17 Hornet to 17 Fireball

[beanieboy]

Anyone ever have the above conversion done? Some suggest it can't be done, however a chap on Predator Masters Forum had it done successfully. Involved, amongst other things, opening up the bolt diameter and using a 221fb extractor and magazine.
I really like my 17 Hornet, but I also own a 17 WSM and would like a bigger gap in the capability of my two 17's. Don't fancy a 17 Rem. I am from N Ireland and, as far as I'm aware, there are no custom rifle makers here.

 

[njc110381]

It sounds like a lot of work. Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a Fireball? No such thing as can't though, and there's not a huge difference between the diameter of the rim on a Hornet vs a Fireball. I'd say it's very possible, the question is whether it's viable?

 

[finnbear270]

I wouldn't muck about, .17 Fireball can be fussy feeding anyway.

 

[jay 22]

You would be better off finding one of the older small sako or anshutz actions. Having that in 17 fireball. They will feed the rounds also

 

[beanieboy]

Thanks for the replies chaps. Buying a 17fb is difficult due to lack of availability (only 1 on Guntrader) However, if this particular type of conversion is going to be a bit of a 'faff' I'm happy to hold on to the Hornet.

 

[finnbear270]

Why dont you have your Hornet 'K'd?

 

[mealiejimmy]

17 hornet is already "K" d

.17 Hornet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Cheers

Bruce

 

[finnbear270]

17 hornet is already "K" d

.17 Hornet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Cheers

Bruce

Everyday learning summat!

 

[beanieboy]

Is the performance gain of the 'K' over the 17HH significant?

 

[Neddle]

Anyone ever have the above conversion done? Some suggest it can't be done, however a chap on Predator Masters Forum had it done successfully. Involved, amongst other things, opening up the bolt diameter and using a 221fb extractor and magazine.
I really like my 17 Hornet, but I also own a 17 WSM and would like a bigger gap in the capability of my two 17's. Don't fancy a 17 Rem. I am from N Ireland and, as far as I'm aware, there are no custom rifle makers here.

One in Castlederg

 

[wabbit warren]

Hi you quoted "I really like my 17 Hornet, but I also own a 17 WSM"
if that is the case why are you looking at getting another 17?
i might be missing the point but why not go bigger for another rifle?
id go .223 rem or a 22-250 rem something with a bit more "HIT" behind it
but thats only my opinion
good luck on what ever you choose
Ian

 

[beanieboy]

Hi you quoted "I really like my 17 Hornet, but I also own a 17 WSM"
if that is the case why are you looking at getting another 17?
i might be missing the point but why not go bigger for another rifle?
id go .223 rem or a 22-250 rem something with a bit more "HIT" behind it
but thats only my opinion
good luck on what ever you choose
Ian

Had 223 but I really like the 17 calibres below 17rem.

 

[beanieboy]

One in Castlederg

Can only find a rifle and pistol club. Do you have a link?

 

[markyw]

Have a Rem 700 VSSF II in 17 FB. Never had a feed issue and a great frangible round, depending on your shooting ground. My regular permission is flinty, so 22 (LR, .222, .223) tend to bound too often for my liking, hence the FB.

Words of caution: Brass is hard to get hold of. Ammunition is hard to get hold of. Cost (ok, everything is going up!) for factory ammo is disproportionately high for such a small round - if you can get any.

Reloads, on the other hand, can be had for HMR prices depending on what you are loading with. I mainly use the Krank 17gr pushed along the tube with a little Alliant Unique for HMR speeds and VMAX with other powders for the "full FB experience"

Mark

 

[MAH]

Don't fancy a 17 Rem.

Hi. I am curious why you don't fancy a 17 rem, when it and the fireball are so similar.

M

 

[beanieboy]

Hi. I am curious why you don't fancy a 17 rem, when it and the fireball are so similar.

M

The 17 FB falls between the 17 Rem and the 17 Hornet. I found the 223 too much gun for my needs and the 17 Rem is much the same.

 

[njc110381]

Have a Rem 700 VSSF II in 17 FB. Never had a feed issue and a great frangible round, depending on your shooting ground. My regular permission is flinty, so 22 (LR, .222, .223) tend to bound too often for my liking, hence the FB.

Words of caution: Brass is hard to get hold of. Ammunition is hard to get hold of. Cost (ok, everything is going up!) for factory ammo is disproportionately high for such a small round - if you can get any.

Reloads, on the other hand, can be had for HMR prices depending on what you are loading with. I mainly use the Krank 17gr pushed along the tube with a little Alliant Unique for HMR speeds and VMAX with other powders for the "full FB experience"

Mark

I'd be interested to know your Unique load please, or where you got it.

 

[MAH]

17 FB falls between the 17 Rem and the 17 Hornet

There is overlap between the FB and the Rem.

Take a look at the load data below. e.g. N133
Minimum load for the Rem is slower than the max load for the FB.

Having a rebuild project is great fun. If that's why you're doing it crack on.

My thoughts were it seams an expensive exercise for a cartridge which is tricky to source.

Whereas the Rem is more flexible to those who reload.
Ammunition is more readily available to those who don't.

I'm not being critical, just exploring you rational.

M

 

[Dodder]

I'd be interested to know your Unique load please, or where you got it.

Beat me to it!

 

[Dodder]

I agree with MAH - I had a Rem 700lvsf in .17Rem and loved it - I only changed it to a .17 FB when a lovely little Cooper turned up. The .17 FB is a more efficient round than the .17 Rem and in the real world gives nothing away to it IMO.