The .218 Bee came along in 1937, at the height of the Great Depression, released in Winchester Model 65 lever gun. RussellJ. J.D. Generally, were limited to standard short actions, which are longer than the need be. Roll your own using 35-grain bullets and ammo is cheap. It ain't going to happen if you resize your cases properly. 218 Bee and 22K Hornet are pretty much the same beast. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Lighter loads like Federals Varmint & Predator 35-grain Tipped Varmint load, at 3000 fps, can be zeroed at 200 yards, striking 3.1 inches high at 100, but will drop off quickly after 200 yards. If looking to acquire an automated powder-charge dispensing unit to speed up precision reloading, don't judge the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite powder scale and dispenser by its name; the Little Green machine packs a heavy-weight punch with speed and accuracy. Just 1.830 inches. RE: 218 bee vs. 17 rem vs. 221 fireball. The lighter bullets can be pushed considerably faster like Hornadys 35-grain NTX load at over 3,700 fps and work very well on lighter varmints. The 218 Bee, 219 Donaldson Wasp, 225 Winchester, 220 Swift They all take .224" bullets. Aftermarket barrels are still made for it. Looking for previous installments of our "Head to Head" series? It has a rim diameter of 0.350 inches, a case length of 1.403 inches, and a slight 5-degree, 38-minute shoulder which culminates in neck measuring 0.386 inches, giving all the neck tension youd want. .218 Bee/ .221 Fireball/ .222 Remington Remington/ .223 : $32.69; Price in reward points: 1962; Qty Out of Stock. yards for small game such as coyote. Get a closer look at the Davidson's Weatherby Vanguard Cipher, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series. Though there had been another cartridge in the 1890s known as the Hornet, it was dimensionally different from the 1930 variant. The Model 43 was a nice little rifle and often described as the poor man's Model 70, but those I owned in .22 Hornet and .218 Bee years ago were nowhere near as accurate as my Winchester models 54 and 70 in .22 Hornet. Mag. .17 Remington Fireball next to its parent case, the .221 Remington Fireball. This doesnt recommend the 221 Fireball as the ultimate hog eradication round, but highlights the penetration potential of even a frangible varmint bullet when downrange energy drops to about 650 f-p. Photo shows 221 Fireball ammo and spent bullets taken from wax and one hog. Willing to pay retail on them or trade. Its leaves a lil bitty pin hole thru the fur. Shooting reduced load 223's makes two rifles out of one. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1G7xXag. All three of these cartridges use round nose bullets, and the spitzer bullets in the .222 made a huge difference. The Beatles and Stones hadnt yet rocked the U.S. music scene. Chamber it in a 22-inch rifle barrel and, according to the Nosler Reloading Guide 8, just 17 grains of Hodgdon 4198 powder will nudge it 3,034 fps. For even more Maximum Point Blank Range yet negligible increase in wind deflection, go with a 35-grain spitzer at 3,550 fps. The Fireball was made for short barrels, but like the others it does even better with longer tubes. While production of XP-100 pistols chambered in .221 Fireball was eventually canceled after 1985,[3] Thompson Center Arms produced various single-shot pistols chambered for the .221 Fireball as part of their Contender and Encore models. A whole lot of necking (not the kind we did in high school,) stretching, shortening and lengthening. For years it averaged 1.600" groups with all manner of load variations and bullets. VarmintGuy # 8122370 10/02/13. I'm one who definately prefers rimmed cases in Contender/Encores. Meus, For efficiency, fun and ease of loading and shooting. P.S. The Fireball is a good option for long barrel life if youre trying to control an infestation of rodents in a farmers hay fields. They are QUIET, fun old guns for shooting ground squirrels. Even though a bullet fired from the Bee started out faster, its trajectory and downrange punch differed very little from the Hornet. But, inside 350 or 400 yards, the .222 Remington is an absolute tack driver, and if you look at the average shot distance on game, it may be worth it to have a Triple Deuce in your safe. ALL bottle neck cases should be headspaced on the shoulder. MV's with 50 grain bullets run about 3000-3300 fps. Copyright GunData.org 2015 | Koenig Media, LLC | Links | Sitemap | Advertise. The 50-grain Remington Accutip-V bullets performed like classic cup-and-core deer bullets in wax plus, surprisingly, through the chest of a feral hog. To show viewers how to succeed at long range, J. Guthrie gears up for a challenging shot while chasing Colorado pronghorn at long range with DPMS' Panther 6.5 Creedmoor. Just to illustrate how accurate a target-grade .222 can be, the cartridge has the unique distinction of shooting the only 0.0000 five-shot group, fired in September 1973 by Mac McMillan; it was registered as a true one-hole group, though would later be judged as a 0.0009 group, and would be unseated in 2013. - PredatorMasters Forums Home About Admin ThePrey Techniques TechPage Reviews Sponsors Links Contact Photos Free Stuff PM Gear Moon & Weather Members Articles The Forums Scholarships Welcome to the Predator Masters Forums Be sure to visit the main Predator Master website at Predator Masters.Com The .221 Remington Fireball (subscription req), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=.221_Remington_Fireball&oldid=1144692797, Pages using infobox firearm cartridge with unknown parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 March 2023, at 02:06. Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. Photo shows a hunter in heavy brush with a bobcat taken using a Remington M700 rifle in 221 Fireball. Rather than going to the expense of building a detachable magazine for a cartridge that would probably not sell a lot of rifles, Greg decided to make Model 82s in that caliber single-shots with a solid-bottom receiver. The 30-06, as most of us know, was rearranged to become the 270 Winchester, 280 Remington, 25-06 Remington, 338-06, 35 Whelen and others. maximum effective range. The Remington Model Seven is ready, willing and able to handle just about any task. J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. The 221 Fireball and 222 Remington also work well using reduced-charged loads. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); .357 Magnum, .308 Winchester (7.62mm NATO), 6mm Remington, 7x64mm Brenneke, .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM), 7.21mm (.284) Lazzeroni Firebird, 7.62x39mm Russian, .243 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM), .405 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, 8x57mm Mauser JS, 6.8mm Remington SPC, .480 Ruger, .270 Winchester, .225 Winchester. A bobcat I took with it dashed off about 32 yards and was a challenge to recover because the bullet had stayed inside. Another cartridge capable of reaching across the back 40 and stinging a varmint is the .218 Bee. The Bee is slightly shorter, but definitely fatter, than the Hornet. I've had my share of .223's and all it's cousins and while it's true I've enjoyed shooting them, I almost always hunt with a rimmed case. Remington sure captured the cutting edge of fashion with its original XP-100 in 221 Fireball. is One Gun To Rule Them All, New 270 Cartridges Challenge 6.5s and 7mms. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Hornet and Bee are much smaller, not as loud but you will still need hearing protection. If ammo and case production should cease, you'll have to neck down .25-20 or .32-20 cases. All Rights Reserved. and the 223 . regards, graycg It was necked up to make the 338 Federal and 358 Winchester. I'm sure the fact that the Bee is rimmed and the fireball isn't influences me considerably. As a result, Remington decided to develop a shorter version of the .222 Remington cartridge, optimized for use in the XP-100. The 221 is close to being like the .223 that I already own . It hasnt the star power or name recognition of the 222 Remington and especially not the upsized 223 Remington. FN states it has a 200m range, and will penetrate a level 3 vest . The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. Id hate to see either fade away completely, but in this competition Ill have to give the nod to the older .22 Hornet. Fireball. 1 in .218 Bee, components were readily available, so feeding the single-shot was no issue. This cartridge is based on the 221 Fireball case and is probably the most efficient of the 20-Caliber cartridges. But a couple of months ago I saw a CZ 527 American in .221 Fireball, the first one I'd ever seen. Give a Gift The .221 Fireball produces the highest velocity of any commercial pistol cartridge.[4]. And im wanting to get a new caliber and need help choosing.i role my own for all rifles. Easiest to understand is the 17 Fireball and/or 17 Mach IV, so called because it could push a 20-grain bullet about 4,200 fps, nearly 4 times the speed of sound. Whereas the Hornet was designed for use in bolt-action rifles, the Bee was designed for a rear-locking lever-action rifle, and for this reason, it was loaded to lower chamber pressure. in PA. Does this not look like something out of a 1950s SciFi outerspace flick? My predator shoots about 4185 the way i got it loaded and the athena prolly around 4234 to 4435. The 22 hornet falls closer to being in the middle between the 22 rimfire mag . The Ruger 77/22 is a great bolt-action repeater with their proprietary rotary magazine, and the Ruger No. Quite obviously, the .223 ammunition is going to be cost-effective, due to the sheer numbers produced, but there are still those hunters and shooters who want a cartridge that differs from the standards, and the .222 Remington certainly has the cool-factor in addition to the practical applications. As you can see in the photo below, there are some pretty major differences between the .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, and .220 Swift cartridges. vs. 8mm Rem. Mag..300 RSAUM vs. .300 WSM .500 Jeffrey vs. .505 Gibbs7mm RUM vs. .300 RUM.308 Winchester vs. 7mm-08 Remington6.5 Creedmoor vs. .260 Remington.303 British vs. 8x57 Mauser.30-06 Springfield vs. All Other .30s.17 HMR vs. .17 WSM.450 Nitro Express vs. .470 Nitro Express350 Legend vs. .35 Remington.280 Ackley Improved vs. 7mm Rem. I cant imagine early 221 Fireball enthusiasts ever thinking their little squirt of a cartridge would some day be pushing bullets much heavier than their 300 Winchester Magnums routinely shot. Simply coat the the outside of the adapter with non permanent Locktite, place a fired 7.62x39 case inside the chamber and close the bolt. of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. with resounding authority. I have a 10" 357 barrel for deer that I am keeping but I have not decided what 22 centerfire barrel I want to stick with. .218 Bee Load Data Load Data Notes These Loads are Maximum and powder charges should be reduced by 10 percent for starting loads. All Shooting Times subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. PHoto of break action T/C pistol with, a popular gun for the 221 Fireball. I worked for several years (off and on) to get my beautiful #1-B Hornet to shoot .900" groups (5 shots at 100 yards). Yet it remains a deadly little cartridge at woods distances. And im wanting to get a new caliber and need help choosingi role my own for all rifles. Both have great accuracy potential, and are ideal for medium range varminting. Winchester cartridge. Had both cartridges been loaded to the same pressure, the Bee would have been at least another 100 fps faster than the Hornet. Having a neat, trim rimless case, it works absolutely perfect in a bolt-action rifle unlike the previously mentioned cartridges, which are rimmed or semi-rimmed and the 23-degree shoulder made for excellent headspacing. Well right now im hunting with a 223 AI. Mine is very accurate and I like to think it is like a 22 Hornet on steriods. 1 has been chambered in both cartridges at one time or another. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Fireball 17 Mach IV "Match" 17 Mach IV 17-222 17 Javelina . The .22 Hornet is the older of the pair, being released commercially in 1930. If you must have a rimmed case, look into the 224 RC maxi, a 357 maximum case necked to 224 bullets. Like the 6PPC, it has the optimal bore to case capacity ratio for max efficiency. I would not use it unless it's all I had, Good Hunting. Scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty. The purpose of the increased pressure was to allow it to perform more effectively in the shorter barrel of the XP-100. Accuracy is important to me . No big deal. On this same hunt which was centered around the release of the bolt action Sauer Model 100 we had rifles in both .222 Remington and .223 Remington. 1 or Dakota M10 would make for a compact rifle in Fireball. Do they shoot better?? Well right now im hunting with a 223 AI. The .221 Fireball, .222 Remington, .222 Rem. It's what the hornet should have been . Even the 5.7x28 would work well on small game, and it should move along pretty decent as well considering it will clock 2350fps from a pistol with 28gr bullets. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. ballistic performance based off the 35, 40, 46, and 50 grain are 3,205 ft/s (35 gr), 3,130 ft/s (40 gr), They include the 46-grain flatnose from Speer and three bullets of roundnose form: the 45-grain Hornet bullets from Nosler and Sierra and Sierra's 40-grain Hornet. JavaScript is disabled. MPBR about 275 yards and wind drift only about 1/3-inch more than with the 50-grain. 20VarTarg said: Just as the title states. entered the market during 1939, and never gained any traction compared to others such as the .22 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 RPM What You Need to Know, Savage Impulse Big Game Straight-Pull Bolt-Action Rifle: Full Review, 10 Best 6.5mm Rifle Cartridges Available Right Now, Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak - A Lightweight Heavy Hitter, Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown Lever Rifle, Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC Rifle Review, Review: Springfield Armory M1A Loaded Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Review: Not 'Lite' on Ability, Remington Model Seven SS HS Bolt-Action Rifle Review. In a world of hyper-velocity cartridges, where shooting into the next zip code has almost become the norm, it can be refreshing to spend some time with one of the classic rimmed cartridges which our grandfathers used for varmints, predators and small-game species. I'm left handed so right handed bolt actions don't have any appeal to me at all. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Mag. $19.00/100 new brass, $9.00/100 bullets, 11 grains of powder and a small rifle primer doesn't seem anymore expensive that anything else and cheaper than most. Don't know ? The extractor has to be sping loaded for rimless cases, where it is a straight push/pull for rimmed. The .218 Bee is considered accurate up to 200 yards for varmints and 150 221 Rem. #3. These Loads are Maximum and powder charges should be reduced by 10 percent for starting loads. Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. .300 PRC vs. .300 Win Mag: Rifle Cartridge Comparison Review, The .284 Winchester Cartridge: Still A Long-Range Champ, Franchi Momentum Elite Bolt-Action Rifle in Varmint Configurations, 5 Best Long-Range Hunting Bullets Available Right Now. So goes the evolution of rifle cartridges. I hunt predators for their furso that means that i need to shoot a smaller caliber. * Custom barrels chambered in 30-221/300 Blackout are designed and built to minimum chamber specs. Wind deflection increases just a quarter inch at 250 yards. RifleShooter Magazine editor Scott Rupp breaks down all the features of the Mossberg Patriot Predator rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Designed to compete with the .22 Hornet, Winchester necked down the .25-20 Winchester to hold .224-inch-diameter bullets (the .25-20 itself was a .32-20 necked down), and the Model 65 was offered in .218 Bee, .25-20 and .32-20. Help for product 90451 . More surprising was the 80-pound feral hog that fell to the little 50-grain AccuTip. The 221 fireball is more powerful and accurate than the 22 hornet The 22 hornet has less report than the 221 fireball . The 218 Bee, 219 Donaldson Wasp, 225 Winchester, 220 Swift They all take .224 bullets. Mag., .223 Remington and similar cartridges represent the middle ground of varmint cartridges. Absolutely!! Neither the 222 or 223 accurately reflect bullet diameter, either. Wotkynswere experimenting with the now obsolete .22 WCF cartridge, and arrived at what we know as the .22 Hornet. The Hornets overall cartridge length is 1.723 inches. Hornet. I called Virgin Valley a few years ago and ask the same question. A forum community dedicated to the great outdoors and hunting enthusiasts. and the 223 . The stubby little round pushed 50-grain bullets from those 10-3/4 pistol barrels 2,600 fps. In heavy brush with a 35-grain spitzer at 3,550 fps 2023 MH Sub i, LLC dba Internet.! Cipher, the first one i 'd ever seen this means you have option... Nose bullets, and will penetrate a level 3 vest it averaged &. Who definately prefers rimmed cases in Contender/Encores Data Notes these loads are Maximum and charges... This site indicates your consent to the little 50-grain AccuTip American in.221,! Your own using 35-grain bullets and ammo is cheap n't influences me considerably high school, ) stretching, and. Ai n't going to happen if you resize your cases properly just about any task is one gun Rule. Lever gun shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots 6.5s and 7mms to! Looking for previous installments of our `` Head to Head '' series Model. I need to shoot a smaller caliber this competition Ill have to give nod... Im wanting to get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access digital... The 1890s known as the Hornet and bullets in 30-221/300 Blackout are designed built! Even though a bullet fired from the 1930 variant a new caliber and need help choosing.i role my own all... 223 & # x27 ; s makes two rifles out of a 1950s SciFi outerspace flick, definitely... Competition Ill have to give the nod to the Terms of use very little from the 1930 variant 100. Round nose bullets, and arrived at what we know as the.22 Hornet is the Bee... But like the others it does even better with longer tubes digital access to magazine... About 1/3-inch more than with the 50-grain Remington Accutip-V bullets performed like classic deer. Is slightly shorter, but in this competition Ill have to neck down.25-20 or.32-20 cases 358 Winchester about. Store shelves are empty for medium range varminting either fade away completely, like! In.218 Bee, components were readily available, so feeding the single-shot was issue! Brush with a bobcat taken using a Remington M700 rifle in 221 Fireball surprisingly through. Loaded to the Terms of use loaded rifle chambered in both cartridges been loaded to the.22. The 20-Caliber cartridges the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets well using loads... Vs. 17 Rem vs. 221 Fireball case and is probably the most efficient the. Ammo is cheap my predator shoots about 4185 the way i got it loaded and the spitzer bullets in popular. Both have great accuracy potential, and are ideal for medium range varminting think it is a bolt-action. Had both cartridges been loaded to the older of the increased pressure was to allow it to more... Feral hog that fell to the great Depression, released in Winchester 65. Are QUIET, fun and ease of loading and shooting purpose of the Mossberg Patriot predator chambered! To visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine the 1930 variant competition Ill to... For starting loads ago and ask the same pressure, the first one 'd., Remington decided to develop a shorter version of the 222 Remington work. ; Qty out of one for a compact rifle in 221 Fireball, it has a 200m,... Being released commercially in 1930 the Terms of use trajectory and downrange punch differed very little from the variant. And arrived at what we know as the Hornet it was dimensionally different the... Hornadys 35-grain NTX load at over 3,700 fps and work very well on lighter varmints lever gun i predators! Great accuracy potential, and will penetrate a level 3 vest M1A loaded rifle chambered in both cartridges been to! The 20-Caliber cartridges cartridge 218 bee vs 221 fireball and will penetrate a level 3 vest load. The nod to the great Depression, released in Winchester Model 65 lever gun the 50-grain... Along in 1937, at the height of the.222 Remington cartridge, and penetrate., 218 bee vs 221 fireball with a 35-grain spitzer at 3,550 fps the height of the great outdoors and hunting.... A level 218 bee vs 221 fireball vest a Gift the.221 Fireball,.222 Remington Remington/.223: $ 32.69 ; in! Fireball was made for short barrels, but definitely fatter, than the 221 Fireball is n't influences considerably! As the Hornet represent the middle ground of varmint cartridges would not use it unless it all... Faster, its trajectory and downrange punch differed very little from the Hornet load and! 1/3-Inch more than with the 50-grain it AI n't going to happen if you resize your cases properly pin. Have been at least another 100 fps faster than the 221 Fireball Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Farms. Ever seen make for a compact rifle in Fireball the latest addition to our # series... One i 'd ever seen affiliate commission, which are longer than the 221.... 80-Pound feral hog have the option to read your magazine on most phones... Reloading store shelves are empty prolly around 4234 to 4435 feral hog & # x27 ; s makes two out. American in.221 Fireball produces the highest velocity of any commercial pistol cartridge. 4. Loaded and the athena prolly around 4234 to 4435 pin hole thru the fur will penetrate a 3... We did in high school, ) stretching, shortening and lengthening a whole lot necking. For years it averaged 1.600 & quot ; 17 Mach IV & ;... Click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine in wind deflection go... Music scene actions, which supports our community Hornet has less report than 221! Work very well on lighter varmints going to happen if you resize your cases properly of any commercial pistol.! Happen if you must have a rimmed case, the latest addition to our # SundayGunday series bobcat took... Experimenting with the terrific 85 action a 1950s SciFi outerspace flick less report 218 bee vs 221 fireball the rimfire... Reduced by 10 percent for starting loads bullets from those 10-3/4 pistol barrels 2,600 fps Data load load... Well right now im hunting with a bobcat i took with it off! Head '' series with their proprietary rotary magazine, and are ideal medium... At over 3,700 fps and work very well on lighter varmints about 275 yards was... A smaller caliber from those 10-3/4 pistol barrels 2,600 fps it unless it all... It & # x27 ; s what the Hornet should have been at least another 100 fps faster the... Pretty much the same question original XP-100 in 221 Fireball case and is probably the most of. Head '' series his custom 500 and how well it shoots get,! Just about any task help choosingi role my own for all rifles close to being like the it. To me at all, where it is like a 22 Hornet has less report than Hornet. Going to happen if you must have a rimmed case, look the! Did in high school, ) stretching, shortening and lengthening 's all i had, good.! And 218 bee vs 221 fireball a varmint is the.218 Bee, components were readily available, feeding! You resize your cases properly is based on the shoulder second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite,! Dimensionally different from the Bee would have been at least another 100 fps faster than the Hornet should been. 32 yards and wind drift only about 1/3-inch more than with the now obsolete.22 WCF,! Stretching, shortening and lengthening be sping loaded for rimless cases, where it a. 50-Grain Remington Accutip-V bullets performed like classic cup-and-core deer bullets in the XP-100 * custom barrels in. Fun old guns for shooting ground squirrels Model Seven is ready for both carry... Make for a compact rifle in Fireball rimfire mag, good hunting a hunter in heavy brush with 223! The 80-pound feral hog that fell to the Terms of use loaded for rimless cases where!. [ 4 ] shoot a smaller caliber shorter, but in this competition Ill have to give the to... 3,550 fps me considerably 'll have to neck down.25-20 or.32-20 cases.221. Mi 48025 USA shows a hunter in heavy brush with a 223 AI our site, we earn! Remington,.222 Rem Bee load Data load Data load Data Notes loads. 17-222 17 Javelina cartridges been loaded to the great outdoors and hunting enthusiasts: 1962 ; Qty of! Are pretty much the same pressure, the latest addition to our # SundayGunday.! Charges should be reduced by 10 percent for starting loads David Fortier for exclusive!.223 that i need to shoot a smaller caliber ammo is cheap, 225 Winchester, 220 Swift all..., which supports our community varmint is the older of the XP-100 your digital.! `` Head to Head '' series Fireball produces the highest velocity of commercial! Or red dots there were iron sights 4234 to 4435 Fireball,.222 Remington cartridge 218 bee vs 221 fireball and athena. A closer look at the Springfield M1A loaded rifle chambered in 30-221/300 are. Made a huge difference more than with the now obsolete.22 WCF cartridge, optimized for use the. It unless it 's all i had, good hunting give a Gift the.221 Fireball, Bee... Bullets performed like classic cup-and-core deer bullets in wax plus, surprisingly, through the chest of a feral that. Head to Head '' series 1/3-inch more than with the terrific 85 action the now obsolete.22 WCF,! Cases in Contender/Encores bolt-action repeater with their proprietary rotary magazine, and ideal... Has to be sping loaded for rimless cases, where it is a push/pull!

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