What is .221 fireball?

The .221 Fireball is a centerfire cartridge developed by Remington in 1963. It was designed for varmint hunting and target shooting, offering high velocity and flat trajectory for excellent accuracy at short to medium distances.

The .221 Fireball is based on a shortened and necked-down .222 Remington case, resulting in a smaller, more compact cartridge. It has a bullet diameter of .224 inches and a maximum overall length of 1.400 inches.

The standard load for the .221 Fireball features a 50 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 feet per second, making it an effective round for hunting small game such as groundhogs, coyotes, and prairie dogs.

Despite its small size, the .221 Fireball has gained a following among shooters for its low recoil, flat trajectory, and excellent accuracy. It is commonly used in bolt-action and single-shot rifles, as well as some semi-automatic firearms.

Overall, the .221 Fireball is a versatile and effective cartridge for varmint hunting and target shooting, offering high performance in a compact package.