17 Fireball Velocities

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FireBallGuy
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.204 Ruger Guns: Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger
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17 Fireball Velocities

Post by FireBallGuy »

Has anyone out there got some chronograph data for the fireball out of a 24" barrel? I know the factory stuff was hitting 4000fps out of a 26" barrel but I believe at some point the bullet is slowing down in that long tube. Owned an SPS varmint in fireball and it was wonderful but too many remington factory loads over pressured in the gun doing some sort of damage to it so I sold it. Going to be buying a new SPS this time with the skinny tube and a 24" bbl. Just curious as to what sort of speeds any of you are getting with this or a similar combination. Thanks in advance everyone.
Remington Model 700 SPS 17 Remington Fireball Nikon Buckmaster 6-18X40SF, Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO, Savage Model 12 FVSS .22-250 Remington Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO
tuck2
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Re: 17 Fireball Velocities

Post by tuck2 »

The load for my Rem Mdl 700 CDL SF Limited Ed is 19.0 Gr Benchmark powder in Rem cases with Fed 205 Match primers and Hornady 25 Gr HP bullets. The average MV is 3,880 ft/sec. The 19.0 Gr powder load is MAX per Hodgdon. Last week I got 17 Fireball reloading data from Hornady. The Max powder load from Hornady was 18.7 Gr of Benchmark powder with the 25 Gr bullet. The Hornady data was from a 26 inch barrel. I have not reloaded any 20 Gr bullets because I have a bunch of 25 Gr bullets which I had gotten for my 17 Rem rifle. I used a PACT Professional chronograph to get the MV from my Fireball rifle. The reloading data for the 17 Fireball listed in Hodgdon's 2008 Annual Manual is from a 24 inch barrel.
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: 17 Fireball Velocities

Post by Rick in Oregon »

FBG: I'm shooting a Sako 17 Mach IV (same as the 17FB) using both Berger and Hornady WS2 coated 25gr bullets, and using 18.3 grs of H322, I'm getting 3,860 fps out of the 24" Shilen SS barrel.

The little FB case can really turn in some impressive velocities with 20 and 25 grainers.
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FireBallGuy
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Posts: 417
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 7:30 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger
Location: Manitoba Canada

Re: 17 Fireball Velocities

Post by FireBallGuy »

Thanks for the info guys!!! My use for the 20 grain bullets has really gone away, the little round really shines with 25 grain bullets and this will be all I use whether it be Vmax or hollowpoints. Hope to pick up the gun intime for xmas but not sure if that will happen.
Remington Model 700 SPS 17 Remington Fireball Nikon Buckmaster 6-18X40SF, Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO, Savage Model 12 FVSS .22-250 Remington Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO
FireBallGuy
Senior Member
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 7:30 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger
Location: Manitoba Canada

Re: 17 Fireball Velocities

Post by FireBallGuy »

Interesting.....wanted to try H322 but got such great results with H4198 and benchmark that I did not see a need. Looks like that SPS may be an xmas reality after all so now I am excited. Has any of you guys tried the UMC 25 grain hollowpoint load? My sister grabbed me a box when they were down in the states as I want to try them out or rather to get the gun broken in for now. How do they shoot? What sort of velocity? Really need to buy a chronograph this year....will see what happens by spring. Thanks everyone.
Remington Model 700 SPS 17 Remington Fireball Nikon Buckmaster 6-18X40SF, Remington Model 700 VSF 204 Ruger Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO, Savage Model 12 FVSS .22-250 Remington Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40AO
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