Anyone here ever Fireball'ed an AR? I simply love the .221 FB in a bolt gun so I'm thinking about doing one on an AR platform due to less muzzleblast than .223, .204, .17 Rem, etc..

I'm tired of the muzzle blast from my 18" RRA varmint .223. To me, shooting a 16, or 18" AR is a lot like shooting a rifle with a 'brake. The 20" is not much better, IMO.

I'm thinking something 20" and less than 8lbs all up. Called predators will be the primary quarry and the .221 covers most of my calling needs, 'cept maybe tournaments.

Would love to hear from those who have done it or just knows someone who has.. Twist rates, accuracy, muzzle blast, velocities, etc.


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IMO, muzzle blast is still going to be more than the unprotected ear should be subjected to. It just isn't going to be that much less than the above forementioned .223, .204, .17 Rem.
I do agree that an AR in the .221 would be fun, but getting one with the primary reason of less muzzle blast I beleive is going to leave you wishing for....well.....less muzzle blast..

Appreciate the input but I disagree if only because I own a Fireball. My ears can definitely tell a difference between 16gr of powder going off and 26+grs.............Huge difference!


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20 in 223 is a lot quieter than a 16....

Anything thats supersonic is going to be too loud for non protection.

Can also load down the 223 if desired....

Sorry, no data from the fireball, though I"ve wanted a whisper for a long time....

I think you'll have problems getting a 221 fireball to feed w/o going to extensive magazine mods.

What I do know is that blue dot will turn a 223 into a 221, and IMHO is even quiter than the 221. So the easy way to get 221 peroformance out of an AR is to build a special upper with an adjustable gas port, and a lighter return spring on the lower. No problems with the mags, no expensive brass to chase.

I have manually loaded blue 223 loads through an AR, they are scary accurate.

Huge difference or not, both should be shot with hearing protection, unless of course, you want ringing eats like so many of us already have.

I think the 221 would is an excellent round. I'm thinking it might work better in someting like a Ruger Mini but a 16 inch AR would be nice. I know I really like it in my Remington fireball XP 100. kwg

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If you are still wondering if it'll work.... just look at teh 300 whisper... works all day long and built on the 221 case...

Yep, kinda what I'm basing this off of. Lot of AR wispers out there!



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A friend of mine built a 17 MK4 18" upper that works fine Russ

Doesn't answer noise levels, but answers functionality. Me.... I'd run the 223 for sure, with an adjustable gas block and a big gas port to start with. That way you could tweak it to work with blue dot loads or dial the gas down low for 223 full power.

What do you mean it doesn't answer noise levels? I'm not understanding where some of you guys are coming from on the noise level thing.........Again, the Fireball has considerably less muzzle blast than the .223.

Will it still require hearing protection at the range?.... yes it will. I always use HP at the range no matter what I'm shooting. I do not and will not use it while hunting and that is reason for asking about .221 builds on an AR in the first place. Could give two shi!!s what it's chambered for if all I intend to do is bang at the range all day............

IMO, the AR-15 is the ultimate platform for called predators but I have no interest in adjustable gas blocks for said ventures.

Chambering one to .221 FB and building it light might very well be the ultimate 300 yd (covers 99% of called predators) calling set-up for those that don't like muzzleblast. We shall see!!



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blanket, who put together the upper for your friends 17 MK4?





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I guess what I mean is twofold noise wise. How quiet is a 221 anyway? Vs what barrel length you are going to use in an AR? IE short pistol 221 is probably loud, longer rifle quieter.
Then you have no comparison on noise levels of a reduced load 223 vs the 221.

The variable gas tube would only be a resale thing.... but if you are like me, I have sold only a few guns in my life, and those were trades to me to pay off other bills owed. But typically I keep what I buy forever(whatever that really means). As such if you are sold on the idea, get after it. Thats why I have a 7x300wtby, because I wanted one for some reason. There were better options IMHO.
The gas tube would be able to open back up and allow standard 223 rounds and that would make the upper more versatile in the long run and have a higher resale value. Where as the 221 would have about zero resale more than likely. And the adj tube could be set and left though on a 223. There are other things to think about on an adj tube. Say your builder puts a gas port in. Not large enough. Fine. Open it up more. Oops, too much and now the rims get ripped off your brass.... weighted carrier and or an adjustable tube would be the few ways to correct that issue. And you can adjust the gas flow to just reliably cycle your weight bullet and load, and that makes sense in a way too.

Me, we had set parameters of bullets that we used in competition and built around that, really not versatile in the long run....

Just some thoughts...

Still doens't say I wouldn't do it if I were wanting to like you do. Get after it and let us all know how it turns out.

he built it himself. I do not see a fireball being a problem. Might want to get with White Oak as my friend shoots with the owner Russ

Russ owns White Oak? John sold?

No John H owns it, my name is Russ. Should learn to space my signature out................Russ

The .221 is on my short list of wants, but MY idea of perfection is a balanced, light weight bolt gun with a nice walnut stock.

The AR platform is incredibly versatile, but IMO chambering for the Fireball is more hassle than it's worth just to protect your hearing. Why not keep your .223(s), and buy a can? A suppressed .223 will be much quieter than a Fireball, and doesn't require all the finking around getting the smaller cartridge to feed, or forming (and trying not to lose) the brass.

building a 221 ar makes very little sense

brass is alot higher priced
same bullets in both cal.
it would just as loud

i don't think feeding would be any problem.

Sorry, was confused there a bit.

As a very long time 221 Fireball user, and a AR-15 user, I will stay tuned for your results. And I fully agree the report of a 221 is considerably less than a 223, no doubt based in the 30-35% less powder.
As to whether it's practical, when do gun "enthusiasts" need to be practical or justify their projects?

Or click on "My Stuff", "Edit Profile" and put it in there so it is included automatically.

Thanks Russ!!



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