.17 remington fireball

[SSS]

I am thinking of a calibre change for foxing. I currently have .223 on my ticket but dont have a rifle (yet).

I was considering one for one with a few different calibres.

I have considered .22-250, .243 and .220 swift.

The only thing is, I cant find much information on the .17 remington or the remington fireball.

Another note, most foxing I do will be within 200 yards and I will homeload as soon as I can.

What are your thoughts on this calibre for foxing, I know they are meant to be very accurate and muzzle energy is very fast, but they lose energy quickly and according to wikipedia "It has a maximum effective range of about 500 yards (450 m) on prairie dog-sized animals"

Does anyone have or know of anyone with one to speak from experience.

Also, what would be your recommendations for a foxing calibre. I know the .22 CF's are by far the most popular, but I want something different

Any information will be greatfuly received.

[Mr_Logic]

Why do you want something different? I like the sound of the 17 Fireball as well, but only really as a rabbit/fox gun - dedicated fox gun either 243 or one of the 22CFs - 223 or 22-250 are best IMHO.

[SSS]

It was just a thought really. It would be used for rabbits and foxes.

They are supposedly a bit quieter than the bigger cartridges.

My thought about the bigger .243 was because it could be used for fox and deer, but, the chances of me shooting deer are slim.

[Billy.]

.17 Fireball is a scorching hot round. You've got to be careful otherwise you'll burn the barrel out. It'll more than likely need reloading, as it's not a popular round.

 

I once thought about asking for this round, but I decided my 22-250 is actually not that far off the trajectory of the .17 Fireball

[inthedark]

Just ask yourself why they're rare. Go for a popular one - .223, .22/250, .243. At least you'll always be able to get bullets

[SSS]

I have a feeling they are rare because people always follow the trends.

Does anyone have a ballistics calculator to work out the speed, energy and bullet drop from muzzle through to 200 yards with the 20 grain v-max?

[CharlieT]

Have a look at Remington's ballistic calculator on their website.

 

150 yd zero -1.1" at 200 yds. with 358 ft. lbs of energy

 

250 yd zero -2.8" at 300 yds with 247 ft. lbs of energy.

 

Muzzel energy is 710 ft. lbs.

[SSS]

Thanks Charlie

[inthedark]

Honestly mate, you're off the mark. Have a look at a couple of the polls on 'best foxing calibre'.

Here's a couple of indicators -

have you seen or used a .220 swift? Fantastic round, be prepared to re barrel your rifle quite often and pay through the nose for ammo - it'll cost you a weeks wages to zero it.

Have a go a re loading a .17 centrefire. I doubt you'll enjoy this.

Objectively (and honestly) ask yourself what you want your rifle to do. Going foxing over a lamp? you wont shoot many at 200 yds and I bet a months salary you're shi55ing yourself if you pull the trigger at this range most times in case you got it wrong.

So you probably NEED a rifle capable of hitting a box of matches at 150 yards.

See above.

[Billy.]

Oh and I wouldn't want to use the fireball on a windy day. The bullet is so light it'll get blown about too much to reliably take a good shot on a windy night.

[starlight32]

Oh and I wouldn't want to use the fireball on a windy day. The bullet is so light it'll get blown about too much to reliably take a good shot on a windy night.

 

 

A keeper mate of mine has a fireball. We fox with it all the time and its chain blue grease lightening. You are right about the wind though, but most of his shots are taken sub 100 yards as he calls well.

[jamie g]

if you can get the 243 then get it. it will do what the others do and more. easier to reload for then 17 remfire ball legal for all uk deer. and you could use 58 grain vmax which can still be pushed in the high 3700 to 3900 ! fps.

 

not only that when it hits its going to be hard. as for the fireball your going to be bleeding speed with such a light bullet and as above in the wind it wont do you any favours.

im not against it total tho i was going to have one myself as a truck gun. if you really want one then get it. i no where for £550 i could get you a semi custom one that hasnt even fired a shot ! its walnut stock,sako a1 action and has custom varmint lothar walther barrel.

 

your be hard pushed to get a secondhand factory rifle for that never mind a new barrel semi custom.

 

trouble is with 243 inless you have deer on permission alot of flo wont grant it just for fox.. some will depends on your area you live in.

 

i have a 22/250 and it is a craking foxing caliber. 200 yards is good going at night and as the fields round here are pretty big most are taken at this range when fox wont come in to call.

 

223 is very good caliber also. if you get fast twist like 1 in 8 you could shoot lighter bullets like 50 grain for fox. and then shoot 75 grain bullets if you wanted to long range target shoot.

 

and 22 caliber centrefires are legal for cwd and muntjac deer. the choice is yours but you will no go wrong with what you have if you deside to keep 223.

 

i just went for 22/250 as its fast and flat and at night over where i shoot its easier to shoot at distance with out having to aim off up to 260 yards with a 1 inch high zero at 100 yards.

 

PS I NO SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN BURTON AND HE HAS HAD MORE CALIBERS THEN I COULD THINK OF. HE WOULD PUT YOU RIGHT IF YOU WANTED A WORD WITH HIM

Edited February 8, 2010 by jamie g

[macca]

Hi,

I actually shoot a 17mK IV, the precursor of the 17 rem fireball. Brilliant spotlight round. 18.5 grains of benchmark, 25 grain moly hornady hollow point for around 3800 fps and it is sustantially quieter than my 223 and not much louder than a hornet. With the low powder charge it is not a barrel burner. The 17 remington is more prone to this. At 3800 fps a projectile reaches a 200 yard target in slightly less than.2 of a second. Wind effect is minimal. Mine is a sako A1 heavy barrel with an 8x56 kahales on top. It is sighted in 1/2" high at a hundred for direct hold on anything in the light. Once you have formed or puchased your cases reloading is a breeze - no harder than a 223 and alot easier than the hornet case. I wouldnt swap mine for quids.

Cheers

[kyska]

I'm thinking of a ruger .204 variation for fox. I would imagine that your FLO/FEO will be happy with any CF for fox.

[al4x]

my only issue would be how long have you had the slot for .223 for? obviously if its a while you're not displaying much need to have it and now changing your mind on caliber just makes them more paperwork. Fundamentally the reasons for a .223 are simple, effectiveness cost to shoot and range of guns etc. ok you can go for exotic calibers but you'll have more difficulty buying the gun in the first place probably pay more for it and amunition will be more expensive. IMHO just get a .223 and get out and use it, if you find it won't do what you want it to then go for a variation

[SSS]

I can get .243 for fox on homeoffice guidance.

Thanks for the advice.

I just thought I should ask, someone said earlier, "you wouldn't want to reload it", why is that?

I think I shall stick with what I have got for fox and apply for .17 rem Fireball aswell.

Do you all think this calibre is capable out to 200 yards, if say the conditions are right?

[Beardo]

my only issue would be how long have you had the slot for .223 for? obviously if its a while you're not displaying much need to have it and now changing your mind on caliber just makes them more paperwork. Fundamentally the reasons for a .223 are simple, effectiveness cost to shoot and range of guns etc. ok you can go for exotic calibers but you'll have more difficulty buying the gun in the first place probably pay more for it and amunition will be more expensive. IMHO just get a .223 and get out and use it, if you find it won't do what you want it to then go for a variation

[macca]

Hi,

reloading the fireball is not an issue uses the same shell holder as a 223, neck wall is as thick as a 223. Its much easier than the thin walled hornet to reload. Yes it is definitely a 200 metre gun. Check out the US sites where they use it for groundhog shooting out to 400 metres.

Cheers

[SSS]

I have been into livens and had a word in there about .17 remington, they also have a brand new remington 700 in .17 remington.

Any thoughts on .204 instead of .17?

I dont know much about them either

[CharlieT]

I bought a .204 Ruger about 3 years ago to run along side my .223 and 22.250. I quickly found that I had no use for the .223 and after about a year of it not coming out of the cabinet I got shot of it. For me the .204 just knocked the socks off .22cf. My .204 is inherently accurate and a joy to shoot and whatever I hit drops like a sack of potatoes. I have it zeroed at 200 yards and it's an inch less drop at 300 yds then my 22.250. It can be very windy up here and the .204 copes well but when the wind is really blowing I use my 6.5.

 

If my 22.250 was not my beloved Sako I rather think it would get no use !! and be in the for sale section or re barreled in FB.

 

I am a convert to small fast calibers, they are to me superb fun and that is what shooting should all be about. I have looked at the 17 Fireball with the thought of swapping my HMR for one but to me, on paper at least, my .204 will do all the FB will do but a little better. However as I said, as a small caliber convert I am sure one day I will give in to the temptation and buy one as to me it seems to be the perfect medium range rifle and a light weight sporter would make a superb rifle for wandering round on summer evenings.

[SSS]

I too like the small fast calibres. I dont need to go big because I will be shooting rabbits and foxes inside 200 yards.

I like a lighter gun too, much easier to walk round with.

The remington I looked at earlier was a superbly light rifle with an 18 inch barrel. We put a north Star mod on the end to see what it was like and if aything, improved the weight.

I tried it with a CQD mod but it made it too end-heavy.

Out of the two calibre's (I know not many people have the .17) what would you choose, to replace the .223?

[njc110381]

If it helps I can shoot a bunny in the front shoulder with my .17AH shooting 25 grain V-max and it doesn't rupture the gut. At the same time it shoots pretty fast and flat and my longest bunny shot was 240 yards. It uses 9 grains of powder so is cheap to load. I've not hit a Fox with it yet but I can assure you that with the heavier bullets not blowing up too fast it will work!

[SSS]

Is the .17 ackley a smaller case to the .17 rem?

Do you think it is a capable foxing round?

[inthedark]

The smaller the bore size is, the more heat damage it will take, and its proportionatley more difficult to clean. They're all exellent calibres in their own right mate and will all tackle charlie to 200 yds. so its whatever makes you happy, cos if your heads right you'll shoot better. Life is good. Enjoy.

[SSS]

Cheers inthedark. Im hoping its the right choice.

I will give the FLO a ring tomorrow and see his opinion.

I will apply for variation and keep .223 (if he lets me). Maybe put down .17 remington and .204, but I need good reason to have all 3 :unsure: