.221 Fireball

[nashlaw]

Have any of you guys played with this cartridge in a Remington 700? I read on another site that the 700 action was ill suited for this petite round. The writer said the case was so small that it would not eject empties due to the configuration of the factory extractor.

I saw one of these in a local shop and it was a neat little package- fluted barrel, nice sythetic stock(non-tupperware), and stainless.

David

 

[Lineman711]

Re: .221 Fireball

No expert by any means, but since no one else has replied...

I've seen several in my local shop that were brought back because they wouldn't feed.

My smith has gotten 4 in the past year, all Remington factory rifles btw, all with broken springs in the magazine.

Shot one in my life, on an Encore, can't remember much about it at all.

Check out the .20 Var-Targ before you buy.

 

[chadg]

Re: .221 Fireball

Man i seen one at bass-pro in the fine gun room it was a 40x.I guess i seen this thing about 10 years ago but damn they wanted a fortune for it........

 

[toddk]

Re: .221 Fireball

The case will not clear the ejection port if the bolt is run real slow.

 

[long range dogr]

Re: .221 Fireball

I've wondered about it as well.

Sorry i dont have any advise for ya bro.But i'd kinda like to see how this thread goes.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .221 Fireball

Used to own a .221 fire ball, fast, accurate, loud as hell.

 

[gunnut284]

Re: .221 Fireball

Not exactly the same but I have a XP-100 in .221 and it is very accurate. I don't remember having any ejection issues with it but it has been a little while since I've shot it. Be sure to reload since factory ammo is pretty light on selection.

 

[dmachine]

Re: .221 Fireball

The best thing to do with a .221 fireball is to turn it into a .300 Whisper.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: .221 Fireball

We have one in a classic. When it came from the factory it had bolt issues and I am certian that Rem NEVER functioned it at the factory because in its condition, it would not run. Quick call to Big Green and they sent a lable,turned it around and now it is definately one of the most accuratye factory rifles I have ever owned including a large assortment of older Sakos. I have never seen any feeding issued with the one I have.

 

[MTETM]

Re: .221 Fireball

I own a fireball on a savage/stevens 200 action. It will feed from the box, but I put a single shot follower in the rifle and have no problems with feeding or extraction.
This particular rifle and barrel combo are extremely accurate shooting 50gr TNT's with lil'gun. I cut the barrel down to 19 inches and it is no louder than any 223. The rifle has been used the past few years at a local turkey shoot for anyone that needs a rifle to shoot. It has taken home LOTS of birds for people.

I am waiting on the new 223 AI mags, if they will run the fireball case, then I will change this rifle over to feed from the mags. It is a great little rifle and I would suggest one to anyone who reloads and want a small caliber for shorter range.
I would not want to purchase ammo for the rifle, but reloaded it is great.
If the idea of the little case intrigues you, buy one and give it a go.

 

[Grand]

Re: .221 Fireball

I've got a custom .221 built on a 700 action with Hart 24" barrel. Fun as hell to shoot. Low noise and muzzle jump. Perfect for squirrels out to 300 yards, then I reach for my .223 AI.

I picked mine up used at a local shop with 2 feeding issues. It had trouble feeding from the mag, and ejecting. I quickly solved the mag feed issue with a new spring.

After playing with the extractor and ejector, I made a call to the Remington custom shop and learned a little publicized fact. Th Remington 700's factory chambered in .221 have a different bolt. (Another difference, my factory .221 action also has dual feeding ramps, whereas, my .223 C series donor has a single feeding ramp.)

The factory .221 action is on the left, .223 on the right. Notice the .221 extractor is located in the 8 o'clock position, the .223 in the 6 o'clock. Also notice the relief next to the ejector in the 12 o'clock position on the .221 and 11 o'clock on the .223.

On the .223 action, spent cases are drug thru the lug path before ejecting. The .221 case is much shorter and when drug thru the lug relief, prematurely releases from the bolt,causing a failure to eject. Remington solved this problem by altering the ejecting system so the .221 case is drawn thru a higher position above the lug recess. Alot of smiths, like the guy who built mine, don't know this difference and chamber .221 FB on .223 donors.

Anyway, feeding issues aside, its a fun cartrigde. I'd suggest you run a couple of empty cases thru the gun to check ejection. Feeding problems can be cured. If your serious about the purchase, I'd be happy to send you an empty case to check feed issues.

 

[nashlaw]

Re: .221 Fireball

Thanks to all that have responded! I may have to add one of these to my collection. I don't know if it is the cartridge or the rifle(so darn cute) that has the appeal, but I like it.

Grand, thank you for the offer of the spent case and I may take you up on it.

David

 

[BobM]

Re: .221 Fireball

I have one my grandpa had made on a small Sako action; it feeds well. I don't think he ever shot it much but grandma gave it to me after he died and I shot a bunch of prairie dogs with it.

A friend then had one made up on either a 700 or Model 7 action; I don't recall him mentioning any feeding trouble. (He may also have used a single shot follower)

We generally used a 40 grain plastic tip bullet over R-7 with good results.

 

[cockcroft]

Re: .221 Fireball

My Rem Classic in 221 Fireball has functioned fine since i bought it several years ago. Kills prairie dogs real dead.
40 gr. bullets dont handle the high winds too well.

 

[Mr.Kirk]

Re: .221 Fireball

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

On the .223 action, spent cases are drug thru the lug path before ejecting. The .221 case is much shorter and when drug thru the lug relief, prematurely releases from the bolt,causing a failure to eject. Remington solved this problem by altering the ejecting system so the .221 case is drawn thru a higher position above the lug recess. Alot of smiths, like the guy who built mine, don't know this difference and chamber .221 FB on .223 donors.

</div></div>

That just saved me some heartache. I'm about to turn a 223 into a 20 Vartarg.

 

[titleiiredneck]

Re: .221 Fireball

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Kirk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

On the .223 action, spent cases are drug thru the lug path before ejecting. The .221 case is much shorter and when drug thru the lug relief, prematurely releases from the bolt,causing a failure to eject. Remington solved this problem by altering the ejecting system so the .221 case is drawn thru a higher position above the lug recess. Alot of smiths, like the guy who built mine, don't know this difference and chamber .221 FB on .223 donors.

</div></div>

That just saved me some heartache. I'm about to turn a 223 into a 20 Vartarg. </div></div>

From what i undrstand, bieng a 300 whisper fan , if you are going to build a 221 fireball or a whisper it is best to use a cz or a howa 1500 or a rem model 7 action. You shouldnt have any extraction issues with these recivers. Unless as stated before that you can find a 700 action that was a donor off of a 221 fireball to begin with since the bolt head is diffrent , or if you can order a 221 bolt from green.