Have you heard of 17WSM rimfire? On paper a cracking round but lack of decent rifles meant it never really took off
Anyone using .17 Fireball?
- Thread starter C h r i s
- Start date
.17 Fireball for me was, If it exists at all, A Laser to 200. Guaranteed head shots on bunnies.
MagicLantern
Well-Known Member
I seem to get on well with the 17WSM Savage B Mag heavy barrel model. The trajectory is flat to 130m. Drops foxes humanely out to 100m. The only downside I experience is there's not much left of rabbits at short ranges. The thumbhole stock is comfortable but if it was possible, I would upgrade to a custom stock if companies like GRS or Form did one.
If money was no concern, I'd have one of these. Introducing TS Customs .17WSM RimX Rifles
Have handled the B-mag and I really didn’t like it particularly the bolt and how heavy it was cocking.
MagicLantern
Well-Known Member
I've seen a modified bolt that I'm about to order from the US.
Savage B.Mag Tactical Bolt Handle Stainless w/1.75" knurled tactical knob black anodized. - Glades Armory
Savage B.Mag Tactical Bolt Handle 303 Stainless Steel with knurled 1.75" tactical bolt knob. This handle greatly improves the bolt cycling characteristics of the Savage B.Mag
gladesarmory.com
I've seen a modified bolt that I'm about to order from the US.
Savage B.Mag Tactical Bolt Handle Stainless w/1.75" knurled tactical knob black anodized. - Glades Armory
Savage B.Mag Tactical Bolt Handle 303 Stainless Steel with knurled 1.75" tactical bolt knob. This handle greatly improves the bolt cycling characteristics of the Savage B.Maggladesarmory.com
It’s the weight of the spring cocking on closing I don’t like, can’t see how a knurled bolt Nob would improve that. But you never know
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
ok, time for an update.
Its been a long process but not due to any fault of the most excellent gunsmith who did the work without any fuss or delays. Eventually a perfectly suitable action was found in the form of a tired old Sako AI in 223, testing some dummy rounds in the shop (thank you Orridge and Orridge) fed like a dream and all of a sudden it was game on again. Turns out that a mag fed Sako isn't going to work no matter how much I mess about with the mag & spacers, but something like the old Sako L461 or AI is fine, plus I believe this action is slightly shorter than the shortest Sako 85 action, which suits the tiny .17FB cartridge perfectly. Of course if I'd realised who Dasherman was I'd have paid a lot more attention to post #8, plus saved a lot of time and money.
Anyway, its built up and ready for the field, plus received good news yesterday from one of the farmers who's had a massive rabbit population explosion and "needs it sorting out".
Time to test it.
Its been a long process but not due to any fault of the most excellent gunsmith who did the work without any fuss or delays. Eventually a perfectly suitable action was found in the form of a tired old Sako AI in 223, testing some dummy rounds in the shop (thank you Orridge and Orridge) fed like a dream and all of a sudden it was game on again. Turns out that a mag fed Sako isn't going to work no matter how much I mess about with the mag & spacers, but something like the old Sako L461 or AI is fine, plus I believe this action is slightly shorter than the shortest Sako 85 action, which suits the tiny .17FB cartridge perfectly. Of course if I'd realised who Dasherman was I'd have paid a lot more attention to post #8, plus saved a lot of time and money.
Anyway, its built up and ready for the field, plus received good news yesterday from one of the farmers who's had a massive rabbit population explosion and "needs it sorting out".
Time to test it.
Attachments
Enjoy - I was intending on doing something similar after I found a beautiful Sako Vixen in .222 donor that I was intending on converting to .17Rem. Then realised the Vixen was actually too good to be a donor and luckily my Cooper .17FB turned up - I love it and sure you will too.
I'm not usually one to say I told you so... Oh who am I trying to kid!
Glad you got it sorted in the end.
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
The stock is not bad, but the glossy finish isn't best suited to modern cleaning products like KG12, in fact KG12 strips it right off after 5 seconds! Might fully strip it, clean, steam out a few dents and oil it. Shame KG12 is so expensive otherwise I'd use this to strip the wood, the modern paint strippers from the likes of B&Q and Screwfix are very poor compared to the Nitromors of 10+ years ago.
The rubber/synthetic recoil pad is hard and perished, so needs replacing - although not sure what with just yet.
Other than that it shoots beautifully, handled last nights wind much better than expected (although I was only at 100M), feeding and ejection is super slick, very very impressed by the action.
As for noise, well I'm using a 243 moderator and it doesn't seem any worse than a 17 Hornet, no complaints so far anyway, was going to get a dedicated .17 mod from DTP but not sure the expense is worth it.
Will be interesting to see how it handles my 2 largest warrens, which are at 218M and 252M from my usual firing position (one hill top to the next).
The rubber/synthetic recoil pad is hard and perished, so needs replacing - although not sure what with just yet.
Other than that it shoots beautifully, handled last nights wind much better than expected (although I was only at 100M), feeding and ejection is super slick, very very impressed by the action.
As for noise, well I'm using a 243 moderator and it doesn't seem any worse than a 17 Hornet, no complaints so far anyway, was going to get a dedicated .17 mod from DTP but not sure the expense is worth it.
Will be interesting to see how it handles my 2 largest warrens, which are at 218M and 252M from my usual firing position (one hill top to the next).
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
try wrapping it in cling film it helps stop the stuff drying out, and is supposed to improve its removal ability.
However that said I wish they would just sell the old stuff, it literally did what it says on the tin.
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
Well whatever the crappy varnish was it was removed much easier than I expected with 'modern' paint stripper, just came away after 1 minute and used a toothbrush in the checkering. Now its been cleaned and oiled and looks fantastic, really pleased with this rifle having now shot it back to 400 yards. Up to 300 was stunning, literally v-bulls without too much effort (12mph breeze from behind the rifle), at 400 things started to drift and the wind had a much more dramatic effect so I left it at that. That was just using Remington 25gn factory ammo, shoots well but the cases are crap.
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
Nice to know you are happy with the stock. Along with the important part putting the bullets where you want them.
N_stalking_T
Well-Known Member
abit off topic i no but does anyone have a 17WSM for sale please
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
9 on gun trader, but all Savages.
Savage Arms B.Mag Heavy Barrel .17 WSM Rifle | New Guns for Sale | guntrader
Savage Arms B.Mag Heavy Barrel .17 WSM Rifle | New Guns for Sale | guntrader
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
They are cheap. How much is the ammo.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
It's not to bad I guess.
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