Match Grade Machine made my contender barrel. If I had it to do over again I would of just had a 17 Hornady Hornet made instead of the Ackley. Noise difference between the Hornet and Fireball in contenders is pretty noticeable. The fireball is a bit louder and higher pressure to. If you were to get a suppressor for the fireball it would have to be a 5.56/223 or larger rated can. With the hornet a lot of the 22 rim fire cans are rated for 22 hornet and 5.7x28.
What would you build?
- Thread starter nakneker
- Start date
Phil
Gold $$ Contributor
If you want something a little exotic take a look at the .19 Calhoun. He builds them on CZ actions and has a single shot follower for the action. dedogs
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
The CZ Hornet action is same action all their 223 bolt head size cases fit in except the bolt face is changed for the Hornet. A great action none the less. I've built a few rifles on them and would do it agin.
If your open to a suppressor and in a state you can own one, do it. I'm in a non suppressor friendly state but regularly shoot a match in Nevada where there's lots of them. I shot a match over there yesterday. There was a girl around 12 yo shooting a 223 with a suppressor and it just barely made a "squirt" noise! A hot 22 LR makes more noise, alot more. In her class she was shooting to 550 yards. If that's a possibility I'd go 17 Rem. A 400+ yard gun and your neighbors wouldn't even know when you shot it.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
After checking out brass, dies, gunsmiths, reamers I think I leaning towards the 17 Mach IV or the 17 fireball. Brass and dies and easy to obtain for both of them, you can even get formed Mach IV brass if you want but forming brass is have the fun for me.
What barrels stand out in .17 cal. I went with mueller barrels on my .20s and love them. I've good luck with the standard brand, Kreigers, bartlien said, hawk hill, brux - but I have no idea if there is a favored .17.
I have a Remington action, all bottom metal and a LVSF stock laying around. Need a barrel and a trigger and I can put this into motion.
What barrels stand out in .17 cal. I went with mueller barrels on my .20s and love them. I've good luck with the standard brand, Kreigers, bartlien said, hawk hill, brux - but I have no idea if there is a favored .17.
I have a Remington action, all bottom metal and a LVSF stock laying around. Need a barrel and a trigger and I can put this into motion.
I recently saw Pac Nor is using the new Sunnen hone to size their barrels and wouldn't hesitate to give one try. Flip a coin and I doubt you could go wrong either way!
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
I find myself perfectly happy with 20 and 25 V Max's and the old 25 Hornady HP for coyotes and a 9" works great. If you want to shoot heavies you might need more twist. 20's are solid to 300 yards at 4250fps. 25's are better for coyote size critters and go around 3850-3900.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I've good luck with Liljas and Pac nors, it will probably be who can put it in my hands first. 9 twist will be fine, I'm wanting to shoot the 20/25s too. Appreciate all the input today. I think the smaller minks and hornets would be fun but the thrill might wear off quick when I think about it. Being able to get lapua brass is always a big plus for me. Have a good night guys.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
I've had 3 17 Ackley Hornets, 3 Mach IV's and 2 17 Rem. The 17 Ackley Hornets were fun but the Mach IV just does everything better and doesn't seem to have any down side at all. All the Hornets are gone. The 17 Rem is a lot of fun too and is one of my go to's for coyotes.
Also they respond very well to long barrels. I wouldn't go shorter than 24" and if your looking for serious performance a 26" will go 4400 with 20's and H335. That barrel was a Shilen on a CZ.
Good luck with your build!
Also they respond very well to long barrels. I wouldn't go shorter than 24" and if your looking for serious performance a 26" will go 4400 with 20's and H335. That barrel was a Shilen on a CZ.
Good luck with your build!
Last edited:
SHall
Silver $$ Contributor
SWD, What rifle were you saying would shoot the 20's 4200fps with H335? The 17 Rem or MK IV? Also, I am pretty sure Douglas makes a 17 cal. barrels. I had a light weight sporter 17 Rem 25 years ago that would shot .4 and better at 100 yards! It had a Douglas. Shot one group I remember at of .2 off a bipod! I am looking at building another 17 something myself and following this post. I loved the 17 Rem back then, but hated to reload for it. The IMR 4320 powder was a pain to get in the case. I would love to use a ball powder and just be able to pour easily! Samuel Hall
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
We could get wild and build a .17-222 40* AI ( .17 Bobcat ).......or .17 Javalina ????
I was looking at the .17 bobcat yesterday after seeing it on Weaver's list. I have a ton of 222 brass. I also looked at some images of different cases in the 17 family but after awhile of thinking and looking at calibers your head starts swimming. I was thinking what might be fun is straight .22 or maybe a .20 in the bobcat. For my needs on this one I'm sticking with the .17 fireball or Mach IV, give atleast a month or two and see if I can fend of new build fever.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
Sam, it was a 17 Mach IV on CZ 527 I rebarreled with a Shilen at 26" about 15 years ago. It went 4400 with H335 and 20 V Max's. It shot great but a friend decided he wanted it more than I did. You know how that goes... I shoot Varget in my 17 Remington. You have to tap the funnel a couple times to make sure it flows in. I've dumped powder more than a few times not paying attention. Now it's just habit to tap the case or funnel every time. Dump, tap tap, look, seat. I do it on everything even big bore loads. For high voulme shooting like ground squirrels the Mach IV heats up less, for coyotes and rock chucks the 17 Rem gets the nod.
-Shawn
I gave up on anything below .20 cal because the bullets are too tiny to hold while seating (for my hands) and I'm addicted to using my bore scope. it won't fit into those 17's I have two 20 ackley bees and love them. but it's a rimmed case. don't know if that's an option for you. new projects are always fun, I just finished a rimmed 20 vartarg on a martini action. 29 rounds down the tube and it's showing great promise . good luck
Phil
Gold $$ Contributor
I know my excuses are lame. but my best excuse is my wallet. maybe when I grow up I'll move to the dark side.
I meant the smaller side. I mean the smaller size. I need to be strong
I meant the smaller side. I mean the smaller size. I need to be strong
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