I run a 17-223 with a 22" BHW barrel. They are a 1x10 twist and that's all they have for 17 cals.
I have pushed 25gr hornady hp to over 4000fps with benchmark and I think I have a bit of room for more if its wanted but for me its plenty fast.
You will want an adjustable gas block to get all you can out of the round. ive not cratered any primers yet but with a standard gas block I was getting swipes even with moderate charges.
As far as going to a 17 tac or 17 predator, I think that will defeat the purpose of what you are wanting to do. With those cases, you will have more time and energy in them and prob wont want to loose brass after you put the time in to form them. Even though the 17-223 is cheap brass, I go through enough work sizing down the necks and removing crimps from the brass that I don't like loosing them so I use a brass catcher and that works well for me.