.17 Remington Fireball

[mike82934]

I'm seriously considering a rifle chambered for this cartridge: http://www.remington.com/library/press/2007/Ammo/2007-40.asp

Muzzle velocity of 4000 fps. :o
Plus it's much cleaner than any other .17-caliber round, and apparently has great accuracy out to 500 yards or more.

Has anyone shot this yet? Also, do you think I would be better off just buying a .22-250?

[RangerRick]

Ammo's kinda pricey. For my money I'd look for a nice little 6mm or .243. Have fun.

rick

[MadTripper]

Looks like a fun round! I like my hmr but would love to try it in a centerfire model. Let me know if you end up purchasing one.

Tripper

[kawalekm]

Hi Mike
I have a 17HMR and like shooting it. What I don't like is cleaning it afterwards. I had a real reality check the first time I tried using a 17 caliber cleaning rod. Everything is more complicated than cleaning a 22. Maybe your needs might be served with a .223. They are far more easy to come by and you can push a light bullet to 3600-3700 feet per second. And, all standard cleaning equipment will work in it.
Michael

[DM]

Muzzle velocity of 4000 fps.
Plus it's much cleaner than any other .17-caliber round, and apparently has great accuracy out to 500 yards or more.


What would anyone do with it at 500 yards??

I owned a 17 Rem. for many years, and it was no 500 yard gun, and it had the same balistics, or even better...

DM

[remington]

Just Remingtons response to the .204 Ruger. In my opinion it won't do anything a 22-250 will do at reasonable ranges. Besides, can you even see a coyote at 500 yards? Also, ammo for it will only be in big name shops, read as Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. You're small everyday shop will probably not have it. Of course it you load...

[mike82934]

I think they mention the negligible drop at 500 yards just to show the accuracy (i.e. it hasn't dropped much by 500 yards, so it's going to have dropped negligibly at 100). Not that anyone would shoot long range with it.
I've actually been considering a .223 DPMS AR-15 more than anything, but thought that the .17 would make a fun plinking gun if nothing else.

[DM]

Heck, i don't care if it shoots flat as a laser...

At one time in my life i was hired to remove some dog packs. I hit some at longer ranges with my .17, and it was pittiful, so i soon abandoned it!

I'd say if coyotes are on the menue, then something better is needed...

DM

[kawalekm]

Hi Mike
I don't think "17 caliber" and "plinking" should be used in the same sentence. The ammunition is just too expensive. I give my .17HMR to my son to shoot ground squirrels. He's a good shot but I admonish him to take only killing shots so not to waste ammunition. If he just wants to shoot at cans I swap him out with a .22. If you really want a centerfire "plinker", then definately go with .223. The cost of shooting an AR or ranch rifle will nowhere approach that of a 17.

The 17 is at it's best in an accurate bolt action rifle. Use it for killing prarie dogs, g.squirrels, and such. But, forget about hitting anything at 500 yards; it just isn't going to happen. I have a bolt in .223, and that gets duty at my place for ground squirrel and coyote management. If I want to plink though, I'd select my ranch rifle in .223, or better, just a .22.
Michael