22 Centerfire rounds?

huntokanogan

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Washington state
I am curious what .22 cal rounds are out there that are in the catagory of a 22 hornet?
I am looking for a small centerfire with a light report. That would be capable of taking small game out to 150 yds or so.
Looking for something different. (I don't want a .223 and smaller than a 22-250)
I have looked at the 22 hornet, 218 bee, 221 firball, .222 ect..
Just wondering if there is something else I don't know about. I would love to see a photo line-up of the 22 centerfire rounds if anyone has one or knows a sight that has a photo on it.
Looks like maybe the hornet or 218 bee are the best rounds for what I am looking for....but maybe not?
Anybody out there have something else that's a neat little gun? or info on an easy build for a hornet/bee?
 
I am curious what .22 cal rounds are out there that are in the catagory of a 22 hornet?
I am looking for a small centerfire with a light report. That would be capable of taking small game out to 150 yds or so.
Looking for something different. (I don't want a .223 and smaller than a 22-250)
I have looked at the 22 hornet, 218 bee, 221 firball, .222 ect..
Just wondering if there is something else I don't know about. I would love to see a photo line-up of the 22 centerfire rounds if anyone has one or knows a sight that has a photo on it.
Looks like maybe the hornet or 218 bee are the best rounds for what I am looking for....but maybe not?
Anybody out there have something else that's a neat little gun? or info on an easy build for a hornet/bee?


Don't forget the 5.7x28. I think Savage is chambering a rifle in this right now, but I don't know if any have hit the market yet.
 
I guess I had forgot about the 5.7. I herd savage was coming out with one in a bolt rifle. I was also told they were chambering the rifle in the 5.45x39 or whatever the russian equivilent of the 223 is. Not sure if that's true or not but it would be a neat round in a bolt gun.
I have shot the 5.7 in that FNH pistol thats like a pistol size assult rifle! Pretty cool in the pistol...and accurate too. Not sure if the 5.7 has enough ammo options though. I would like to have the opertunity to load heavier bullets in it.
I hunt whitetail deer in southern mexico with some guys that work in my orchards and that's what I was thinkig about this gun for. Down there we typically use .22 LR or 20ga. buckshot. The deer are SMALL, a buck might go 100 lbs on the hoof...maybe. Does more like 60 lbs. I thought last time I was there that a 22 mag would be perfect but would like a little more firepower. A quiet report is importat as I am never really sure if it's totaly legal or not when we're out. I paid for a gun permit last time I was there, but in Mexico nothing is binding. Also the guys I am with are migerant workers and usualy can't afford a $200.00 permit. If a cop catches us even though I have papers it could still be a problem...so quiet is good!
How loud is a 221 fireball, 5.7 in a rifle and a 22 hornet compaired to more common rounds that I would know? Such as a 22 mag, 20 ga, 223, 243 ect...
Is a fireball's report more in line with a 223 than a 22 mag? I would assume so
 
I am particularly fond of the 22 K Hornet and 218 Mashburn Bee. I also like the 221 Fireball alot. The Fireball is much more useful as you can load it up higher and lower to meet your needs. At top end levels it will add 75 fps to the Mashburn bee and around 150 to the standard Bee.

It is also very at home with slightly reduced loads that will match the 5.7x28, 22 Hornet or standard 218 Bee.

The only draw back to the Hornet and Bee is that brass is very thin and its not hard to wear the brass out especially if you bump the shoulder much at all or run pressures up.

The 221 FB brass on the other hand is MUCH stronger and will do much more for you. Again, if you handload, you can produce any velocity range you want with the right powder selection and accuracy is generally very good. I even talked to a fella that made up some 221 FB loads using 40 gr bullet weights that matches standard 22 Long Rifle velocities with 1/2" 50 yard accuracy. Certainly not what the Fireball is generally capable of accuracy wise but for what that load was designed for it was plenty accurate and right there with most 22 LR rifles.

For all around shooting, the Fireball would likely be my first choice for this class of chambering.
 
Good stuff. I like the idea of the fireball. the bee and Khornet are intriquing little rounds too.
Does anyone make the bee in a bolt gun? Or do people build them in bolts?
Also, if I wanted to build a 221 FB what action would I start with?
 
How about 223 WSSM
where 60 gr JSP 3,733 ft/s 1,857 ft·lbf and 75 gr BT 3,378 ft/s 1,901 ft·lbf

Not sure who chambers for it, but its out there... I think Browning and Winchester did
 
I am curious what .22 cal rounds are out there that are in the catagory of a 22 hornet?
I am looking for a small centerfire with a light report. That would be capable of taking small game out to 150 yds or so.
Looking for something different. (I don't want a .223 and smaller than a 22-250)
I have looked at the 22 hornet, 218 bee, 221 firball, .222 ect..
Just wondering if there is something else I don't know about. I would love to see a photo line-up of the 22 centerfire rounds if anyone has one or knows a sight that has a photo on it.
Looks like maybe the hornet or 218 bee are the best rounds for what I am looking for....but maybe not?
Anybody out there have something else that's a neat little gun? or info on an easy build for a hornet/bee?


Do you reload? I would look at getting a .204r and having it re-chambered into a .20vt or buying a cooper or something along those lines. Fun little round, you can send a 32gr pill down the tube @ 3700 fps with 18gr's of powder. A great way to start a build is to buy a rem 700 box gun from sportsman's, walmart etc... $399.00 with a scope. From there you can throw as much or as little $$ as you want at it or build it over time. Stevens by savage is the same way, just more after market parts for a rem 700.

Go to www.sabuier.com these guys are all about small calibers.

Jon
 
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I'll take it back its a barrel burner, unless you going to reload 223 wssm with 80 - 90 gr bullets. Winchester and Browning discontinued their production. Good thing there are plenty used ones so if you can find one you can rebarrel it for faster twist.
 
Just got done testing a .221 I put together using a Stevens 200 and a Midway Adams & Bennet barrel preliminary results showed average deviations of 8 and 12 for the two loads that I tested with mv at 2887 and 2841...Both loads used Lil'Gun and Hornady 55 sx......The wind blew the heck out of my hundred yard groups but at least three were touching in both 5 shot groups....Report is sweet and recoil is virtually non-existant....A lot of load development to do yet but I think this one will go pretty fast.....This little .221 may be just what you are looking for...
 
I do reload and have looked into the 20 VT, What a burner!
Is the 221FB and 20VT's case the same diam. as the 204?
Are you suggesting I keep the 204 barrel on the rifle after the build or would I still need a new barrel?
If I wanted to stay with the 221fb, what would be the optimum caliber to start with for a build?
Thanks for the info
 
I do reload and have looked into the 20 VT, What a burner!
Is the 221FB and 20VT's case the same diam. as the 204?
Are you suggesting I keep the 204 barrel on the rifle after the build or would I still need a new barrel?
If I wanted to stay with the 221fb, what would be the optimum caliber to start with for a build?
Thanks for the info

The 20VT is a necked down .221FB. so its the same case, you just use .221FB bushing dies to neck it down. If you buy a .204R you can just re-chamber the current barrel or buy a whole new barrel and have it chambered. The 20VT is a great little round, no recoil (you can see your hits) and easy on the noise. The barrel will last a life time, and is deadly on small critters out to 300 yards.

If your wanting a .221FB just by a rem 700 all ready chambered for it, decide if it shoots good enough for you and then make any changes you like after the barrel break in.

Jon
 
My dad has a 204 that I use whenever I want to so I'm more interested in a 221fb than a 20vt at this time. What my gun safe is missing is a centerfire 22 cal.
I have looked at a rem700 chambered in the round but was looking for a little smaller (weight/size) rifle.
I guess my question is this...If you were going to BUILD a 221 fb from a production rifle, what would it be? What chambering? 223?
 
My dad has a 204 that I use whenever I want to so I'm more interested in a 221fb than a 20vt at this time. What my gun safe is missing is a centerfire 22 cal.
I have looked at a rem700 chambered in the round but was looking for a little smaller (weight/size) rifle.
I guess my question is this...If you were going to BUILD a 221 fb from a production rifle, what would it be? What chambering? 223?

Yes I would start with a .223, same bolt face. I would buy the big box rem 700 from wally world or sportsmans etc... keep the action and maybe the barrel (re-chamber) and toss the rest.

If your sold on a .22 cal, look into a .22PPC or .22BR, great rounds based on some great cases. great speed and barrel life, the down fall is you have to reload for them, no off the shelf rounds.

Jon
 
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