Need some help & info on a custom 17 remington

[Roughneck]

Howdy guys, i have a custom rifle that was my late uncles. i know nothing about it so any info would be greatly appreciated. its a 17 remington with fluted barrel, fluted bolt, single shot, wood stock is fully bedded, trigger is about 8oz and scope is Leupold 36x with AO. the action only has a serial number and no marking of manufacturer. my cousin approached me about helping him sell it and i have no idea on value. thanks for any info and its greatly appreciated

 

[thekriebles]

I can't assist you on value, but it is chambered in a 20-17Rem. wildcat (a 17 Rem. necked up to 20 cal.) with a 225 neck dia. as noted on the barrel.

 

[JohnHenry]

Looks like a Wichita 1375 action. Your uncle probably had some dies for the 20-17 Rem. wildcat which would obviously be a plus.

 

[Roughneck]

thanks for the info guys. i am thinking about rechambering it to 204 Ruger

 

[Greyfox]

Understand you're just asking for opinions, so I'll give you a couple. IMO it would be a waste $$ to rechamber to a 204 Ruger. If it is what it looks like, that's essentially what you already have. Matter of fact you should be able to form brass for your rifle using 204 Ruger. I don't recall if you're getting dies with the rifle, but you can probably form brass by using a Redding "S" 17 Remington die with the appropriate bushing. You can form brass from 223, but you will have a very short neck and be subject to a serious carbon ring. I suggest you either use 17 Remington or 204 Ruger.

As to the value, although the Wichita actions are great (I have had two and still have one), they aren't very popular right now. Looks like a very nice stock, so that's a plus. The chambering is unusual which will make it difficult as well. You probably don't want to hear this, but I would be surprised if you could get more than $750-800 for it and it will probably be difficult to sell even at that price. Unfamiliar actions and wildcats are not easy to move. Your best bet would be to sell it to someone you know who has shot it or seen it shot, assuming it is accurate. Oh-BTW- that estimate does not include the cope. You would be better served to sell it separate. It will bring good bucks. Should bring maybe $1100 total. If you get more than that, be grateful. My suggestion would be, keep it and enjoy it.

 

[Ackman]

If I had it to do over, the only change I would make would be to go with a .232 neck.

You already have .005" clearance, unnecessarily sloppy for a turned neck. Why on earth would you want more? If it were my reamer I'd have it cut to .229.