Need a good load for .221 Fireball with a 60 gr. Partition

[Patocazador]

I want to try to get an accurate load for 60 gr. Nosler partitions in my .221 Fireball XP-100.

The Nosler manual #8 leaves a lot to be desired. It does not even list a handgun load for .221. The older manuals only list it up to a 55 grain bullet .. no 60 gr. partitions.

Please help.

 

[Dudedog]

Not Partitions but for what it's worth, from Hodgdon's web site
Partition data in .223 is a bit lighter than HDY SPs if I remember correctly
.221 Fireball (cut that part off in the snip)

 

[jmorris]

A 60 grain bullet is heavy for the .221 fireball but I am sure someone has done it. If you are wanting an XP-100 for deer, find a 7mm BR one, it’s actually my favorite XP for whitetail.

 

[Patocazador]

A 60 grain bullet is heavy for the .221 fireball but I am sure someone has done it. If you are wanting an XP-100 for deer, find a 7mm BR one, it’s actually my favorite XP for whitetail.

I had my 7 BR rechambered to 7-08. I killed a deer with it in 7 BR though. (PM me if you're looking for 7 BR brass.)

 

[243winxb]

Check the barrel twist rate before trying the 60gr, longer bullets.
Had one in the 70's. Very cool looking gun.

The trigger has a transfer bar with a weight (trigger balance) attached. I removed it trying to get a better trigger pull. Long time ago, so dont remember how that worked out.

Only old data that i could fine is when i chronographed it.

 

[Patocazador]

The twist is 1 in 12" which is marginal, I realize. My Remington .22-250 has a 1:14" and it doesn't shoot them worth a flip.
My most accurate load in .221 is 15.0 of H 4227 with a 55 gr. Hornady.

 

[Patocazador]

I just got through testing 3 loads of H4227 with 60 gr. partitions. Vertical stringing from all 3 loads at 75 yards. 4" groups if you can call 4" a group.
I tried 14.5 gr., 14.7, and 14.9 grs of 4227.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Try something else besides H4227. I’d suggest IMR4198/H4198 or Reloader#7 and possibly Acc1680 or 5744.
My RemM7 w/18.5” bbl in .223 shoots a 60,63, and 65gr Sierra quite accurately.
You’ll likely need to “spank” them pretty hard to get velocity up.

BTW; I killed three does on opening morning of deer season 2016. One shot each with 40gr JHP from a .218Bee. You don’t necessarily need a “Super Bullet” like the Nosler to shoot deer. Just an accurate load.
Shot placement, X3.
Deer in my avatar went down to a 60gr Hornady “blem” from the little Remington. 205yd shot out my kitchen window Christmas morning. Facing heart shot took out heart, lung, liver, and right kidney, exited in front of ham. Fired from above mentioned Rem. M7.

 

[Patocazador]

I loaded up some shorter 64 gr. blems last night with 4198 and RL 7. Haven't tried them yet.
I think I'll give up on the 60 gr. partitions. I don't think they stabilize well enough in the 1:12" barrel.