Hornady 1710s in a .17 Fireball ?s

[hogpatrol]

I'm about finished burning powder trying to get these bullets to work in two .17 Fireballs. One is a 3 groove, 9 twist Pac Nor featherweight contour, 20" that shoots lights out with Nagels and Bergers and the other is a Douglas 24" Sendero 9 twist that does the same. I have a couple thousand of these I got a good deal on and would like to use them. Have tried VV133, AA2520, and X-Terminator and no bueno, Used BR4s and 205GMs. The 205s performed the worst. Jammed or jumped made no difference. Have some H4198 but have always had good luck with VV133. Any hints on powder, seating, primers, or neck tension using these bullets greatly appreciated.

 

[Hotshot]

I've had six 17FB rifles still have two. H4198 has been the powder they all liked best. All but one have been real picky about bullets selection. I only beat my head against the wall for a short time before I try something else. I like the 25vmax for prairie dogs but four out of six rifles hated that bullet. Bergers do better but I hate shooting those expensive hard to find bullets at rodents.

 

[vlcakc]

I have been able to shoot sub-half inch five shot groups at 100 yards from both the 17MIV and 17/204 with the 25 grain Hornady HP fairly consistently, so the bullet has accuracy potential. I am able to safely fire 17 FB Remington factory loads in the 17MIV, so the chambering is very similar. That's the good news. The bad news is that the powder I used in the 17MIV was an old lot of AA2015 and not the currently available Canadian manufactured powder. And I have no idea how the new stuff compares to my lot. I realize this post has turned into a typical unhelpful internet reply, so take it for what its worth. I have used both 205M and CCI450 primers and didn't see any difference in accuracy. Only hint I have would be to try a slightly faster burning powder than those listed in your post.

 

[Ackman]

I'm about finished burning powder trying to get these bullets to work in two .17 Fireballs. One is a 3 groove, 9 twist Pac Nor featherweight contour, 20" that shoots lights out with Nagels and Bergers and the other is a Douglas 24" Sendero 9 twist that does the same. I have a couple thousand of these I got a good deal on and would like to use them. Have tried VV133, AA2520, and X-Terminator and no bueno, Used BR4s and 205GMs. The 205s performed the worst. Jammed or jumped made no difference. Have some H4198 but have always had good luck with VV133. Any hints on powder, seating, primers, or neck tension using these bullets greatly appreciated.

Don't shoot a 17 fireball, sorry. But the MachIV is extremely similar and I've shot those for a long time. First one was a rechambered Douglas. Then a Shilen. Now a1st gen PacNorr 10twist, and a Lothar Walther. Always with 25's. The pretty much universal powder for that cartridge back in the 80's was H335. Now AA2230 is the deal in my rifles.....7-1/2 primer.

 

[snert]

HOG,

I have a TC Contender carbine 1-9 17 FB and shoot the 25 vmax and the 25 HP both. I use Fed GM primers and H335. The TC is not a BR rifle. My groups hover at 1/2-3/4 inch and the HP tends top be at 3/4.

 

[20 TAC]

Another vote for trying H4198. I’ve only shot in the one 17 Fireball I’ve owned but seems to work very well. Tried both 205M and 7 1/2 primers and I couldn’t tell the difference accuracy wise. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[hogpatrol]

Have some 25 Vmax loaded with H4198. Going to try them in both rifles.

 

[FJVance]

RL 10x and Fed 205

 

[hogpatrol]

Tried some H4198 with 25Vmax, jammed .005 in .2 grain increments. This was with the Model 7, featherweight barrel. All groups shot at 300 meters. Group 1 was the best of the test with one flyer so loaded up another batch to shoot the same distance. Shot those today, a little wind and mirage to deal with. Group opened up to a skosh over 1/2 moa. The groundhogs won't know the difference.

 

[L.Sherm]

I've gotta agree with Ackman on the AA2230 and 7.5 primers