New Rem .17 Fireball Gun & Ammo
- Thread starter CatShooter
- Start date
CatShooter
New member
For what it's worth, I found this on another site...
Quote:
I just got my 700 17 fireball, and like all Rem chambers 20gr factory loads jump over .100" to the lands, my XR 204 jumped over .200". I found that my machIV brass and ammo would fit if I set the shoulder back, I have spent the day forming 222 brass into machIV with a .100 longer neck...
Now... if the throat is that long (and my .204 throat was looooong), I might make the cases out of a longer case to start, and then cut the necks a little long for the chamber, right to the mouth up at the end of the chamber (much longer than the 1.40" indicated)... maybe 1.50" or 1.55~ish"
I have a bunch of new .223 Lapua that is looking good for this project, but I'd like to get some feedback on how they shoot before I buy the forming dies and put in all that effort.
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Quote:
I just got my 700 17 fireball, and like all Rem chambers 20gr factory loads jump over .100" to the lands, my XR 204 jumped over .200". I found that my machIV brass and ammo would fit if I set the shoulder back, I have spent the day forming 222 brass into machIV with a .100 longer neck...
Now... if the throat is that long (and my .204 throat was looooong), I might make the cases out of a longer case to start, and then cut the necks a little long for the chamber, right to the mouth up at the end of the chamber (much longer than the 1.40" indicated)... maybe 1.50" or 1.55~ish"
I have a bunch of new .223 Lapua that is looking good for this project, but I'd like to get some feedback on how they shoot before I buy the forming dies and put in all that effort.
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CatShooter
New member
Well... my dealer called and my rifle is in TWO MONTHS EARLY. I just laid money out for a Mare's leg in 44-40, so my 17 fireball will have to stay in jail for a while... at least it's here.
Steve. Have you measured the chamber length to the end of the mouth.
A fairly technical and knowledgeable fellow on Saubier gave this info...
"Factory case length 1.396
Factory overall length 1.668
Overall length needed to put 20gr bullet into the lands 1.774
All of my rds do chamber well, my chamber is close to 1.450"
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Steve. Have you measured the chamber length to the end of the mouth.
A fairly technical and knowledgeable fellow on Saubier gave this info...
"Factory case length 1.396
Factory overall length 1.668
Overall length needed to put 20gr bullet into the lands 1.774
All of my rds do chamber well, my chamber is close to 1.450"
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All I know is my ammo has a case lenght of 1.400-1.404. Overall length of a loaded 20gr round is from 1.804-1.816. I am not sure of the chamber length to the end of the mouth you are asking for. I can give you the chamber spec's of the round if I can find the chamber drawings.
About the SPS Varmint I got. Stock is not even a B&C! It feels good but maybe a Ramline or something. No pillars. No free float either. Took a dremel to it already and may not be able to cut enough out. Will be changing stocks as soon as I have time.
Trigger pull out of the box on the SPS is 4.5 lbs compared to the 5-lbs on the VSF. Triggers are nice. Stock on the VSF is outstanding.
Still have not got to shoot them yet. Hopefully, Wed it the wind is not blowing 30 + again. Should have a comparison between the two.
Trigger pull out of the box on the SPS is 4.5 lbs compared to the 5-lbs on the VSF. Triggers are nice. Stock on the VSF is outstanding.
Still have not got to shoot them yet. Hopefully, Wed it the wind is not blowing 30 + again. Should have a comparison between the two.
CatShooter
New member
By the way... Natchez has over 200 boxes of 17 Fireball in stock (today).
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GrouseSetter
New member
Well, I caved in and bought the SPS Varmint and four boxes of 17 Remington Fireball ammunition. Just picked it up from a dealer a few minutes ago. I also picked up some Leupold bases and rings. I plan to mount a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40 SF scope that has been sitting in the safe for a while.
As Steve stated, the barrel is not free-floated. I tried the paper trick and it stopped about 1/4" in from the end of the stock. Something appears to be touching there. When I get it home, I will have to take it apart to see what is happening there.
Hopefully, we will have some decent weather this weekend. I'd like to get out to start the break-in period and also get the scope zeroed. I will post photos and a full report then.
GrouseSetter
As Steve stated, the barrel is not free-floated. I tried the paper trick and it stopped about 1/4" in from the end of the stock. Something appears to be touching there. When I get it home, I will have to take it apart to see what is happening there.
Hopefully, we will have some decent weather this weekend. I'd like to get out to start the break-in period and also get the scope zeroed. I will post photos and a full report then.
GrouseSetter
CatShooter
New member
My 700 CDL SF Ltd came in on Monday. I went down to look at it - sure is nice. Be a while til I find the money to "get it out of jail".
Picked up a box of ammo while I was there. Man, those are cute little puppies.
I ordered a Redding Forming die, and 200 of the 221 Fireball cases, so I can get a head start on making the cases.
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Picked up a box of ammo while I was there. Man, those are cute little puppies.
I ordered a Redding Forming die, and 200 of the 221 Fireball cases, so I can get a head start on making the cases.
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Ok guys, finally got to shoot my two .17 FB's today. Only got to shoot a couple of groups at 100, got called out to work. Wind was not as bad as it was but still blowing.
Target on the left was shot from the 700 VSF. 20gr Factory, ES-37, Avg. 3928 fps, SD-26. 5-shot group was 1.354". Shot out to itself was first shot. Temp 60 degrees.
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Group on the right was shot from the 700 SPS Var. 20gr factory load. ES-44, Avg. 3925 fps, SD-31. Group avg was 1.225". Again shot out to itself was first shot. Temp 60 degrees.
Stock on the SPS is pityful cheap but it seems to shoot for some reason. Can't freefloat it unless you dremel all the ridges off. Had trouble with both rifles ejecting fired rounds. I was impressed with the potential of the factory ammo and the rifles.
Target on the left was shot from the 700 VSF. 20gr Factory, ES-37, Avg. 3928 fps, SD-26. 5-shot group was 1.354". Shot out to itself was first shot. Temp 60 degrees.
[image]
Group on the right was shot from the 700 SPS Var. 20gr factory load. ES-44, Avg. 3925 fps, SD-31. Group avg was 1.225". Again shot out to itself was first shot. Temp 60 degrees.
Stock on the SPS is pityful cheap but it seems to shoot for some reason. Can't freefloat it unless you dremel all the ridges off. Had trouble with both rifles ejecting fired rounds. I was impressed with the potential of the factory ammo and the rifles.
Well it about time!! Thank You (STEVEM) you the man! and buy the way that's pritty good grouping considering fact..rounds. we're going to need custom load now. Thanks man. It look like it got LOOOOOTS of potential. Keep it comeing.....look like eveybody is keeping an eye on this round.
I must say the factory load was impressive for Remington!
Just got to figure out that first round thing. Thought is might be me but not from two different rifles!! LOL!!!! I will be changing out the pityful SPS stock with a HS-Precision as soon as I get time. Also, the difference of weight in the non-fluted barrel is very noticeable! Triggers are heavy but very crisp. If these are the new Rem triggers, they are much better than the current ones.
Just got to figure out that first round thing. Thought is might be me but not from two different rifles!! LOL!!!! I will be changing out the pityful SPS stock with a HS-Precision as soon as I get time. Also, the difference of weight in the non-fluted barrel is very noticeable! Triggers are heavy but very crisp. If these are the new Rem triggers, they are much better than the current ones.
CatShooter
New member
Quote:
Triggers are heavy but very crisp. If these are the new Rem triggers, they are much better than the current ones.
You DO have the new trigger. All Remington centerfire rifles made since around July 2006 have them, though old stock guns will be in warehouses and on the shelves for a long time.
The way to tell the new triggers is... the new triggers have a single, thick ridge or spine down the back of the trigger - you can't miss it. Also, the front of the trigger is more "finger friendly", as it is contoured to fit the finger better. I have one in my new .264WM Sendero-II SF, and I love it. It was 3.5 pounds OUT OF THE BOX... something unheard of with the original design.
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Triggers are heavy but very crisp. If these are the new Rem triggers, they are much better than the current ones.
You DO have the new trigger. All Remington centerfire rifles made since around July 2006 have them, though old stock guns will be in warehouses and on the shelves for a long time.
The way to tell the new triggers is... the new triggers have a single, thick ridge or spine down the back of the trigger - you can't miss it. Also, the front of the trigger is more "finger friendly", as it is contoured to fit the finger better. I have one in my new .264WM Sendero-II SF, and I love it. It was 3.5 pounds OUT OF THE BOX... something unheard of with the original design.
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CatShooter
New member
Quote:
So, can I expect this new trigger on the new model 7 CDL .17 Fireball when it becomes available?
Craig
Yes...
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So, can I expect this new trigger on the new model 7 CDL .17 Fireball when it becomes available?
Craig
Yes...
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CatShooter
New member
Quote:
Had trouble with both rifles ejecting fired rounds.
What kind of trouble did you have - I have a 700 classic in .221 fireball, and ejection is "iffy"... sometimes cases just turn around and sit there backwards, and have to pick them out with my fingers.
With the groups you shot (nice)... did you clean the barrels before shooting them, or was that right from the box??
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Had trouble with both rifles ejecting fired rounds.
What kind of trouble did you have - I have a 700 classic in .221 fireball, and ejection is "iffy"... sometimes cases just turn around and sit there backwards, and have to pick them out with my fingers.
With the groups you shot (nice)... did you clean the barrels before shooting them, or was that right from the box??
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Cat, did them just like all the rest. Clean them out of the box and shoot them. Ejection problems is something I have never experience with Rem 700'! However, the rounds will just drop back in the mag area. I am pretty sure if you remove the ejector pin and clean the hole area it will work fine.
CatShooter
New member
Quote:
Cat... Ejection problems is something I have never experience with Rem 700'! However, the rounds will just drop back in the mag area. I am pretty sure if you remove the ejector pin and clean the hole area it will work fine.
I have had this too, with my .221. When it was new, if I drew the bolt back very slow, they just drop there... if I drew it back a little faster, it would flip around backwards... once in a while, it would clear the rifle /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
The problem is that the case is too short for the action, and when you draw back the bolt, the case moves over too far to the right, and releases from the extractor before the mouth clears the forward edge of the port.
The only thing you can do is to draw back the bolt faster so by the time the case swings over right, it has already cleared the forward end of the port.
Nipping the ejector spring to 1.0" helps (and keeps the cases from flying all over the field.
Now my cases drop next to the rifle, and about 95% of the time, I can catch them in my right hand before they get more than a few inches out of the action.
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Cat... Ejection problems is something I have never experience with Rem 700'! However, the rounds will just drop back in the mag area. I am pretty sure if you remove the ejector pin and clean the hole area it will work fine.
I have had this too, with my .221. When it was new, if I drew the bolt back very slow, they just drop there... if I drew it back a little faster, it would flip around backwards... once in a while, it would clear the rifle /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
The problem is that the case is too short for the action, and when you draw back the bolt, the case moves over too far to the right, and releases from the extractor before the mouth clears the forward edge of the port.
The only thing you can do is to draw back the bolt faster so by the time the case swings over right, it has already cleared the forward end of the port.
Nipping the ejector spring to 1.0" helps (and keeps the cases from flying all over the field.
Now my cases drop next to the rifle, and about 95% of the time, I can catch them in my right hand before they get more than a few inches out of the action.
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