets might be the best to start with for loading for groundhog, coyotes, bobcats, ect. I understand that the best for groundhogs may not be the best for coyotes so several choices may have to be used. I have several different powders on hand that I want to try so I'm really just looking for bullets but all recommendations would be appreciated.

What are your favorites? Is there one bullet that would be good for both? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Thanks.........Bob
 
The .221 FireBall can shoot most anything from 35 to 55 grain bullets, soft points and hollow points - and up to 50 grain poly tipped bullets...

... but it is probably best with the 40 grain poly tipped bullets. They are fully capable of whackin' Woodchucks to 'yotes.


.
 
I've been using the little Berger 30 gr. bullets for 221. Also in a 223 and a 22-250. There good short range bullets, excellent accuracy, just not cheap.
 
I had the best results with 40gr V-max and Reloader 7.
I know you didn't ask about powder but I threw that in anyway cause it's pretty popular for the 221.
The 40gr plastic tips are great for accuracy and probably fine for Ground Hogs, but I don't care for them much for predators. Try the Berger HP's. They're pretty hard to beat in most calibers.
Good Luck
 
Probably the best balance of accuracy and trajectory have come using a 40 grain bullet in my 2 Fireballs.

I push a 40 grain Nosler BT close to a max loading using Reloader 7. Accuracy and case life are excellent with this combo.

If you plant the shot behind the shoulder inside 200 yards, your fox, coyote, or bobcat will not travel far.

Heres one from the Fall using my Remington 700 LS, and the 40 grain Nosler/RL 7 combo.

DSC00217.jpg
 
Quote:
I've been getting great results using 40gr. Noslers with Lil' Gun.



Ditto that

15 to 16 grains of the stuff is the load in my CZ 527. It will out and out red mist a ground squirrel as far as you can see them in your scope. Dang close to 3400 fps too.

I have a friend with a custom gun in 221 Fireball and he shoots the very same load in his gun as well. 5 touching at 100 yards is no biggie with either gun.

Best of luck to you. I hope that you give it try. You going to love the little Furball.
 
Both Lil Gun and AA1680 are the best I have found for accuracy and speed. I settled on AA1680 it is supposed to burn a little cleaner and with Sierra 40gr BK its done well on coyotes and bobcats even shot three hogs put all of them down.It amazes me that the little case can get that 40gr bullet going 3550fps.
 
I agree with venatic. AA1680 and a 40 grain blitzking work great in both my 221 fireballs. 4 of my friends all agree that even though lil gun shoots great we are getting a lot of loose primer pockets on subsequent loadings. 1680 gets good velocity, accuracy, and is easier on brass. BTW brass is hard to find now. Reloader7 and IMR 4198 are also great powders for the fireball.
 
I had a friend in N. Ca. that shot 25,000 rounds a year out of a 221 Fireball.

He shot 1680 and the 50g TNT, he had loads for close shots and loads close to max for the 250 yard shots.

I shot a 45g Hornady hornet with a case full of AA2015 that shot 5/8" at 200 yards.

It may drive me crazy to have to pick a bullet that is great for both the yotes and chucks...I don't think that I could do it. I think that I would opt for a 45g Sierra Sp and a 40g blitz king, or make it a 50g lead tip sierra Blitz for both...I like a little heavier bullet for quartering shots when the animal is running away or coming at you...you need bullet penetration.

Good luck!
 
Quote:
I agree with venatic. AA1680 and a 40 grain blitzking work great in both my 221 fireballs. 4 of my friends all agree that even though lil gun shoots great we are getting a lot of loose primer pockets on subsequent loadings. 1680 gets good velocity, accuracy, and is easier on brass. BTW brass is hard to find now. Reloader7 and IMR 4198 are also great powders for the fireball.



I have heard before about Lill Gun and loose primer pockets, but this has never been the case with me. Are you using a max load? I have pretty much been stuck on the 16 grains of Lill Gun with the 40 grain Nosler BT for a couple of years now. I dont think I have had even one single loose primer pocket yet. I dont like loads that dont perform well or that give me problems, and the Lill Gun load that I have been using, to me and my friend as well, has been nothing less than just wonderful.
 
On loose primer pockets...

My first 221 FireBall load for a XP-100 pistol was ~17gr of W-680 and the Hornady 45 Hornet bullet - very accurate, pure death, and a very predictable load.

A few years ago I bought a Remington 700 Classic in .221 FB. I replaced the barrel with a Douglas "Air gauge match" in .221 (cuz the factory barrel sucked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif ).

W-680 not being available any more I went to AA1680 (supposed to be the same stuff) and 40 gr bullets. I found that the load was erratic - most shot fine, but I would have some cases that would loose a primer and show ejector wipes on the case face...

... anyone else see anything like this?


.
 
Quote:
4 of my friends all agree that even though lil gun shoots great we are getting a lot of loose primer pockets on subsequent loadings.



This was my experience as well when I tried to get more out of my Fireballs.

The Fireball and brass are meant to deliver a 50 grain bullet 2900 fps and the 40's about 3200. Go over that and you will get junk brass quick. Regardless what powder I used.

Enjoy the Fireball for what it is don't try to make it a 223. Nice, very accurate, quiet round.

The Fireball is a "shot placement" round, and regardless what bullet you choose, the 221 will struggle on coyotes if the shot isn't dead nuts. Its no 22-250. So pick the bullet that shoots best, and wait that perfect shot out.

For this reason I always pick the Fireball for open ground hunting, as shot placement is generally easy to come by, but never carry the FB into the woods. Just not enough snot to anchor coyotes that need to be shot at odd angles.

But the little Fireball will anchor them out to 200 when hunting open ground, if you have a good shot.......... regardless of bullet choice.

The Fireball is so accurate, this is an easy task. 100 yard benchrest target ........

DSC00087.jpg


Little over 200............

DSC00299.jpg
 
I have my .221 FB setup for hunting at night so almost all shots are 100yds give or take and its been great so far.My load of 1680(20gr) according to data is under max and the first 50 pieces of brass went 6 reloads before the primers were loose and I trashed it so my load is warm I would say.I would probrably back off a little but it shoots too good to change and I tryed 5 powders and 4 bullet combinations before settling on this load. By the way the HMS ammo loaded with 42gr Calhoon's are pretty darn accurate too if someone is looking for loaded ammo. I bought 3 boxes because it was on sale at Cabela's as cheap as brass a while back and with brass hard to find I am glad I did.
 
Thanks for all the great info, guys. I have some Sierra BK's, Nosler BT's and Hornady V-Max's but will have to pick up some Berger's. Also some Reloader 7 & some AA1680 to try. I'm surprised at some of you getting loose primer pockets with the Lil-Gun. I've used Lil-Gun in my Hornet loads and have loaded some cases 8 times now with no problems. I'll have to keep an eye on that.

Have any of you tried the Sierra 40 gr. HP's?
 
Yes I tryed them in the .221 and in my .223 they were not as accurate as the BK's or the Berger's but were slightly better than the Barnes if that helps.
 
Keep in mind the 40 grain Berger has a .160 BC compared to .221 fo the 40 grain Nosler BT.

This might come into play if you are planning on pushing the limits of the little Fireball. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I totaly agree sleddog! The lil gun loads I was experimenting with were in the 15 to 16 grain range. I was looking for accuracy in a Rem. Classic, and those loads were accurate, but hard on the brass, in my rifle. I have a 223 for 223 velocities. I also have a friend that uses 16.8gr lil gun in his fireball. He gets great accuracy, velocity, and gets one shot out of each piece of brass. He brags of the velocity out of his fireball, and carries it around high in the air. Then I pull out my 22-250.......
 
Quote.

Enjoy the Fireball for what it is don't try to make it a 223. Nice, very accurate, quiet round.


I always try to get the most velocity but not at the cost of accuracy. Accuracy is the most important thing to me. However, some of my groups tighten up the closer I get to max in some of my rifles. When working up a load, I always check for presure signs and back off if and when I see them. I got this Fireball as a fun gun. If I need more speed, I'll get out my 222, 223 or 250. Don't want to beat up my brass. It's harder to find than hens teeth. I did manage to find a bag of a hundred 221 cases at a local sport shop. Got lucky so I think I'll do my best to take it easy on them.

Thanks again for all your help. I'll let you know how I make out, just need to get the time now.....Bob /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
My rifles like H4227 and Hornady 40gr bullets best. One load using a Sierra 40 gr HP and Reloader 7 shoots very well too.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top