17 fireball advice

A

Adirondack Hunter

New member
I just picked up a 17 fireball and need to get set up for reloading. I haven't reloaded in years because it's been too easy just to buy the ammo. But with 17 fireball ammo prices so high I guess I will have to break out my RCBS press.

I mainly get fox in but I also need it to take care of the occasional coyote. My shots are 100 yards or less most of the time with an occasional shot up to 150 yards.

What brand of dies do you recommend?
How many dies? RCBS die sets only come in two.
What else do I need to reload specifically for the 17 fireball?
Bullet, powder, primer, and load data would be appreciated?
Any other recommendations?

Thanks
 
I use RCBS dies, two die is enough, you will need a 17 caliber funnel. The 20 grain Nosler Varmint Grenade work well and seem accurate, I use either Benchmark or H4198, 4198 is hard to get thru the funnel but seems the most accurate in my rifle. I won't give data, use the Hornady manual, near max. You will like the 17 Fireball.
 
I use Redding competition dies, I think I have a set of Hornady and a set of RCBS I'd sell cheap. Brass is hard to find if not impossible.
Highplains makes brass from once fired military 5.56 brass. I had to anneal and neck turn it but it shoots well.
If I was starting out with a Fireball I'd grab some factory loads and save the brass. I love my fireball !!
 
Mine is a rem model 7. I mainly shoot 20 vmax or 25 berger or hornady hp's. Never could get it to shoot the kindler 30 golds. I use rcbs dies and had to buy a 17 cal pilot for my trimmer. Started out with 17 fb brass then started to form brass from 223. I used 221 form die and trim die then turned necks then ran thru my 20 vt die then 17 fb die. Killed fox, groundhog and some crows but never a coyote so can't you there. If I were to use the fb on a yote I would stay away from the 20 vmax.
 
Jamesd since you own 3 sets of dies Redding, Hornady, and RCBS. Are there any advantage over one or the other for the standard dies?

I was also happy to see 17 fireball ammo in stock at a local sporting goods store. Rather expensive at $35.00 a box. I bought 4 boxes and left 2. I am thinking I should have at least 200 rounds on hand so I never run out of cases for reloading. Do you think there will be any shortages of 17 Fireball? That is my biggest worry.

I think I read that you should be able to reload each case 7-10 times?
 
Yea, there will be a shortage of 17 Fireball products since Remington has basically dropped it. Not anything to worry about if you reload. The biggest issue will be the brass and that can be formed from other cases. Buy ammo to shoot and save the brass and learn to reload. The 17 Fireball is worth it!
 
I have brand new dies for 17FB I will sell to you very cheap.
All Redding dies never used
Redding die set 80204
Redding type s bushing neck sizing die 71204
Redding body die 75204
Redding form die 90504

I also have Wilson 17 fireball case holder and case gauge.

I will sell it all way cheaper than you can buy it. And it is all brand new never used

Send me a pm if you are interested.

Harmon
 
I will sell all of it for 200.00 plus shipping. It would cost over 300.00 from the store and these are all brand new, never used.
 
Thanks. I am still doing research and trying to recover from buying my Remington 700 cdl 17 fireball, leupold vx6 2-12x illuminated scope, leupold scope bases, and ammo. I think it is going to take me awhile to recover. I hope it is going to be worth all of the cash.

The scope is supposed to be in next Wednesday. I cannot wait to sight it in.
 
I bought the CDL limited Ed the first year they came out and i wish i still had it, you will enjoy yours very much
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I have a custom now and shoot 20gr Vmaxs with Benchmark and have killed 1000s of critters with it... That VX6 will be a perfect match for it to!
 
Thanks for the offer. But with Christmas almost here and buying the new gun and scope I don't have the cash right now. Maybe if you still have it in late January or February when I get caught up with the bills I will take you up on your offer.
 
I had the best luck with IMR4198. As posted previously, it is a pain to meter and get in each case. I used plain old RCBS full length resize and standard seater dies and did just fine. I trickled every charge and annealed the brass. One thing I found was that it is pretty important to pay careful attention to details regarding making every round as exactly like the others as you can for accuracy. I think this is due to the smaller cartridge. Example...a tenth or two of a grain of powder wont matter much in a 30-06,but it will in the Fireball. Good luck.
 
I'm using benchmark and 25 grain Hornady HPs.

Surprisingly put down a coyote at 300 yards last year with a frontal shot.

I honestly like the Hornady dies for the FB.

Have fun, it's a neat little round that I think is perfect for fox and bobcat
 
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