How’s your 17 Fireball group at 100yds?

[moorepower]

The one I have, I purchased from a gent that shot it very little and stored it for a long time. No idea of barrel maker. I only run 20 grain bullets and I use it out to about 200-225.
4198 and AA2200 is what it thrives on. I honestly have not measured 100 yard groups, but they are boringly small, 1/2” and better when I do my part.
If I have wind issues or I am hitting short I switch to my 17 Remington or 204 Ruger and don’t look back.
As far as brass, I use both 17FB and 221 reformed. I just sort them into lots that way, use the same load of 4198 and 2200 in both. They do have a different POI by a small bit, it it doesn’t bother me in the field.
I am now giving H322 a try. Like to keep my options open.

You mention Shilen for a barrel. I used a Shilen select for my 17Remington and do not regret it. Cleans easy and is more accurate than I would have dreamed. There are other barrels out there that are mentioned more, twist and groove offerings may be better if that is what you choose.

I can’t point you toward a small 20 as I have no experience, YET. I will admit to looking and would lean towards a 20-222 just because of brass availability.

I won’t be without a 17 center fire though, just a fun caliber as well.

Maybe those of us that use the 221FB case should hit up Starline with and email. I will say I would be in for a thousand or two. That would keep me busy for a weekend, lol.

I shoot my .17WSM past that. My .17 FB is a lowly rechambered H&R break barrel, and it shoots 20 Vmax under 3/4" with little load work. Someday I will actually try to see how good it will actually shoot.

 

[JSH]

I shoot my .17WSM past that. My .17 FB is a lowly rechambered H&R break barrel, and it shoots 20 Vmax under 3/4" with little load work. Someday I will actually try to see how good it will actually shoot.

Not that it won’t run that far at all. I am about major splat factor and “lift off” with good acrobatics. I was killing prairie dogs pretty regular with the 17WSM this past week around 200-250. I inspected a couple of big ones. The 20’s either didn’t exit or just needled through. None of them even flinched, so I suspect it stayed inside.
None the less, they just tipped over. If it had been a 17FB at the same distance at the speeds I run those 20’s at, would be no more than chunks.
Dead dogs all the same.

 

[moorepower]

Not that it won’t run that far at all. I am about major splat factor and “lift off” with good acrobatics. I was killing prairie dogs pretty regular with the 17WSM this past week around 200-250. I inspected a couple of big ones. The 20’s either didn’t exit or just needled through. None of them even flinched, so I suspect it stayed inside.
None the less, they just tipped over. If it had been a 17FB at the same distance at the speeds I run those 20’s at, would be no more than chunks.
Dead dogs all the same.

You bleed energy pretty quickly with a .17. Bigger will always make more flop for sure. The .17 WSM has changed the way I look at shooting Pdogs.

 

[Idaho-45]

I have a Remmy 700 CDL-SF, 17 FB, that I've had for quite some time. My problem is it's very inconsistent... I've shot a few 5/8 - 1" groups, but, some that look like patterns, instead of groups. It's been bedded, & even had the barrel recrowned. I've thought about rebarreling to a 20 Vartarg....... Maybe someday.... I had high hopes of making it my favorite Ground Squirrel rifle, but, at least for now, that ends up being my 223. I'll keep experimenting, & hopefully one day I'll find the "Right-Bullet-Powder-Combo"!!!!!!

 

[charlesasmith]

Best I could get was 1/2" group @ 100 yds. My 17M4 would shoot the 25 gr HP, but not the 25 gr V-Max with its 1 in 10 twist barrel. Wind easily opened up groups. Often groups would be 4 close and 1 away.