Small Game, Predator and TrappingFrom shooting squirrels in your backyard to calling coyotes in Arizona. This forum now contains trapping information..
Any of you guys have a .221 fireball. I just ordered mine a few minutes ago and I was hoping maybe someone on here had one. I hope to get some feedback, so I know that I didnt waste my money on some Piece of crap gun. The .221 is supposed to be great on yotes, foxes, and cats. SO let me know. Im thinking about making it into a long range squirrel, rabbit,groundhog, and coon calling gun. Any feed on that either.
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Lifes to short to be lazy...so get ur ass up and start hunting
Congratulations on The .221 FB. What model did you settle on? Do you intend to reload this cartridge? If you like this round you may find the Remington 17 Fireball to fit a nitch as well.
I have been just getting into this round for a little over a year now. Can"™t share much in the way of experience taking fur or critters. Just have not found myself with much in the way of opportunities yet. Yes I have taken a few bunnies and Prairie dogs, though I am looking forward to opportunities on coyotes and bobcats. Have to expect that both the .221 and the 17 FB will make a great calling round.
I have been reloading this round from the start of my .221 experiences. Thiscartridgesurprised me with the accuracy and velocity achieved with a variety of bullets and a small charge of propellant. I have had excellent luck with 35 grain V-maxes up to 55 grain SP's. BR4's have been my go to primer and Lil-gun and H4198 have been the favored powders for me.
This round should do well for you inside of 200 yards. Though it may surprise you out to distances of 300 yards or so. Can"™t help but say, I have been pleased with my 55-grain SP loads out to 300 yards.
This could be a tough time to get into reloading this .221 FB cartridge, as brass can be tough to get. The 17-fireball has dried up the supply of .221 FB brass to one degree or another for the last 9 months or so. Hopefully the brass supply issues will work themselves out over the coming year.
Bigjim12, you have a point. The .223 is less expensive to shoot factory ammo. Though if you are one who likes to reload for cost savings, bullet choices and improved accuracy the fireball does offer some advantages IMHO.
I have a couple of .223's and a couple of .221 fireballs and a few 17 Fireball's. The .221 Fireball is slightly shorter than a .222 and generally 100 to 200 FPS slower than the 222 & 300 to 400 FPS slower than the .223.
Personally I find advantages with the fireball cartridge for most of my shooting applications. Some of the perceived advantages of the Fireballfor me are listed below.
1.) Less Recoil
2.) Quieter report
3.) Less likely to upset neighbors
4.) Barrel stays cooler in a PD field
5.) Extended barrel life due to considerably smaller powder charge & slower velocity.
6.) Reduced pelt damage due to lower velocity.
Some folks may find some or all of my perceived advantages to be a disadvantage. In that case they have the option to go with the many other great firearm options that could include the 17 HM2, 17 HMR, 22 long, 22 mag along with the .17 FB .17 Rem,.22 Hornet,.221 FB, .222, .223, & the .204 ruger.
Sorry for allowing myself to get sidetracked here. Anyone else care to share their experience with the .221 FB?
Bigbucks98, looks like you & I may be the only fools gullible enough to try this overly efficient round. Seems like you may be to em bare assed to answer what make of gun you purchased.
Suppose you could shoot me a pm & quietly let me know what fool make of gun you purchased in this expensive caliber. Never know, I might even be willing to help you out & take that POCG off your hands for half of what you are giving.
Ive already got mine. This .221 fb is awesome on yotes, cats, foxes, g-hogs, prairie dogs, coon calling, and rabbits. It does a pretty good number on the gray squirrels. But on these hhuge fox squirrels that we have in MO its awesome. I am going to make it into a g-hog, rabbit, squirrel, yote, fox, and cat gun. Its going to be my ultimate small varmint gun.It also takes care of the feral hogs, stray cats and dogs that we have around my house. The stray dogs tried to attack my little brother when I was working on the ranch feeding cows, and didnt know if it would get the job done. But I shot 3 out of the 7 of them behind the shoulder and they didnt move afterwards. but anyway do you reload? I do. Well thanks for the feed on this eventhough I got it before I read this. lol
Thanks
Big
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Lifes to short to be lazy...so get ur ass up and start hunting
.221 Fireball
