New 17 barrel project

[yotehater]

Luckily I was able to find a new contoured 17 caliber barrel at the Shilen swap meet. It was either overlooked or rejected by the mob that attacked the carts when they were first wheeled out. The barrel carts were four people deep trying to see what was in there. I didn't even bother to try to fight my way in at first hoping the .17 Rem AR-15 barrels would be deeply discounted. That was my intended target. They weren't, only 10% off list. So I milled around and talked to vendors inside and out. Almost bought the new Ruger PC Carbine in 9mm, went back to relook at it a few times. I grabbed some Southern Bloomer cleaning patches 1000 ct bags for $5.00 and a few other odds and ends. One last look at the barrel carts before I leave to see if anything interesting had survived the onslaught of hoarders.

And there it was. A 28" contoured chrome-moly blank in 17 caliber with a 10 twist. It had the #6 Light Target contour but looked terrible. It was filthy, rusted on the shank, the bore looked nasty and full of grit. I almost passed on it too. Well after taking a chance I brought it home for $100. So far so good. After soaking the bore generously with Kroil and a few loose patches of Hoppe's 9 it started to wake up. The bore became mirror smooth with the most beautiful rifling. After seeing the bore clean up I decided the rust had to go too. A few minutes with some 150 grit sandpaper had me dreaming of it being chambered.

I dug around in the safe and decided this matte Rem 700 in a Houge stock with a 24" .223 factory tube would become the new Fireball slinger. YeeHa I can't wait.

 

[sdbob]

Just a heads up. Don't be surprised that the donor action gives you problems feeding from the magazine and ejecting. There is a lot of info on the web about these issues with your setup.

 

[pacificman]

It's got to feel perty good when ya find a good deal and then turns out to be a great deal.
You will have to give us another report on how it all comes together and especially how it shoots.

 

[yotehater]

bob, Good point. I've been reading that as well. The brass situation makes me hesitate on a Fireball too. Other than converted once fired military or new ammunition, brass is scarce or 221 Fireball more expensive to reform. I was considering the 17-223 or the 222 mag necked down, the 17 Javelina. hmmm?
But since I've already got the dies to neck down the 223 and plenty of new brass on hand it seems more economical to go with the 17-223. Short neck and all. It will mainly be for 15 to 25 grain bullets. I snatched 1000 of these Nosler Factory Second Varmint Bullets 17 Caliber (172 Diameter) 15.5 Grain Polymer Tip Lead-Free Boat Tail pills at midway. Tiny little boat tails it looks like the bullet CCI loads in the 17 HMR. They also had the Hornady 20 grain Z-Max on sale so got 1000 of them.
Now I need a good smith.

 

[sdbob]

Sounds like you know what your up against. Good luck with your build.

 

[yotehater]

You know how it is. I'm sure having fun with these small calibers. I've been rereading the P.O. Ackley books and going over reamer prints. A lot of interesting stuff but I want to keep brass prep as simple as I can. I'm leaning towards a no-turn reamer with plenty of neck clearance and a short leade. Just neck down enough to chamber and fireform.

More study while this wipe-out is working.

 

[JSH]

My next 17 will be off of 223 brass for sure. Same goes for 20's.