Ok, I got a new front rest.....returned the sightronII Big Sky scope...and now I find that the gun shoots better than these eyes can see! Now I am a happy camper....I got a little more work to do but I am content that I have a shooter....thanks all for your help!
19.2, 19.3, 19.4 grs RL7 behind a 40 grain Nosler, F205M primer. Does 3150-3200 fps and shoots half MOA for 3 shots if I do my part. 5 shots not much bigger. Rifle is a CZ 527 American and scope is a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 LR duplex. My best load for the gun so far. Just testing to find out which powder charge seems to shoot the best!
I've shot my Fireball quite a bit since my last post talking about an IMR 4198 load outting. I've since switched to RE#7 myself. It worked so well I bought 5 pounds of it. Either the 40 grain Sierra BlitzKing or the Nosler Ballistic Tip works well. I can buy the Ballistic Tips in bulk so I will probably stay with them.
I should add I use the Lee 1.3cc dipper cup for the measure.
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 40, Sierra Blitzking 1440
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch or 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm
Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 45000 psi, or 310 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
63 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
I have yet to get back out with my FB but, so glad to see guys shooting this caliber and trying different stuff.....so far I have limited myself to 50gr sierra bullets. My wind doping skills need work.....anyhow I now know "I gotta get out more!"
Well here I go again, been using the 221 for four years now and had been using h4198 but, now the
best gun salesman in the US has caused by normally steadfast supply of powder to go away. I bought
IMR 4198 because the Hodgen 4198 was gone and the retailer told me he had to put it on a "wish list"
So I can look up the load data... my question for you 221 fireballers is: Have you used Imr 4198 with a
50gr bullet? and your load data if you don't mind....tks guys....your the best...Fotis I won't mind you QL data..... :wink:
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Nosler BalTip 39522
Useable Case Capaci: 18.441 grain H2O = 1.197 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4198
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 16.30 3064 1042 53508 5035 99.6 0.911 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 16.30 2748 838 38171 4823 89.1 1.055
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Nosler BalTip 39522
Useable Case Capaci: 18.441 grain H2O = 1.197 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4198
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 16.20 2978 984 52776 4927 95.9 0.931 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 16.20 2654 782 37869 4439 82.2 1.078
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Sierra Blitzking 1450
Useable Case Capaci: 18.473 grain H2O = 1.199 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4198
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 101 16.20 2976 983 52584 4931 95.8 0.932 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 101 16.20 2652 781 37738 4441 82.1 1.079
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Sierra Blitzking 1450
Useable Case Capaci: 18.473 grain H2O = 1.199 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4198
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 16.30 3062 1041 53317 5040 99.6 0.912 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 16.30 2746 837 38040 4826 89.1 1.056
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Sierra Blitzking 1450
Useable Case Capaci: 18.473 grain H2O = 1.199 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 46000 psi, or 317 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate 2460 110.0 20.2 1.31 2901 86.3 44759 5325 0.997 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.5 110.0 20.1 1.30 2890 86.1 44193 5306 1.003 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 110.0 19.1 1.24 2810 83.1 40982 5184 1.041 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 110.0 20.4 1.32 2781 80.4 39531 5270 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R901 110.0 17.8 1.15 2749 85.7 37179 5110 1.099
Accurate 2520 110.0 19.8 1.28 2746 82.8 36322 5197 1.079
Cartridge : .221 Rem Fireball
Bullet : .224, 50, Nosler BalTip 39522
Useable Case Capaci: 18.441 grain H2O = 1.197 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.830 inch = 46.48 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 46000 psi, or 317 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate 2460 110.0 20.1 1.30 2898 86.2 44641 5311 0.999 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.5 110.0 20.1 1.30 2887 86.0 44081 5292 1.004 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 110.0 19.1 1.24 2807 83.1 40887 5170 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 110.0 20.4 1.32 2778 80.3 39450 5254 1.048 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R901 110.0 17.8 1.15 2746 85.6 37094 5096 1.100
Accurate 2520 110.0 19.7 1.28 2742 82.7 36242 5183 1.080
SNPE Vectan SP 7 110.0 20.1 1.30 2690 74.7 38867 4745 1.068
Accurate 2495 110.0 18.3 1.19 2668 86.1 29067 5335 1.166
Lovex D073.6 110.0 19.3 1.25 2664 80.9 33262 5014 1.119
AA1680 has worked well but the BR4 may have not been hot enough for the ball powder. Loaded up some with federal 205 a hotter primer and that might shrink may ST. DEV a bit.
I just bought some H4198 and both primers should work fine with it. I am playing with 40gr HPV, Tipped, and 45gr spire points. Figure if I need a 50gr bullet I will use may 223 rem.
One thing to look out for is the CCI400, REM 6 1/2, are thin and the fire ball is high pressure you might perise primers. CCI450, BR4, fed 205/205M, Rem 7 1/2 are thicker and are may for the high pressure cartridges. Win SRP are middle of the road seem too work in a hornet or 223rem.
Good luck, I am headed ti the store for more powders like H4198/LVR/Benchmark.
Small rifle primers very in cup thickness, some are not made for high pressure cartridges like the 221rem and 223rem and you can easily peirce primers even with lower than max charges. The CCI400 was meantioned in one post so in the interest of safety I thought it good to mention.
The 221rem is a fun cartridge and bullets from 40grs to 50grs work well. I have used 40 & 45 gr bullets for my needs. Berger did make one of the best bullets for the 221rem a 45gr HPV for a 1:15 twist but not any more. The hornady 45gr spire point is one bullet I think has great potenial. Calhoon makes 38/42/46gr HPV bullets which add more options.
Also Lilgun and AA1680 are the two powders I have used, and with the shorter bullets I have used powder capacity is not and issue. I am now tring H4198 to get higher load dencities and being a stix powder so both BR4 & 205 primers will work fine and I like having two choices in primers to fine tune a load.
Hope this helps explain more, Good luck and post your pet loads once you done.