Reloading .221 Fireball

UncleDoc

New member
If you are a Fireball shooter you know how difficult it is to get good brass. That is of course unless you make your own. I purchased some .300 Blackout brass and I have necked it down to load the Fireball. It appears to be about .040 short. It is LC brass and I sure do want to use it. Does the shorter neck make that much of a difference? Any input, good, bad or indifferent is welcome. Thanks...
 
Originally Posted By: UncleDocIf you are a Fireball shooter you know how difficult it is to get good brass. That is of course unless you make your own. I purchased some .300 Blackout brass and I have necked it down to load the Fireball. It appears to be about .040 short. It is LC brass and I sure do want to use it. Does the shorter neck make that much of a difference? Any input, good, bad or indifferent is welcome. Thanks...

It's usable (gag), but why not just make your own from new LC brass... or if you are real fussy, from Lapua brass.
 
I have a series of notes I wrote up to make excellent brass for my .221 from .223 brass. Even have a small chop saw and jig to cut excess. I did turn the necks but my chamber was cut tight anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: UncleDocCat...I'm listening. Using new LC brass sounds good to me. What's the best way to make it?

Cut the cases so they are a tiny bit long, maybe 0.10".

Take the expander out of the FL die... lube the case (completely) with a good lube - the wax stuff, or RCBS-II water soluble - Don't use a spray lube.

Adjust the FL die so it hits the shell holder, and then back it OFF 1/8 of a turn, and lock it with the ring - so the case shoulder is a little high.

Then run a case through it, and trim it to the book max 1.400"

Now, try to chamber it - it should not chamber. Now, bring the FL down in small amounts (1/40th of a turn), and size the case and try it - after a few tried, it should chamber with some resistance.

Lock the die and size all the rest and then trim them all to 1.400"

Put primers, powder stuff, and bullets in them and shoot them.

It is fun
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After they are shot, check the case length and trim 1.400" if necessary.

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Originally Posted By: UncleDocWhen you say trim the cases long I assume you are talking about using a trim die for .221 Fireball?

If you have one, it is OK, but if not, don't buy one, use a Forster or equivalent.
 
Originally Posted By: UncleDocWhen you say trim the cases long I assume you are talking about using a trim die for .221 Fireball?
I did them in quantity for prairie dogs...thus the chop saw and jig.
 
Catshooter, is there a need to anneal the neck of the shorter brass? You would essentially be annealing what used to be case body instead of neck and if the answer is yes can I have a little guidance on the best way to accomplish that? Thanks...
 
Originally Posted By: UncleDocCatshooter, is there a need to anneal the neck of the shorter brass? You would essentially be annealing what used to be case body instead of neck and if the answer is yes can I have a little guidance on the best way to accomplish that? Thanks...

If you have the ability to anneal, then do it.

I use the Hornady annealing thingie and it works very well. It is easy - when you hold the tourch, make sure that the flame is pointing from the shoulder to the neck, so heat won't go down in the aluminum thing.

Use the hottest flame you can get, and 5 to 8 seconds should me super.


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