17 Remington Fireball (Report/PICS)

GrouseSetter

GrouseSetter

New member
Well, I said that I would give a report when I had a chance to shoot the new 17 Remington Fireball, so here it is.

I bought a Remington SPS Varmint, 17 Remington Fireball, on Tuesday. This morning I had the chance to get it all cleaned up, then I got the Leupold bases, rings, and scope mounted. I put a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40, Mil-Dot, with the side focus, on it. I then attempted to mount my Harris bi-pod, but found that it could not be mounted with the two existing sling studs in place. I removed the stud, nearest the trigger guard and then mounted the bi-pod.

I must say that the stock is junk. It is ugly, it doesn’t have a good feel, and it does not free float the barrel. I will soon be ordering my first HS Precision stock to replace it. If anyone has a suggestion for a good bench/p-dog stock, let me know.

Then I stepped outside and found that it was beautiful, so I decided to head to the range.

The range has a fairly sturdy bench and I just shot off the bi-pod and rear bag, because I only intended to begin the break-in process and get it on paper. The range was a muddy mess because it was 43 degrees and sunny, with a steady 5 mph cross-wind. The rifle has a mild report and low recoil. However, I was not able to see the bullet impact. I think this has more to do with the bi-pod, than the recoil.

Below are some photos. I shot two four shot strings for group size. The first group was about like the one in the photo, however there was one about ¾” outside the group, which was the cold-bore shot. Before this second group, I took a cold-bore shot at a separate target. As SteveM has noted, the cold-bore shot is consistently outside of the group.

I fired exactly 35 cartridges. I fired two shots, then cleaned, for four cycles. Then three shots, then cleaned, for two cycles. Then four shots, then cleaned, for four cycles. Then five shots, once.

I must say that I think I’m going to like this cute little cartridge. I have not owned a 17 Mach IV. Everybody at the range wanted to take a look at it. Several of them had read about it in a magazine or on-line.

DSC00100.jpg


I didn't shoot it off this bench, I just used it for photos.

DSC00104.jpg


This explains itself.

DSC00109.jpg


For comparison, 17 Remington Fireball, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, 308 Winchester

GrouseSetter
 
I was more concerned with doing the rifle break-in than putting a hole in the X. Group size is more important to me at this point, than where the group is. I can worry about that later.

GrouseSetter
 
GS, I will be using the same HS as used to come on the VSSF Rem rifles before the palm swell.

This also proves a point to me that brings great discussion on this board all the time. If you noticed groups shot with GS doing all the break in process are not any different than the ones I shot with no break in process. Just food for thought here.

GS, did you have any ejection problems with your rifle? I had the same problem with ejection from both my rifles!
 
SteveM, where can I find one of those stocks? Can you give me a link or the exact name of the stock? Also, I agree that there seems to be no evidence that break-in procedures do much good. However, I do it will all my rifles and it makes me feel good, so I will continue.

Yes, I did experiance ejection problems. Several of the spent cases just spun around, but did not eject. If I pulled the bolt back slowly, it happened every time. If I pulled it back quickly, they seemed to eject okay. So what is the fix for this?

On a side note. I am really looking forward to the Redding Dies coming out. Would you get both the neck die and the full length sizing die, or just one or the other? I don't have any experiance with only neck sizing.

GrouseSetter
 
I have several of the HS stocks, some sporter and some Varminter and I like them very much......The Sporter is kinda "Plain Jane" but it is very stiff, fits me well and all of the Rifles (700 Rem.) that I have put in this stock shoot very well.......I've been using them for about 12 years or so and highly recommend them.........
 
Here's a direct link to H-S.

Brownells, Cabellas, and Midway all carry H-S stocks. I'm sure others do too.

http://www.hsprecision.com/index.html

If you're interested in custom 17 bullets, a couple of good suppliers are:

1. Hammett Bullets - 318-728-2019

2. Genco Bullets - 828-684-5797

3. Nagel Bullets - 208-267-2860

4. Tanner Bullets - 319-984-5224

I don't believe any of these suppliers have web sites, but all of them are very cordial to talk with and they can provide some very good specialty 17 caliber bullets for just about any hunting/shooting need.

-BCB
 
I too bought the sps varmint (not in 17) It shoots great but your right about the stock. I could not stand it so my new one should arrive today. I am putting a Bell amd Carlson Medalist on it. I have a few of both B&C and H&S. Just went B&C this time. It seems to me that it was not that good of a deal on the rifle after you add 200+$ to put on an acceptable stock. I don't really expect it to shoot any better just to "feel" better. Denny
 
"Yes, I did experiance ejection problems. Several of the spent cases just spun around, but did not eject. If I pulled the bolt back slowly, it happened every time. If I pulled it back quickly, they seemed to eject okay. So what is the fix for this?"

On the 17 MK4 rifles I've built, I always cut 2-3 coils off the ejector spring. Works for me.
 
Just a side note on changing stocks. It seems the safety lever is just enough different on the new trigger that you have to grind out a little of the alum bedding block so it will clear. Not a big deal. Denny
 
GS, I get my stocks directly from HS but do buy them from time to time when someone has a pull off! I would tell them you are looking for the orginial style Rem VSSF stock. Heck you can probably find one on e-bay.

As far as the ejection problems, I will contact Rem first, then clean out the area next and cut the coils last if I can't get Rem to fix the problem.

I don't know about the new triggers causing problems as this will be the first one I have. I am sure that HS is aware of this problem and I will talk to them tomorrow about it.

On the dies, I will be getting a body die, neck sizer, and comp seater. The body die is to bump back the shoulders when they start to get tight. Neck sizer is a good way to go as it does not work the brass as much. Comp seater is real good for accuracy.
 
Let us know how you make out with Rem and HS on those issues Steve. I was planning on putting an HS stock on my gun also, and I was concerned about the fireball round and the 700 action from the get go. I know it doesn't like the little cartridges, like the 221. I will be checking on the status of my gun tomorrow.
 
I have a 700 in .221 Fireball... and it has the same ejection issues. I have spoken to many others, and it's the nature of the beast.

It's because the small cases release from the extractor before the mouth clears the front of the ejection port... other than drawing the bolt back fast, and cutting the ejector spring back, there is nothing you can do, but learn to live with it.

On the other hand... take the positive approach - if you are taking calm shots at woodchucks or crows, and draw the bolt back slow, you can pick the brass out of the action, instead of searching for it in the grass long grass...

... but if you need a fast follow up shot, and draw the bolt back fast, you will get full ejection and have a second fast shot!

Think of it as ejection selection (I made a pun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

.
 
I don't have a problem with my .221 FB Classic. These are the first two Rem's I have ever owned in over 30 yrs that do this. Could not call HS today got too busy. Will try tomorrow.
 
For the price take a look at the Choate Sniper Stock. It has a good feel, but is ugly as hell. It is O.D. green in color. There is a bedding block molded into the stock and the stock is etremely rigid. Did I mention that it is heavy though? P.S. I am the guy you called on the telephone while you were breaking in the .17. Figure out what rings your going to stay with yet?
 
Quote:
"... but is ugly as hell."



That's when you look at it while it's stillin the shipping box. When you open the box, it goes down hill from there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-

I'm more and more reading about guys that are firing factory 17 Fireball in Mach IV's, with no problems.

Looks like Rem kill't a few birds with one cartridge... a lotta Mach IV shooters will now have volumes of brass available without the headaches of forming the cases. A boon to ground squirrel shooters.

Same thing happened with the 22-250, the 25-'06, and a bunch of others.

.
 
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