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Seventeen-caliber cartridges have all the time fascinated a sure group of handloaders for some mystical purpose. Neither possessing the generalist enchantment of the working class .223, nor the macho western enchantment of the .22/250, the .17 caliber often appeals to a unique set—the specialists, reminiscent of fur hunters, the tinkerers, and the individuals who search enjoyment off the overwhelmed path. Maybe somebody who drives a Maserati, or a Seventies Worldwide pickup. Chances are high, in the event that they’re a shooter, they’ve a .17-caliber rifle tucked away someplace.
.17 Remington Historical past
To be fully upfront, I’m not a Maserati man. I’ve, nevertheless, owned and handloaded for the frequent .17s and the main focus of this text would be the first, and in some ways, the best—the .17 Remington. This little gem was launched initially by Remington in 1971, although comparable wildcats had undoubtedly existed for a few years prior. In its unique configuration, it was a high quality cartridge, although considerably restricted. In as we speak’s guise, benefitting of extra fashionable manufacturing strategies, propellants, a greater understanding of twist charges, and cleansing procedures and merchandise, the .17 actually shines inside its area of interest.
The .17 Remington is among the kids that the .222 Remington spawned. Its case is 1.796 inches lengthy and whereas many assert that it’s nothing greater than a .223 necked to .17, a fast examination of the circumstances clearly demonstrates that this isn’t so. The .17 Remington has an extended neck with the shoulder pushed again considerably, and is .036 inch longer—making it distinctive.
.17 Remington Circumstances
Talking of circumstances—good cartridge circumstances can be found from a wide range of sources, as is loaded ammunition. For years, Remington was the one one which loaded the .17 Rem., however now manufacturing facility ammunition might be had from Nosler and Hornady, as nicely. Circumstances can be found from Nosler and Norma—and they’re fairly good—although a bit extra closely constructed than the unique Remingtons—so the handloader should take this into consideration and work up hundreds rigorously if utilizing information that was developed in Remington circumstances. Consider me, that is necessary as this small-caliber case does generate important stress and piercing or blowing primers is an actual chance at extreme pressures.
Primers for the .17 Remington
Primers open one other attention-grabbing can of worms. Many primers have cups (the precise portion of the primer that the firing pin strikes) which can be both too skinny or too smooth for the highest hundreds on this cartridge. The primers that appear to constantly work the most effective (and are those most sources suggest) are the CCI 450, Remington 7.5, and CCI BR-4. I’ve additionally finished loads of work with the Federal 205 and 205 Match, and these primers additionally work nicely—however will even begin to flatten and may pierce extra simply than the primary three talked about. I’ve not tried the wonderful RWS primer nor the brand new Winchester Match Small Rifle—however wouldn’t hesitate to check both one. Within the .17s I’ve labored with, the CCI BR-4 has given me essentially the most constant accuracy—however your outcomes could range.
.17 Remington Powders
The .17 Remington works with a greater variety of propellants than one could instantly suppose. On the quicker burning finish of the usable spectrum, and with lighter bullets powders like H322 can ship astonishingly excessive velocity with wonderful accuracy. The .17 Remington was initially launched with 25 grain bullets, and for this center weight, a lot of the powders that work nicely in a 22-250 or 308 work fairly nicely. For years, the powder within the .17 Rem. was IMR4320. In the event you take a look at a burn fee chart and printed reloading information, you will notice different powders which can be shut—Reloder 15, IMR4064, Varget, VV N-140, and H4895 are generally referenced.
A sleeper that works very nicely is W760 and its stablemate H414. A more moderen powder that exhibits nice promise is StaBall 6.5—not solely is it temperature insensitive and spherical (which makes charging circumstances simpler), it’s quick. Hodgdon has information accessible on-line. As with all cartridge, every time altering to a brand new lot of powder, it’s all the time greatest to load just a few rounds at decrease cost weights and chronograph them to verify velocity towards that of your present load. Lot-to-lot powder variations do exist and in a cartridge this small, they’ll trigger a big distinction in stress and velocity.
Avoiding Overcharges
When charging circumstances, use care. Longer stick propellants can “bridge” when flowing via purpose-designed .17 caliber powder meting out tools, and for that reason I all the time weigh my prices rigorously and examine the charged circumstances previous to the bullet seating operation. On this cartridge, an overcharge of a fraction of a grain, significantly when working with close to most hundreds, can produce extreme pressures–so a bit further care on this step is important.
.17 Rem. Bullets
Bullets for the .17 Remington have come a great distance since 1971, each in high quality and selection. As talked about, the .17 was first delivered to market with a 25-grain Energy Lokt Hole Level. This bullet was good in its day and set the tone for the .17s status as a superb pelt caliber. About the identical time, Hornady launched its model of the 25-grain HP—and this was (and is) a superb bullet, although sadly it seems to be out of manufacturing in the meanwhile. Berger set a terrific tone for .17 caliber bullets with a variety of bullets—variously producing bullets as gentle as 15 grains and as heavy as 37 grains (which require a really quick twist). Right now, they’re down to at least one providing—a 25-grain Varmint Hollowpoint—and it’s a really correct projectile. Hornady and Nosler each make 20-grain bullets. Nosler makes each a hollowpoint and a Tipped projectile within the Varmageddon line, whereas Hornady makes a 20-grain V-MAX, in addition to a 25-grain V-MAX for those who like a bit heavier choice. There are all kinds of customized makers that presently promote numerous configurations of hollowpoints and even softpoints in .17 caliber—a fast search on the ’internet will present the best way.
High Varmint Bullet Weight
For taking pictures varmints like prairie canine or floor squirrels, the 20-grain bullets are laborious to beat. They’ll simply break 4,200 fps and terminal outcomes are spectacular, as one would anticipate. At these velocities, drift isn’t as important as some would lead you to imagine, both. At the least not within 300 yards. I’ll say that the 20s, whereas engaging for the little stuff, aren’t all the time an ideal alternative for predators at these velocities. If putting a bone on influence they may completely detonate—not solely doubtlessly ruining a invaluable conceal, but additionally making a superficial wound that isn’t instantly deadly and can go away animals to undergo—one thing all hunters attempt to keep away from.
High Predator .17 Rem. Predator Bullets
For the larger animals reminiscent of predators, it’s very laborious to beat a 25-grain hole level. Sadly, our selections have turn out to be very sparse, however the V-MAX and the Berger HP each work higher than the lighter bullets. If you’ll find both the older Berger 25-grain Goal HP (smaller nostril opening) or the Hornady HP, you’ll be in enterprise. At 3,900 to 4,000 fps these bullets will sometimes enter a furbearer with a tiny pinprick and fully dissipate contained in the animal. Kills are often fast and clear, and the fur is often excellent.
These days, I’ve been experimenting with a 30-grain HPBT from a customized maker in Virginia, Don Unmussig. His bullets are additionally distinctive—not solely correct, however very efficient terminally. A couple of grains of bullet weight on this diminutive cartridge could make a really giant distinction in terminal impact, and the sleeker HPBT design flies exceedingly nicely. Not solely that, however it is usually steady in a 1:9 twist, which has turn out to be the usual within the caliber (from the unique 1:10).
Preserve Your .17 Remington Clear
A word on cleansing—since this can be talked about in any reloading handbook or article concerning the caliber. The .17 Remington requires constant cleansing. It’s a very small bore, very high-pressure spherical and as such, it fouls identical to an analogous, bigger cartridge (suppose .22/250 or .220 Swift—even the .204 Ruger). Good brushes, a superb one-piece rod, a bore information and a solvent a minimum of equal to Shooter’s Alternative are all sensible investments.
The .17 Remington is a enjoyable and attention-grabbing spherical to work with. It requires a bit extra care than a number of the run-of-the-mill cartridges, but it surely supplies extra distinctive outcomes inside its area of interest, too. Give it a shot and see what you’ve been lacking.
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