17FB chamber question

[hogpatrol]

Guys and gals, Looking for some opinions and ideas on two 17Fireball rifles. I have two factory barrelled & chambered ones that are giving me fits. Firstly, I can't get a 20 grain bullet anywhere near the rifling and accuracy jumping is zilch. With 25s & 30s, accuracy is so-so, basically inconsistent. I thought I had a good load worked up with 133 for the Model 7, (with custom, alum. block stock) took it out the other day (about 30 degrees colder than its last shooting session) and it was all over the place, 1 1/2 inch group at a 100. The other one, a HB stainless, fluted with the H.S. stock does so-so also. I've tried, 133, 4198, X-Terminator, Benchmark and a couple other powders, different primers, Berger's, Vmax, custom bullets, jumps, jams, neck tensions, receiver screw torques, etc. I know the throats on these are way long & was considering enough setback to get zero freebore. Herein lies the question. Do I make the time and effort outlay for a reamer & go-nogo gauges, components and start over & try and get these factory barrels to shoot, or just junk them and buy two custom ones or go with another .17 cal. round. I would be doing all smithing. Thanks & Happy New Year, Hog

 

[BrettNC]

That sounds like a typical factory barrel to me shoots one day and the next day you never know.The 17fb is a fine little round and I think if you get a couple of good match barrels for them you will be happy. Another thing to remember is a 17 needs to be cleaned regularly alot more than other calibers as they build pressure quicker because of there smaller diameter. Just my 2 cents for what its worth. Good luck

 

[boltman223]

Hogpatrol

I have similar delima with my 17fb. I will describe my situation and what my discision was and maybe it will help you decide.

Mine is a vsf in a boyds thumbhole stock. It shot decent with factory ammo around 3\4 to 1". With my best reloads I would get 5 shot groups from .3 to .75. The same type of thing you have going on, a couple super groups then a couple tight shotgun patterns. So I decided to get it bedded. The first time I shot it afterward I thought my problems were solved and the flyers were my fault, but with more shooting and examination of the bedding job (the magazine box was getting squeezed between the floor plate and the bottom of the action) I had come to the conclusion that it needs to be re-bedded. So I have now sent it off to hill country rifles for there accurizing package, a little spendy, but I think it will be worth it.
I chose hill country rifles because of there good reputation and that they actually shoot the rifle to ensure what they did worked.

I'm suppose to get the rifle back in march, after I shoot it I will report my results.we

 

[hogpatrol]

I swapped out the stock for a Bell & Carlson Alaskan model with the aluminum bedding block & results were the same, good groups then junk groups. Thought maybe because I didn't have the pressure point in the forearm like the factory stock, that was the problem. I made up a threaded insert with a delrin plunger and located it in the forearm in the same area as the factory stock. Put a little pressure on the barrel & nothing changed. At this point I don't know if it's the barrel, the stock, or something unusual going on with the action. It'll be interesting if Hill Country can get yours consistent. Hog

 

[boltman223]

Hogpatrol

Yes I am interested to see how it turns ou too. If nothing else my problem will be narrowed down to the barrel and I will have a good bedded action to build somthing else on. just curious where you in the marines by chance?

 

[boltman223]

A little bit of an update. I recieved a phone call from hill country rifles, my rifle is done. The lady on the phone told me that it shot a .410 3 shot group with factory ammo. Hopefully things wil tighten up with reloads and is at least consistant. I should get it back this week and I will take it out on the first nice day to try it.

Hogpatrol, have you tried H335 and 20 vmax's, I have had really good luck with those.