25-.221 Fireball

[KenK]

I sure do appreciate all the information. I knew this was the place to ask.

I have no doubts the 25 Copperhead would be the better all around choice for jacketed bullets but I'm infatuated right now with plain-base cast bullets.

Here is a quiz; name all the standard factory cartridges that were designed around a plain base lead bullet and smokeless powder...

I can't come up with a single one. The Schuetzen guys have the .32 Miller Short and some others based on the 357 magnum/maximum case. Nothing common though.

I've been looking at drawings today; what I really want is a 25 Copperhead Short, rather than a 25-.221 Fireball.

[Alan in GA]

just wondering about the new 204 case necked to 25. Everything else has been!

[foxhunter]

would be the same as the 25 kimber or the 25x47 based on the 222 rem mag. it would be easier to make the brass from the 223 or 222 rem mag.

[foxhunter]

FYI ch4d dies

25 - 221 Remington1F$ 78.2515U25 - 221 Remington Improved 302F$ 78.2515- -25 - 221 Remington Improved 402F$ 78.2515- -25 - 222 Copperhead1F$ 78.2515- -25 - 222 Remington Improved 302F$ 78.2515- -25 - 222 Remington Improved 402F$ 78.2515- -25 - 222 Remington Magnum1F$ 78.2515- -25 - 222 Remington Magnum Improved

[KenK]

Well I bought the 700 Classic in .221, hopefully I will get it next week.

Depending on how it shoots; either it or my Ruger 218 Bee will become a .25 caliber.

[GLWenzl]

Depending on how it shoots; either it or my Ruger 218 Bee will become a .25 caliber.

I see no reason not to do em both

[Dr. Bubba]

The guys have given you good advice and plenty of ideas.

The 25-221 will give a nice bit more powder room than the
25-20 case and a bit more than the 218 Bee case.

To me the 25-221 if loaded with reduced loads is then a 25 Whisper. But not what I would look for. Yes the 25 Copperhead is a great alternative. I hope to build one when the money is present.

But with my No.1 chambered to a 25-20WCF (26 inch barrel) and loading with Lil'Gun then I get 72gr bullets up to 2600fps...and I am not positive I have peaked with that. This comes a bit short of 75gr bullets in 25 Copperhead with 18inch barrel that Wootter originally built. I have also shot
up to 90gr in this No.1 and got around 2200fps. This is all with spitzers and not flatpoints. So a 25-221 using Lil'gun might do dang good.

But since you are looking for cast bullets then a 25-221 would be great. There are several places to get 25 casts for bullets.

If the 25-221 appeals to you then build it. That is what I would do myself. I like what I like and logic and reason does not have to be in place for me to do it. I do it for fun and what I enjoy.

-DB

[foxhunter]

is your 218 or a b model?

Originally Posted by KenK

Well I bought the 700 Classic in .221, hopefully I will get it next week.

Depending on how it shoots; either it or my Ruger 218 Bee will become a .25 caliber.

[KenK]

My Bee is what I think of as the "standard" model. 26" barrel, rib with no sights, wide forend.

I have acquired an Alex Henry type forearm which I like better. The wood doesn't match that great but if I rebarrel I will probably use that. I would like to have it fixed so the forearm screws directly to the barrel.

[Dr. Bubba]

I have acquired an Alex Henry type forearm which I like better. The wood doesn't match that great but if I rebarrel I will probably use that. I would like to have it fixed so the forearm screws directly to the barrel.

Ken,

What do you plan to do with the old forearm if you go the Alex Henry? I had
been wanting to change from my Henry to a standard but never could find a trade. I have bedded it to match my hanger now.

I might be interested in the old forearm if you have it and are interested.

DB