I have had good success with my new 221 LS using
Lil Gun. Using Hogdins recomended max load of 16 grains with a 35 Vmax I ended up with a surprising 3,800 fps and bug holes. I've yet to try it with a 40 gr. bullet yet, I hope I get similar results.

Was Wondering, has anybody tried Winchester 296 with the 35 and 40 gr bullets? On the burn rate scale it shows it a tad slower than Lil Gun. Is it sutable for this cartridge...

Or, any other powders like the VN's being used?


Thanks

Prescott: I have two Varmint style Rifles in caliber 221 Remington Fireball!
I love this caliber in a Rifle!
I bought a Kimber Ultra-Varmint Rifle in caliber 221 Fireball back in 1994. It has shot well since day one and I settled on IMR 4227 with Berger 40 gr. bullets for this rig back in 1998. I have not used anything else in it since then. But to tell you the truth I have been so happy and impressed with my Remington 700 Classic in 221 that uses Lil'Gun powder that I have been considering going back and retuning the Kimber with Lil'Gun.
I got the Remington Classic in 2,003 and used only the Lil'Gun powder in it during my load testing. Again I was using the fine Berger 40 gr. for my testing and I quickly settled on that powder and bullet with nothing else tested! That powder and bullet in this Remington is just a great Varminting combo!
I can't bring myself to persuade you to try anything else than the Lil'Gun powder - it seems to me and several of my friends that Lil'Gun is about perfect for the Fireball!
Wishing you continued good luck with your Rifle!
Long live the Fireball!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Prescott: "Was Wondering, has anybody tried Winchester 296 with the 35 and 40 gr bullets? On the burn rate scale it shows it a tad slower than Lil Gun. Is it sutable for this cartridge..."
Thanks[/QUOTE]

W296, though used by some with success in the 22 Hornet, can be a quirky powder. Its use in pistol cartridges usually comes with the warning to not alter the load, and use a heavy crimp.
In a Fireball case, you would leaving a lot of unused case volume, which tends to be the recipe for strange pressure results. Even LiLgun loads don't reach the body/shoulder junction, but at least there is probably 80% volume being used.
I use 16.5gr LiLGun behind moly'ed 40's for near 3600fps, but accuracy is actually better with AA1680 (19.5-20.0 gr), with speeds still near 3500 fps.
I did try a load of 18.0gr LilGun behind moly'ed Berger 30MEF's...avg velocity was right at 4000fps!
RL7 is the powder of choice for many 221 shooters; slightly slower, but very accurate.
One of my Fireball's loves AA2200, a surplus powder no longer sold (but I have plenty!).