Range report, .221 Fireball

[Chubbo]

The adapter works quite well. The outer shape fits the chamber. Inside, there is a stepped hole. The .22LR drops into the forward part, which is essentially a .22 LR chamber. Then, a two-pronged insert is placed in the back end of the stepped hole, the prongs resting on the .22 LR base. The middle rear of the insert is where the gun's regular firing pin impacts, driving the insert forward, where the prongs set off the .22.

Accuracy is nothing to write home about, but it will get you in the ball park for initial sighting in, and informal cheap plinking.

John

I just received a 22LR / .221 fireball adapter from MCA Sports in Alaska. I am a bit confused reading your instructions on how to use one of those adapters. I am looking at the very simple instructions that they sent with my adapter, and comparing them with your instructions that sound like they are for an entirely different adapter than mine. My instructions state that you simply load the cartridge into the adapter, and the adapter into your chamber, fire the round, then after firing the round, knock out the fired sub caliber case using a wooden dowel, or a cleaning rod. Why the big diference? Just curious. I have not used my adapter yet. Thanks
Chubbo

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

22 rimfire rounds are seldom as accurate as the 22 center fire rounds they are substituting for. The low pressure of the rimfire doesn't expand to take the rifling, and the twist is usually wrong for the 36 to 40 grain bullet. Plus the massive jump the bullet takes to exit the chamber.

All that said the adapters allow for practice indoors when the weather won't cooperate.

221 Fireball is a little "exciting" for shooting in the basement! I have a 22 RF barrel for my contender now, but in 1980 I used a 223 Super 14 barrel with factory ammo in the basement, for one shot! (this is not conducive to a harmonious marriage!)

Ivan

 

[PALADIN85020]

I just received a 22LR / .221 fireball adapter from MCA Sports in Alaska. I am a bit confused reading your instructions on how to use one of those adapters. I am looking at the very simple instructions that they sent with my adapter, and comparing them with your instructions that sound like they are for an entirely different adapter than mine. My instructions state that you simply load the cartridge into the adapter, and the adapter into your chamber, fire the round, then after firing the round, knock out the fired sub caliber case using a wooden dowel, or a cleaning rod. Why the big diference? Just curious. I have not used my adapter yet. Thanks
Chubbo

There is no conflict here. Put the 22. cartridge in the adaptor, place the rimfire backup piece in behind the cartridge, load it all into the chamber, and fire it. The generic instructions are for smaller centerfire rounds like .32 ACP in a .30-30 rifle. The rimfire adaptors need the extra part. Just do it. It will be self-evident.

John

 

[Chubbo]

There is no conflict here. Put the 22. cartridge in the adaptor, place the rimfire backup piece in behind the cartridge, load it all into the chamber, and fire it. The generic instructions are for smaller centerfire rounds like .32 ACP in a .30-30 rifle. The rimfire adaptors need the extra part. Just do it. It will be self-evident.

John

That is the point that I am bringing out. there was nothing that came with my MCA Sports .22LR /.221 Fireball adapter, just the adapter, and the very simple instruction sheet. That makes me wonder if I should have recieived other parts along with my adapter? I guess that I should try to get in touch with MCA, and see if I am missing parts that I should have, to enable me to use the adapter correctly. Thanks John, for helping me solve a problem that I didn't even know that I had yet. Some of us "Old Poops" seem to draw troubles, like a magnet draws steel, and are thankful that we have Folks like you, and many others like you, that are able, and do take the time, to help folks like me. Thanks.
Chubbo

 

[PALADIN85020]

Chubbo - here is a picture of the chamber adapter, showing the body, the firing insert and the toothpick I use to eject the fired case (and the insert) after firing. I erred in describing the insert - it has only one projection to serve as the rimfire firing pin, not two. I hope this will help.

John

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I have the 7mmBR version of the XP100.
The first thing you find out is --50yds is too close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also 100yds is just getting started...................
The XP100 out shoots most rifles.
Got my first deer with the 7mm.

 

[bluetopper]

Some say the XP-100 was used in Dallas on the grassy knoll in Nov. 63.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Some say the XP-100 was used in Dallas on the grassy knoll in Nov. 63.

That makes more sense than the Warren Report! But in 1963 6.5 mm was an unusual thing in America! The 6.5 Carcano rifle, is the only mass produced rifle with gain twist rifling, and that makes it impossible to connect a fired projectile to a particular rifle!

Ivan

 

[Chubbo]

Waiting for Info.

Chubbo - here is a picture of the chamber adapter, showing the body, the firing insert and the toothpick I use to eject the fired case (and the insert) after firing. I erred in describing the insert - it has only one projection to serve as the rimfire firing pin, not two. I hope this will help.

John

I have contacted MCA Sports, about the necessary firing insert, that was not sent with my adapter, to find out how I would be able to get one. I have not heard from them on that matter yet. I guess that they assumed that I was buying the adapter for a TC Contender.221 fireball barrel, as I had requested Info. about the possibility of them making a .22LR adapter for a TC Contender barrel chambered in Rem. 5mm rimfire mag., and they must have assumed that the .22LR / .221 fireball adapter was also for a TC barrel, and omitted the firing insert, from the adapter shipment. My search for a replacement wood stock is going the same way. I did get an offer for the sale of a "drop dead" beautiful, brand new looking, wood stock, at less than 1/2 the going price, I Thought about that offer very carefully, before deciding that it sounded to good to be true, and passed on it. Things are progressing, but, very slowly.
Chubbo

 

[Chubbo]

Finally!

Well, the grounds have finally settled to the bottom of the pot, as they say. I finally received the complete .22LR / .221 fireball adapter, today, after a lot of tries. Now, the XP-100 .221 Fireball project is pretty much up to date, and can be shot, or sold by my Son after my passing. I would liked to have acquired a Factory issue wood stock, or other nice aftermarket wood stock, and would liked to have build a wood presentation case to hold the XP-100, and all the accouterments, I'd also liked shooting the pistol. I don't think that any of those things will ever happen now, but I've taken another step into the future. Thanks for listening to my long boring story.
Chubbohttp://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=285091&stc=1http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=285092&stc=1&d=1495483782d=1495483782

 

[sw282]

My Remington 700 VSF walking varmint in 221FB and l will

be going to New Mexico to shoot some pasture poodles..

Little gun was only made a few years by Remington.. 22''

stainless fluted barrel gets all the juice out of that little case.

Esp when fed a diet of LILGUN to send a 40gr VMAX on its way.

Kenny Jarrett tuned the gun. He also replaced that horrible Rem

trigger with a Shilen and factory pad for a Pachmyer Decelerator

 

[Chubbo]

Thanks

Chubbo - here is a picture of the chamber adapter, showing the body, the firing insert and the toothpick I use to eject the fired case (and the insert) after firing. I erred in describing the insert - it has only one projection to serve as the rimfire firing pin, not two. I hope this will help.

John

Thanks John:
You finally got the complete .22LR / .221 Fireball adapter assembly, and its use into my block head. To explain my confusion, I ordered a adapter from MCA SPORTS. I ordered the adapter to be used in my XP-100 pistol, but, they mistakenly thought that I wanted the adapter for use in a TC Contender bbl, and sent the adapter, without the firing insert, needed to use the adapter in my XP-100. It took many contacts with them to clear up the mistake, and get it corrected. If not for your many, gracious posts, I would never have figured the mess out.

Chubbo

 

[Tom S.]

I have one of those rascals with a stock I bought from Fajens, when they were still in business. I was in my mid 20's at the time and put a then new to the market Leupold long eye relief 2x scope on. Memory has since gone, but I believe I used 4227 and 4198 for propellant, with 52 grain Sierra Match Kings. I used to have a target that has been lost in time, in which I fired 10 shots into one ragged hole at 100 yards. Yes, these "space guns" will shoot.

 

[andyo5]

Groo here
I have the 7mmBR version of the XP100.
The first thing you find out is --50yds is too close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also 100yds is just getting started...................
The XP100 out shoots most rifles.
Got my first deer with the 7mm.

I also have a 7mm BR version with a 14.5" barrel. It was designated the XP-100 Silhouette. I shot it at an IHMSA match this morning and finished with a perfect score (40 hits). The only downside is the recoil.

 

[sw dan]

had a xp 100 years ago, remington did have an update to them if you sent it back, do not know if they still do it. have a 17 fireball rifle now, almost 4000 fps....dan

 

[Snoopz]

Love the 100, picked up 2 of them years ago, one still in the original zippered plastic case it came in, the other has a Leupold 4X EER scope on it,shoot 52gr. Sierra HPBT out of it, sorta of my varmint pistol, also have a 660 in .308, both are great shooters. Have fun with it.

-Snoopz