Converting a .223 to a .221fb

G

getfoxy

New member
I'm toying with the idea of making a Stevens 200 .223 into a .221 fb. I'm aware cz makes them but am pretty set on this route. Tell me what I have left out. Can't think of everything ya know.

Stevens 200 .223
Adams and Bennett bbl
Headspace guage
Nut wrench
Barrel vise

Anything missing?
 
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I take a 5 inch piece of 2 x 4 and drill a 1 inch hole in the center. I cut it right down the center. Barrel vise. Just put the barrel in between and clamp it in a vise. Looks like you got it figured out. Good Luck.
 
Before you get too far into that project I would go over the Savageshooters.com and do a search on the 221 Fireball.

I was pretty excited about doing exactly what you are thinking of doing and I was told that the 221 has feeding problems in the Savage action. If you are planning on using it as a single shot then it won't be a problem.
 
Originally Posted By: mark shubertPray tell - WHY ???
Mark

Makes about as much sense as buying a Hemi V8 and pulling two of the spark plug wires...
crazy.gif
 
Originally Posted By: BusterOriginally Posted By: mark shubertPray tell - WHY ???
Mark

Makes about as much sense as buying a Hemi V8 and pulling two of the spark plug wires...
crazy.gif


Hmmmm,maybe because he wants too?

jesus!

dont buy a barrel vise,blued guns are almost loctited together,as they blue them as one piece...

buy a action wrench,

better yet i will let you use mine if you pay shipping...[beeep] ill let you use my nut wrench too
 
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You will probably have to alter the magazine to feed properly, if you try to feed out of the full length mag it will spit them out like a watermelon seed. You will need a block in the back of the mag and maybe alter the feed lips.
 
Originally Posted By: mark shubertAnd a 223 can't be a beater??
Mark

Ever occur to you that maybe I don't want a .223, maybe it isn't going to do the task I have in mind for it. Jesus christ tell what difference it makes to you? I love the "expert knowledge" here..... Or lack thereof
 
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But for you guys who did offer help, I'm going to check a little further into, I thought there would probably be some feeding problems, chunks I may give you a shout on that stuff if I get this thing going. Thanks
 
You would have to have the barrel cutdown and rechambered for the 221 Fireball or get a new barrel put on, I don't know if Stevens barrels have the same thread pattern as standard savges so I would check into that. If your interested you may want to put a better barrel on it. You will need to put a block in the rear of your magazine and modify the follower to fit as to not have feeding problems as the cartridge is shorter and you don't want to get setback problems with the bullet.
 
Sounds like a great idea to me. As well as a fun one. Few people that own the wonderful little "Furball" round are going to try and talk you out of if. A friend of mine made one and I have have almost begged him to sell it to me as it is a great shooter.

Good luck with your project. Ear-to-ear grins are what it's all about. Take your time, do a good job, and show us pictures of them iddybiddy groups that thing will shoot.
 
I am not sure what contour you are thinking about, but check out savage shooters forum. There is a vendor their called northlander who stocks mcgowen, Shilen, and CBI barrels pre-fit for savage for cheaper then I have seen elsewhere. I also don't know if you can get it chambered in fireball there or not, probably depends on the manufacturer. I put a McGowan bull barrel on my stevens and it shoots lights out. The nut was on there so tight that I wound up cutting the nut off with a dremel, and ordering a new one from Midway. I tried heating it, using a hammer to beat on the wrench, getting an extension, everything. I had it clamped between two pieces of wood in a vice, and the action just behaved like a drill bit and tore the wood up.

Now off topic, I have seen that you mentioned thinking about getting into reloading in another post. I have had real good success playing around with reduced loads in my 223 rem. You can get anywhere from 22lr velocity to 223 velocity, and do so for pretty cheap. I know you hollard at the other guy for suggesting not building a fireball, and if you just want a new gun go for it. But if you are on a budget (like I am) this is a cheaper way to get the same thing. Here is a decent article on the subject. http://www.jamescalhoon.com/tobee2.php
 
I did this a couple of years back after I saw an Adams and Bennet barrel on sale at Midway USA. I enjoy building projects and It turned out to be probably the most consistent shooting gun I have ever owned. I started with a Stevens 200 in .223..

Stevens200.jpg


The barrel I used is a .936 diameter, which meant getting a new stock, so I added a Duramaxx, along with an aftermarket trigger and a single-shot follower in the magazine..

221-fb.jpg


after messing around with a few loads I settled on 50 gr Noslers with 15 grains of Lil'gun. Here's a 3-shot and a 5-shot group at 100 yards.
221-004.jpg

221-005.jpg


The .221 Fireball in this somewhat heavy rifle has no recoil, which means you can easily watch the hits through the scope when shooting prairie dogs from a bench. It was a fun project, fairly easy to do and I have been more than happy with the results.

By the way, sounds like you have everything you need on your list, unless you would like to add the single shot follower. I used this one,

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=325484


 
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Thanks guys. This is gonna be fun. Just gotta get the rifle first, but Ive got a good idea about where I can pick one if those up on the cheap... This isn't gonna be finished i'n a week, it will take me a little bit if time bit I'll be sure to let you guys know how if turns out. Rusty I may need that friend of yours' phone number like we talked about via pm lol.
 
If you don't have the rifle yet, northlander has new savage actions, including stevens for fairly cheap. That way you don't have to worry about the headache of getting the first barrel off.
 
Dog I started reloading about a month ago and have had pretty good luck so far with few bumps i'n the road thanks to some if the members here. I had. a .223 but a .223 just dosent do it for me... I've even lost interest i'n my 22-250s lol. I like the .221 and I've always had a soft place for the less mainstream cartridges. This is really something I wanna do and I really like the Stevens 200. I had one i'n .243 once before
 


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