.17 Remington vs .17 Rem Fireball
- Thread starter Intrepido
- Start date
- Status
cougar1717
Member
IMHO, I'm not saying it's impossible, it's just that anything 17 caliber centerfire is not ideal for a high volume semi-auto. Even in bolt action guns, fouling is an issue that degrades accuracy. They have to be cleaned a lot to remain accurate. 17Rem has about 300fps on average over 17RemFB. 17Rem is overbore enough that it can have charge weights that are larger than it's bullet weight. 17RemFB has lower charge weights to help the fouling issue. The cheapest one to reload is the one that you can score the best deal on brass. 17cal bullets are cheap. Primers and powder are basically the same (go ahead knitpickers and argue over 5gr/load!)
Don't get me wrong, it's cool for something different, but it most closely aligns in the "big and slow vs small and fast" argument as the 4000+fps grain of rice.
Don't get me wrong, it's cool for something different, but it most closely aligns in the "big and slow vs small and fast" argument as the 4000+fps grain of rice.
RedlegRick
Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2017
- Messages
- 728
30 second Google search turned up two: Harris and Nowaczyk.. 17 Fireball. Didn't bother looking up prices though.
Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,951
17 Rem will feed better from mags. In the Fireball, I’d recommend only straight body mags, modified springs and followers, with a block at the back of the mag.... the Remington is the better choice for AR platform by far.
I have a 17 Remington AR-15. Shoots great. Mine is 24" heavy barrel rifle. Not exactly a "walk-a-bout" hunter". Be cautious if you build a thin barrel rifle. I have a short, thin barrel bolt gun in 17 Remington that heats up and shifts point of impact in just a few rounds.
Cost wise, except for the cost difference of powder, the reloading cost between 17 Fireball and 17 Remington would be small. Bullets and primers are the same. Case cost, if you can find any would probably be similar cost due to the low volume sold. (I have not bought any 17 Remington cases in years so I am not current on availability). Both can be formed but the parent cases may not be any less expensive and then you have the time invested re-forming them.
Although I have not looked in the past few years, 5 to 10 years ago, I never saw a cataloged 17 Fireball or 221 Fireball AR-15 barrel for the AR-15. I'm not saying some obscure shop or a gunsmith would not cut one for you, they just are not mainstream. My 17 Remington barrel is a Shilen barrel that I bought through Midway at the time.
As Varminterror said, feeding the shorter Fireball cartridge may require additional modifications to the magazine.
After building the 17 Remington AR-15, I considered using it for prairie dogs. It would be good medicine but I found the longer range a bit lacking. I ended up building a 204 Ruger AR-15 as it shoots flatter, longer than a 223 Remington or the 17 Remington. If you are looking for minimum pelt damage, the 17 caliber rounds would be a benefit.
So, don't let this be discouraging, but do some investigating on the ballistics of the various cartridges and choose what will serve you best. Sometimes, the cool factor is reason enough.
Cost wise, except for the cost difference of powder, the reloading cost between 17 Fireball and 17 Remington would be small. Bullets and primers are the same. Case cost, if you can find any would probably be similar cost due to the low volume sold. (I have not bought any 17 Remington cases in years so I am not current on availability). Both can be formed but the parent cases may not be any less expensive and then you have the time invested re-forming them.
Although I have not looked in the past few years, 5 to 10 years ago, I never saw a cataloged 17 Fireball or 221 Fireball AR-15 barrel for the AR-15. I'm not saying some obscure shop or a gunsmith would not cut one for you, they just are not mainstream. My 17 Remington barrel is a Shilen barrel that I bought through Midway at the time.
As Varminterror said, feeding the shorter Fireball cartridge may require additional modifications to the magazine.
After building the 17 Remington AR-15, I considered using it for prairie dogs. It would be good medicine but I found the longer range a bit lacking. I ended up building a 204 Ruger AR-15 as it shoots flatter, longer than a 223 Remington or the 17 Remington. If you are looking for minimum pelt damage, the 17 caliber rounds would be a benefit.
So, don't let this be discouraging, but do some investigating on the ballistics of the various cartridges and choose what will serve you best. Sometimes, the cool factor is reason enough.
Patocazador
Member
.17 Rem cases are more available and, therefore, cheaper.
A .17 belongs in a bolt or single-shot gun. Using it in an AR-17 is ludicrous.
A .17 belongs in a bolt or single-shot gun. Using it in an AR-17 is ludicrous.
Offfhand
Member.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 2,442
For your purposes a .20 cal might be more suitable. With the .20 T&J being a good choice as it is simply the .223 Rem. necked down to .20. Meaning an endless supply of cheap brass.
- Status
