17FB Barrel Replacement

[gtbcolo]

I'm thinking of shorting a replacement barrel from a 24" to a 22" barrel. Typically, how many fps do you lose per inch on a 17FB?

 

[RussellJ]

I'm thinking of shorting a replacement barrel from a 24" to a 22" barrel. Typically, how many fps do you lose per inch on a 17FB?

Page 249 in my Berger Bullets Reloading Manual states; 17 Fireball muzzle velocity will increase (or decrease) by approximately 36 fps per inch from a standard 24" barrel.

 

[gtbcolo]

Looks like shorter it is. Thanks for this information.

 

[451whitworth]

I was reading something a while back and some rifle maker said that 22"-23" barrels were optimal for the .17 Fireball velocity wise. No idea if true.

 

[wildcatter]

My 17 MK IV, which is the same thing, is 22" and my bet is you will see less than 20 fps, I'm not loading for speed, but for accuracy. Still @ 4042 is fps is my happy place with 20 grain VMax. I've loaded to 4150 fps, but prefer the accuracy.

Also, at over 4000 fps, bullet drop and wind drift is hardly noticeable between the the two out to about 250 yards, which is about where the tiny .172" bullets have about exhausted their magic!

My next will be 20", and with the faster powders needed in the small case, I doubt I would see 50 fps realistically in those 4". Probably still be able to tune to my current velocity. In these little cartridges, you're asking about speed that is truly irrelevant

 

[gtbcolo]

My 17 MK IV, which is the same thing, is 22" and my bet is you will see less than 20 fps, I'm not loading for speed, but for accuracy. Still @ 4042 is fps is my happy place with 20 grain VMax. I've loaded to 4150 fps, but prefer the accuracy.

Also, at over 4000 fps, bullet drop and wind drift is hardly noticeable between the the two out to about 250 yards, which is about where the tiny .172" bullets have about exhausted their magic!

My next will be 20", and with the faster powders needed in the small case, I doubt I would see 50 fps realistically in those 4". Probably still be able to tune to my current velocity. In these little cartridges, you're asking about speed that is truly irrelevant

I definitely agree with the accuracy over the speed. I'm also thinking of going to a 10tw instead of the 9tw that I am using now. All I shoot is 20 & 25 gr. bullets. Any negatives going to the 10tw shooting the 20 & 25 grain bullets?

 

[wildcatter]

I definitely agree with the accuracy over the speed. I'm also thinking of going to a 10tw instead of the 9tw that I am using now. All I shoot is 20 & 25 gr. bullets. Any negatives going to the 10tw shooting the 20 & 25 grain bullets?

Not sure about 25 grain, I've never shot them. The 20 grain VMax is longer than the 20 grain nosler Varmagedon and I have .2 to .3 moa 5 shot groups, they hold out past 200 yards, as far as I've shot them.

I'm zero'd 3/4" high at 100 yards, and can hold dead center of the smallest targets out to about 225 yards, with no hold over or under. As long as I don't hit any weeds or folage.

 

[cummins cowboy]

I don’t think a long barrel makes a lot of sense. My 18“ will push 20‘s@4100+. The little case burns its powder early. I like the shorter barrel for a suppressor. Running a can is the secret sauce on a fireball.