221 Fireball VS 22-250
11-13-2002, 06:42 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: florence ky USA
Posts: 74
RE: 221 Fireball VS 22-250
I would have to say the .221 fireball by far.
Remington introduced the .221 Fireball in 1963 as the sole cartridge for their new XP-100 single shot pistol. ("XP" stood for experimental pistol.) The XP-100 was based on the Model 600 bolt action rifle fitted with a 10.5" ventilated-rib barrel and a rather futuristic looking pistol grip and forearm made from Zytel Nylon. The .221 Fireball cartridge was based on a shortened .222 Remington case. Neither made much of an impact on the shooting world, although both remained in production for many years. The T/C Contender single shot pistol has also been chambered for the .221 Fireball cartridge.
The .221 is the highest velocity pistol cartridge ever loaded by a major ammunition maker. Its SAAMI maximum mean pressure is 52,000 cup, the same as for the .223 Rem. and higher than that permitted for the .222 Rem. It was intended specifically for the sport of handgun varmint hunting, and it remains perhaps the best pistol cartridge for that purpose to this day.
In recent years the .221 has also found favor with a small number of rifle shooters looking for a relatively quiet varmint cartridge for use in semi-populated areas. The Fireball offers superior performance to the .22 Hornet, its main competitor in this role. In 2002 Remington chose the .221 Fireball as the cartridge for that year's Model 700 Classic Limited Edition rifle.
Remington's .221 Fireball factory load for the XP-100 pistol, now discontinued, offered a 50 grain spitzer bullet at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2650 fps. This made the .221/XP-100 combination the ballistic equal of a .22 Hornet varmint rifle, and about a 175 yard varmint cartridge.
In 2002 Remington re-introduced the .221 as a rifle cartridge. Their Centerfire Rifle Ballistics Table shows a 50 grain V-Max boat tail bullet at a MV of 2995 from a 24" barrel. The accompanying trajectory table shows that with a 200 yard zero that bullet hits 1.8" high at 100 yards, 1.7" high at 150 yards, and 3.4" low at 250 yards. This trajectory makes the .221 about a 225 yard varmint cartridge.
Handloaders can duplicate or slightly exceed the .221 Fireball factory loads for either rifle or pistol with bullets of similar weight. Reloaders also have the alternative of 40, 45, 52-53, and 55 grain bullets. The latter can be driven to a maximum MV of about 2900 fps from a rifle barrel. In the rifle cartridge section of the Nosler Reloading Guide No. 4 it is revealed that the .221 Fireball (using their 40 grain Ballistic Tip bullet at a MV over 3200 fps) is the favorite small varmint cartridge of the Nosler ballistics staff.
In either rifle or pistol the .221 is a very accurate cartridge with adequate energy for its intended purpose. With fragile varmint bullets it can deliver quick kills to its maximum point blank range.
www.chuckhawks.com
Squirrel Master
Remington introduced the .221 Fireball in 1963 as the sole cartridge for their new XP-100 single shot pistol. ("XP" stood for experimental pistol.) The XP-100 was based on the Model 600 bolt action rifle fitted with a 10.5" ventilated-rib barrel and a rather futuristic looking pistol grip and forearm made from Zytel Nylon. The .221 Fireball cartridge was based on a shortened .222 Remington case. Neither made much of an impact on the shooting world, although both remained in production for many years. The T/C Contender single shot pistol has also been chambered for the .221 Fireball cartridge.
The .221 is the highest velocity pistol cartridge ever loaded by a major ammunition maker. Its SAAMI maximum mean pressure is 52,000 cup, the same as for the .223 Rem. and higher than that permitted for the .222 Rem. It was intended specifically for the sport of handgun varmint hunting, and it remains perhaps the best pistol cartridge for that purpose to this day.
In recent years the .221 has also found favor with a small number of rifle shooters looking for a relatively quiet varmint cartridge for use in semi-populated areas. The Fireball offers superior performance to the .22 Hornet, its main competitor in this role. In 2002 Remington chose the .221 Fireball as the cartridge for that year's Model 700 Classic Limited Edition rifle.
Remington's .221 Fireball factory load for the XP-100 pistol, now discontinued, offered a 50 grain spitzer bullet at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2650 fps. This made the .221/XP-100 combination the ballistic equal of a .22 Hornet varmint rifle, and about a 175 yard varmint cartridge.
In 2002 Remington re-introduced the .221 as a rifle cartridge. Their Centerfire Rifle Ballistics Table shows a 50 grain V-Max boat tail bullet at a MV of 2995 from a 24" barrel. The accompanying trajectory table shows that with a 200 yard zero that bullet hits 1.8" high at 100 yards, 1.7" high at 150 yards, and 3.4" low at 250 yards. This trajectory makes the .221 about a 225 yard varmint cartridge.
Handloaders can duplicate or slightly exceed the .221 Fireball factory loads for either rifle or pistol with bullets of similar weight. Reloaders also have the alternative of 40, 45, 52-53, and 55 grain bullets. The latter can be driven to a maximum MV of about 2900 fps from a rifle barrel. In the rifle cartridge section of the Nosler Reloading Guide No. 4 it is revealed that the .221 Fireball (using their 40 grain Ballistic Tip bullet at a MV over 3200 fps) is the favorite small varmint cartridge of the Nosler ballistics staff.
In either rifle or pistol the .221 is a very accurate cartridge with adequate energy for its intended purpose. With fragile varmint bullets it can deliver quick kills to its maximum point blank range.
www.chuckhawks.com
Squirrel Master
11-13-2002, 06:48 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: florence ky USA
Posts: 74
RE: 221 Fireball VS 22-250
Never mind what I said earlier. You read and decide.
22-250 Remington
RIFLE: REMINGTON 700 BULLET DIA: .224
BARREL: 26", 1 IN 14" TWIST MAXIMUM C.O.L.: 2.350
CASE: WINCHESTER MAX. CASE LENGTH: 1.912
PRIMER: WINCHESTER LARGE RIFLE CASE TRIM LENGTH: 1.900
The 22-250 Remington is based on the necked down 250-3000 case with the shoulder angle changed to 28 degrees. In 1967, thirty years after the original wildcat versions, Remington began production of this cartridge in their Model 700 series rifles.
The 22-250 is only slightly less powerful than the 220 Swift and is more versatile; the 22-250 more readily handles reduced loads. This potent 22 caliber cartridge has been used for a great variety of game from varmints to deer. Of course, the 22-250 is best suited for varminting.
The powders that gave the most uniform results with best accuracy throughout the range of bullets were IMR 3031, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064. Winchester 760 gave the highest velocities with fair accuracy and may be a top choice in a different rifle. Shooters loading ball powder must be very careful with the storage and shooting of ammo. Ball powder gives large pressure excursions with temperature changes in this cartridge. Do not place ammo in a hot vehicle for an extended length of time. Do not leave ammunition in the sun, and do not chamber a round in a hot gun for an extended period.
Shooters using the 45 grain Hornet bullet should note that the maximum velocity listed is 3600 fps. The reason for this limit lies in the construction of this bullet. It is designed to expand at 22 Hornet velocities and therefore has too thin a jacket to be fired at velocities higher than 3600 fps. At velocities exceeding 3600 fps, bullets sometimes come apart before they reach the target. We have not shown SX bullets in the loading data because their maximum velocity is limited to 3500 fps. Shooters wishing to load SX bullets may use use the corresponding data, but limit the velocity to 3500 fps. The V-MAX bullets provide spectacular terminal performance with exceptional accuracy and rugged construction to give maximum velocities for the respective bullet weights. As in any of the larger 22's, the heavier bullets are normally the best choice for optimum performance.
Squirrel Master
22-250 Remington
RIFLE: REMINGTON 700 BULLET DIA: .224
BARREL: 26", 1 IN 14" TWIST MAXIMUM C.O.L.: 2.350
CASE: WINCHESTER MAX. CASE LENGTH: 1.912
PRIMER: WINCHESTER LARGE RIFLE CASE TRIM LENGTH: 1.900
The 22-250 Remington is based on the necked down 250-3000 case with the shoulder angle changed to 28 degrees. In 1967, thirty years after the original wildcat versions, Remington began production of this cartridge in their Model 700 series rifles.
The 22-250 is only slightly less powerful than the 220 Swift and is more versatile; the 22-250 more readily handles reduced loads. This potent 22 caliber cartridge has been used for a great variety of game from varmints to deer. Of course, the 22-250 is best suited for varminting.
The powders that gave the most uniform results with best accuracy throughout the range of bullets were IMR 3031, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064. Winchester 760 gave the highest velocities with fair accuracy and may be a top choice in a different rifle. Shooters loading ball powder must be very careful with the storage and shooting of ammo. Ball powder gives large pressure excursions with temperature changes in this cartridge. Do not place ammo in a hot vehicle for an extended length of time. Do not leave ammunition in the sun, and do not chamber a round in a hot gun for an extended period.
Shooters using the 45 grain Hornet bullet should note that the maximum velocity listed is 3600 fps. The reason for this limit lies in the construction of this bullet. It is designed to expand at 22 Hornet velocities and therefore has too thin a jacket to be fired at velocities higher than 3600 fps. At velocities exceeding 3600 fps, bullets sometimes come apart before they reach the target. We have not shown SX bullets in the loading data because their maximum velocity is limited to 3500 fps. Shooters wishing to load SX bullets may use use the corresponding data, but limit the velocity to 3500 fps. The V-MAX bullets provide spectacular terminal performance with exceptional accuracy and rugged construction to give maximum velocities for the respective bullet weights. As in any of the larger 22's, the heavier bullets are normally the best choice for optimum performance.
Squirrel Master
11-13-2002, 06:51 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Charlottesville IN USA
Posts: 524
RE: 221 Fireball VS 22-250
unless you reload, i would base my decision on ammo availability (keep in mind the .221 has been discotinued once and does not have a big following and may not last)The 22-250 is a good round but may be overkill for what you are hunting unless x-treme range is your desire.The .223 is a lot more quiet, cheaper and very deadly out 300-350 yds or more if you're good. Whatever you choose,enjoy-be safe-have fun!
If I ain't huntin',I'm trappin',If I ain't trappin',I'm fishin'
If I ain't fishin',I'm wishin'!
If I ain't huntin',I'm trappin',If I ain't trappin',I'm fishin'
If I ain't fishin',I'm wishin'!
11-13-2002, 06:53 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: florence ky USA
Posts: 74
RE: 221 Fireball VS 22-250
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/_include/navbar.htm
Check this site out. It will give you just about everything you need to know from the .17 to the biggest caliber. Hope this helps you out and let us know which one you chose.
Squirrel Master
Check this site out. It will give you just about everything you need to know from the .17 to the biggest caliber. Hope this helps you out and let us know which one you chose.
Squirrel Master
