Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Favorite 17 Fireball Loads

I finally came across an affordable 700 and I am back in the game after selling my Encore Mach IV a few years back.
That one shot well with 20 gr VMax and Bergers in a 10 twist but with the faster twist of the Remington I would like to work up a load for the 25gr Vmax to take advantage of the higher BC. I have had good luck with Benchmark and have some TAC as well. Any favorite loads to share? Able to get 3800 out of a 24 inch barrel?
Thanks.

My Remington 700's 24-inch barrel gets a little over 3700 with the maximum 19.0 grain charge of Benchmark listed by Hodgdon, and superb accuracy. As with the .223, the maximum SAAMI pressure for the .17 FB is only 55,000 PSI, so there is a little wiggle room.

Haven't tried TAC with 25's, which somewhat surprised me when looking at my loading notes, but no doubt it would work well too. It does with 20's.

Congratulations on finding a 17 FB.

Bench Mark has been a go to powder with 25 & 30-gr bullets in the17 Fire ball. Tac may treat your rifle well also. Tend to favor IMR 8208 w 30 grain Berger or Nagels by a slight edge for both accuracy and velocity. Seems to be a minority following who appreciate the 30 grain offerings in the FB. For the record I am in the minority.

I am experiencing accuracy @ 18.3 grains of benchmark under a 25 gr v-max & even better accuracy with the Hornady 1710 25-gr HP. Accuracy has not been as good at 19 gr max load though still quite good based on my experience with a 23 inch barrel.

May wish to reference Mule deer's data at end of article in link below.

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0613/?page=8

Glad to hear Benchmark should work well, it is one of my favorite powders and I have quite a bit on hand. I liked it with 20gr VMax and Bergers in the Mach IV at 19-19.5gr so I think I'll start with 18 and work up. I may even give some 30 grainers a try if I can find any. I think Berger has discontinued all but the 25gr Varmint so I will have to look elsewhere.
Great article, John. If I can get mine to group like yours I'll be a happy man. I too found fouling to not really be an issue despite all the critics. I shot one of the smallest groups ever with my Encore MGM barrel at about the 90th shot mark between cleanings.

If you are seriously looking for 30-grain bullets for your 17 you may wish to contact Chan Nagel (208) 267-2860. He seems to prefer to sell his fine hand swaged bullets direct. May also wish to do a search over on saubier.

http://www.saubier.com/forum.html

I'll check my load notes at home if I remember. I did get acceptable accuracy out of the Hornady 25 grain hollow point and I think from the 25 grain VMAX.

I remember my go-to load, though, 'cause it's stupidly simple: 20 grains of H335 under a 20 grain VMAX, rem brass and rem 7-1/2 primers.

Can't help you with the 30s. If I wanted to shoot something heavier than 25 grains I switched to my .204.

Tom

Mine is almost identical to T_O_M. H335, 20gr VMax, Rem 7.5 primer and Rem brass.

Hit a PD at 500 yards with that one. Fun little round!

I have a 700 with 24" sporter barrel and it really likes 19 grn Calhoons with 14.0 IMR 4227. Have had good results with 16.2 IMR 4198 with 20 grn vmax.

JSH: My Remington in 17 Remington Fireball is the kind of rare "700 VSF" model (rare in this caliber/configuration).
It has the 26" heavy fluted barrel.
And I have only used two "bullets" in it to date.
First off I broke it in with factory 20 grain Accu-Tip ammunition and it shot amazingly well with those (Nikon 6.5x20 variable scope on it)!
Then I went to the Berger 25 grain MEF bullets for load testing of my handloads with the fireformed brass.
FIRST load tested was MORE than good enough for me - it consisted of 19.0 grains of W 748, Federal 205M (match) primers) and the aforementioned 25 grain Bergers.
This Rifle is an honest, consistent, all factory stock 1/2" gun!
I use mine on Coyotes, Rock Chucks, Prairie Dogs and on rare occassion I vaporize a few Ground Squirrels with it.
Be sure to try the 25 grain Bergers in your 17, they do everything, and do it very well!
Best of luck to you with the new 17 Fireball.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy