I’m starting to draw some interest in the 17 fireball, looking to get a custom barrel on a savage action. Already have a couple 20s, but no 17s. Since factory ammo is available now I think it would be a good choice. Just kinda putting this out there to see what kind of loads, velocities, and groups everyone is getting. Let me know!
17 Fireball
- Thread starter Jwhip
- Start date
I have a 700 repeater with the Remington factory varmint barrel and love it. It’s easily the most explosive round of the various ones that sit perfectly still to let you see your impact. I really preferred the plastic tipped bullets when I was reloading for it. The Berger meplat seemed too large.
I have 2 17 Fireballs, on Rem XR-100 actions. Both have heavy varmint, 1-9 twist, X-Cabiler barrels,
Jewell triggers set at 4oz, with Vortex scopes. Velocities in both running 4000fps plus with 20gr. bullets,
AA2200 and X-Terminator powders of choice for me. CFEBLK for the Hornady 15.5gr. NTX at 4300fps +.
These see more action than all my 20 cals of lately.
Jewell triggers set at 4oz, with Vortex scopes. Velocities in both running 4000fps plus with 20gr. bullets,
AA2200 and X-Terminator powders of choice for me. CFEBLK for the Hornady 15.5gr. NTX at 4300fps +.
These see more action than all my 20 cals of lately.
Very Nice! Just curious, would you need a 1-8 twist if you were using 25 grainers or would the 1-9 work fine? I'm assuming nothing but bughole groups right? haha thanks for the help!
Have only shot the 20gr and 15.5gr in the fireballs. Have a 17 Tac with a 1-8 for the 25gr.
Dead p-dogs with them all. Guns are accurate, Sometimes the shooter needs adjusting .
Dead p-dogs with them all. Guns are accurate, Sometimes the shooter needs adjusting .
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
Savage actions are fine and you're probably looking to use one because you have it, but I wouldn't use one for a 17Fireball. That's a very short cartridge, and even the short Savage action is longer than the short Rem. 700 and closer to the length of a long Remington 700. I'd go with something else. A CZ or Mini Mauser or even better the short AI Sako if you can find any of them. But I wouldn't mess with using a Savage action for any Fireball. It would definitely need to be blocked for single shot.
wvlongshot
Gold $$ Contributor
Pm sent
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Unless you're wanting to shoot factory ammo, which there is very little offered for the 17FB, maybe consider a 17-222. I think the pros will out weigh the cons but it will be something you'll have to reload for so that could be a deal breaker if factory ammo is a must.
If factory ammo is a must have you given any thought to getting a 17 Hornet? I have two CZ 527 17 Hornets and they're a really fun little gun. Mine shoot factory ammo nearly as well as my hand loads. The CZ 527's aren't a real expensive gun so one of those probably wouldn't cost much different than what it'll cost to rebarrel what you have to 17FB.
The 17 Hornet won't quite have the performance of a 17FB but with the 17FB being so limited on what is available as well as fairly expensive for ammo it's an option worth considering.
If factory ammo is a must have you given any thought to getting a 17 Hornet? I have two CZ 527 17 Hornets and they're a really fun little gun. Mine shoot factory ammo nearly as well as my hand loads. The CZ 527's aren't a real expensive gun so one of those probably wouldn't cost much different than what it'll cost to rebarrel what you have to 17FB.
The 17 Hornet won't quite have the performance of a 17FB but with the 17FB being so limited on what is available as well as fairly expensive for ammo it's an option worth considering.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Then I would definitely look into having a 17-222 or 17-221 chambered up and skip the 17FB idea. Mostly because brass for both of those can be had in top notch quality but the availability of it is much better as well.
I'm partial to necking down the 222 case because it always feeds like butter through any action and the case capacity is still relatively small so it's not all that overbore and you not only have less fouling but the throats/barrels last longer, compared to something more overbore like the 17 Rem, too.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
No, the only CF 17 I currently have are my two 17 Hornets. I'm a bigger fan of 20cals than I am 17's. I had a 17 Rem for a brief period but it just never did much for me so I sold it. I have a few different 20's and my favorite is my 20-222.
I'd think a 17-222, with regard to velocity, would be about that of the low end velocities of a 17 Rem. and a 17-221 would be a bit slower than a 17-222.
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