Lots of talk going on about this round. ###One of the common issues is that since it's a rimfire (non reloadable) and there's really only one ammo maker at this point, if it doesn't shoot well out of your particular setup, you're out of luck.
So the question is, if you were provided with a supply of pre primed and full lengthed sized brass, could you come up with a safe way to load and seat the bullet?
Any of the guys good with the machine tools out there have an idea? ###Gun Docc? ###Varmint Al?
That would at least let you play with the amount and type of powder as well as bullet seating depth. ###If adjusting those three can't get you close to where you need to be... maybe you need to start looking at the rifle?
Yes only one ammo maker at this time is CCI.
The problem with reloading this round is CCI had not even started to make the stuff as of the shot show so no brass at this point. 2 Hornady has no plans to sell the 17 grain round at this time. 3 the cost is somewhat high on reloading rimfire stuff. I know saving money is not way we reload.
Don't you already have a 17 songdog ? Don’t you wish you could get some of them 17grain V-Max rounds for it?
Let me know what Anza knife you have as I going to order one from them and will see if I can get you a sheath for yours http://www.anzaknives.com
I'm more speculating on the .17 HMR than anything. ###I'd be surprised if any ammo mfgr would actually sell primed cases... the whole liability thing again. ###It really wouldn't be too hard to take the good old .22 WMR parent case and pull the bullet (don't use the kinetic kind if you value your thumbs and fingers), you could cut a .17 Rem or some other die short and neck it down and seat the bullet the same way. ###That's just a lot of work and wouldn't really be feasible for any kind of volume. ###Actually, this round has been around for quite some time, as are most wildcats, before someone decides to commercialize it. ###That's how they did it with the experimental rounds. ###I'm just wondering if any of the bright minds here could come up with an easier way to do it.
I have a .17 Mach IV that I really like. ###Although it's a .17 it's pretty much a different animal. ###It pushes a 25gr bullet 3800-3900 fps compared to the .17 HMR pushing a 17gr bullet 2550. ###Nothing wrong with that, just a different animal. ###Berger makes some tiny little bullets (15 grains) if you really want to see how fast you can go.
I've been a little at a loss for exactly where this round will fall after a year or two of field use. ###I can almost guarantee that it will cause a stir in the coyote hunting area. ###Some folks will tell how it dropped a 50lb coyote in it's tracks and get a bunch of other folks on the bandwagon while many coyotes will make it off to die somewhere else or not at all. ###For semi urban areas back east and 150 yard and under ground squirrels out here in CA it's probably a pretty neat little round. ###Could be a nice little grey fox round too if the range is kept reasonable.
My Anza is a 705 model. ###If you can come up with a sheath that would be great!
I do know Marine PMI is testing a barrel for this round if he is still in town for the wister hunt he is going to bring the rifle and if he has ammo that also. ###From what I under stand CCI will sell the primed brass but you have to order 1000 at time and the cost is high. Check out this site all small caliber guys on it http://www.saubier.com/
I’m going to call on the knife this week I have to order on from him any way for skinning ###
I believe there was a guy here in San Diego about 15yrs ago that came up with/developed the .17HMR. ###As far as reloading it, ###I've often wondered why (other than the liability issue) people haven't done so. ###I've kicked around the idea of a steel shell holder that has a plastic insert to fit around the rim, and a closing gate that fits around the base of the cartridge. ###The gate would use surface tension to hold the cartridge while pulling and seating rounds, thereby reducing the chance of an accidental detonation. ###Would it really be worth your time?...dunno, but then again, normal reloading seldom gives a price break these days anyways(especially when factoring the value of your time).
You do have a valid point. ###One of the things that killed the 5mm was ammo availability (only one source). ###In reality, while the V-Max is a great varmint round, not all hunters want to vaporize their game. ###I think a spitzer/FMJ round would go over well with the eastern squirrel hunters.
On another note Songdog, on the next hunt do you think you could drag the 17M4 out? ###I'm in the process of building a .17 (blanks are here, just need to order the receiver) and have held off buying a reamer 'cause I'm caught in a decision between the standard .17Rem (easy to get brass) or the M4 (forming brass, but less over bored). ###I'd appreciate any insight you have into these calibers. ###TIA
Sure I'll bring the Mach IV out. ###A couple of the guys from the Wister trip have been talking about an April hunt out at the Carrizo.
I've shot both the .17 Rem and the .17 Mach IV. ###Looking at the chronograph, there's very little difference. ###Maybe a couple of hundred feet on the top end if you're really pushing both rounds. ###When you look at the other factors though I think it really leans towards the Mach IV. ###Substantially less powder required to get that velocity. ###Shorter round/case implying more efficiencey and accuracy from increased powder density. ###Less heat, barrel/throat wear and fouling. ###Less recoil and substantially less muzzle blast.
It does require that you reload (although Cooper Firearms produces their own "factory" Mach IV ammo if you don't). ###Rem .17 stuff is pretty hard to find but you can still pick it up off the shelf.
I think it's a sweet little round. ###I'll bring it out with a bunch of ammo for everyone to shoot. ###There should be a mess of ground squirrels out about then which can make for some good shooting.
seems one could follow about the same lines to achieve reloads for the .17 caliber but one would have to find the correct reloading specs for the given caliber
i was at the local gunshop yesterday and seen he had in several boxes of the new .17 caliber rounds , cute little buggers...lol but i believe i will stick to my 22WMR as it has a good bit more kinetic energy from several loadings.
The sad thing about the new .17 is that it will probably go the way of the 5mm. Although a guy by the name of Craig came up with a center fire conversion for the 5mm. And it is ok, but a little pricey to set up for. If Hornady had made a c/f out of their .17, it would have been awesome.
I agree with you another 5mm in the making, one thing about it the ammo collectors will be happy when it goes bye bye, I had a 5mm sold the gun on e-bay 4 or so years ago and still have 8 boxs of ammo, I also sold some on e-bay for as much as $55 per box,even now when I go into a old mom & pop gun shop or a gas station that sells ammo out in the boonies I still look for 5mm, have not found a box for maybe 3yrs the last one was a pawn shop in OK. paid $5.25 for the box including dust.
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