17 Remington

[snowpro440]

I have been looking at the .17Rem caliber and was wondering if it can still be an accurate little round for 300 yards without a short barrel life ? The reason I ask about barrel life is that its moving at 3800-4500fps, How many rounds can I get out of a barrel? I have shot a few at 50-100yds but never owned one as of yet [17 hornet 17rem17hmr17fb]. I was planning to build one from a savage .223 and shoot the 30gr bullets in a 17 rem.cal. with a 9 twist for prairie dogs , groundhogs and a few tweetybirds .

 

[stacy]

I shoot a 17REM alot 300yds is not a problem on calm days windy days different story.I shoot 25gr vmax BENCHMARK powder 450 primers shoots bug holes at 3900fps out of 527 CZ VARMIT 26'' BARREL I DON'T SHOOT MAX LOADS IN THIS RIFLE................yes the faster you go the harder it is on the barrel.

 

[WyleWD]

If you are considering the 30gr Kindler Gold BT bullets, yes, they are just fine to 300yds. I've anchored several good sized chucks at that distance, and a bunch around the 200yd distance. I ran my data on them out of my 17Rem on those bullets and they have almost an identical trajectory as a 220Swift would out to 400yds.

As far as barrel life.... that will depend on how much it is shot hot (as in the Pdog fields). Have ordered a Lilja 17 barrel blank to put on the shelf for when this factory barrel I have is shot out.

I'll be mildly surprised if you don't like the 17 better than the 223 for what you are intending it for. JMHO. WD