17 Remington load feeback

WyoBull

WyoBull

Active member
I have been a die hard 220 Swift Fan for 35+ years but just recently picked up a near mint condition Remington 700 BDL in the 17 Remington caliber.
I have been doing quite a bit of research on different loads and am thinking I will start with the Hornady 25 gr HP with Winchester 760/H414 powder at about 26 grains.
What are your thoughts on that and also, do any of you use the AA2700 powder in you 17 Remington? I have a bunch of it and might look at seeing how it does in the 17. Any thoughts there?
I am really looking forward to a closer in (300 yards and closer) calling gun.
 
In my 17/223 I found the best accuracy with IMR 8208. I didn't have much luck with any ball powders afa consistency in accuracy or velocity. YMMV.
 
I'm a .220 Swift shooter for 40 years and a .17 Rem shooter for 35 years. We not right in the head much is we?
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I dont shoot anything larger than prairie dogs with my .17 Remington. Longest kill on one of those was a shade over 450 yards. Mostly I like to take ground squirrels with mine. Small and hard to hit but oh so satisfying when a 20 grain 4000 fps Vmax comes into contact with them.

I like Varget in my .17 Remington. 23 grains of it for either the 20 grain or 25 grain Vmax. A bit under max but shoots wonderful and kills even prairie dog size critters quick if you dont push the range too far. I think that the 25 grain Hornady HP would do a fine number on yotes. That's what I would use if I was after them.
 

WyoBull,

Everyone seems to have their own pet load for the 17 Rem, but if you can't find a powder that works well in your rifle, the old standby IMR-4320 is a good one and recommended to try. It was recommended to me by PM members after I had tried a host of other powders. I switched to 4320 and things got very interesting, with tiny little groups with the Hornady 25 HP.

As to the Hornady 25 HP, it drops coyotes and fox with authority as if they were pole axed. Amazing little cartridge and bullet that exceeded all my initial expectations. It doesn't exit coyotes on broadside lung shots, but about half of the fox I have shot with it had a nasty wound on the exit side. It's too much for fox if fur-saving is needed, but a wonderful coyote bullet.

 
Bullet wise your on the right track, powder wise i like 4320 and i have tried lots of different ones, with that bullet and 25 grains 4320, i measured with my own chrony almost 4200fps and tiny little groups.
 
24g of 4320 with 25g is standard medicine at 4150-4200, 24 max before the bullets start going side ways and disappearing at 35 yards...copper fouling.

Clean frequently with good bronze bristle brushes and world class copper solvent, not junk.

Only Bi polar women will drive you as crazy as A rem 700 in 17 Rem, the highs are real high, and the lows are pure madness.
 
Ackelyman pretty well summed up my experience with the 700 .17 Remington.
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My best loads have been with 8208xbr and 4320 using all the 25gr holler points.

My rifle has a small accuracy window. In cold weather I have to up the charge a half grain or so to get back to where it was in early fall. (Found this out the hard way)

Wouldn't expect bug holes either like you'd get from a swift or a 22-250.
 
mine like varget in 17 rem 700 bld 25 gn v-max . didn't care for the 20 gn v-max still less then a inch at 100 yah about 1/2 inch or less with 25 gn v-max at about 3800 fps
 
For coyotes in wide open western type terrian Ive found 25gr bullet performance to be best with my rounds running right about 4000. I shoot coyotes from 50 to 300 yrds every yr with my 17rem. The only time ive had an issue with not having DRT kills is when my velocity dropped down due to an issue with my scale throwing light loads. I run 24.2 gr varget w/CCI br4 primers in my CZ. Groups are a little over 1/2", never really played with them to try and improve on it. If I stay off big bone theres just a .172 hole going in.

Ive found almost no change in velocity with varget from 60 degrees to well below zero through my chroni
 
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Good lookin groups Jim! I have that same size pencil
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Does Lilja still offer that contour? All I can find are heavy barrels....
 
If you have a 9 twist barrel then 30gr bullets (I use Nagel's now) with 25.6gr of 760/414 will do a good job for you. I like the Swift, I just built a 20-220 Swift so we will see. I also use the 760 in my 17-204. I think book has max with 30gr bullets at 27gr. for the 17 Remington. Larry
 
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Thanks guys. I loaded up 10 rounds with 26gr of 760, 10 rounds with 26.5gr of 760 and 26.7gr of 760. I am waiting for my new scope to arrive (Leupold VX3 4.5-14 40mm CDS and Adj Obj) and then I can go out and see if one of those three groups well.
My buddy who has the same gun (I know all of them shoot different) shoots 36gr of 760 using the 25gr Berger HP Match grade bullets and that load shoots very well for him.
As soon as I get her on paper I will post up the results. Thanks for all your input. This rifle will be mainly used for closer in (300 yards and in) calling. My 220 Swift has been my staple go to gun for years and I use it for longer range but thought this little 17 would be fun as well.
 
I've never used 760 with a 17, but be careful loading in .5 gr steps. Most will load in .2 gr increments. Pressures can spike really quick. It's not a 30-06. Be Careful!

I'm doubting your buddy is shooting 36 gr too (typo?). I believe I saw a min load around 25 gr and a max of 27...on Hornady's site.
 
Wyobull if you have significant fox numbers and red fox pelts selling well,you may want to use the cds system to have an alternate zero with a berger 25 gr varmint hp. That bullet will save a lot of exit wound sewing(there will not be one). Loaded 3900-4000 fps head and body shots stay inside if shooting distances are under 225 yards. Love that bullet,just wish we still had good fox numbers.
 
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