.17 Rem, finally cracked it.

[bobb d]

I have had a 17 Rem for about 18 months a CZ527 Varmint and I really have had a job to get it grouping consistently but tonight it has happened. I have tried using various Vit powders and Varget with 20 gr V-max 25 hollow points and every primer I could lay my hands on. I even converted 204 Ruger Norma brass using a special die to .17 Rem. Well I got so frustrated I stopped using it until tonight when I started from scratch using standard Remington brass, Reloader 15, Federal 205 gold medal match primers and Berger 20 gr Varmint match and I shot from a powder range from 24.1 - 25.0 (3 shots of each) at 100 yds and they were all better than I have ever achived before, I had 5 loads that had single hole groups, I was gob smacked. The one I settled on was the 25.0 load as it was as good as any and the most powerfull without any pressure signs. I have read that it was tricky to get right and even Steve Ricardelli from "Steves Pages" gives it a good slagging and gave up but when you get it right it has given me a real sence of achivement with no custom work going into the rifle.

I hope this helps someone with a 17 Rem, I am made up.:D

ATB Bob

[bullbarrel]

Well done that man.

It all comes to those who persevere.

[bobb d]

Well done that man.

It all comes to those who persevere.

Big grins all round at my house, no more grumpy husband:D:D:D wife will be pleased. It was a real test. I load for a mate who has 25-06 and I dropped on a load for that instantly so I must be doing something right. Well chuffed.

Thanks,

ATB Bob

[foth]

I've had major problems as well with my 17 Rem I was getting bad vertical stringing. This was down to neck tension some heads was being seated with no effort and others where tight, so now I only use bushing dies which is giving me constant neck tension, this helps.
This calibre really gives you sleepless nights.

[phessy007]

well done ! what's your use?

;) great on sand dunes ! & golf courses :D

[blue]

I gave up with the .17 a few years ago and it became my enemy.
Last year I too cracked it in the Remmy BDL with Varget and 25 Hornady.
I've since moved on and the Tikka 595 with a Pac-Nor is doing daft things with 30 Bergers and Benchmark.
Neck tension is a real issue with the .17 though. I found neck turning and using the Lee Collet die gives me the best results. I am waiting for a .190 Bushing to try with the Redding dies as the .192 I use is just a tad too loose when turned.
I love the way foxes just "fold" when hit.

[rossandjet]

Bob,

Congratulations.

I think most of us have gone through the reloading problems for the 17 Rem, but when you get it right you can just point and pull out to 250yds.

Many people said that the 204 would make the 17 Rem extinct, but from the support I have seen on here, it is definitely making a come back.

[bobb d]

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated. I loaded 50 last night so I am off for a play tonight. There is one thing I am on the lookout for, it is a de burrer for .17, the one I have says .17 but it will not go in the neck to clean away and burrs after trimming, I have to tilt it on a angle and spin the case. Any recommendations??.
Many thanks.

ATB Bob

[bobb d]

Well I have used it anger tonight and took out a 294 yd (lazer RF) rabbit with a chest center shot, it was sitting up facing me. Very happy is an understatement. It just goes to show never give up.

ATB Bob

[Cheeto]

Good work Bob.
Well done mate.

Regards

Andy

[bobb d]

Good work Bob.
Well done mate.

Regards

Andy

Thanks Andy.
Nearly june 16th, time to pack the .17 Rem away.:rolleyes:

[BordersSika]

Hi Bob
Good to hear you cracked the .17rem.

This is my very first post on this forum, chuffed its a .17 rem thread.

I have a Remington BDL action with a Shillen barrel & a Mcmilan stock, have to say I have had more fun with this calibre than any other that I own.
I reload mine using bluedot shotgun powder, 9.7g of bluedot sends a 20g Vmax at 3350fps (cheaper than rifle powders), I am not into hot loads, getting the fastest fps is not necessary the most accurate.

I have shot groups with the above load that were easily less than 0.1 of an inch.
Furthest I have shot anything with it, well that was a crow that I spotted whilst lying on the side of a hill with my mate waiting on bunnies popping out of their holes. I said to the young mate, what's the chances of hitting that crow away in the distance. His reply was, if you shoot that crow you can have a r§±e (think horses) at my girlfriend. I held up what I thought was enough holdover, only to see the shot hit the grass about 60 yards in front of the crow, I asked if I was aloud another shot, he said I could shoot as many shots as I wanted, I held over that bit extra, bang, crow hardly moved, he said you have missed it, I switched on the video camera and headed off to pick it up, I came back with it & said to him, il pick Nicola up at 6, You should have seen his face. I was denied my prize.

Try playing with the bluedot, you wont go back to rifle powder.

Ian

[blue]

If anyone wants a brand new unused Redding Comp die (micrometer version) and a Type S bushing die for the .17, I have one for sale.
£45 & £40 respectively. Or £75 for the two (and three bushings)
Regards
David

[dicehorn]

If anyone wants a brand new unused Redding Comp die (micrometer version) and a Type S bushing die for the .17, I have one for sale.
£45 & £40 respectively. Or £75 for the two (and three bushings)
Regards
David

You have PM Dave

[BordersSika]

If anyone wants a brand new unused Redding Comp die (micrometer version) and a Type S bushing die for the .17, I have one for sale.
£45 & £40 respectively. Or £75 for the two (and three bushings)
Regards
David

Hi David
I would have been interested in buying your dies, but for some reason as a New member I seem to be denied access to the classified, I am desperate to contact a member regarding a Nightforce scope, any ideas how long one has to wait before I am deemed worthy of seeing the classified section.

Ian