17 Fireball all the way! I acquired a Pence 17 barrel and was lucky it was a 24" barrel. It was already chambered in 17 Javelina, . Two things I didn't like about it, 24", to me this was a waste! For the faster powders I've found once you get out past 20" the velocity gains per inch are ridiculously low. About the only gain would be sight radius if you used open sights! No body does on this caliber. The other would be less bark, again, not concerned. The other was, for the powders I find the most accurate in this caliber from 221 case size to 223 case size, all leave unused capacity in everything bigger than the 221 Mach IV same cartridge unless you want to argue chambering both in the other chamber, one works in both both work in both on some rifles, but only one wont chamber in some rifles.
Shortening the 223 case in that difficult if CHEAP BRASS is your goal. Luckily I found a couple hundred 221 Lapua cases and thats a lifetime supply for mine, 200 rounds a year is pretty close to what I go thru in a year. but over 4000 fps with groups in the .2's with 18 grns. of N133 in mine with a 22.5" barrel is 250 yard varmint dream, drt even on larger varmints like yotes, and on those bigger varmints, no pelt damage, even at 100 yards smaller ground squirrels have been known to disappear when hit at times.
the last thing is how bad 17's carbon foul, hard carbon fouling is more prominent in the smaller 17, and the larger capacity used for marginal gains in velocity are much more prone to this than the smaller cases, where the Ackley Hornet rules. But I have found the Fireball and Mach IV to be the best 17 calibers for being the least finicky on powders, bullets and brass, giving the most accurate loads with more different combinations of components, and less powder to get the same results with, than the larger cases, with the need for the least maintenance. Less trimming, less powder, better accuracy, and more combinations to make me smile.
Mine is on a Savage Axis, and is my choice for 250 yards and in. Yes it will work out to 300 but with 20 grn VMax at 4030 or so, it's a laser to 225, and drt is how it performs.
Still good to 300 yards even with a little left right wind without flags.
And is without fine tuning the load. I'm sure if I wanted to play a little more it would do better, and 4100 to 4200 would give 1/4" groups. But mainly because this with an
irreplaceable, Pence, 5 groove HAND CUT RIFLED BARREL, the lower pressure load is what I liked, BARREL LIFE!
So since I could care less past 250 yards, I don't need better accuracy, or more speed, less barrel life, and since this was my results with my first effort, loading 4 powder charges, and one trip to the range. I went back with the 18 grain load, repeated with a .216" 5 shot group at 4037 fps AV. and said good enough.
But even at over 4200 fps with the 20 grn Vmax it shot in the hugh .3s/@100. I'm sure some neck tension, or seating depth could help cut that a little if I thought 200 fps would make it better. Not worth the con's for me to peruse, and definitely a bigger CARBON threat, not to mention flame cutting threat! Love those hand cut pence barrels, never to be had again,,,,,
I go on 2 or 3 pd hunts every year using specialty handguns, XP-100's in 221 VarTarg, 223 Rem Improved and 22 Nosler. When the wind cooperates, the 20 VT is my favorite. Trajectory is flat, solid hits give a pleasing "visual hit confirmation", recoil is negligent and muzzle blast if minimal. I move to progressive heavier bullets as the wind picks up. I'm working on a 17 Remington Fireball for this year. Everything's arrived except for the Pac-Nor 16" barrel. I don't know about components for the 17 Remington, but Nosler is the only maker of 17 Fireball brass. So far, it's been readily available. I've not had a problem buying 20 gr V-Maxes so far. I can usually spot hits w/ the VT, especially if the magnification is turned down a little. I'm hoping I'll be able to see hits w/ the 17. I've also built pd rifles w/ med weight barrels in 221 Fireball and 20 Practical. I can usually spot hits w/ them, as well.Regardless of caliber, the plastic bullets so be more destructive. Either gun should work well for you, but obviously I'm partial to the 17 Fireball. Keep us updated.
