221 fireball custom build

[louie the fly]

Hey Ausvarmint family,

I'm very excited to be getting a 221 fireball build underway. I managed to find a Sako L461 in 222 that was in decent condition for its age. The barrel, bluing and stock are a bit rough but action looks to be solid.

I sourced a decent stock from Hatchers with nice figure and colour. It has been machined in a sako classic profile and will have a red/orange recoil pad.

All the metal work is going to my local smith for a ceraoke job in a light gloss style and a new barrel. I'll probably stick with the classic sako varmint barrel length of 23.5 inches. He's going to do a bedding job for me also and then it will be send off for the stock to be finished and checkered.

I have a swarovski z6 3-18x50 that I'll mount but we'll see if that stays long term. It might look better with something a little smaller but we'll see.

I was going to stick with 40gr projectiles and either 2205 or 2207. The goal is create a nice little varminter that sits between my 17hmr and 204/223.

I have sourced some dies but struggling to find brass - anyone here have any spare they might like to part with??

I'd love to hear your experience with the 221 fireball if you have one!

I'll keep you all updated.

Happy shooting.

[B4408]

Sounds like a great build and should be a good shooter. 221 has always interested me but went 20VT instead.
Brass - there was some Nosler about , Lapua very rare now their not making it. I cut down 223 brass for my 20vt. Not hard but a few steps in the process.

Pics when it is done please.

Bruce

[louie the fly]

Thanks Bruce - it is an interesting little round with a decent amount of flexibility with little powder. Shame it doesn't have much commercial support here in Aus.

[barryb]

Hey LTF , thought I might have been able to help with some brass as I has a coupla 100 Norma Custom 221's floating around but alas , I had them turned into Mach1V a few months ago.
Good luck with the build.
Barry

[MISSED]

Very interesting little cartridge LtF
And love your list off components

I have a set of Redding 221 Forming dies

Just run through some 222,223,204 or 222 Mag brass and a quick zip with a hacksaw and you will have a 221 Fireball case

[Branxhunter]

Sounds like it should be a terrific little rifle Louie.

Marcus

[barryb]

Any update LtF -love seeing these custom builds even though i don't know much about them myself.

[louie the fly]

Hi all,

Just an update on the L461 in 221 fireball.

I picked the rifle up on the ANZAC day long weekend and took her down to the farm to start shooting.

The wood and metal work have all come up a treat. The stock has also been pillar and glass bedded.

The only spare scope I had was a swarovski z6 3-18x50 so that got the job in some leupold bases and rings.

Accuracy wise I'm happy so far but still searching for its favourite load. The only projectiles I could find were 40gr hornady v-maxs. I started with new nosler cases and ADI2207. I want to play around with the v-maxs some more but would like to try some blitzkings or ballistic tips, just struggling to find anything around Perth at the moment.

Out in the field, it handles and shoots great. Nice balance, not too heavy but enough weight to be stable from the vehicle. The fireball is a fantastic little cartridge on rabbits and foxes out to around 200 yards.

Happy hunting and I'll keep you all updated.

[barryb]

Gees LTF that has come up a treat , very nice indeed.

[MISSED]

That is one very classy looking firearm

Absolutely love the stock shape and finish not to mention that checkering

[RDavies]

Keene that looks lovely.
I used to have a 221 Fireball, also using L461 action but was using Remington brass.

I can’t remember the exact loads but the loads I did settle on were 35gn Vmax and 2205 for a slightly quieter load on a smaller property and then I did a lot of plinking with 2207 and 40gn Taipan when they were around.
I did try a box of 30gn Bergers through it as well which worked great on crows when pushed pretty hard. The lack of recoil allowed me to see impacts pretty well.

I do remember with this little thing that I could fire off quite a few shots plinking with this thing without it heating the barrel much.