Keep it 17 Mach IV, or chamber to 17 Rem Fireball?

[wildcatter]

There is absolutely no difference in the two, most will chamber either cartridge. Personally, the 17 Mach IV will always be the classier of the two! The Fireball simply screams,, me to, me to, Mike Walker would have never approved of adding the 17 Fireball, all it di was make it more convenient to get brass for an already established cartridge. I would rather use 221 Fireball Brass, just leave it knowing you have the most efficient 17 caliber around, and great taste in classic cartridges!

My 10 twist shoots in the high ones and low twos when I do my part, I use N-133 and the Hornady 20 grain Vmax running north of 4150 fps. Only load I ever shot was 18.5, 18.7, and 19.0. the 19.0 shot so good I went home and loaded everything I had. I have 50 rounds of 17 fireball brass from Nosler. But prefer the 221 Lapua brass. Both are simply run thru my die, and good to go. BUT, my chamber is a tight neck, so no matter what brass I use, I have to NK turn. But there isn't 20 fps difference or .1" of accuracy difference in either.

It's a 17, so any load development needs to be done starting low, and .2 of a grain can be good to go or instantly to hot. So baby steps is the focus with any 17 caliber round. You'll love that little rig, I do.

 

[TheCZKid]

Here's my composite drawing pic of the 17M4 and 17FB, as I wanted to do an A/B comparison.

 

[wildcatter]

Here's my composite drawing pic of the 17M4 and 17FB, as I wanted to do an A/B comparison.
View attachment 1667933

Like I said, the actual difference from chamber job to chamber will vari. But most shambers will allow the use of either cartridge, NK diameter is the biggest difference in both cartridges, performance is simply only noticeable from one barrel, to the next.

Your reasoning of higher resale value would be the opposite for me. I would not even be interested if it was a Fireball. But I do appreciate the original classic cartridge designation,,,,, never been much of a me to guy! Probably why about everything I have I have to load for, hence the name wildcatter,,,,

 

[L.Sherm]

Example is this PTG print.
When you step into the wildcat game its really a huge advantage to know exactly what chamber you have its why anymore I choose to have my own reamers

 

[TheCZKid]

Thanks L.Sherm, for the reamer print. I have asked the seller for more info, but he's not answered yet regarding twist rate, and specifics on gunsmith details.

 

[shoot4fun]

My Cooper 17 Mach IV will chamber and safely fire 17 Fireball.
All I can say is I wish I had laid in a big supply of the 17FB brass way back then

That's encouraging! I make 20 Vartarg brass from LC, and had someone want me to make him some 17 Fireball brass from new Starline 223 brass. So, through a bunch of testing, I figured out how to do that, but it's a pain! Currently, Nosler must have done a run of 17FB brass, as it's available here and there, like Natchez.

This!
I had a Mauser Mini chambered in 17 Mach IV and a 17 FB at the same time. Ammo was completely interchangeable. Even used the same dies for both.

 

[TheCZKid]

I like the idea of keeping it a wildcat, now that Wildcatter pointed that out. I've got a 20 Vartarg, 20 Practical, and now a 17 Mach IV!

 

[boltfluter]

Print wise, there is no way I would attempt a re-chamber when the cartridges are virtually identical. This is just asking for trouble. Shoot it and enjoy it as is. A neat little rifle.
Paul

 

[JSH]

I run nothing but 20 grain bullets in mine.
I found it to not be fussy with powders. I have used up a fair bit of small odds and ends with pretty good results.
One of a favorite was H322, not paying the outlandish price nor am I going to run all over looking for it. Same goes for H4198!

 

[L.Sherm]

I like the idea of keeping it a wildcat, now that Wildcatter pointed that out. I've got a 20 Vartarg, 20 Practical, and now a 17 Mach IV!

I think your making a wise decision.
If you can get your hands on some 20 gr v-nitemares give them a try ive shot many thousands and the MachIV i mentioned with the 2230 thats what it was shooting

 

[Mike Casselton]

I run nothing but 20 grain bullets in mine.
I found it to not be fussy with powders. I have used up a fair bit of small odds and ends with pretty good results.
One of a favorite was H322, not paying the outlandish price nor am I going to run all over looking for it. Same goes for H4198!

20gr bullets with H-335 or any other ball powder +/- 3 positions on the chart

 

[TheCZKid]

I've got a few in mind to start with. H335 is on the short list, but so is IMR 4198, and maybe N120 or RL-7, CFE BLK, maybe even 8208 XBR.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've got a few in mind to start with. H335 is on the short list, but so is IMR 4198, and maybe N120 or RL-7, CFE BLK, maybe even 8208 XBR.

Doug, you'll want to try H4198 as opposed to IMR 4198. Meters much better having smaller kernels, and has always given me better accuracy and speed when compared to the IMR version. That is IF/WHEN you can find it locally.

 

[TheCZKid]

Doug, you'll want to try H4198 as opposed to IMR 4198. Meters much better having smaller kernels, and has always given me better accuracy and speed when compared to the IMR version. That is IF/WHEN you can find it locally.

I couldn't find any for the last few years, as seems to be the case with many of our favorite powders.

A couple year ago, on FB Marketplace of all places, a guy had an 8 pound sealed jug and a one pound barely used bottle, and I got them both for $250. I know the H4198 version would have been much better, but no luck finding it.

I figure it'll be an option to try in my 222, have not tried it on anything yet.