17 Remington or 17 Fireball?

Taco John said:

I think the biggest elephant in the room is:


Where do you get 17 bullets these days?

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Hornady and Berger are available today. With any luck, Noslers will be available before PD season. but not holding my breath.

Seems like the noslers creep out early spring, they had some vaminageddon trim flat base that rolled through last year.... maybe the year before... it all blends.

Hammer has some, but the trend a little spendy for varmints.

I have two rifles in 17/23 SMc, an improved 17 FB. Very good performance, and with the different shoulder design, I can resize using only the Lee NC die, at least every other firing. Saves me lots of time.

As far a PD shooting rifles, weight is your friend for viewing the action. Over the years I have split my utensils into two distinct areas. Carrying or bench. I won't have a PD bench rifle that weighs less than 20lbs. My bench 17/23SMc weighs 30, and it's an absolute joy to shoot.

That being said, I always start with my 17VHA and 17 HK rifles, 10-11grs of powder shooting a 20gr bullet at 3650. Almost zero recoil and great terminal performance. YMMV

while we are on the subject I dont have a bore scope that will fit intto a .17 cal. Is there a quality one available somewhere?

xunit13 said:

while we are on the subject I dont have a bore scope that will fit intto a .17 cal. Is there a quality one available somewhere?

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Hawkeye makes one, but you won't like the price.


If you look on Amazon there are lots of Teslong qand other makes of 4mm borescopes for a lot less money, like under 150 bucks. Depends on what kind of "Quality" you need. I have a Tslong that will do down to 20 calibre and it works great.

17CalFan said:

Hornady and Berger are available today. With any luck, Noslers will be available before PD season. but not holding my breath.

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Just picked these up at my local drugstore duren Drugs in Waynesboro Tennessee, 250 count 20 grain, and almost forgot I picked up a pound of Varget for $36!

I've been shooting the 221 for 30+ years. Picked up a 17 MACH IV in a bench style gun near on 20 years ago. Didn't want to hassle making brass, so rechambered it to fireball. I liked it so much I built another on a Sako action, with a lighter barrel. During this time I built a 20 VT on a Savage competition action with a medium lite barrel. It work very nicely also. I've only been shootin' PDs now about 3 years, but where I go the shooting can be extremely rapid. Over heating the barrel is a constant issue. Having 6-10 guns seems to be a good idea. I recently built another VT on a Ruger Predator action. When I first started load development, I was around .25". after installing a EC tuner and playing with it a bit, I put 3 in one hole. You still need Fireball brass to make your loads, or take a bit of time cutting down 223 brass. My buddy who is my gunsmith, has been working with a 20/222. Accuracy is super. Better than I've seen with my 204s. The longer neck helps, plus reduces erosion in the throat. Back to the 17s, in the wind they are a bit of a challenge. Planning on taking my PPCs and 6 br with me this next year. Haven't taken them in the past only because don't need that much lead to kill 'em. But when the wind comes up, I'll give 'em a try.

338 Dude, you better get back there and buy all the Varget you can at that price. I haven't been able to buy it wholesale at 36 buck for some time now. That's a killer deal.

338 dude said:

Just picked these up at my local drugstore duren Drugs in Waynesboro Tennessee, 250 count 20 grain, and almost forgot I picked up a pound of Varget for $36!View attachment 625433View attachment 625434

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Shoulda bought more Heck of a deal!

17CalFan said:

Shoulda bought more Heck of a deal!

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All they had.

Goofy said:

338 Dude, you better get back there and buy all the Varget you can at that price. I haven't been able to buy it wholesale at 36 buck for some time now. That's a killer deal.

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Just got some last week in Columbia Tn for $64.99
Kings firearms.

Just for fun and comparisons:

I love gun loonies.... filling that big old gap between 17 wsm and 204....

Good to see other folks try and fill the "gap" between the 17 hornet and 204 and keep a straight face....

comfisherman said:

I love gun loonies.... filling that big old gap between 17 wsm and 204....

Good to see other folks try and fill the "gap" between the 17 hornet and 204 and keep a straight face....

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I resemble that remark, and proud of it