Im looking at possibly getting a 17 cal and like the idea of a 17-223? what would I need to have one built? Where would be the best place to source these parts and who's a good smith in Western CND to build?
Cheers!!
Cheers!!
17-223
- Thread starter scott_r
- Start date
Basically the equal of the .17 Remington.
As for a good gunsmith in the west, can't say enough good things about David Henry up in Bentley. He's built 3 rifles for me in the last 3-4 years.
Henry Rempel is another great choice. He's just east of Calgary.
As for a good gunsmith in the west, can't say enough good things about David Henry up in Bentley. He's built 3 rifles for me in the last 3-4 years.
Henry Rempel is another great choice. He's just east of Calgary.
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Um a bit more to it than that. You will need to acquire a piloted 17/223 reamer. Shouldn't be difficult to get one but cost is around $175+. You might get lucky and find a smith with one.
Something to take into consideration is how much you intend to shoot. Some folks consider the 17/223 to be overbore capacity. I would suggest it's at least borderline. You also have to take into consideration the rifle you purchase for this conversion. Will the magazine accept the cartridge without modification as well? Likely the last one won't be a problem. Still, before you start do a lot of due diligence. Special dies at $150 per set will also be required.
I had a 17 223 for a couple of years nice gun but I found the 17 remington is much easier to own. They are less work so you can shoot more (you can buy brass instead of having to make it) and the performance is almost the same.You can only get those little bullets to go so fast before the just come part in the air and never make the target. 17s are their own little world and are very cool to play with you will get hooked. Good Luck
358Rooster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Saskatchewan
Yes, run a .223 reamer through a .17 barrel blank. Load up the 17-223 cartridges and BAM! You have .223 brass again and horrible accuracy with the shiny new rifle! Brass life is likey to be fairly short, however.
Okay, now that I'm done being a facetious prick (just having some fun), maybe Jorkapp simply over looked the neck diameter. You need the right reamer for the right job. I'm certain the OP knows this and I'm sure he's prepared for the higher than normal costs of equipment associated with non-mainstream chamberings. The trick may be in finding someone with said reamer. It won't be any different than any other chambering job. There are many smiths that can / will do it and there are several reamer makers who will make the reamer you want, along with several manufacturers who will make the dies. All it takes is money and time (shocker).
As far as rifle or magazine modifications go, any rifle that cycles .223 will have no problem with .17-223. .17 cal bullets are shorter than most .223 bullets, so no issue.
From my limited experience with hot .17s, you may be cleaning more than you'd prefer. Sounds like a neat little idea and good luck.
Rooster
Okay, now that I'm done being a facetious prick (just having some fun), maybe Jorkapp simply over looked the neck diameter. You need the right reamer for the right job. I'm certain the OP knows this and I'm sure he's prepared for the higher than normal costs of equipment associated with non-mainstream chamberings. The trick may be in finding someone with said reamer. It won't be any different than any other chambering job. There are many smiths that can / will do it and there are several reamer makers who will make the reamer you want, along with several manufacturers who will make the dies. All it takes is money and time (shocker).
As far as rifle or magazine modifications go, any rifle that cycles .223 will have no problem with .17-223. .17 cal bullets are shorter than most .223 bullets, so no issue.
From my limited experience with hot .17s, you may be cleaning more than you'd prefer. Sounds like a neat little idea and good luck.
Rooster
And here we have an example of someone who HASN'T GOT A CLUE.
The primary problem will be getting the .224" pilot into the .17 cal bore.
What is likely to have an even shorter life is the reamer itself when he tries to jam a 224" pilot into a .17 cal bore.
Well, you don't srictly need a piloted reamer. Solid pilot reamers work fine and are a fair bit cheaper.
You are correct on the overbore issue. The 17-223 or 17 Rem rounds are wildly overbore and will burn the throat fairly quickly. Apparently another issue is the 17's are susceptible to nasty carbon fouling and require frequent cleaning.
I have a 17 Fireball that is super fun to shoot and I think a better round than the bigger 17 Rem. The Fireball easily produces 4000+ fps velocities.
358Rooster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Saskatchewan
Bah! Run that pesky pilot hard & long enough into that bore and you won't have to worry about it any more
Who needs a pilot anyway?Thanks guys!! I would consider a 17 Rem but brass is so hard to find and rifle selection is pretty much non existent. Of the used ones Ive looked at they were shot out and rough. Might as well get something built. 17 Fireball would be sweet as well but again run into pretty much the same issue as the 17 Rem..no brass and no rifle selection.
Im not looking to use this rifle in a gopher patch or for any varmint other then coyotes, particularly early season coyotes. Id probably shoot less then 50 rounds a season after load development. Being overbore isnt a huge deterrent.
Of the three .17's mentioned here( 17 rem , 17 .223, 17 Fireball) what would be the most economical to build and shoot? I realize I will have to spend some money and accept that but for performace, reasonable longevity, available brass what would be your choice.
Cheers!!
Im not looking to use this rifle in a gopher patch or for any varmint other then coyotes, particularly early season coyotes. Id probably shoot less then 50 rounds a season after load development. Being overbore isnt a huge deterrent.
Of the three .17's mentioned here( 17 rem , 17 .223, 17 Fireball) what would be the most economical to build and shoot? I realize I will have to spend some money and accept that but for performace, reasonable longevity, available brass what would be your choice.
Cheers!!
Im after a sporter barrel. Rifle will be strictly for hunting coyotes. Lots of walking to and from stands.
Fair enough.
Every so often I see a Remington LVSF (Light Varmint Stainless Fluted) in 17 Rem come up for sale. That would be a great coyote rifle! Sadly Remington discontinued that rifle several years ago.
If I was to build a 17 cal rifle I would patiently wait for an old model Rem 700 in 222 or 223 to pop up on the EE and then buy a 17 cal barrel blank and buy my own reamer and gauges.
A factory chambering will be easier and cheaper. Next years project for me is similar only I'm going up not down. I have a love for 25 cal. However the 17 is fun. If you want a light rifle for coyotes buy a savage 223 and a drop in pre chambered barrel from shilen. Sell the original 223 barrel and buy factory ammo with that money and keep the brass
I would like a 25/45 sharps which is basically a 25/223
I would like a 25/45 sharps which is basically a 25/223
I had a 17 Rem once upon a time........what a PITA it was, my fingers are too big to pick up bullets off a hard surface...........I know that's not the fault of the cartridge or makers, but it is still a fact..........
I had a 17 Rem once upon a time........what a PITA it was, my fingers are too big to pick up bullets off a hard surface...........I know that's not the fault of the cartridge or makers, but it is still a fact..........
Man, if you can't hardly pick them up, you just KNOW it's gonna be a joy to get the little beggars lined up in the die when loading!
I gotta agree with bryben, in that a factory chambering will be a lot easier. Despite the dearth of case on shelves, if you really put yourself to it, you can find about all you need.
I have been slowly (oh, sooooooo slowly!) dragging together parts for a Martini project, and intend on having a .17 cal barrel on it at some time. Had been looking for .17 Ackley dies, but then, along came the Hornady Hornet, making the extra work only look like a good deal if I already had the reamer or the rifle.
I would suggest trying out a factory .17 before spending a bunch on a custom one. The fiddly aspect seems to kill the fun for a lot of guys.
Cheers
Trev
Interesting speculation. I have had a .17 Remington for years, and have put well over a 1000 rounds through it. Accuracy continues to be good and I have seen no indication of burning out of the throat or barrel (I admit I don't have a bore scope to closely examine it). Cleaning is no more onerous than any other rifle; I often fired 50 or more rounds before cleaning with a couple of solvent patches.
As for brass, I have used factory, or made my own from .223 Remington. Not that difficult.
As for brass, I have used factory, or made my own from .223 Remington. Not that difficult.
I have a 17 remington I bought used years ago and have no idea on the previous round count. It is a tack driver. I was vigilant with cleaning when I first bought it because of the fouling stories but after a while I thought I should do a test. I am still conducting the test and am at close to 600 rounds without cleaning and I can still hit a gopher at 200 yards. My only problem with it is not a fault with the gun but the nickel plated brass I bought for it, all the necks are splitting on the third firing.
If your heart isn't set on a 17 the 20 cals maybe worth looking at. 204 ruger or one of the 20 cal wildcats could be neat. I just built myself a 20 extreme (222 necked down to 20 and shortened) should be pretty good on coyotes this winter.
