I have used the Fireball quite a bit in a few variations.
I currently have a 14" Custom shop Contender barrel that i shoot quite a bit. If i had to have only 1 centerfire .22 In a contender ..it would probably be this barrel. I have had better luck with this 14 bull than i had with the 10" Octagon or 10" Bull i used to have. Not sure if that is just a quirk of the individual barrels, or if it has just enough case capacity to just work better with longer tubes. Supposedly that is why Remington came up with the fireball in the first place though, since they had poor results with the .222 in short barrels. I like the 218 Bee too, and would miss it if i got rid of my Bee barrel, but the Fireball still wins out.
My other Fireball is a custom Browning 1885 Lo Wall, with incredible wood. It does not get as much use, but still gets take out now & then. It is too flashy to treat roughly so i dont use it as often as some of my synthetic stocked guns, but it does shoot pretty well.
There was quite a bit of load data using Hodgdon Lil Gun that gave high velocities, but in my barrels the pressure spiked too quickly for comfort...loads with one charge were fine, no pressure indications, and the next lot of loads (same components, same lot!!!) blew primers with no component change when used in similar conditions. Mt favorite .221 bullet is the Hornady 45 grain spire point, a Hornet bullet, and i use the Speer 50 grain TNT's some, but both of my current Fireballs prefer the lighter bullet.
I am trading into a TC Carbine barrel this week in Fireball, i am looking forward to getting it, so that one will make # 3 for me, i have been without a .22 centerfire Carbine barrel for a while now, and decided to give this one a shot. Will let you know how it performs...
Overall the fireball does not give up much to the .223, and seems more tolerant of reduced loads..i think you will like it.
