Go Back  HuntingNet.com Forums > Firearms Forum > Guns
221 Fireball - what twist rate? >

221 Fireball - what twist rate?

Guns Like firearms themselves, there's a wide variety of opinions on what's the best gun.

221 Fireball - what twist rate?

Old 12-25-2016, 05:31 PM
  #1  
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
 
TN Lone Wolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Martin, TN
Posts: 854
Default 221 Fireball - what twist rate?

My search for a .22 caliber centerfire barrel for my Encore pistol has caused me to research several promising cartridges. First was the 5.7x28mm, which I decided against due to a lack of brass availability. Second, the 22 Hornet, rejected due to its thin brass. Finally, I looked at the 223 Remington, which (and this will sound silly) is a bit too much gun for what I want. Now, I've settled on a 221 Remington Fireball barrel. I've decided on an MGM 12" blued heavy taper barrel, but I'm unsure of what twist rate I need. I'd like to be able to fire 55 grain FMJ bullets as cheap target fodder, along with similarly weighted V-Max and A-Max bullets for more precise shooting.

What twist rate should I go with, and what would be the upper range of bullet weights that twist could handle at Fireball velocities?
TN Lone Wolf is offline  
Old 12-25-2016, 08:26 PM
  #2  
Nontypical Buck
 
super_hunt54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,695
Default

Blast from tha past!!! Boy did you pick a love child!! I never got into the "long pistol" craze like you did Wolf but I did some experimenting with that cartridge LONG LONG ago in a rifle. Don't quote me on this cuzz it was probably 45-50 years ago but I seem to remember that barrel being 5 groove 1:18 and it handled 55gr Sierra's like a champ. One thing, actually the only thing, I liked about it over the .22-250 was it was a dang site quieter! You ever shoot a .22-250 and you will get my drift. Dang things are LOUD!! But in pistol lengths, I think you may have thought up a dandy little critter gitter there buddy.
super_hunt54 is offline  
Old 12-25-2016, 09:00 PM
  #3  
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
 
TN Lone Wolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Martin, TN
Posts: 854
Default

I used to have a 22-250 years ago. You're right about that sucker being loud. I wish I still had it - it would stack bullets on top of each other at 100 yards, even with me shooting.

This build is going to be more of a target/practice rig. You've seen the potent handguns I shoot. Needless to say feeding them gets expensive after a while. I've done the math, and I can reload it for far more cheaply than my other Encore handgun chamberings. Maybe it'll be a fair bit quieter than most of them, too.
TN Lone Wolf is offline  
Old 12-25-2016, 10:34 PM
  #4  
Nontypical Buck
 
super_hunt54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,695
Default

Well you certainly wont have to brake it so that's a plus on the noise factor. And I'd say you will be in around the half range of your other loads price wise for reloading. Even buying good bullets you will come in WAY under the monsters you load for now. And honestly, I think that would be a dandy little cartridge to get out there and nail some pesky ground hogs and Yotes with!
super_hunt54 is offline  
Old 12-26-2016, 12:54 AM
  #5  
Super Moderator
 
Bocajnala's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Trumbull County, Ohio
Posts: 9,505
Default

That should make for a sweet little shooter.
-Jake
Bocajnala is offline  
Old 01-10-2017, 12:42 PM
  #6  
Nontypical Buck
 
Nomercy448's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,898
Default

I haven't had one in a TC, but have had 3 of "the original 221 Fireballs," the XP-100's. They initially came out with a 1:14" twist, then with the advent of the XP-100R, they updated to a 1:12" twist, both of which were aimed at shooting 35-50grn bullets, and the change being driven by the fact the 1:14" didn't run the 50's all so well.

You should be able to kick up over 2550fps with the 55grn pills in a 12" TC. You'd do fine with a 1:10" if you only ever shot the 55 FMJ's at that speed, but the tipped bullets are too long to be stabilized by the 1:10", I'd personally go with a 1:9" if I were planning 0-200yrd shooting, 1:8" if I were planning any farther. The 55 V-max needs a 1:9" to stabilize "confidently" according to Berger's stability simulator, and is on the ragged edge with a 1:10". The 55TTSX assuredly needs a 1:9" to stabilize, as I'd assume any of the other tipped monometals would.

Otherwise, remind yourself the 221 Fireball was never meant to be a "baby 223rem." It was designed to shoot the lighter 22cal pills, and it does so very well. If I were going to plan a longer range 221 Fireball barrel, I'd be hard pressed to talk myself out of a 1:7" twist barrel, crowned at 14", throated for the 69 SMK - it's hard for me to remind myself "it's not a baby 223rem" too. Reason would win out and I'd go back to a standard 1:12" with a 40grn Blitzking, which is why I haven't ever rebarreled my 221FB XP100's.
Nomercy448 is offline  
Old 01-10-2017, 03:43 PM
  #7  
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
 
TN Lone Wolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Martin, TN
Posts: 854
Default

I went with a 1-9" twist when I ordered the barrel. I figure that ought to keep the 55 grain bullets stable out to 200 yards at least.
TN Lone Wolf is offline  
Old 01-20-2017, 07:48 PM
  #8  
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
 
TN Lone Wolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Martin, TN
Posts: 854
Default

Just got an email today. It'll be here Tuesday.
TN Lone Wolf is offline  
Old 02-23-2020, 11:05 AM
  #9  
Spike
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 40
Default

How did that rate of 1:9 twist work out for you. I am thinking of a 221 fireball build in a Remington SPS and was looking into the 1:12 twist or maybe a 1:10 twist.
steakman is offline  
Old 02-23-2020, 01:37 PM
  #10  
Boone & Crockett
 
Oldtimr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 15,377
Default

You do know the op was over 3 years ago, I doubt the op is checking the thread anymore.
Oldtimr is online now  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.