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Old 02-23-2010, 05:21 PM
wirelessguy2005 wirelessguy2005 is offline
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Default Barrel Length Recommendations for 17 FB ?

I recently purchased a Rem. 700 SPS Varmint in .17 fireball. The barrel length is 26". I would like to find out what all of you recommend on barrel length? I would like to keep the velocity up as much as possible, however I think the 26" barrel is way overkill. Does anyone know what the cutoff point is where you reach maximum velocity? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 02-23-2010, 06:20 PM
Dean2 Dean2 is offline
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It will really depends on how fast or slow a powder you use and heavy or light bullets. I use 26" on most of my small calibers, including the 17 FB and find no disadvantage, but I prefer slower powders and heavier bullets, so for me it is worth packing a few extra ounces of barrrel weight.
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Old 02-23-2010, 06:54 PM
montdoug montdoug is offline
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I too am ok with longer barrels but for some applications a shorter one is sure nice.
I'd guess your gonna get about all that is "realistically" there to gain in 22 inches. Ya might gain a titch with a bit longer one but not enough to sneeze at.
That's my WAG anyway.
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Old 02-23-2010, 07:09 PM
UpNearTheBorder UpNearTheBorder is offline
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I always felt 22" is a good working length barrel for general purpose use for most standard cals. I have a 17 MIV (twin to yours') and it is a 22" length bull. It is a Thompson Contender and is very short and compact and a joy to shoot. But for a bolt action set up I would not have a varmint weight barrel. A .17 on a standard contour barrel is plenty stiff enough because the bore is so small in my opinion. My QL program shows a 150ish fps loss on average for the 20 or 25gr bullets so you will still have plenty of velocity left. But even cutting 4" off the barrel will still leave you with a gun to heavy to enjoy. Turning down and/or fluting the barrel will make this a much better carry gun but may cost you more then just trading it in for a sporter. If you just plan to shoot from a bench then the extra weight is no problem. Good luck.
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Old 02-23-2010, 08:53 PM
RebelSquirrel RebelSquirrel is offline
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I went through the same quandry when deciding upon my barrel length for 17FB. A few guys here on the board ran some balistic programs and found on average about a 20-30 fps increase past 22". If you plug that data into a balistic drop chart the difference of say 60fps with a 24" barrel vs. that of a 22" at 200yds isn't hardly worth mentioning. I went with a 23" just so I could have a little better balance for an occasional off-hand shot. If I planned to never do any shooting other than off a fixed benchrest then I would have went with the 26".
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Old 02-23-2010, 09:32 PM
wirelessguy2005 wirelessguy2005 is offline
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I appreciate all the feedback, this is exactly the information that i was looking for. I plan on shooting the 25 grain Vmax and the 30 grain kindler golds in this rifle.
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Old 02-23-2010, 09:52 PM
RePete RePete is offline
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My Pac-Nor barreled CZ527 has a 22incher that I find perfect for my needs.
I only shoot 20's in the 17FB and have no problem getting 4120fps out of one of my loads.
Since I'm more concerned with barrel life and don't normally shoot anything bigger than Rockchucks with it, I have a load with Chan's 20gr V-046's at 3900fps that does everything I need and then some.
I know what ya mean about the 26inchers. For me anyways,, the 26 is just alot of barrel. Even for a Gopher gun that's shot from a bench, and probably unnecessary for most practical purposes even if it is free velocity.. JMO!!!
.
FWIW,,, my friend recently bought a Model 7 with the 20" tube. He's getting 4000+-fps without much trouble...

IMO,,, 20-22 is fine for 20grainers, but 24 might be better for the heavier pills... This is just my 2 cents of course, and probably worth about half of that..
Charlie

Last edited by RePete; 02-23-2010 at 09:56 PM.
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  #8  
Old 02-23-2010, 10:06 PM
A17Shooter A17Shooter is offline
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I shoot a 16.25" barrel on my Contender and get about 3600 FPS with a 25 gr bullet using H322. 3100 FPS and .5" groups with 30 gr Bergers and AA2015.
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