Need help in finding brass for .221 Fireball

[Goofycat]

I want to purchase some new brass for my .20 VarTarg. This brass is necked down from the .221 Fireball case and, so far, may be available only in the Remington brand. I would have opted for the more expensive brass (Norma, Lapua, Nosler), but the .221 Fireball is evidently not offered by these companies, at least not in the Sinclair catalog. Sinclair offers the Fireball from Remington for $45.40/100 cases. Does anyone have suggestions as to another source of brass that is of a better quality than that of the Remington? If not, are there any other companies that offer the Remington brand at a lower price?

 

[Trickymissfit]

I want to purchase some new brass for my .20 VarTarg. This brass is necked down from the .221 Fireball case and, so far, may be available only in the Remington brand. I would have opted for the more expensive brass (Norma, Lapua, Nosler), but the .221 Fireball is evidently not offered by these companies, at least not in the Sinclair catalog. Sinclair offers the Fireball from Remington for $45.40/100 cases. Does anyone have suggestions as to another source of brass that is of a better quality than that of the Remington? If not, are there any other companies that offer the Remington brand at a lower price?

actually it's pretty easy to form .221 brass from .223 cases. The necks will come out fat for the 20 caliber round, and will need tobe turned before fire forming. Because your pushing the shoulder back over .300" you may have to do this in two steps, with a major cutting of the neck both times. I've made .222 brass this way, and don't see why you can't simply do the same thing.
gary

 

[strombeckj]

That price is just about right. No other manufactures make .221FB brass at this time. You can make FB brass from .223, If you have time on your hands.

This is a problem us .20VT owners face, however it's a pretty small problem based on the rave reviews this cartridge get from its owners.

Jon

 

[Trickymissfit]

if you have a heavy duty press (Rockchucker or a Co-Ax) forming these case is not hard todo. I formed .222 cases out of Lake City pick up brass with very little effort in my Co-Ax. But by going down to 20 caliber the effort will be increased a little bit. If you have a bushing die, I'd go with the biggest 20 caliber bushing or the smallest 22 caliber bushing I could lay my hands on .246 Bushing for starters, and set the shoulder up about .04" long. Then go down to a .240 bushing without the sizing ball installed, and put the shoulder about .005" long. Measure the I.D. of the neck and adjust from there. You'll mess up a few cases getting there (I always do anyway). Once you get close all you need todo is turn the necks and finish up right on size. You'll come out with a better case in the end.
gary

 

[TOM H]

I want to purchase some new brass for my .20 VarTarg. This brass is necked down from the .221 Fireball case and, so far, may be available only in the Remington brand. I would have opted for the more expensive brass (Norma, Lapua, Nosler), but the .221 Fireball is evidently not offered by these companies, at least not in the Sinclair catalog. Sinclair offers the Fireball from Remington for $45.40/100 cases. Does anyone have suggestions as to another source of brass that is of a better quality than that of the Remington? If not, are there any other companies that offer the Remington brand at a lower price?

midway has 221 fireball
Remington Brass 221 Remington Fireball - MidwayUSA

 

[Goofycat]

Thanks, guys. Yes, Midway does offer it, and it happens to be on sale. I think I will just stick to the one-die method of forming the .20VT cases. I don't shoot competition any longer, and use this rifle merely for ground squirrels and coyotes, and the VT is extremely accurate for those purposes. I also use a .222 and .22-250 (both heavy BR rifles, so they are good mostly for static shooting...not walk-around). Fortunately upscale cases are offered by Lapua and Norma for the .222.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Thanks, guys. Yes, Midway does offer it, and it happens to be on sale. I think I will just stick to the one-die method of forming the .20VT cases. I don't shoot competition any longer, and use this rifle merely for ground squirrels and coyotes, and the VT is extremely accurate for those purposes. I also use a .222 and .22-250 (both heavy BR rifles, so they are good mostly for static shooting...not walk-around). Fortunately upscale cases are offered by Lapua and Norma for the .222.

I'll be the first to agree with you that the basic .221 case is the place to start. But never be afraid to attempt to build your own cases in the .223 family. Most cases brands work very well, and for the most part can be had very cheaply
gary

 

[Goofycat]

Thanks, Gary. If I do decide to go the .223 sizing route, would you suggest Norma or Lapua? Or does it make any real difference. Norma pre-drills the flash holes, machine their case heads, have close-tolerance wall thicknesses and pack the brass from the same lot. All for the amazing price of over $90/100.

I don't remember what Lapua offers, other than IIRC, they anneal their cases. Their price is considerably lower ($61/100, give or take).

 

[TOM H]

Thanks, guys. Yes, Midway does offer it, and it happens to be on sale. I think I will just stick to the one-die method of forming the .20VT cases. I don't shoot competition any longer, and use this rifle merely for ground squirrels and coyotes, and the VT is extremely accurate for those purposes. I also use a .222 and .22-250 (both heavy BR rifles, so they are good mostly for static shooting...not walk-around). Fortunately upscale cases are offered by Lapua and Norma for the .222.

One thing you have to know forming cases from the 223/222 to the 20VT you will use part of the shoulder and case body to form the new necks so you may have to turn necks etc.

I was raised in SF and as a youth spend alot of time around Santa Rosa/Calistoga area and my Dad semi retired east of you @ Kenwood. After my Dad passed away Mom moved to Sonoma about a block from the Bakery and I think I gain around 50lbs. Well good luck

 

[Trickymissfit]

Thanks, Gary. If I do decide to go the .223 sizing route, would you suggest Norma or Lapua? Or does it make any real difference. Norma pre-drills the flash holes, machine their case heads, have close-tolerance wall thicknesses and pack the brass from the same lot. All for the amazing price of over $90/100.

I don't remember what Lapua offers, other than IIRC, they anneal their cases. Their price is considerably lower ($61/100, give or take).

I honestly can't see any serious difference between the two brands other than money! I think that if I were to go that route, I'd practice with some range pick up stuff first. That way you will have you die setup pretty close right from the start. I would plan on a serious anneal after the cases are formed to within .010" in length.
I have been planning a project off of that case length, but using .222 mag brass or .204 stuff, and building a long necked .223Ackley with a .222AI Remington neck and shoulders and the longer body with a 1:8 barrel. Just looking for a donor barrel in .222
gary

 

[oldscool]

Check on gunbroker for 20vt brass made from lake city brass.

 

[Nimrodmar10]

You may be able to buy 17 Remington Fireball shells and fire them in the 20 to form the cases. Might be the easiest way to get formed cases.

 

[Goofycat]

You may be able to buy 17 Remington Fireball shells and fire them in the 20 to form the cases. Might be the easiest way to get formed cases.

Wouldn't this more than likely split the necks and/or cause those nice little .17 bullets to do harm to a perfectly good barrel? What do the others feel about this suggestion?

 

[loaders_loft]

You may be able to buy 17 Remington Fireball shells and fire them in the 20 to form the cases. Might be the easiest way to get formed cases.

don't do this.

The .221 fireball brass is fine. Just keep the 100 rounds together, I've seen some variation in weights from one box to another.

My .221 fireball lvsf is a real shooter, and performs well with 40gr Vmax at 3450 with lilgun. I'm sure the vartarg is just as good or even better....

L_L