17 mach iv

I saw several articles on this in precision shooting .it saems it will work on chucks up to say 350 to 400 yards in nice weather.my question is are any of you 17 shooters finding this to be a great caliber for say 300 yard or under.and if you shoot to the 350 or 400 yard mark what are you finding out how it preforms.
just asking .
gary b

 

350 is a stretch in most wind conditions. I’ve been fortunate enough to wear out a couple of Mach IV barrels shooting P dogs and it’s a great cartridge 300 and under. Further than that, and fighting a wind, it can get to be a little like mortar fire.

 

I shot a Mach IV for a long time, first one in a Kimber 84. 300-350 is doable with 25 grainers, I had them at a tad over 4000 fps, with Norma 201, 322,335, 4198.
The single issue with the cartridge is that with loads that get maximum potential out of it, it is super temp sensitive, you need cool temp loads, you need warm temp loads.
As good as it can be I have moved pretty much to the TAC20....better in every department.

 

Back in the day I read those articles by Todd in PS and fell in love with the 17Mach 1V.Had one built and at the time a 10 twist Shilen barrel was used.
Best first shot hit on a pd after shooting a bunch off a mound at 250 yards was a first shot hit at 380 yards with a 22 grain Berger.I remember when Todd and I would dream about 221 brass in Lapua,now it’s reality.
Since that first 17Mach 1V all my seventeens have gotten 9 twist barrels,definitely recommend a 9 so you can use the excellent 25V-Max for chucks out yonder.Lately I have been shooting the 20 VT as it just seems like a better balance for the fine Lapua brass in 221.I will always have a 17Mach1V or two and heartily recommend one,however like others here have said a 20 cal makes lots of good sense for all the right reasons.
Matt

 

After reading about Corbin Shell and that 17R of his years ago, I never gave it a second thought on long range small calibers. About 5yrs ago I killed a groundhog at 560y with a 25gr VMax @ 3900. One and done.

 

No wind, cool evening hunt, groundhogs at 350 to 400 have been my best. Pretty much have to be head or standing chest shots at that distance.

 

I have shot one for close to 20 years and it is a great cartridge. I shoot 30gr Kindler Gold at 3850 with a bc of .271 they will run with a 22-250or a 220 Swift shooting 50-55gr bullets out to 400-500 yds. And it is hell on coyotes. Using the right bullet is the key and the 30s need a 9 twist

 

I almost built one, but went 20VT instead...

 

This is precision:

.17 Remington Fireball


This is mortar fire:

.505 Gibbs

 

+1^^ on John's post.

I use a 17 Rem with the 30gr Kindler golds HPBT. After a couple trips 'chuck hunting with this combination I promptly sold my 223 Bolt rifles. 'Chucks just like shut off when hit at distances of up to 400yds. I haven't shot a lot of coyotes with it, but the ones I did just dropped straight down. JME. WD

 

I shot mostly 25gr Hornady HP's out of my MK4 and they're great to 300 after that they start to fizzle. 17 Rem with The 25 VMax out of my other 17 is a solid 400+ rifle.

 

Night time cull hunt, fell to the 17FB. Either 29 or 30 Kindler golds, one shot DRT, heart split down the middle.

 

Gary -

Howdy !

My best friend just picked up an custom XP-100 in .17MachIV.

if he decides to keep it as is, and shoot it; I’ll be sure to let you know how it performs for him. This would be on Soybeanus Digestus out to 300yd or so.

With regards,
Kevin 357Mag

 

17HH and 17 FB I use 20’s.
17 Remington sees 25’s and up.

 

17 Fire ball, so close to the same as the 17 mach 4 and either will shoot very well out to 400 yrds easy and accurate. Even now, with the new lead free law in my commie state, the 15.5 NTX is top notch.

 

One of the best crow/chuck bullets ever for that are the old Remington 25gr powerlockt . Got about 500 of those if anybody needs them.

 

Why a 17 caliber when there are so many better calibers. I shoot a 6BR for GH hunting. Light recoil, depending on bullet weight good to 600-1000 yrds. I have 4200 rounds down the barrel and it still shoots under .350". A few groups under .200" . Also own a 6BRX for GH.

 

Why? A whole lot cheaper.

 

I spend more money on gasoline than reloading shells. I drive a lot of backroads.

 

I once had a .17 Rem but switched to a .20 P & .204R both using 40 grain VMax bullets. But, I have to admit shooting a tiny 20 gr. Vmax at 4000 with no recoil and watching bullet strikes was a big attraction. But, wind problems and need to clean were detriments. My barrel supply folks charge extra for .17's.