Author Topic: NEF in 221 Remington FireBall? (Read 800 times)

mt3030 · « **on:** April 05, 2005, 07:52:49 AM »

Have any of you NEF fans seen one of these?
Wally

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=6572591

Brokenrack · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2005, 01:23:33 PM »

Too bad that auctions over! Would be cool to have!

jeff223 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2005, 01:47:58 PM »

maybe that was a rechambered 22hornet to 221 fireball.that would be a good way for someone to get into a 221 handi rifle is to have one rechambered

mt3030 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2005, 02:19:10 PM »

Jeff,
I thought of that too and asked the party selling it. Here is their answer:

(Quote)...Yes--I believe it is rare. The only thing that can figure is that is was some sort of special order. I do not believe it has been rechambered, and there are no other caliber stampings on the barrel.

Thanks!
Hani
Unique Guns and Collectibles...(Unquote)

I'd sure like to get my hands on it for 2 minutes for a close look!!
Wally

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2005, 02:30:02 PM »

Hmm, that rear sight makes me think it was originally a 22 hornet, but who knows what NEF decided to do in 1997.

marv · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2005, 02:50:28 PM »

Who every it is a spec order is full of it, that is nothing but a Hornett,
recambered to 221. With a 223 extractor - ejecter from Brownells.
That all I did to get a 219 Zipper. MHO Marv.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:31:33 PM »

I'd like a close look at it, too. My guess is that an H&R .221 Fireball barrel from about 1970 found its way onto an SB-2 action. No way you could get .22 Hornet markings off and restamp it without it being obvious.

Might even have happened at the factory. NEF used up a lot of H&R parts in years past.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2005, 06:53:06 PM »

I'll call NEF in the morning and ask them...they have done special runs for certain distributers in the past...all one has to do is look at the differnt color wood showing up lately to realize that.. .it was a-lot easier to get them to make a special run before Marlin took over...

Mac

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2005, 07:50:50 AM »

Well...I just got off the phone with Jennifer in C/S of NEF.. her reply...".NEF... NEVER made any nef Handi's in 221 Remington Fireball...even for special orders"...so this is a rebarrelled rifle. just as DJ said. or a rechamberd one..but since this is a present NEF frame by the serial # given...and the company didn't make it,someone is trying to pull a fast one....you know the old saying..." Let the buyer beware"...

Mac

mt3030 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2005, 02:04:45 PM »

I hear ya! Indeed beware if you want an original firearm. But it might very well make a good shooter. I had a Contender carbine Hornet barrel that had been rechambered to 221 Fireball, and it shot very well. Anyway, thought someone might be interested that it was relisted.
Wally

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=6589424

ironduke2 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2005, 02:03:44 PM »

I bought this handi. Lools good. When I close the action on a .0015 feeler gauge I can't pull it out. First time test fired it the case stuck. I polished the chamber with flitz and jb works fine now. Have to straighten the scope and take to the range. Ironduke2

mt3030 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2005, 02:36:09 PM »

Ironduke2,
Glad to hear it ended up with one of us on the forum. Also glad to hear it shoots well. Does it appear to be a rechambered Hornet? I ask because I've had good luck rechambering these rifles. Keep us posted on how it does.
Wally