What caliber would you choose to replace .17 Remington and why?

[QStott]

I have owned a really nice Remington 700 chambered in .17 rem for some years. Ammo and components are not easy to find. I’m pondering changing barrels to a simpler round. I already load .223, .260, .270, 7mm, .308, and 30’06. Since it has a small bolt face, .223 is the obvious choice. But, something different would be fun. Maybe I could find something that I could find ammo on the shelf and components easily. Not looking to build competition gun exactly. I already have a few of those. I‘d like to have a fun very accurate plinker.

One option would be to sell it and buy something else, bu5 you don’t see ones this nice very often.

What would you build for a “fun” gun?

 

[jpx2rk]

I would suggest a 20 Practical which is based on the 223 case. Neck it down to 20 cal, go shoot. You would have to load for it, but you're already there. Or a 6x45, bigger bullets but same 223 case. Either one is easy to learn and shoot.

 

[QStott]

I guess it would depend on the brass, but would neck turning be required for a 20 practice? 6x45 sounds interesting. I have a couple of AR lowers that could possibly be built for that. Thanks?

 

[jpx2rk]

No neck turning on the two 20 P's I have, nor the 6x45. You could probably order a "tight neck" chamber for either, but I avoid the tight neck chambers that would require it.

 

[22vartarg]

+1 for either 20 Practical or 6x45. I have one of each and love them. The 20 Practical with a 32 grain will hit speed above 3500 fps and the 6x45 is easy to load, just neck up the brass and add powder and bullet.

 

[hogpatrol]

20P is a good choice but no factory ammo available. The flip side is components are readily available. I have three, an AR, an XP and a Muller barreled Pierce. They are easy to tune and stupid accurate.

 

[Knifeman]

20 Vartarg

 

[Drop Port]

With all the votes for a 20 Cal. I'll switch it up a little. Everyone needs at least one 222 or a 221 furball.

 

[20VarTarg]

You said you want fun. IMHO there is no more Fun then shooting a 20 VarTarg. You would obviously need to get 221 FB brass or make your own brass from 222 or 223. So far I have never found a 20VT that didn't just downright shoot bugholes. Nothing wrong with the 20 Practical. Just not nearly as fun.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Store ammo that's AVAILABLE 223, for better trajectory performance 204R(and you can find ammo or components).

 

[matthias]

204 ruger seems to be a common choice and fills the requirements you laid out.

But I love the 221fireball just plain fun.

 

[varmintshooter]

A 204 or a 20p would be a step up from the 17 but components would still be an issue. There's a to like about a 223 as far as finding ammo and components, and a better choice of bullets than with the 20's.

 

[mule]

223 ai
Or

20-223 ai

 

[snert]

20P or 6x45

223 cases are everywhere. You have a 223 BF. 6mm and 20 cal bullets are fairly available. Both can replace a 17 Rem easily.

No brainer

 

[muleystalker]

6x45al or I did a 6x204 8 twist Kreigher throated for 95gr SMK and such, it just so happens that 87gr VMAX are perfect in that throat also. Or a strait .204 if you wand off the shelf ammo, but the above 6mm's with the 95gr bullets are so fun to shoot and really reach out there past 800 yards.

 

[chuckshooter]

I have owned a really nice Remington 700 chambered in .17 rem for some years. Ammo and components are not easy to find. I’m pondering changing barrels to a simpler round. I already load .223, .260, .270, 7mm, .308, and 30’06. Since it has a small bolt face, .223 is the obvious choice. But, something different would be fun. Maybe I could find something that I could find ammo on the shelf and components easily. Not looking to build competition gun exactly. I already have a few of those. I‘d like to have a fun very accurate plinker.

One option would be to sell it and buy something else, bu5 you don’t see ones this nice very often.

What would you build for a “fun” gun?

In your post, I didn't see any mention of a .20 cal. So, either a .20 Tactical or .20vartarg is my suggestion, since I don't have a 17 rem. I don't know if you would have any ejection issues with a 20 vartarg. Making Tactical brass is soo! Easy. One pass on the die. Load and go. You can make 6mm and bigger stuff out of anything, this donor rifle needs and wants To be a .20 Tactical.

 

[hoz53]

I have owned a really nice Remington 700 chambered in .17 rem for some years. Ammo and components are not easy to find. I’m pondering changing barrels to a simpler round. I already load .223, .260, .270, 7mm, .308, and 30’06. Since it has a small bolt face, .223 is the obvious choice. But, something different would be fun. Maybe I could find something that I could find ammo on the shelf and components easily. Not looking to build competition gun exactly. I already have a few of those. I‘d like to have a fun very accurate plinker.

One option would be to sell it and buy something else, bu5 you don’t see ones this nice very often.

What would you build for a “fun” gun?

One thing not mentioned about the 6x45 that i like is you can get good cheap used barrels from the SR benchrest crowd. I know it wouldnt be a great option if you dont fit your own barrels. i dont know your situation.

 

[LHSmith]

One thing not mentioned about the 6x45 that i like is you can get good cheap used barrels from the SR benchrest crowd. I know it wouldnt be a great option if you dont fit your own barrels. i dont know your situation.

Also, custom 6mm bullets in large lots from the same crowd are often available in the classifieds here at good prices if you choose the right twist barrel.

 

[Matt_3479]

Im running a 20 tactical and it’s fanatic. 39’s at 4000 fps makes for a fun light recoiling fun!

 

[JSH]

20P or 6x45

223 cases are everywhere. You have a 223 BF. 6mm and 20 cal bullets are fairly available. Both can replace a 17 Rem easily.

No brainer

;-), you take that back, that almost hurt my feeler. Replaced easily, disgusting talk I tell you, lol.

No, I understand why some want away from them. They can be a pita at times, but I doubt I will ever be with out one now that I have played with a 17R for a few years. Actually have two now, with plans of ordering another barrel this year.

I really thought we would hear after the shot show that the 20 Practical was a SAMMI spec cartridge and see off the rack guns available.

I have a well used 20P barrel and an S die sitting in a drawer waiting for my 204 to die.
The 6-223/6x45/6TCU is looked over by many. I acquired parts and reamer, a good friend of mine and I pieced it together. Boringly accurate, not picky on powders or bullet, though there are combos that make you grin bigger than others.