I'm doing it! Building a fireball...

[adcoch1]

View attachment 1100980 View attachment 1100981
I had a XP-100 years ago but traded it off, about three years ago, I got the CZ as pictured a tack driver!

That's the rifle I really wanted! But both the 527's I have are too nice to monkey with until a barrel is shot out on...

I really thought about this for a long time, and with the aftermarket support forthe American, I think I can get the rifle I want with a few specific upgrades.

 

[hk940]

I failed to mention some details. I got the CZ as pictured, There is a gun dealer the next town over and he only does internet sales. I saw this CZ on a gun auction site and have delt with this dealer before, so I took a ride over to his "store" and we did a little horse trading and I came home with the CZ.
It has been converted to a single shot, the mag well has a steel block in it.
The stock is fiberglass (maker's name is on the butt plate but I put on a slip on pad that is hard to remove), a Harris bipod, SS heavy barrel (maker unk), a Leupold 6.5x24x scope.
It also has a set trigger, is that a standard feature on the CZ's?

 

[adcoch1]

I failed to mention some details. I got the CZ as pictured, There is a gun dealer the next town over and he only does internet sales. I saw this CZ on a gun auction site and have delt with this dealer before, so I took a ride over to his "store" and we did a little horse trading and I came home with the CZ.
It has been converted to a single shot, the mag well has a steel block in it.
The stock is fiberglass (maker's name is on the butt plate but I put on a slip on pad that is hard to remove), a Harris bipod, SS heavy barrel (maker unk), a Leupold 6.5x24x scope.
It also has a set trigger, is that a standard feature on the CZ's?

The set trigger is a standard feature, and oh so nice.

 

[adcoch1]

Finally got to make up a few dummy rounds, and while the bore is still 30 cal there isn't a ton of difference between a 221fb and a 300blk other than cartridge length, so I tried to cycle them. The factory Ruger rotary mags will not feed a 221fireball cartridge into the chamber. It runs into everything but the chamber it seems. So when I can dig out one of my ar mag Ruger stocks I'll try that out. I have a feeling that won't work much better, so some sort of custom magazine may be necessary. We'll see as the project progresses though, but I was hoping a magazine would be simple...

 

[valnar]

I wasn't aware of this cartridge. I read the title, and assumed it was another AR15 with an 11.5" barrel.

 

[troy fairweather]

I wasn't aware of this cartridge. I read the title, and assumed it was another AR15 with an 11.5" barrel.

Nope came out in 63 I believe in the xp100 Remington pistol, there the theory that's what they used on Kennedy.

 

[adcoch1]

This thread needs some pictures...

First is of the 221 dummy cartridge I made out of a scrap 300 blk, and the other ones from full length 223. The second pic is of those dummies in a few different ar mags. The Magpul has slightly longer feed lips than the d&h mag. I tried both these mags for cycling in my rifle, and the d&h mag had very little trouble, not perfect, but tolerable. The Magpul was a jam o matic. So the shorter feed lips seem to help, which leads me to believe I can get a mag figured out. I only care to get about five rounds in the gun, but I want feeding to be smooth. The d&h mag gave me hope. We'll see how those ugly blank looking dummies cycle once I have the 22 bore barrel on there.

 

[bluetopper]

I've thought about doing the same thing, converting an inexpensive bolt action to 7mm TCU caliber. Just expand the neck of 223 brass to 7mm (.284). After the first firing it expands the upper part of the body of the brass a bit and puts a sharp shoulder in it. I've been shooting/reloading the caliber for years in my 14" Thompson Contender handgun.

 

[adcoch1]

I've thought about doing the same thing, converting an inexpensive bolt action to 7mm TCU caliber. Just expand the neck of 223 brass to 7mm (.284). After the first firing it expands the upper part of the body of the brass a bit and puts a sharp shoulder in it. I've been shooting/reloading the caliber for years in my 14" Thompson Contender handgun.

If the fireball works out I may look at a 7tcu also it would be fun and I have tons of 7mm projectiles..

 

[bluetopper]

I bet however that a 7tcu cartridge would be too long to fit in the mag that has a 223 bolt. It may have to be a single shot.

 

[adcoch1]

I bet however that a 7tcu cartridge would be too long to fit in the mag that has a 223 bolt. It may have to be a single shot.

In the American I'm using it has the old style stock with the rotary mag, and the mag length is the same for 308 on down. So you would need a custom magazine, but everything else should work except maybe the bolt stop.

 

[horsemen61]

Sounds like a great Project!

 

[adcoch1]

Got a ups shipping alert! The barrel is on its way!

 

[codytrucker]

I bought this 788 rem. for only a couple hundred bucks because it is rebarreled with a savage 223 takeoff 1 in 10 , shortened and rechambered to 221 f.b. . Turns out its glass bedded , possibly in a Fajen stock . The scope based are glassed in , too. Pretty happy with the way it shoots .

 

[Anchorite]

.22-284

https://knowyourzero.com/2014/05/27/22-284-winchester-cartridge-development/

I have got to find the article….. I think it was Sharpshooter Supply out of Ohio that had pre-fit Savage barrels in a shortened 22-284 once. What an awesome round.

 

[Anchorite]

What are you going to do for brass??

 

[adcoch1]

What are you going to do for brass??

I'll convert some 223 until I can find some actual 221 brass. I have a 22 neck turning tool, so while slow, it isn't hard.

 

[Anchorite]

I'll convert some 223 until I can find some actual 221 brass. I have a 22 neck turning tool, so while slow, it isn't hard.

Yep. I would think that 223/222 brass cut down to Fireball may, in fact, be better than one may think.

 

[hk940]

Nosler makes .221FB brass ready to load, uniformed and sized, I bought 200 a few years ago BC (before covid). I think at the time I paid about .48 a case.
Correction I only bought 100.

 

[hk940]

The bad news is most places are out of stock. Prices are between .92-1.60 a case.
Believe it or not try Optics Planet.

 

[adcoch1]

The bad news is most places are out of stock. Prices are between .92-1.60 a case.
Believe it or not try Optics Planet.

I will. They have been remarkably good for odd brass recently...

 

[hk940]

Back in 1977 I bought a 6mm Rem barreled LH action and sent it out to Bishop to have a stock made for it.
There was not much in LH rifles back then.
The first one (with Neidner butt plate and grip cap). I sanded for about a week and saw a crack at the wrist.
I sent it back and they made me a new one. I had made a custom trigger guard/ mag cover to cover the standard mag. Still have it today.

 

[adcoch1]

Back in 1977 I bought a 6mm Rem barreled LH action and sent it out to Bishop to have a stock made for it.
There was not much in LH rifles back then.
The first one (with Neidner butt plate and grip cap). I sanded for about a week and saw a crack at the wrist.
I sent it back and they made me a new one. I had made a custom trigger guard/ mag cover to cover the standard mag. Still have it today.

I need to see a picture of you can post one. Sounds cool.

 

[hk940]

I thought I had some pictures on the hard drive, but can't seem to find them now. Will take some more then post them.Found them!
The trigger guard needs to be reblued. it is 40 years old!

 

[adcoch1]

I thought I had some pictures on the hard drive, but can't seem to find them now. Will take some more then post them.Found them!
The trigger guard needs to be reblued. it is 40 years old! View attachment 1116475 View attachment 1116476 View attachment 1116477 View attachment 1116478 View attachment 1116479

That is a beautiful rifle! My wife and or youngest daughter would love that thing, both being left handed. Wow...