221 fireball load
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The universal good load for a Fireball is a 40VMAX with somewhere between 18.5 and 19gr of RL-7. It works great in both of mine and several friend's. I have also used 15-16gr of IMR 4227, so I would imagine H4227 should work well. You might check their site for specific loads.
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H4227 works for me, 40gr V-max is good but 45gr Starke bullets were better. I have gotten flat primers with H4227 before so there is plenty of steam in that powder for the available case capacity.
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Honda CL360
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Honda CL360
Ditto on RL 7
I have used IMR 4227 which is close to Hodgdon with fair resuts. But really Reloader 7 is the cat's meow for the fireball. I have owned a number of fireballs and they have all shot best with 18 - 19 grains and a 50 grain bullet. Why fix what ain't broke.
I have used IMR 4227 which is close to Hodgdon with fair resuts. But really Reloader 7 is the cat's meow for the fireball. I have owned a number of fireballs and they have all shot best with 18 - 19 grains and a 50 grain bullet. Why fix what ain't broke.
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221
The 221 and the 222 have to be the easiest cases to load. In 20 years of shooting a Fireball in a rifle , I have loaded RL7, H335,H4227,IMR4227, AA2015L'il Gun and the loads I'm taking out west this spring are loaded with AA1680.I use whatever I can get the cheapest, although I am pretty well sold on1680 for its speed and accuracy. Pick the powder you want to use, start with the book's minimum load and tweak 'til your gun shoots it right. It won't take long.
The 221 and the 222 have to be the easiest cases to load. In 20 years of shooting a Fireball in a rifle , I have loaded RL7, H335,H4227,IMR4227, AA2015L'il Gun and the loads I'm taking out west this spring are loaded with AA1680.I use whatever I can get the cheapest, although I am pretty well sold on1680 for its speed and accuracy. Pick the powder you want to use, start with the book's minimum load and tweak 'til your gun shoots it right. It won't take long.
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365 Posts
For those "out the truck window" shots or for close-in ground squirrels, try 12.0 of Blue Dot under a 35-40 grain bullet. I like the Calhoon 37 DHP because it is silver and easy to distinguish from the full-power loads.
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861 Posts
Take your pick ! ! !
These were sent to me several years ago by Foxhunter. I use AA1680 and it does an excellent job.
As it says at the end of the list, "start low and work your way up."
ThJudg (Roger)
Cz American 221 fireball 22”
powder bullet case primer velocity model Bar. lnth
21.0 N200 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem 7.5 3288 fps Kimber 84 22 in barrel.
21.4 n200 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3325 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.9 rel 7 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3045 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.0 h4198 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 2970 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.5 h4198 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3114 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.0 h4198 50 nos bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3140 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 n120 40 gr v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3565 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n120 40 gr v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3665 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 AA2015 55 gr horn. r.p. Rem. 7.5 2969 fps Cz 527 22 in bar.
20.0 AA2015 55 gr horn. r.p. Rem. 7.5 3104 fps Cz 527 22 in bar.
19.6 n130 50 blitz king r.p. Rem. 7.5 3138 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n130 50 blitzking r.p. Rem. 7.5 3217 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.5 n130 50 blitzking r.p. Rem. 7.5 3282 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.7 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem.7.5 3720 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
21.1 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3855 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
21.7 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3935 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
17.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem 7.5 2703 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
17.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 2802 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 2917 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3025 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3056 Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3150 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3240 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
Powder bullet brass primer velocity firearm Bar lnth
16.0 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3512 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
16.5 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3588 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
16.7 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3612 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
17.0 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3626 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
17.2 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3660 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
19.5 n130 52 amax r.p. Rem. 7.5 3160 fps Kimber84 22 in bar
Cz american 221 fireball 22”
Powder chg powder bullet primer velocity group s. deviation Extreme spread
19.5--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.0--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.5--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- aa1680 40 max 7.5 rp 3650 n/a n/a n/a
19.5--- 2015 55 hor 7.5 rp 2969 n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- 2015 55 ssmi 7.5 rp 3104 n/a n/a n/a
18.5--- 2015 55 ssmi 7.5 rp 2943 n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- 1680 40 bat 7.5 rp 3674 5/.609 20.8 59.0
20.0--- 1680 40 barnes 7.5 rp 3483 5/1.44 39.6 100.0
20.5--- 1680 40 barnes 7.5 rp 3583 5/1.16 15.4 40.
20.0--- 1680 40 sierra 7.5 rp 3523 5/.852 36.6 102.0
20.5--- 1680 40 sierra 7.5 rp 3634 5/.829 19.8 51.0
20.5--- 1680 40 max 7.5 rp 3607 4/.429 16.2 46.0
20.2--- 1680 40 blitzkg 7.5 rp 3532 4/.74 28.0 69.0
19.0--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.6--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.0--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 2904 windy 31 75
19.6--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 2972 windy 15.4 41
20.0--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 3037 windy 21.6 61
PICK YOUR OWN, start low and work up.
These were sent to me several years ago by Foxhunter. I use AA1680 and it does an excellent job.
As it says at the end of the list, "start low and work your way up."
ThJudg (Roger)
Cz American 221 fireball 22”
powder bullet case primer velocity model Bar. lnth
21.0 N200 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem 7.5 3288 fps Kimber 84 22 in barrel.
21.4 n200 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3325 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.9 rel 7 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3045 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.0 h4198 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 2970 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.5 h4198 50 nos. bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3114 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.0 h4198 50 nos bat r.p. Rem. 7.5 3140 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 n120 40 gr v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3565 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n120 40 gr v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3665 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 AA2015 55 gr horn. r.p. Rem. 7.5 2969 fps Cz 527 22 in bar.
20.0 AA2015 55 gr horn. r.p. Rem. 7.5 3104 fps Cz 527 22 in bar.
19.6 n130 50 blitz king r.p. Rem. 7.5 3138 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n130 50 blitzking r.p. Rem. 7.5 3217 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.5 n130 50 blitzking r.p. Rem. 7.5 3282 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.7 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem.7.5 3720 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
21.1 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3855 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
21.7 1680 35 v-max r.p. Rem. 7.5 3935 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
17.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem 7.5 2703 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
17.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 2802 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 2917 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
18.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3025 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3056 Kimber 84 22 in bar.
19.5 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3150 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
20.0 n130 53 sier mtch r.p. Rem. 7.5 3240 fps Kimber 84 22 in bar.
Powder bullet brass primer velocity firearm Bar lnth
16.0 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3512 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
16.5 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3588 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
16.7 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3612 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
17.0 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3626 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
17.2 lilgun 40 s hp r.p. Rem. 7.5 3660 fps Rem classic 24 in bar.
19.5 n130 52 amax r.p. Rem. 7.5 3160 fps Kimber84 22 in bar
Cz american 221 fireball 22”
Powder chg powder bullet primer velocity group s. deviation Extreme spread
19.5--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- N130 50 nos bat 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.0--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.5--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- aa1680 40 vmax 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- aa1680 40 max 7.5 rp 3650 n/a n/a n/a
19.5--- 2015 55 hor 7.5 rp 2969 n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- 2015 55 ssmi 7.5 rp 3104 n/a n/a n/a
18.5--- 2015 55 ssmi 7.5 rp 2943 n/a n/a n/a
20.5--- 1680 40 bat 7.5 rp 3674 5/.609 20.8 59.0
20.0--- 1680 40 barnes 7.5 rp 3483 5/1.44 39.6 100.0
20.5--- 1680 40 barnes 7.5 rp 3583 5/1.16 15.4 40.
20.0--- 1680 40 sierra 7.5 rp 3523 5/.852 36.6 102.0
20.5--- 1680 40 sierra 7.5 rp 3634 5/.829 19.8 51.0
20.5--- 1680 40 max 7.5 rp 3607 4/.429 16.2 46.0
20.2--- 1680 40 blitzkg 7.5 rp 3532 4/.74 28.0 69.0
19.0--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.6--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
20.0--- 2015 55 nos 7.5 rp n/a n/a n/a n/a
19.0--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 2904 windy 31 75
19.6--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 2972 windy 15.4 41
20.0--- 2015 55 s smi 7.5 rp 3037 windy 21.6 61
PICK YOUR OWN, start low and work up.
Here's My Recepie For A 221 Fireball
I use Reloaders 7, (18.5 to 19 grains), and a Sierra 40 grn Blitz
King Bullet. Accuracy is really good, and the velocity is in the 3,700
fps range. YOu are not gonna beat this load. I like the flat based
Sierra 40 grianers for a larger bearing surface.
I use Reloaders 7, (18.5 to 19 grains), and a Sierra 40 grn Blitz
King Bullet. Accuracy is really good, and the velocity is in the 3,700
fps range. YOu are not gonna beat this load. I like the flat based
Sierra 40 grianers for a larger bearing surface.
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I always used 19.3gr of RE7 and a 40gr Ballistic Tip (moly). My rifle would regularely shoot .5moa @ 200yds with this load. A couple of years ago I switched to Hodgdon's Lil'Gun powder. 17gr of Lil'Gun under the B-Tip (moly) bullet gave an amazing increase in speed with the same accuracy. I am currently getting 3,600 ft/sec from the 21" Hart barrel.
This is a warm load in my rifle. If you want to try Lil'Gun in your Fireball you should start at 16.0 gr and work up in .1 grain increments. The tiny Fireball case is sensitive to increasing powder charges.
This is a warm load in my rifle. If you want to try Lil'Gun in your Fireball you should start at 16.0 gr and work up in .1 grain increments. The tiny Fireball case is sensitive to increasing powder charges.
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48 Posts
16.5 GR. H4227,40gr.Ballistic Tip and Rem.7 1/2 primer shoots very well in my Remington 700 Classic.
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You can do quite a bit with a little experimentation with the 221 Fireball and get satisfying results. By that I mean loading it way down with BlueDot and 30 grain Calhoons or going for higher speeds with heavier bullets too. The 40 grain plastic tips are all good bullets, but don't overlook the Hornady 45 grain Hornet and even the Hornady 50 grain SX, depending on what you're going after. I'll post a few loads from my records. None of these are hot in my rifle, and I've only gotten high pressure indications with 4227 powder.
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Both the Accurate Arms and the Nosler manuals list Fireball loads in rifle length barrels. There may be others too. If you want to use a Hodgdon Extreme Power, H4198 is a good choice. It doesn't meter quite as easily as the Reloader 7 or the AA1680, but it does offer far less variation in velocity with temperature changes.
Also, here's a ballistics table for the Fireball shooting a 50 grain SX, zeroed 1" high at 100 yards. My choice for coyotes in the north woods and the heaviest bullet I considered practical in my light rifle.
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Have fun with the Fireball, it's a versatile and forgiving cartridge to load for.
Both the Accurate Arms and the Nosler manuals list Fireball loads in rifle length barrels. There may be others too. If you want to use a Hodgdon Extreme Power, H4198 is a good choice. It doesn't meter quite as easily as the Reloader 7 or the AA1680, but it does offer far less variation in velocity with temperature changes.
Also, here's a ballistics table for the Fireball shooting a 50 grain SX, zeroed 1" high at 100 yards. My choice for coyotes in the north woods and the heaviest bullet I considered practical in my light rifle.
Have fun with the Fireball, it's a versatile and forgiving cartridge to load for.
I agree 100% with the Reloader #7 shooters. My favorite is 19.0 gr of reloader 7, 50 gr Speer TNT, Federal Match primer. Extremely accurate and deadly in my Cooper Varmint Extreme. Groups in the 3's and I have not had a hog crawl away. Very good expansion.
Gary Sutphin
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