A 17 Cal first (for me)

WillinDenver · #1 10-31-2013, 03:00 AM

Didn't think I would ever get into 17 and 20 cals, so much for that thought.

I now have two 20's, a 20 Practical and 20 VarTard. Had an article published in Varmint Hunter Mag on the 20 Practical and I've submitted one on how to make 20 VarTard from 223 Rem.

I had a 17 Rem Fireball in the safe I wasn't real sure I was going to do anything with, the bullets are so small and my finger so big, but I got it out the other day. To get the make 'ins for a 17 cal is worse than the 20 cal. I did get a set of dies with the rifle, glad of that. Finally found 500 pieces of brass for a little over $200, a 1,000 bullets (500 20 gr and 500 25 gr) for $20 a hundred. But that was just the beginning of my problems. The powder funnel for my Dillon 550B was $36, I haven't located a trim pilot for my Hornady case prep center yet, I have to call Hornady to see if they even make one. A couple friends say the 17 is a HOOT to shoot, they didn't tell me it was going to cost so much to get started.

I should have stayed a 22 cal guy, what do ya think!!!

Will

Bill K · #2 10-31-2013, 03:19 AM

No Will. You will not look back.. I also liked my 224's, from 222 Rem, 223, 22-250, but after starting with a 17Mach2, then going to a 17 HH, then added a 20 VT and now working on a 20SCC, they are a kick in the pants and have taken over my shooting, leaving the 224's for occasional romp.

Now I have a 17 VHA and that is a real hoot. Bill K

BadgerBob · #3 10-31-2013, 04:50 AM

To late now Will, soon as you pull the trigger on a 17 your hooked. Get those rifles tuned and come up to Cheyenne next spring and we will go shoot some P dogs.

Bob

GLWenzl · #4 10-31-2013, 10:33 AM

Someday as you look back through the cloud of dust, you may somehow wonder how you ended up with 13 different 17 caliber cartridges that you shoot and reload for plus the two RFs. That may not be hard to justify however where you’ll have trouble may be why you have 3 or 4 chambered in the same thing… it’s definitely worse than a drinking problem and you got to watch some of these guys - they’ll help you find great joys of a small caliber addiction.

sicero · #5 10-31-2013, 12:05 PM

First off. Welcome Will
Before it goes too far, you might give the editor a heads up about changing 20 retard to 20 VarTarG. lol Kenny

BadgerBob · #6 10-31-2013, 01:15 PM

I kinda like VarTard, I think I have one of those.

Bob

Bill K · #7 10-31-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadgerBob

I kinda like VarTard, I think I have one of those.

Bob

Are we not all a little retard ?

VarTard looks or fits right in.

Bill K

WillinDenver · #8 10-31-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sicero

First off. Welcome Will
Before it goes too far, you might give the editor a heads up about changing 20 retard to 20 VarTarG. lol Kenny

OK! OK! Dumb fingered it. VarTarg, VarTarg, got it.

Will

sgtg · #9 10-31-2013, 02:25 PM

A 30 Kindler Gold at 4000+= pure lightning. Try it you'll like it. Like I've said before 17's HMR on up to the big ones really a lot of fun. sgtg

Dima88 · #10 10-31-2013, 06:28 PM

Once you've tried the sub calibers, it's a hopeless battle. It was said before on this page, you'll look into your safe some day and find 10 sub calibers!

The performance and ability to watch hits through a scope is awesome

Also they are very fur friendly with the right bullet. I use a 17 Remington for coyotes and foxes in the winter and with 25gr Hornady hp's it leaves a tiny entrance hole and no exit. No run offs or cripples like the V-Max or BT do.