Hey guys,
The barrel on my first varmint rifle (223) has died. It is to be re-born a 221 Fireball. Before I start load development I have a question. Do some brands of powders produce less muzzle blast that other brands? Thanks!

I was playing around with Lil Gun, at my buddy's house, and after a few rounds, his dogs left for another county, literally . They ran off, and later the neighbor called and said they were at his house. I didn't notice any difference in the Lil Gun and the Reloader Seven loads I normally use, but apparently the dogs did. They hit the road..............


I can probably save you a lot of work. Use 18.5gr. of Reloader Seven and any bullet from 35 to 50 grains. Plumb near guaranteed to shoot extremely well, even if it's not really fast. Heck, if you want fast, shoot a .22/250. That load SHOOTS, ask Glen (One EN) and I think Jerry uses it, too. I stole it from a buddy who owned a custom Fireball, built on a Howa action w/1.25" diameter PacNor barrel. His gun liked it bunches. It's generally good for a half-inch group with SPSX bullets in my CZ.

Muzzle Flash = Fireball.........thus the name.

I use RL7 in mine and since I shoot during the daylight hours never noticed a flash. I know there are guys using AA1680 and some using Lil Gun but they will have to chime in for a flash report.

I like Re7 with the 50gr BK's. Purdy decent BC & they smack hard too.

EDITED TO REFLECT THE FACT I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M SHOOTING!!

I thought you shot 50s? No big deal, I just thought you were using the lighter bullets, like I do.???

Thanks guys. My action is also a Howa 1500 Short action.

I will give these a try.

I mis-spoke I was asking about sound rather than light (Flash). I once had a T.C. Contender Ten inch barrel in 223. When I tried Win. 748 the light show was something else.

Thanks GA!! Nice catch. I edited my above post.

Yep, I run 17.2 gr Reloader 7. CCI BR4 primers, and 50 gr BKs. It sure is a shooter in the CZ! You'll like it!

(BTW, I stole that load from Glen lol)

Just curious as to why you decided to go with the 221 over the 223? I have a .223 barrel that is also on the verge of needing to be replaced. 221 was one option of several I had in mind.

I still shoot the 223. When I hunt Pdogs I take 223s and 223 Ackley Improved. A long time ago I picked up a 10 inch T.C. Contender in 221 Fireball. It became a fun gun for the local ground hogs. I have used several other calibers for them also. As the land around my favorite dairy farm has become homes I was looking for a gun with less bark. Yes, I have tried 17 HMR.

Here is the real reason:
My first centerfire varmint killer was and is a used Mossburg 1500 (Howa). It started life as a 223 then it had the barrel set back and was reamed to an Ackley Improved. It has take a truck load of critters plus all of my six kids have learned to shoot with it. It has spent so much time pointing at groundhogs that I do not want to get rid of it. The 221 Fireball fits the bolt head and I am set up to load for it. My pick of the 221 Fireball is not a statement against any other caliber. Other guns have come and gone but this old gun is special to me, or maybe I'm an old foolish gun nut.

I see.

I'd like to switch mine to something new just to sort of mix things up a bit. At the same time it makes no monetary sense for me to do so and I still enjoy the hum-drum 223. A 20 VT is another option, less powder and perhaps a bit more range. Dies and brass costs are prohibitive. I'm in no real hurry.

Reloader 7 and 40gr Blitz Kings.....PURE POISON!!

It's the best powder I have found for the 221 FIRE BALL.

Tigger,

Your picture made my day. Thanks
Your Fireball couldn't happen to a finer critter.
I under stand that the round was invented just for ground hogs. My T.C. likes the 40gr Blitz King also. but it uses 2400 powder. You-all have convenced me, I will try Reloader 7. The next step is to save enough money to take the action to my gun smith. Maybe I could take out a loan and the government will pay it?

Any one having trouble finding primers?

Here in Minnesota, they have disappeared. Except for a few shotgun primers. Someone from the gun club talked to a Winchester rep and was told they would be shipping primers at the end of April.