Looking for Guidance on building a 17 Remington!!!!

[20VarTarg]

I've been sitting on a Remington 700 action for at least 6 months now and just can't make up my mind on what caliber I want to build. Finally determined I'm gonna go with a 17 Remington. Probably going to buy a Pac Nor barrel. I need a competent Smith that can chamber the barrel and put it all together for me. I just bought a 700 BDL stock that is GORGEOUS with a Sporter Barrel channel. Would like same Smith to bed it correctly. I'm sure someone in this group has someone they know and trust.

 

[Richard Jones]

Is PacNor making barrels again?

 

[aer21]

Is the 700 action originally a fireball action? If not you might have problems ejecting. Maybe not though with a .17rem, might be just the fireball cases that have problems.

 

[JSH]

My thoughts after having done the same.
Brass can be the major issue. If I were to do it over I would go with a 17-223.

Decide what your going to do with it and look at the twist. I ended up with a Shilen 1-9” and am happy. Shoots excellent and cleans easy.

If you go with a 17 Remington give a holler as I may have items of use.

Jeff

 

[swd]

The 17 Rem is one of my favorite cartridges. That being said the 17/223 0r 17/204 Ruger are worth considering too along with a little faster twist to shoot 30's. Unless you can find someone with a PacNor on hand you'll have to go with another maker. The good news is all of the other makers I know of are all just as good.

 

[B23]

I've been told by multiple smiths they prefer Lilja and PacNor barrels when building something 17 caliber. Kevin Weaver builds a lot of small bore stuff and has just about all of the more popular reamers on hand, he would be one of my first choices if I was looking to build something 17 cal.

As was mentioned above, unless you need to shoot factory ammo, I'd go 17-223 or 17-222, both have much better available brass than does the 17 Rem.

 

[20VarTarg]

I'm a bit of a brass hoarder and have a pretty good stash of brass on hand in 17 Remington. And I'm sure I will pick up more at local auctions. And the reason for 17 Remington is I have dies for it. I'm pretty much made up on the caliber. I shouldn't have any feed issues with the Rem 700 action. It seems as though most recommend Lilja or PacNor. Thanks so much for the info!

 

[JSH]

Lol, I built a 358 because I got the brass cheap, I can’t argue with ya ;-)

 

[jepp2]

I need a competent Smith that can chamber the barrel and put it all together for me.

Not casting any doubts about anyone else, but my go to guy is Kevin Weaver. I think you would be very happy.

 

[vmaxpro]

Mcgowen is doing 17’s again. Ive had great results from all their barrels in 17’s for me.

 

[RussellJ]

I've been sitting on a Remington 700 action for at least 6 months now and just can't make up my mind on what caliber I want to build. Finally determined I'm gonna go with a 17 Remington. Probably going to buy a Pac Nor barrel. I need a competent Smith that can chamber the barrel and put it all together for me. I just bought a 700 BDL stock that is GORGEOUS with a Sporter Barrel channel. Would like same Smith to bed it correctly. I'm sure someone in this group has someone they know and trust.

I have a unfired Varmint Contour stainless 17 Remington takeoff barrel from a 700 Remington 700VS if your interested? (Barrel has been Sold).

 

[COhunter]

I had one built one a blueprinted rem 700 action, originally a 223, it wears a 26" 9 twist Lilja that shoots and cleans like a dream. You won't be disappointed with a lilja

 

[VaniB]

Is PacNor making barrels again?

OP, just in case you aren't aware, the reason why Richard Jones asked this question is because Pac-Nor burned down last October.

 

[1lessdog]

I have shot all the 17 calibers and if I was to build another I would go with the 17/204 or 17 Nosler. The 17 Nosler would be a screamer.

 

[AckleymanII]

17 Remington with a zero freebore chamber is very, very accurate. I skim neck turned the necks, bug holes did abound with 25g bergers.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I used a Lilja Rem sporter contour 1/9 barrel, Manson custom(freebore) reamer had the barrel finished at 26". Really helped with velocity. Easy to carry, very reliable coyote killer.

 

[beak]

sent my action to shilen the did the work it shoots great & good to work with steve[beak]. 17 action