17 wildcats

[Browning243]

Looking at building a 17 but I'm having some trouble with finding some load data. I'm interested in 17-204, 17-222, and 17-223. Just wondering what powders are used with each and what kind of velocities are achieved.

Also what would be the best barrel length for these? I'm thinking around 26" but not sure.

 

[johnmyers]

I have been shooting a 17 MachIV for years, it is the most efficient 17 going. 26in barrell, 30gr Kindler Golds @ over 3800fps, using RE10x. You have to have a 1:9 twist to shoot the 30s. Have shot everything from prarie dogs to coyotes, it really an amazing little cartridge. Case looks like a scaled down 6br.

 

[MrMajestic]

These guys are really up on the small caliber stuff- http://www.saubier.com/

Basically pick your bullet and how fast you want to push it and let your wallet be your guide! That being said, I run a .17 Ackley Hornet, a .17 Ackley Bee and a .17 Rem. Fireball. I let the Hornet and Bee handle the 20's and the Fireball push the 25's. All my barrels are 10tw however I do have one on order from Pac-Nor that's a 9tw chambered for the Fireball. From a 26" 10tw barrel I get 3950 fps with the 25 gr. V-Max from the Fireball case using Vihtavuori N133. I would agree with the 26" tube for your caliber choices if it fits your hunting style. The twist is up to your bullet choice but again with your choices I would think a 9tw with the 30's or plastic tipped 25's. Powder is dependant on your case choice. Sub calibers are a slippery slope, enjoy the ride!

 

[Browning243]

Keep the good info coming

Thanks you two. I have visited Saubier.com. Have tried to become a member but I'm not getting a conformation email from them to activate my account. This will be my first 17 and first build so it should be fun no matter what I choose. I'm looking right now at doing a stub gun build on a Rossi Wizzard. That way if I want more chambering's all I have to do is buy another barrel to build on not a whole gun. But if I run across a cheap 204, 223, or 222 bolt gun ill build on it. I mainly want it for punching paper. But I may take it to the woods to kill a tree rat or two or even coyote hunt...or if i ever make it out west n get on some prairie dogs...who knows.

 

[Browning243]

I have been shooting a 17 MachIV for years, it is the most efficient 17 going. 26in barrell, 30gr Kindler Golds @ over 3800fps, using RE10x. You have to have a 1:9 twist to shoot the 30s. Have shot everything from prarie dogs to coyotes, it really an amazing little cartridge. Case looks like a scaled down 6br.

Just wondering what is the parent case for the Mack IV? And how hard is it to form? Also what kinda dies are you using and relative cost?

 

[bumtownbutch]

I have been shooting a 17 Thunderbolt (17-222 30-degree improved with 222-length neck). I use 22.5gr. AA2520 and 22.0grs. Benchmark with the 25gr. V-max bullets. These are moderate pressure loads with velocity of around 3950fps. I am also using Win and Lapua brass that is better quality brass than Rem and more readily available than the Rem 221/Mach IV/Fireball brass. IMHO

 

[johnmyers]

I have been shooting a 17 MachIV for years, it is the most efficient 17 going. 26in barrell, 30gr Kindler Golds @ over 3800fps, using RE10x. You have to have a 1:9 twist to shoot the 30s. Have shot everything from prarie dogs to coyotes, it really an amazing little cartridge. Case looks like a scaled down 6br.

Just wondering what is the parent case for the Mack IV? And how hard is it to form? Also what kinda dies are you using and relative cost?

parent case is 221 Fireball and you get a Redding form and trim die to form with and start shooting. Very easy

 

[rickiesrevenge]

If your just going to punch paper the 17-204 and 17-223 are too big. They are really fast and eat throats pretty quick. They would be great coyote guns though. I have a pair of 17 Ackley hornets. I've had a 17CCM and 17Jet. The jet was really fast. 4200+ with the 20gr vmax. Didn't care for the ccm too much because it wouldn't feed for crap. The mach IV or fireball would be a great place to start for your first 17.

 

[Browning243]

What about the 17-222? For all practical purposes isn't it the same ballistics as the fireball? And dies are cheaper that the Mack IV from what I've seen and brass is easier to produce than the Mack IV and is cheaper then the fireball and Mack IV (same case after all).

I'd like to have a Javalina or mink but dies are so dang high.

 

[jesse1004]

I think the 17-222 would be a sweet little cartridge. I was going to build one myself but decided to do a 20-222 just to get a little more reach. Just waiting on pacnor to send it back, hopefully this week (fingers crossed) But i agree with johnmyers, the 17mach4 is my pick for the 17's. I load up 18.5 grs of benchmark and a 25gr vmax and it shoots very well. Also the barrel is a heavier varmit type contour so im able to watch what im hitting because recoil is minimal.

 

[WyleWD]

Looking at building a 17 but I'm having some trouble with finding some load data. I'm interested in 17-204, 17-222, and 17-223. Just wondering what powders are used with each and what kind of velocities are achieved.

Also what would be the best barrel length for these? I'm thinking around 26" but not sure.

This is one of the best sources on the subject of 17's. http://www.woodchuckden.com/ Give him a call, he is a great source of information on the 17's & 20's and usually has some dies setting on the shelf for sale.

From those who I know that have custom barrels, Lilja seems to have the most happy customers of those that I've asked about and on the advice of my gunsmith.

johnmeyers is right on the money with the 30gr Kindler golds. He gave me a few to try and WOW... great bullets, with a flat trajectory. Have found H380, N550, and to my surprise..R-15 to work well for powder in my 17 Rem. WD

 

[Jim Butler]

After shooting IMR 4320 in my .17 rem 20 years ago, when I started shooting again, I still use 4320, and varget for my 17,,,,switchedd from remington heads (no longer made) to Berger with great results on accuracy and 100 to 250 yd. performance on coyotes I'll have to try some of the newer powders and see what kind of results I get, thanks for the info, Jim

 

[Dvldawg]

The 17-222 and the 17-223 are both listed in the Hodgdon Manuals, Edition 26 & 27 You can also, easily start at the 17 Mach IV loads and work your way up. Powder listed for the 17-222 are H414, H380, BL-C(2), H335, H4895, and H4198. Barrel length is a personal preference 24"-26", I usually go long, in order to set back the barrel and go again, and obviously the barrel length will reflect velocity. 6mmBR also has a nice 17 cal. page that you can read. I have the 17 Ackley Hornet, 17 Ackley Bee, 17 Mach IV, 17 Javelina, and the 17 Tactical. Have built 17 Remington, 17-222, 17 Mach IV for other persons. Hope this was helpful, good luck on your build.. Mike