View Full Version : Reduced loads for the 17FB, anyone?
Chuck Miller
07-27-2009, 09:07 PM
Anyone shooting a reduced load in their 17FB, something in the 3000-3200 fps range? With the high cost of 17HMR ammo I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather load a 17FB down especially with 20gr Dogtowns so cheap.
17 Hunter
07-27-2009, 11:34 PM
nope. in my opinion a fireball isn't a large enough cartidge to warrant reduced loads.
Dan C
07-28-2009, 01:12 PM
Chuck, I did a run once in a Mach IV using H-4227 and V-max 25's. Starting at 11.0 grains for 3179 fps and ending at 12.2 grains for 3400 fps. For some reason I didn't record group sizes but I recall that they shot very well in the limited testing I did.
Using the Midsouth 20 grain bullets and H-4227, my starting load was 11.9 grains for around 3450 fps, up to 12.8 for 3675 fps. But I do remember my rifle spit those bullet all over the target in disgust. Never could get them to shoot in my very accurate Sako with it's Lilja 9 twist.
I was looking for a mild load for high volume gopher shooting for my kids, and the 25 Vmax load would have been perfect for my needs.
Dan C
07-28-2009, 02:02 PM
nope. in my opinion a fireball isn't a large enough cartidge to warrant reduced loads.
That was helpful. http://highxj.home.bresnan.net/rolleyes.gif
Chuck Miller
07-28-2009, 03:39 PM
Thanks Dan for giving me real life experience in lieu of an opinion. Your right on track for what I'm trying to do. I've got a 13yr old son that loves to shoot. He reloads for his Savage M12 in 223 as well as a Sako M39 in 7.62x54R. Having shot my 17HMR he's decided he wants to get involved with and shoot 17's, knowing that means time at the reloading bench which he loves. With the way 17HMR ammo has escalated in price we are looking for something reloadable. The 17FB loaded down into a light 17 is what I'm trying to accomplish, not for recoil issues but more for cost and volume shooting. Davids pretty adept at cleaning the correct way and sees it as part of the shooting experience. I have 2 17FB's, both Rem 700's bought when they first came out, a varmint and sporter which have both been restocked. No freebies here, he's buying one of them(at no where what they ended up costing) to add to his stable with lawnmowing and chore money. I was hoping the 20gr cheapies would work but I've got a lot of the 20 and 25gr vmax's as well. Our goal is to come up with a light plinking load as well as a full house varmint load and he's chomping at the bit to start on his brass. He's working with WCC and LC military 223 brass and my 223-221, and 221-17Mk4 form die sets. Did I say no freebies.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Guns4sale031309_066.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Guns4sale031309_065.jpg
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sicero
07-28-2009, 06:13 PM
Chuck, Somewhere between 4 and 5.5gr of Bullseye pistol powder. The amount can be critical for accuracy. I shoot 17 Varmint nightmare 20gr in my short chambered 17 Rem [about 2gr less capacity than 17FB.] I also use 4.5 gr Bullseye with this bullet in my AH. As a general rule, the slower the bullet the faster the powder and a LOT LESS of it. Since there is room for a double charge you need to separate your cases by weight and weigh ALL LOADED ROUNDS. This is not a bad idea anyway. A round with out powder can be just as dangerous. Turn all cases neck down before adding powder. I seat a bullet immediately after adding powder. Not a good time for filling loading block. 10gr of IMR-SR4759 or Hercules 2400 might be better since the threat of double charge is removed. Kenny
17varminter
07-28-2009, 08:46 PM
Woodchuck 30 gr bullets, Blue Dot 8.0 gr, Federal 205 primers
sicero
07-29-2009, 01:50 AM
The plan here is to reduce cost therefore varmint nightmare @ .06 each. Not figuring the brass cost, my AH loads come in at about $.12 per. Kenny
Chuck Miller
07-29-2009, 03:03 AM
Your right on track Kenny, I could buy 223 Lapua brass, an assortment of Bergers with some tasty VV powders sparked with Federal Gold Match primers, ain't gonna happen. Dad's footing the reloading bill, plus I'm more interested in the journey, not the end result, that usually takes care of itself. I have several pistol powders, Blue Dot, Unique and Bullseye as well as some fast rifle powders. Obvioiusly I'm heavy on the safety side so I don't want to work with anything that I can double charge, goal is 1" moa. Hence the request for proven 3000-3200fps loads. With 17HMR ammo running .30 cents apiece the 17FB was a natural.
Can not believe some one has not said buy/build a 17AHbest reduced 17F/B Mach4 going LOL. I have done so little shooting this year I could not justify buying a few pounds of pistol powder to work up a cheaper load. Take me 10 years at this rate to break even. Good luck. My son is just getting into the brass forming. He does like fire forming better than running a press LOL.
Easy_E
07-31-2009, 02:46 AM
I tried some reduced loads in my .17 fb last summer. With Bluedot and 25gr vmax the bullets would tumble unless pushed to a certain speed. That speed required the almost same amout of bluedot as RL7 load so there was no $avings or no less noise.
Larry in VA
07-31-2009, 02:58 AM
Easy, Just out of curiosity what twist were you using in that barrel?
Larry
sicero
07-31-2009, 12:50 PM
I tried some reduced loads in my .17 fb last summer. With Bluedot and 25gr vmax the bullets would tumble unless pushed to a certain speed. That speed required the almost same amout of bluedot as RL7 load so there was no $avings or no less noise.
There is a lot more to developing reduced velocity loads than putting in less powder. Less velocity= faster powder. Red Dot or Green Dot are in my opinion better powders for reduced velocity than Blue Dot. This doesn't mean you can just make a guess at how much. They are a lot faster than Blue Dot. A maximum load for Red Dot or Green Dot might be less than 5gr in the 17 FB. Kenny
ChrisA
07-31-2009, 04:16 PM
I'm sure you guys are well aware of the risks involved with reduced loads.
Just a reminder,
Chris
Easy_E
07-31-2009, 10:15 PM
Easy, Just out of curiosity what twist were you using in that barrel?
Larry
1 in 9 twist Rem SPS 26"
Easy_E
07-31-2009, 10:23 PM
There is a lot more to developing reduced velocity loads than putting in less powder. Less velocity= faster powder. Red Dot or Green Dot are in my opinion better powders for reduced velocity than Blue Dot. This doesn't mean you can just make a guess at how much. They are a lot faster than Blue Dot. A maximum load for Red Dot or Green Dot might be less than 5gr in the 17 FB. Kenny
With another guys help we figured a safe starting point and worked back wards. I tried to find my notes last night but didn't so don't quote me on this it took 11 grs to make the bullet fly right. My P-dog load is 12.9 of RL7 under 25 gr Vmax.
Like the other poster said figuring the risk involved it really wasn't worth it.
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