Which 17 for ease and performance?

[Woollybugger]

I bypassed the 17 and 20s, opting for a 22-204 ruger where I shoot the 53g V max at 3700 fps with 29.2g of IMR XBR 8208 with a CCI BR-4, sub 3/8" groups at 200 does not suck. Redding 204 S dies and reamed out Forster 204 Ruger seater sleeve. Of course, this cartridge feeds like a charm, by-passing a lot of feeding issues that some actions have. The 22-204 is an idiot proof case.

so, you reinvented the 222 Magnum.

 

[AckleymanII]

The 22/204 has more capacity than the 222 Magnum. Not to mention, the 222 Mag brass does not exist for sale in current production.

 

[JB10]

Tell me how it’s working out for you… What is your use for it? What bullet? Shot distances?

Im loving the hell out of it. I just grabbed a bunch of lake city brass and neck them down and loaded. I use N133 with 40gr vmax. I built it for coyotes and it wacks them with some force. Definitely a loud thump heard when they are hit. I have loaded some 40gr bergers also but have not taken them out hunting yet. Shot about 50 prerrie dogs with it and was an acrobatics show. Where i hunt coyotes is usually thicker desert areas. My longest shot so far is about 100 yards. The coyotes in my areas never get real big or lots of fur. I will say if a bad shot happens the pelt can not be saved. Id like to stretch it out distance wise to see what it will do, but i got to drive hours to get to areas like that. Coyote hunting this winter has been rough for me and several others this last few months so i have not gotten to try ther bergers out. October i got 5 within 4 hours. Since then and 5 other trips out only gotten 1 and that was on a 3 day hunt. I went with a 10 twist barrel to just make sure the 40gr bullets worked fine. If i remember my load is 3,820fps from a 22in barrel.

 

[Tommie]

17 fireball… 17 Remington… 17–556 (17-223?)

Throw 17Hornet and 17 Mach 4 in the mix too

I’m considering a bolt action build. Which of these would feed most reliably? I assume the 17–556 is easiest to convert since I would just have to do a barrel swap from a factory 556 rifle. Also easiest to find brass. I doubt there’s any notable performance differences between the 3, correct me if I’m wrong.

My use will be coyotes and bobcats under 200 yards. Majority from 50-125.

My alternative to the 17s would be a 20Practical

Of you sift hard enough there’s a few answers to your question in this thread. A few.

 

[Sniper338]

Berger makes that 52gr FB varmint for 22 cal in a 20 cal and 17 cal..

20 cal 35gr FB varmint
17 cal 25gr FB varmint

Maybe worth looking at...


I need to look at the 20 cal one myself for my vartarg. I just haven't shot the gun yet.. loading for it though... 32 gr vmax to try. Gotta find a load... reloader 7..

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Lightning strikes, that's the effect of quality 25-30 gr high velocity 17 cal bullets on coyote. So case must be capable of 3800+ velocities. I can run 29-30 gr bullets 3950+(no pressure issues) out of my 17rem, 25.5 inch barrel. With brass as it is(bullets are a supply issue by themselves) go with a 223/556 or blown out 222. I would keep some case neck length(like the 17 rem).

 

[Leveraction35]

Lightning strikes, that's the effect of quality 25-30 gr high velocity 17 cal bullets on coyote. So case must be capable of 3800+ velocities. I can run 29-30 gr bullets 3950+(no pressure issues) out of my 17rem, 25.5 inch barrel. With brass as it is(bullets are a supply issue by themselves) go with a 223/556 or blown out 222. I would keep some case neck length(like the 17 rem).

That is ultimately what I’m after. I see no reason to make a mess out of any animal I shoot. Especially ones that are nice to look at hanging on a wall. I guess I’m just overwhelmed with all the choices.

 

[Woollybugger]

The 22/204 has more capacity than the 222 Magnum. Not to mention, the 222 Mag brass does not exist for sale in current production.

204 brass is 222 mag brass necked down with the shoulder blown forward a bit.

 

[AckleymanII]

No it is NOT!