Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 221 Fireball loads

Has anyone tried AA1680 in the fireball? Read on another forum about a load a guy worked up and was getting some great volocity from it using a 40 gr. bullet. Anyone else given it a try?

I sent you a PM, with some stolen data in it. It's NOT my data, but 'foxhunter's', he posts it at the drop of his hat, though, every chance he gets, so I stole it from him. Hope it helps a little.

I use 19.0 gr of RL-7 and a 40gr V-Max in my LVSF. Will shoot .5 MOA all day if I do my part.

I have a factory rem 700 and a custom 700 both chambered in 221 F.B... I use 42 and 52 gr. Calhoons and H-335, H-322....

RL7 & 40 grain Blitzkings. Groups improved with all loads when I went to using Wilson style dies.

AA1680 is all you need! It works well with all weights you are likely to use. The load density is perfect for the Fireball. Accurate Arms has some good load data on their site. I have been shooting 1680 for years and it is great powder!!!!!!!

Accurate Arms website doesn't list the 221 in their load data, that was the reason for this thread, would like to see what load others have used for the AA1680.

panhandle ...1680 is my choice for the 221 with RL 7 a close second.. I started at 17.5 gr and went all the way to 20.5. settled on 19.5 in Remington brass and Federal 205 primers. Either the 40 gr VMax or Ballistic tip shoot well over this load. goes thru the chronograph at just under 3500 fps. The 20.5 gr load hits 3560fps , but wasn't as accurate. I have some info off an old web page of Accurate Arm Powder; you should have it in your email inbox as an attachment.

20.5gr of aa 1680 w/a 40gr vmax or nbt -rem case -cci 400 primer =3546fps -only powder i've tried.

Consistent 3/4" five shot groups from a cz 221fb.

The new online manual since they were acquired by Western Powder does not list it but the printed manual does.
From # 2 Manual - AA1680
35 grain Vmax - start 16.8 (3092fps) max 18.7 (3514)
40 grain NBT - start 18.4 (3152) max 20.5 (3582)
50 grain Hornady SX - start 16.0 (2691) max 17.8 (3058)

I have had good luck with 2400 and the 36 grain Barnes VG at 3600 FPS. 1680 Shot well in my CZ5527 but the ES were as high as 150fps but groups were around 0.5".

The 2007 Oct-Dec Varmint Hunter magazine #64 has a very good article on working up loads for the .221 FB by L.P. Brezny.

Lil'Gun, is simply the nuts for the .221.

I agree with VAnimrod. I use 16.0 Lil'gun, and a 40 gr Ballisic Tip for about 3350fps. Very accurate, easy to clean, and no brass stretching. I neck size only.

I use the 221FB on groundhogs in the east, and prairie dogs in the west. It's a lot quieter than a 223, so that's a big advantage in the crowded east, where noise can be a significant factor. Out west, it just kills stuff really well, and you don't have a major problem with barrel heating.

Steve

I like 15.5 grs. Lil gun behind 40 gr. NBT's for 3500+. I used 16 grs. for a while getting 3600+ but noticeably looser primer pockets in one firing as well.
While I fail to see the need for the 221 Fire Ball with the 222 Remington already in existence it can be made to sing. YMMV.

FVA,

Looks like you may have a tight chamber to get those velocities and signs of high pressure. The new Hodgen reloading magazine lists the top load at 16.0 of LG @ 3384 fps with 48,900 cup pressure. That pressure is pretty mild.

Yeah, not much difference from a 222, except the 221FB uses a little less powder. Can't imagine the groundhogs, or the shooter could ever tell the difference. But I do love my FB.

Steve

I wore out a Fireball barrel with 20.1 grains of AA-1680 and 40 grain BT's at just under 3500 in the praire dog wars.

Al

Al
If you are going to wear out a barrel, that's about the most fun way to do it. Congrats.

Steve

Quite a few people report 3500+ with 16 grs. of Lil Gun. I had no issues other than mentioned loose primer pockets. Might of been soft brass. Anyways,15.5 grs. is easier on the brass in my case and still cracking those 40's along.

Wore out a barrel, Al? Did you wear out a copper and lead mine, too? Wow! Good for you!

The reason I was looking for another load was because the Lil'Gun load wasn't getting as much volocity as I would like to see. I'm using 15.0 grains of Lil'Gun with the 40 grain Sierra BK and getting 3383 FPS. More powder opens up the groups. AA1680 may give the FPS I would like to see if it will group like the Lil'Gun does.