.17rem .17fireball

[SPARKIE]

has anyone got any of the above calibers and what are there thoughts on them as a long range rabbit/fox rifle. anyone know what price the ammo is. and can it compete with the hmr for a rabbit rifle.

[Baldrick]

I don't want to appear patronising, Sparkie, but you're comparing apples with pears. The .17 Rem/.17 Fireball will be significantly more costly to run for rabbit control work.

 

A few people on here have .17 centrefires and will be able to elaborate further. Factory rifles and ammunition are hard (but not impossible) to come by.

Edited September 4, 2009 by Baldrick

[Dave-G]

I consider my 17 rem a 200~250 yard rifle - with a better smack than 17 HMR at any range, and forget about using the rabbit as a food source, or factory rounds apparently as they are allegedly nearing £2 a pop and less accurate.

 

The speed of the result is absolutely stunning and will bring a smile every time. I'd guess the reloading costs come in at about 50p per shot without taking the cost of the loading equipment into account.

Now that I have improved my reloading procedures I'm getting just over 1" at 100 yards rested. Biggest problem is noise if you shoot on land at night with people living nearby. If you do a lot of walking then part of the weight carried can be eased with a lightweight moderator - or use a heavier one if shooting from a vehicle.

 

Having looked at your sig I see you have a .223. I'd feel inclined to say that a lighter bullet might bring you closer to a flatter faster result if your twist rate will stand it?

Edited September 4, 2009 by Dave-G

[macca]

Hi,

I run a 17mach iv (17 fireball) - it is my main work gun. Consumes 18.5 grains of benchmark behind a 25 grain pill for about 3800fps. Half inch high at 100 for a 200m zero. Significicantly quieter than a 17 rem, no recoil. Factory ammo is exhorbitant even out here - reloads are the only way to go. Mine is a Sako A1 varmint barrel with an 8x56 kahales on top. You would be surprised in what it will take down.

Cheers

[stevethevanman]

they might be really fast, but they will give not alot of penetration, also...factory ammo will be hard to find unless you go to a big gun shop.

 

Stick with 204 ruger or any of the CF .22's

 

.17 might be abit dodgy if it clips a shoulder bone, a slower moving .223 has be used for ages and is a reliable killer of things up to goats.

 

Steve

Edited September 4, 2009 by stevethevanman

[Sako7mm]

Stevethevanman, what penetration problems have you experienced with a 17 Rem? And whose shoulder bone have you had problems with? None of the foxes I've shot has had a shoulder which has managed to save it.

 

I head shoot rabbits when I want them for the table- they tend to be very accurate and you'll get no meat damage that way.

I've had 17 Rem chambered rifles for 11 or 12 years and wouldn't be without one. Reloading is pretty well essential- bullet construction is very important in the 17 Rem (25 grain Bergers are my current favourite) and the factory ammunition is outrageously expensive.

[Sako7mm]

No response, Steve? Could it be that you've actually never shot a 17 Rem?

[Baldrick]

Stevethevanman, what penetration problems have you experienced with a 17 Rem? And whose shoulder bone have you had problems with? None of the foxes I've shot has had a shoulder which has managed to save it.

 

I head shoot rabbits when I want them for the table- they tend to be very accurate and you'll get no meat damage that way.

I've had 17 Rem chambered rifles for 11 or 12 years and wouldn't be without one. Reloading is pretty well essential- bullet construction is very important in the 17 Rem (25 grain Bergers are my current favourite) and the factory ammunition is outrageously expensive.

 

I seem to recall reading in one of the Yank varminting magazines that the .17 centrefires are particularly popular in the Outback, as the calibre of choice for fox/dingo control?