Longrange blog 333: 221 Fireball rifle upgrade

[@infantilepillock1687]

Very nice video, as always! Those little cartridges based on the .222 Rem are all great but reloading them while on the range takes it to a whole new level of commitment.

[@THLR]

I noticed! Very frustrating to start with, but thankfully I got some reloading tips and was able to tighten it up. Definitively less fuss with other 6mm/ 6,5mm I've reloaded.

[@infantilepillock1687]

@@THLR Strange. I've loaded for .222 and .223 and with either of them it was fairly easy to get good groups. Not perfect groups but good enough for German Jagdmatch competition and small game hunting. But I am glad to read that you managed to get the groups tighter.

[@juanjoseermakimix1728]

😳 OMG!!!! Happy to see you again Thomas!!! Don’t be later next video please 😂👏🏻😅

[@THLR]

Will try my best to put out new films

[@petercampbell3828]

Nice setup. That's a very precise tourque wrench you have there sir!😄

[@THLR]

It's the best moneyt can buy! :D

[@LastCaress7]

Thomas, last time you featured a small bore short action cartridge i ended up putting together a mini precision rifle in 6.5 Grendel. Now im thinking i need .221 Fireball lol. Good looking rig!

[@THLR]

Hope you're happy with it. Loved my Grendel, but didn't read the legislation properly. Hence this 221 Fireball to do what I intended to bring the Grendel for.

[@jamesmoon6042]

Nice looking rifle hope it settles in and you get what you're looking for.

[@THLR]

Yeah it does what it's supposedbto do now. Very good precision with Lapua 55gr FMJ, absolute shit with Sierra 55gr FMJ. Shot & eaten theb first bird with the rifle now.

[@bobcat9314]

Try out the ski style bi-pods..there about 300-600$ US but worth it.. Beautiful rifle..one of my favorite cartridges

[@THLR]

What do you hunt with your Fireball? I must admit, I would've preferred the 6,5 Grendel or 6mm-223 (not legal for winter birds here) but the 221 Fireball has been a very nice cartridge for me.

[@bobcat9314]

@@THLR i shoot bench rest, varmint hunt ..deer Deer 30-30 or 6.5 creed Target 6mm br Play,varmint 221 fireball, .17 fireball, Need a .20 vertarg barrel next.. No matter what they stick in that 221 fireball case it performs..and its fun to reload ..easy on the wallet..kind of

[@bobcat9314]

@@THLR I just looked it up..the company is called Phoenix Precision- BiPods.. I bought one used about 8yrs ago off a forum member love it. Then I paid alot for one made by a man in Calgary..its beautiful work of machinery I started with a harris..then GG&G bi-pods..now I've seen the light.. In the prone position A ski style bi-pod with a rear mono-pod is a pretty slick set up...dont even touch your rifle. You can push your shoulder to the stock and pinch your trigger (do not hold the rifle) let it free recoil. Try using index finger and thumb Index finger on the trigger thumb on trigger gaurd and pinch..

[@THLR]

@@bobcat9314 "easy on the wallet..kind of", I recognize that deception from my own head🤣. Not including all the work/gear before the first shot it is... Over here the prices has developed to a point where trying anything new is approaching $1000 before first shot is fired. And "everything" is harder to get now unless you stay with the most common calibers. I hoarded 221 brass, glad I did as I can't get it now. Interesting to see the 30-30 on your list, not often seen with people that's also into precision and varmints. My first rifle was a Winchester 94 30-30. Cannot remember what the model was, but checkered walnut. Fun rifle, never shot anything with it.

[@bobcat9314]

@@THLR I love my marlin 336..you can't go no better in thick forest..you can waste your money trying...like it or not the 30-30 lever action was perfect for thick forest hunting in 1839..as it is in 2023.. fast (accurate enough) follow up shots..if you get one.. Just a compact traditional rifle..I feel more like a responsible hunter also.. We don't need semi auto weapons for hunting...I dont think a hunter worth their salt would carry a semi auto in after a deer or larger game...they are just to sloppy..good enough for people..but let's show the animals some respect...hahaha Oh it's also way..way less expensive to purchase a pre-fit barrel and jam nut ..to switch cartridges in the same case family.. If you have a 308win..you could have 30 different barrels all based off the 308 case head..long as it fits your bolt face your golden..just an option.. I have a savage 12 in 17fireball and a 223rem barrel for it I can change between cartridges.. Both heavy target pre-fit barrels from Pac-Nor barrels...they're incredible and worth every penny...I believe they were about 400$ each before covid..plus tools and head spaces gauges.. So once you have the tools..it gets real hard to resist not to just order another barrel.. Great stuff here..I could talk the ears off a brass monkey blathering on about this topic...

[@KSM22LR]

Добрый вечер спасибо за видео 🤝😊👍

[@THLR]

No problem, glad you liked it!

[@Frolofsn]

Yes! Äntligen en video från dig👍😁

[@THLR]

Tackar. Det blir litt lavere tempo i vinter grunnet pandemien. Får jaktet veldig lite.

[@thomasjansson2019]

Äntligen tillbaka! Längtar tills nästa video 🍺😎👍

[@THLR]

Ca 2 uker til neste film. Spoiler alert: Riflen skyter mye bedre da!

[@bigracer3867]

Ever thought to put scope ring locking bolt on other side of rifle to give you more ejection port clearance? For single loading and other possible loading ejection issues arise? Just a bit into my world of shooting.

[@THLR]

No not really. My main concern has been 1) getting my hands on a 35mm mount, whatever make 2) not having any pointy bits chafing me or my backpack when walking. But I see your, the tiny 221 case sometimes "bounce" and misfeed (before, seems to be fixed now) and this can cause a fair bit of frustated fiddling and rifle-banging.

[@bigracer3867]

@@THLR 35mm mount. That’s some big rings. I do a lot of single feed without taking my cheek off stock. Slide the cartridge down breech to chamber by feel. The ring bolts were a hang up spot. But for general hunting is no problem. I just started doing it that way from then on. Even on a couple hunting outings it helped to keep chamber area as open as possible for me. Great channel as always!!

[@THLR]

Makes a lot of sense!

[@kenorrah8072]

I notice you are using Warne two piece bases on this rifle . What is your opinion of two piece mounts compared to a single rail ? Did you use the two piece bases to give more room to load rounds into the magazine?

[@THLR]

Yes you are correct, I need the space so I can access the action properly. With snow, there's no way I'd want tiny openings that's difficult to access with a brush or finger. The bases has been fitted, screwholes are oversized (bigger screws) and everything is bonded/glued to the action as semi-permanent as possible. This to give the best shock resistance possible when I fall on the skis.

[@ericrumpel3105]

Yes Sir, I was wondering if ammo & reloading supplies are in short supply in your country, we are unable to get anything.

[@THLR]

Not yet, we have both Lapua, Norma and RWS. But I've stocked up a little extra just to make sure.

[@ericrumpel3105]

@@THLR Thank You Sir for you prompt/courteous & honest reply,......our America is going to communism what seems like overnight.

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

@@ericrumpel3105 maybe ask ur buddies 2 stop going 2 massage parlors or supermarkets. lol

[@teo59]

Hi Thomas! How are you? Can you male a video about the gunwerks stock?

[@THLR]

It will keep appearing in these films.

[@Homehous]

Good video, nice shooting also interesting to see how you live in the North.

[@THLR]

Thanks for that. The cold is coming now and light returning, so hoping to do a birdhunt soon.

[@jmkhenka]

I live in northen sweden, probably same latitude as him or even more north, and we have shooting light from around 9.00 to 14:30-ish. short days

[@tikkamarksman]

An off-question 😁 How do I get a THLR riflesling ? veartabre.no seams to not exist no more... It's the 35mm version I'm interested in. I have the thinner version, and it's supernice !

[@THLR]

I no longer make them and Vertebrae went bancrupt years ago. They existed for a few more years under new management, but I had no contact with them.

[@tikkamarksman]

@@THLR Ok , sad... Found one at NewZeeland but with 50dollar shipping...☹ What do you use for yourself these days?

[@nzbediler1062]

That's very nice setup Thomas 👍,but very short daylight in Norway 🥶

[@THLR]

It's going the right way now, end of January I can have a meaningful day out.

[@jmkhenka]

yeah, but now we gain almost 5 minutes of light per day, and in feb it will be 6 minutes! Days get longer fast.

[@ianchristopher5092]

Great video as always! What caliber would you prefer for long distance/prs? I have an x-bolt chambered in 6.5x55. And im thinking about 6.5 creedmore for my next. But I have never had the chance to test it

[@ichderjogi]

Those 2 calibers are almost identical. No reason to have both in your stable.

[@THLR]

I would have to agree, no reason to have both (at the same time). The reason for a Creedmoor would have to be an ever growing selection of factory ammo. If you're reloading, same-same.

[@ianchristopher5092]

Thanks for both of your answers! :)

[@THLR]

@@ianchristopher5092 and to clarify: If you shoot out your 6,5x55 there's no reason NOT to get a Creedmoor (other than possible the investment cost of new dies etc). It's having both at the same time I object to, that's a lot of money spent to do exactly the same.

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

@@THLR or get 7mm08

[@dinsixiengmay9781]

Try Berger mine shoots 1/2 moa at 100yds 😜

[@THLR]

I know, but Berger is 2x price of Sierra Matchking 52gr and 53gr. These shoot as good as the Bergers (1/3 to 1/2 moa) in my rifle.

[@rogerurby]

If that is a standard Remington 700 short action, then how are not having ejection issues? Basically 99% of people I know that rebarrel standard Remington, Savage, or Howa short actions with the 223 rem bolt face have ejection problems due to the ejector being in the wrong spot. They work great for 223, 204 ruger, 20 Practical etc... but not for 221 fireball. Are you sure you dont have the Remington 40X action? Thanks.

[@THLR]

Absolutely a standard Rem 700. I don't have ejection issues, but my casemouths do get a small dent.

[@visiter127]

happy new year mate also can you name the ret pl

[@THLR]

Fingers crossed it'll be a better year. It's this scope and it's not something I'd recommend for twilight deer but it's good for daylight. I can see the white on white birds which can be a very hard target in snowdrift. www.gunwerks.com/shop/product/pt-e7502-leupold-mark-5hd-riflescope-3-6-18x44-35mm-m1c3-ffp-gunwerks-g7-18383?page=2&category=4

[@ericrumpel3105]

.....you may find it hard to get accuracy out of FMJ no matter who makes them,...that said, I am betting Sierra will end up being the bullet you go with, hornady has been too hit & miss & berger is alot of money for just average accuracy. I am now starting to experiment with custom CNC solid-copper turned super-accurately made bullets,....yes - expensive, but so is missing your target is my opinion. Thanks fer sharing my friend.....later - O/O

[@THLR]

I tried the Sierra and it was so far off what I wanted so scrapped it first attempt, binned the rest of the box. Lapua 55gr FMJ eventually shot really well, the Sako 50gr FMJ shot ok but not great. I wouldn't mind solid bullets, but kinda hard to get.

[@henningsand6171]

👍🇳🇴

[@THLR]

Takker!

[@2967575]

Have you tried accutac bipods sir ?

[@THLR]

No. From looking at the construction, seems to do about the same as an Atlas?

[@2967575]

@@THLR well some say its more sturdy and stable than the atlas you have to try them out check your local gunshop they might have one , but if you are looking for a non-moving atlas bipod check the PSR atlas bipods the legs don’t rotate.

[@fattylars]

So no suppressor or brake?

[@THLR]

I don't use breaks, period. I'll lose my job if I damage my hearing. But I do have a silencer for it which I use in Norway but not Sweden. This cartridge only burms 16-18gr powder, so the silencer works very well.

[@mattsimmons3259]

What length barrel did you choose in this configuration?

[@THLR]

47 cm or 18.5" due legal.

[@mattsimmons3259]

@@THLR fascinating, would you have opted for a shorty length if possible ? In the uk 12” is the shortest we can go , some say fireball likes a14” barrel

[@THLR]

@@mattsimmons3259 The fireball was originally made to be a 223 but in a pistol. If I could use a silencer, I would drop down to 14-16" as I really don't need the velocity. The only thing this rifle will do for me is topple eating birds at relatively short ranges.

[@mattsimmons3259]

@@THLR for me the .221 is the modern replacement for the .22 hornet but it excites me more . I think I would like one with a 14” heavy barrel and moderator as we are encouraged to use them on all rifles in England . Close vermin rifle for me personally.

[@THLR]

@@mattsimmons3259 it fills EXACTLY the same niche for me. Unfortunately I cannot bring my moderator to Sweden.

[@henkee1937]

Vilken kaliber starta du med innan du pipa om?

[@THLR]

Denne rifla har vært 221 Fireball hele veien. Eneste grunn til kalibervalget er svensk lovgivning rundt scootertransport og fjelljakt på statsmark.

[@henkee1937]

@@THLR jo det med transporten vet jag men visste inte att de gick att beställa en ny 221 fb utan att lämna in för att pipa om, tack för svar.

[@THLR]

@@henkee1937 akkurat nå tror jeg det er kun Schultz Larsen Legacy som kan bestilles i 221 Fireball, med dertil lang leveringstid. Raskeste vei til 221 Fireball er nok en brukt Sako Vixen som enten kamres eller pipes om til 221. Men Lapua har stoppet produksjon av hylser nå, så etterhvert blir det nok litt strul også med denne patronen.

[@TH1NOR]

Jaja ser nå i hvertfall bra ut

[@THLR]

Skyter bra også. Hadde litt strul med de første ladningene, men nå er det 8 til 16 mm jevnt.

[@TH1NOR]

@@THLR 👌 kommer vel i del 2😉😂. Del 3 221 ut til 1000m😁

[@joecizin9357]

Your getting to old for this crazy adventure stuff, do some vids on knife sharpening, or ham radio. . 😁

[@THLR]

Actually, learning proper knife sharpening is a 2021 goal :D

[@joecizin9357]

@@THLR Well you do " Come from the Land of the Knife and Snow" Led Zep

[@THLR]

@@joecizin9357 I suspect those guys spent too much time smoking... :D