.221 Fireball question

ViLLain · April 3, 2002, 05:09 PM

Can you make .221 Fireball cases from .223 cases?

Keith J · April 3, 2002, 05:27 PM

You need to trim, size, trim again and finally ream as the neck will be far too tight for most chambers. You will have failures along the way.

Its far easier to make .300 Whisper from .223 and this is an excellent intermediate sizing die for forming.

Paul B. · April 3, 2002, 06:55 PM

ViLLain. Yes it can be done. I have an article from a Handloader Magazine that tells how to do it. I made up a copy for someone at a gun show, but he wsn't there the next day. If I can find it, you can have it. If I can't find it, I'll copy it again. How's that for a deal?
Paul B.

swifter... · April 3, 2002, 07:21 PM

I've done it.

You'll need a Redding form-and-trim die, an extended shell holder, a hacksaw, a file, Imperial Sizing die Wax, a case trimmer, a neck turner, and an expander mandrel. A level of patience that'd make Job resemble a coke-crazed yuppie overachiever wouldn't hurt...

There's plenty of .221 out htere. That's the good news. The bad news is, its Remington... This can be allieviated, in part, by annealing, which is less a RPIA than the forming.
Trust me on this!

Tom

ViLLain · April 4, 2002, 12:38 AM

Keith, the 300 Whisper is on the shopping list. Not quite ready yet. Funds or lack there of is the issue.

PaulB, that is a very generous offer, but I'm still in the exploratory stage and would not want you to go though the hassle of sending me something that I may not use. Thank you very much though.

Just ran into a new obstacle over the weekend. Some farmers are getting fairly picky about the firepower being brought to bear on their property. Lots of stories about cattle and irrigation equipment being damaged and the loud noise. It has never been a real problem in the past, but now for reasons unknown, I was being told specifically to use small caliber only. And trying to pop a rat at 150 yards with a 22 LR, I'll just say that this shooter is not very good at it. Add a 15 to 20 knot cross wind and I'm down to hitting one out of every ten shots if that.

Need a caliber that will fill as an in between for 22 LR and 22-250. Don't know if to use a 22 Magnum, Hornet, FireBall or a reduced charge 223. And which would be the quietest and most accurate with the popular barrel twist available today.

Have tons of .223 brass from shooting AR's, but no precision rifle. That's why the question, although I should have asked more like how difficult is it to make the case (Fireball) from .233 Brass.

Any responses are welcome. Even what works best for you, your special wildcat or anything else that may be interesting.

**Mike Irwin** · April 4, 2002, 01:07 AM

The .22 Hornet would be viable alternative, as would be the .25-20, although finding a rifle chambered for .25-20 can be a chore.

sricciardelli · April 4, 2002, 02:14 AM

Sounds like you are a customer for the new .17 HRM, except for the crosswind....

April 3, 2002, 05:09 PM	#1
ViLLain Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Out West Posts: 431	.221 Fireball question Can you make .221 Fireball cases from .223 cases?

April 3, 2002, 05:27 PM	#2
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	With great trouble... You need to trim, size, trim again and finally ream as the neck will be far too tight for most chambers. You will have failures along the way. Its far easier to make .300 Whisper from .223 and this is an excellent intermediate sizing die for forming.

April 3, 2002, 06:55 PM	#3
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	ViLLain. Yes it can be done. I have an article from a Handloader Magazine that tells how to do it. I made up a copy for someone at a gun show, but he wsn't there the next day. If I can find it, you can have it. If I can't find it, I'll copy it again. How's that for a deal? Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

April 3, 2002, 07:21 PM	#4
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	I've done it. You'll need a Redding form-and-trim die, an extended shell holder, a hacksaw, a file, Imperial Sizing die Wax, a case trimmer, a neck turner, and an expander mandrel. A level of patience that'd make Job resemble a coke-crazed yuppie overachiever wouldn't hurt... There's plenty of .221 out htere. That's the good news. The bad news is, its Remington... This can be allieviated, in part, by annealing, which is less a RPIA than the forming. Trust me on this! Tom __________________ There are damn few situations so screwed up that adding government to them will not make 'em worse... The best homeland security is an armed & informed citizenery! Molon Labe!

April 4, 2002, 01:07 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,383	The .22 Hornet would be viable alternative, as would be the .25-20, although finding a rifle chambered for .25-20 can be a chore. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 4, 2002, 12:38 AM	#5
ViLLain Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Out West Posts: 431	Keith, the 300 Whisper is on the shopping list. Not quite ready yet. Funds or lack there of is the issue. PaulB, that is a very generous offer, but I'm still in the exploratory stage and would not want you to go though the hassle of sending me something that I may not use. Thank you very much though. Just ran into a new obstacle over the weekend. Some farmers are getting fairly picky about the firepower being brought to bear on their property. Lots of stories about cattle and irrigation equipment being damaged and the loud noise. It has never been a real problem in the past, but now for reasons unknown, I was being told specifically to use small caliber only. And trying to pop a rat at 150 yards with a 22 LR, I'll just say that this shooter is not very good at it. Add a 15 to 20 knot cross wind and I'm down to hitting one out of every ten shots if that. Need a caliber that will fill as an in between for 22 LR and 22-250. Don't know if to use a 22 Magnum, Hornet, FireBall or a reduced charge 223. And which would be the quietest and most accurate with the popular barrel twist available today. Have tons of .223 brass from shooting AR's, but no precision rifle. That's why the question, although I should have asked more like how difficult is it to make the case (Fireball) from .233 Brass. Any responses are welcome. Even what works best for you, your special wildcat or anything else that may be interesting.

April 4, 2002, 02:14 AM	#7
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	Sounds like you are a customer for the new .17 HRM, except for the crosswind.... __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm