I found the .17 Rem quite annoying because I couldn't make it out of the likes of .223 as the cases are a bit short. .17-222 would have been a good one to get around that. Assuming you'd bother forming brass rather than buying it? I also forgot about Callum - I had one of his rifles a few years ago and that was nicely done.
Anyone using .17 Fireball?
- Thread starter C h r i s
- Start date
Shoot it , reload it,
If you call these people, Croxton country supplies 01630 620 226. Michley hall 0800 772 0058, packs of 50 my guesswork, approx £70. Supplied by Raytrade the importers and they have more than you could buy. Steve.
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
The .204 version is just one step.
Very easy to do. I did fancy one of them but I can download the Tac to the same speed so no point.
I am not sure if you have a specific reason for the .17 but the .204 cartridges and available bullets will get you everything from stupid fast to 600 yd rabbits.
I don’t think you have the same problem feeding them. I have the Terrific Twenties book which goes into detail on various 20 cal cartridges. Very interesting reading.
For instance, for ease of making ammunition the 20 Practical is just a 223 bushing die with a smaller bushing. Run it through and fire form.
I have been down the road of 17HMR replacement in centre fire and couldn’t get past the potential feed problems. Along with the loading cleaning etc all being that bit harder due to the small bore.
I had great times with .17 HMR , .17 Fireball, .20 Practical, But there are only so many hours in the day.
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
Main reasons for the .17 Fireball are the (hopefully) reduced noise in comparison to the 204 and 223. A lot of my permissions are very noise sensitive, but seemed to tolerate the .17 Hornet - however I didnt get on with that calibre as the feeding and ejection was awful, having tried a couple of different CZ's over the years I gave up and went to 204 and 223,the 204 got the most complaints, the 223 not quite as bad but I dont want to push my luck. Hopefully the .17 fireball in a Tikka action will feed and eject ok as the mag lips extend quite a way forward, and the noise wont be much greater than the 17 Hornet.
Not without a mod though, remember the first night out foxing with .17 Fireball!, JEEZ.
, Smartish cycling of the bolt sorted all the feed issues for me.
, Smartish cycling of the bolt sorted all the feed issues for me.
I was using mine specifically at one stage, Nuisance Foxes on two cemeteries in Cheshire licensing area.
Bye the way, If anyone is searching for stuff, get a brew on & get on the net, The above results from two phone calls.
How did it come? Boxes of 50?
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
Be interesting to see how you get on. I did quite fancy a .17 centre fire instead of a HMR as the ammunition etc put me off that cartridge (I had a slot for one once).
However at the time it wasn’t viable for various reasons. I did look seriously at the 20 fireball but ended up with the Tac. It was too good a deal to pass on.
I have decided to go down a route based round the Sauer 202 as I can basically be the man with one gun. Ironically my 6.5x55 is lighter than my 20 Tac in a Sako A1 action and laminate stock.
Good luck with your build and please post some pictures etc when you get it done.
22250jason
Well-Known Member
I’ve been down the 17 center fire route ended up with a 204 wouldn’t change it
I started my .17 journey with a CZ hmr - was never happy with the accuracy so sold this and bought a Sako Vixen in .222 to rebarrel into .17Rem as I couldn't find a Sako in .17Rem. After buying it I realised it was too good to rebarrel, so kept it and later picked up a Rem 700 LVSF in .17Rem. Was reasonably happy with this but then a nice Cooper Phoenix single shot in .17fb came along so got rid of the .17Rem - never any feed issues with this beauty.
Dasherman did a tidy up on this for me, recrowned it and made a beautiful invisible thread protector and a picatinney rail - it came back like new - his work is sublime. This rifle is easily THE most accurate rifle I have ever owned, although sadly since buying it several years ago it hasn't had a lot of use. Hopefully that will be remedied at some point in the near future.
For me the .17fb is the most balanced of the .17 cals, economical on powder and nearly as hard hitting as the .17Rem - whats not to like?
If I ever needed another varmint rifle it would probably be a .20 Vartarg.
Dasherman did a tidy up on this for me, recrowned it and made a beautiful invisible thread protector and a picatinney rail - it came back like new - his work is sublime. This rifle is easily THE most accurate rifle I have ever owned, although sadly since buying it several years ago it hasn't had a lot of use. Hopefully that will be remedied at some point in the near future.
For me the .17fb is the most balanced of the .17 cals, economical on powder and nearly as hard hitting as the .17Rem - whats not to like?
If I ever needed another varmint rifle it would probably be a .20 Vartarg.
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