What has been your personal experience with the .221 Fireball?

[KDX]

I just read an article on this calibre and it seems pretty interesting. What have been people's real world results on paper and varmints?

 

[Gatehouse]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278294&highlight=Flat+tops+Fireballs

 

[zg47]

After being pressured by Bartell I bought one.Does everything he says.Bought a 527 American.Ive shot a few one hole groups with a minimum of load development.Awsome lttle round for sure and cheap to load for if you can find brass

 

[KDX]

Thanks for the link. What is the muzzle blast and recoil like?

 

[Gatehouse]

Thanks for the link. What is the muzzle blast and recoil like?

What muzzle blast and recoil?

 

[todbartell]

noticeable less than 223 for blast and recoil. 16 grains of Lilgun will push a 40 gr to 3500 fps, although 19 grs RL7 @ 3200 fps is a bit more accurate for me

spectacular little cartridge, a good choice if you want a 300 yard varmint cartridge that is a bit unique and different than the average 223

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Without going into any great detail, it's a caliber that performes well in my Remington XP-100.

 

[todbartell]

here's my 221, a CZ 527 American with Talley rings and a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 w/ LR duplex reticle

here's a typical group with either 40 gr Nosler BT or 30 gr Bergers at 100 meters (.7" 5 shot)

and I might of fluked out a bit here but I am quite proud of a couple groups at 300 yards I shot a month ago

360 rounds per pound of powder with RL7 (19.4 grs), 440 rounds per pound with LilGun (16.0 grs). Brass can be tough to find...and it isn't cheap. The cost of loading between it and 223 pretty much are the same because 223 brass is dirt cheap, but uses more powder.

 

[KDX]

Thanks for all the replys. It sounds very appealing. I'm interested in something accurate with little recoil if I want to out out for gophers and see the hits, but still able to put down a coyote.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Good shooting todbartell!! I don't think its 'fluke'. More good equipment, quality reloading and practice. Congrats on the results.

 

[Rembo]

great little round...I have one just like 'bartel's...love it......I've owned it for more than two years and that's saying something the way the stock rotates in my locker...

"the Fireball is what the Hornet could have been had it stayed in school"...