Kind of got an itch to buy one of these and I'm wondering if someone here can help me out. Did they offer the .221 Fireball in the later versions with the longer smooth barrel and factory nylon stock?

I'll post the same answer I posted in the gunwriters forum

AFAIK the .221 Fireball was only made in the original XP100 with its 10" ventilated rib barrel.

The later models, such as the XP-100R, were made in .223 and .22-250. There may have been custom shop models produced in .221, but I don't think any of the production guns were so made.

I have always wanted a .221. I do have a .35 rem. Xp that was purchased in 1989 and it is the proverbial tack driver. The original xp is a fine gun.

I have to think a Cooper in the Fireball would be the ultimate no excuses rifle - if you miss, you can't blame the gun There is in fact one on Gunbroker right now.

The XP-100R were frequently very accurate - this one I had in .22-250, and wish I'd kept it:



I now have one in 7mm BR. I won't say it's bubba'd...maybe thibadeaux'd....

The orginial 221 FB is the only way to go in the XP-100

And the center grip stock was the only way to go

Well I guess if the .221 FB wasn't available in the 14 inch smooth barrel, I'll have to settle for the short barrel with the nylon center grip stock. The only other caliber that I'd settle for in the 14 inch center grip nylon would be a .222 Rem. and I dont know if it was even offered. Anybody know?

Not the .222. The 7mm BR definitely was offered in the 14" with center grip - Dad had one. The .223 was available in the 100R.

By the way, if you have not yet done so, consider how long your arms are, and optics when choosing rear/center grip. I have fairly short arms, and when holding the center grip guns, with a typical Leupold Handgun scope mounted, the scope is too close. The rear grip guns work much better for me.

I have a 7mm BR Silhouette Model, 10 1/2" barrel, center grip of pretty nice walnut that is an absolute tack (and deer/hog) driver.

Well crap. Guess its gonna be a .221 in the original version then.

good choice and your best choice

This is the 7mm BR I have at the moment, which I bought fairly cheap, after someone rebarreled it. As received:



I am steadily de-bubba-ing it. It now has a real scope mount, with no shims. Notice it has no safety and the trigger breaks at about 1/2 oz. That will eventually have to get fixed.

It has done about 1.5" at 100 yards, in preliminary testing. How well it shoots will eventually determine what I do with it.

Hard to argue with you. To say I'm pleased with my cooper in .221 is an understatement.