17-223
- Thread starter scott_r
- Start date
Big fan of the 204, my go to rifle for coyotes. Would love to get into a 17 though.
Cheers!!
I built my first 17 in 1966. A 17 - 222 Remington and made my own bullets at that time...
My next 17 was in the early 70's when Remington came out with the 17 Remington and Hornady came out with bullets... I made a .17 Remington Ackley Improved using a Shilen select match stainless barrel on a small Sako action... did it up as a heavy barrel and it shot very consistently in the .300's and I usually cleaned it every 40 to 50 rounds... killed a lot of gophers with that rifle and quite a few coyotes (out to about 250 yards broadside works well) (running away - forget it)
17's are great for that.
My next 17 was in the early 70's when Remington came out with the 17 Remington and Hornady came out with bullets... I made a .17 Remington Ackley Improved using a Shilen select match stainless barrel on a small Sako action... did it up as a heavy barrel and it shot very consistently in the .300's and I usually cleaned it every 40 to 50 rounds... killed a lot of gophers with that rifle and quite a few coyotes (out to about 250 yards broadside works well) (running away - forget it)
17's are great for that.
- Location
- Peace River, Alberta
If playing with these small calibers you have to be all in. I have about 1000 pieces of new brass for my 17 rem. You have to buy it every time you see it
Same as my fireballs. Have almost that amount for them.as well.
Same as my fireballs. Have almost that amount for them.as well.
.17 remington is my favorite centerfire. If anybody tells you it's a 'barrel burner' or it 'fouls fast' they really have no clue what they're talking about. Those are terms that people throw around to appear knowledgeable.
I clean every 40 or so rounds out of guilt.... not necessity. I worked up a load and shoot my rifle for the occasional 5 shot group and at targets of opportunity. It is always on and 5 shot groups u der 1/2" the norm. 1" groups at 250 (my zero) are common too.
No recoil. No ricochet. I'd go 17 remington over 17/.223 as I'm not a fan of more work and expense than necessary.
I clean every 40 or so rounds out of guilt.... not necessity. I worked up a load and shoot my rifle for the occasional 5 shot group and at targets of opportunity. It is always on and 5 shot groups u der 1/2" the norm. 1" groups at 250 (my zero) are common too.
No recoil. No ricochet. I'd go 17 remington over 17/.223 as I'm not a fan of more work and expense than necessary.
I have a 17Fireball, and I make my cases from 221Fireball cases. I run the cases through my 20vartarg die and then through the 17Fireball die, and they form very nicely. While fireforming in my Cooper, the 25gr loads shoot sub 1/2moa at 3800fps.
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..........
Me to, the guy I sold it to wore the barrel out on Coyotes and Gophers. Even .22 cal give me problems.
Even the 17 hornet is far superior to the 17wsm.
I would be more inclined to go with something in a 20 cal just because there is a way better selection of bullets for .20 than for .17. If you want to stick with the cheap and readily avaible 223 brass the 20 practical might be worth a look. I personally have a 20 Vartarg and love that little round but getting set up to load for it is more expensive than some of the others.
