17 Rem,Tactical etc. (Lets End The Myth)

[theosmithjr]

I've spent long hours reading people's post on different forums... I'll tell you right now I'm a huge fan of this calliber. So..... Let's end the (myth) that this caliber does not work, and work well when it comes to putting coyotes on the ground.

Everyone has an opinion, Yes. But I really get tired of guys stating "my honest opinion" when they follow it up by saying they have never truly used this setup for coyotes. But rather go off results of a similar caliber... And some fellas on here haven't given this caliber an honest day in court.

300 yards and under...

I'm saying that this caliber, shooting 25gr or larger (non polymer tip) bullets, could be THE best combo for killing coyotes with next to NO fur damage. Yes, I hunt for fur. But there is something about the 17 Rem that is different. There is almost no recoil so you see the impact every time. The coyotes usually hit the ground as if struck by Thor's hammer. And I usually have to wait for blood to trickle out of the small hole to get confirmation on shot placement.

I ask you fellow 17 cal guys out there to post pictures here with a short story(results).

Without rambling on any longer, I do call yotes while shooting 223 and 243 but this is by far my best combo. Probably ruffled a few feathers as well but by all means, speak your peace.

Thanks
Brian

Hey YOTE check out my .17 rig. It's a .17 VLR! It's a .17 off a necked down .223 case. Talk about a FLAT SHOOTING LAZER BEAM that THROWS the SWITCH each and every time! DEADER then HELL on IMPACT, BEFORE they HIT the GROUND! NO EXIT wound at all; and YES it's hard as hell to find the entry wound if there's NO BLOOD! You stated you use yours for 300 yards and under; this rig shoots out to 500 with NO PROBLEM at all! I DRILL DIMES all day long at 300 yards! I built it in a 6 twist to accommodate BERGERS .37 gr. VLD, has a HEAVY HART barrel, McMillen high cheek, thumbhole stock with a sweet Jewell trigger and a Leuopold on top. ZERO RECOIL! INSTANT and CLEAN DEATH! NO FUR DAMAGE whatsoever! Doesn't get any better for Varmints or Fur taking! Walt Berger stopped making the .37 gr. VLDS but I have 1200 on hand. I found a new Bullet maker that makes EXCELLENT sub caliber bullets, .10, .12, .14, .17, .20 in various weights and construction. REEDS AMMO out of Oklahoma! Makes a Killer .32gr. .17 and is planning on making 37gr. and 40 gr. .17's in the near future. You mention you use KINDLERS Golds, well I bought the designs and reamers and dies from Todd Kindler outta Baltic, Ohio for this .17 VLR and for a .17 PPC and I was HEART BROKEN when Berger stopped making the 37 gr. VLD's. I built those two rifles based on that bullet. REED's is the "GO TO MAN" now for small caliber bullets in various weights and designs, for me anyhow. I ordered Lapaua brass from Kindler for the VLR & PPC and he sent me IMR! That brass is JUNK in my opinion. I've since had my own Custom Forming, Neck & Seating Bushing Dies made from FIRE FORMED brass by Neil Jones. All I can say now is VARMINTS BEWARE! Ted Smith Jr

 

[Pdvdh]

I find it an excellent rabbit cartridge as well.




Pete

You shoot rabbits with the equivalent of the 17 Rem and they look like this???

Such little body damage?

Or is this the 17 HMR.

I used to see much more meat damage than this from my .22 WMR with WW 40gr JHPs.

 

[John56]

Guess I'll use this to see if I can upload a picture. Need at least one coyote picture in this post. Took this one at about 75 yards, walking in broadside to towards the caller/decoy. I'm using a CZ527 Varmint 17 Rem with 25gr Kindler Gold. Hit her on the left side just in front of the leg with no exit on the right.

 

[Wanfalt1]

Hey YOTE check out my .17 rig. It's a .17 VLR! It's a .17 off a necked down .223 case. Talk about a FLAT SHOOTING LAZER BEAM that THROWS the SWITCH each and every time! DEADER then HELL on IMPACT, BEFORE they HIT the GROUND! NO EXIT wound at all; and YES it's hard as hell to find the entry wound if there's NO BLOOD! You stated you use yours for 300 yards and under; this rig shoots out to 500 with NO PROBLEM at all! I DRILL DIMES all day long at 300 yards! I built it in a 6 twist to accommodate BERGERS .37 gr. VLD, has a HEAVY HART barrel, McMillen high cheek, thumbhole stock with a sweet Jewell trigger and a Leuopold on top. ZERO RECOIL! INSTANT and CLEAN DEATH! NO FUR DAMAGE whatsoever! Doesn't get any better for Varmints or Fur taking! Walt Berger stopped making the .37 gr. VLDS but I have 1200 on hand. I found a new Bullet maker that makes EXCELLENT sub caliber bullets, .10, .12, .14, .17, .20 in various weights and construction. REEDS AMMO out of Oklahoma! Makes a Killer .32gr. .17 and is planning on making 37gr. and 40 gr. .17's in the near future. You mention you use KINDLERS Golds, well I bought the designs and reamers and dies from Todd Kindler outta Baltic, Ohio for this .17 VLR and for a .17 PPC and I was HEART BROKEN when Berger stopped making the 37 gr. VLD's. I built those two rifles based on that bullet. REED's is the "GO TO MAN" now for small caliber bullets in various weights and designs, for me anyhow. I ordered Lapaua brass from Kindler for the VLR & PPC and he sent me IMR! That brass is JUNK in my opinion. I've since had my own Custom Forming, Neck & Seating Bushing Dies made from FIRE FORMED brass by Neil Jones. All I can say now is VARMINTS BEWARE! Ted Smith Jr
View attachment 82486

You seem like the man to get this done. Several of us have talked to Todd about the dies. The Douche he sold them too is not getting this done. We need a spokesman/ driver to take over getting Todd's bullet started again. If Reed's would do this it would be great. Why reinvent the wheel. Todd's bullets were, are awesome! There is a happy medium. If Reed's makes the 40's I will step back. But I want a heavy 17. Reed's 32's kill really well. Kindlers kill with no sewing. So let's talk this over. I have talked to Todd. He is tight lipped about the bullets. Unless he signed a no competition deal there is an option to get his design. We could get him to do something just need a leader.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

Don't forget the little 17 Hornet. Very good on Pdogs to 300yds.

 

[ChrisA]

I've killed more coyotes with a 17 Mach IV and 17 Remington than any other caliber. I've only had one get away and that's because I pulled the shot and hit him too far back.

Longest shot was 311 yards with the Mach 4. Absolutely stones them as most have mentioned above. Shoot them like you'd archery shoot a deer; stay off bone and no fringe hits.

The discontinued Berger 25 grain Match is the bullet of choice with the 22 grain Match a close second. Thank goodness I'm sitting on 800+ of the 25 grain match. I also picked up a couple hundred Remington 25 grain Powerlokts which are supposed to be very predictable killers too; I have not tried them yet.

Hornaday's 25 grain HP is supposed to work very similar to the Berger Match but it's constructed a bit heavier and will exit occasionally.

God bless the 17 centerfires!

Chris

 

[sscoyote]

I've also been shooting the 17's for a long time. IMO the Rem. Model 7 .17 Rem. for a factory rig was the greatest walking varmint rig ever. Have worn out 2 throats in 17's over the years--one a 17 Rem. and the other is my favorite custom 17 a 17 FB XP-100 handgun (18" barrel) that's my go-to fur rig for coyote hunting for many years now (it was a 17 Mach IV, now rechambered to 17 FB). Killed a bobcat at 325ish several years ago now with it (25 H. V-Max)--used to shoot Bergers, and Kindlers (though I preferred the old 30 Hammett's for coyotes). Greatest fur caliber ever!!

 

[Zhelton]

Rumor over on saubier is kindler sold everything to someone in texas. The guy tried to make a batch but was sketchy about taking peoples money and not sending out the product. I currently have a 17ah, 17 rem custom bolt, 17 rem ar and last year built a 17 tactical. Currently shooting my stash of 30 golds. I also have a few 30.8 hammetts left over. When these are gone will be going to reeds for bullets as i have read some good results with the 32 he makes. Love the 17 caliber

 

[17remhunter]

Good luck with Reeds as they are all sold out .....................however there is a new 30 gr builder in town just heard about him today...8/12/21

 

[Straight Shooter]

You shoot rabbits with the equivalent of the 17 Rem and they look like this???

Such little body damage?

Or is this the 17 HMR.

I used to see much more meat damage than this from my .22 WMR with WW 40gr JHPs.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Have called coyotes for over 50 years. Mainly with a 22-250. Wanted a 17 Rem for years and finally found one about 10 years ago. It is my fur rifle and that is all it is used for. However, while it makes some great bang/flops other times I have lost coyotes with good hits. If I hunted contests, which I don't, it would not go along. I have lost enough hit at close range to really wonder. Using Kindler golds and Hornady 25 grain. Mine is a CZ527 Varmint and is one of the most accurate rifles I own.

 

[orkan]

The only thing I don't like about my 17rem is dealing with the little tiny bullets and tiny necks. lol

 

[laker]

I haven't owned a 17 cal centerfire for a few years. Back then I used Berger 25 grain target, chan nagel 30grain and kindler golds 30 grain. What is the fur bullet of choice these days?

 

[orkan]

I haven't owned a 17 cal centerfire for a few years. Back then I used Berger 25 grain target, chan nagel 30grain and kindler golds 30 grain. What is the fur bullet of choice these days?

Whatever you can get! lol
.17cal hasn't been getting a lot of love lately.