Question for you .17 FB shooters

Buster Hindend · #1 09-13-2014, 02:19 AM

I have a turn coming up soon with my smith and am going to be building a .17 Fireball. This will be a single shot rifle strictly for shooting critters from a bench. Hoping to make it to shoot some sage rats next spring.

I have never had a .17 of any kind before. I was wondering what length to finish the barrel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Brad

GrdhgKiller · #2 09-13-2014, 02:43 AM

Todd Kindler in his 'Sensational Seventeens' recommends a 24" barrels for most of his rifles. For the larger 17's like the 17 PPC and 17 Tact. 26' barrels. For my 17 Fireball bench rifle I went with a straight tube at 24" long. Though if you want to set back the barrel later I don't think a 26" long barrel would hurt performance. Bill

RareBear · #3 09-13-2014, 04:49 AM

I agree with what GrdhgKiller wrote. The only thing I can add, moving the muzzle further away from your eardrums is a good thing.

trotterlg · #4 09-13-2014, 04:57 AM

24 inches is about right on a 17 FB, I have a nice piloted reamer if your smith needs one, fairly tight all around, floating pilot PTG, so if he needs one I will send it. A GM 25 inch blank finishes nicely at 24 inches or a little more if you want a cushion for a little setback, that is what I use. Larry

MrMajestic · #5 09-13-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Hindend

This will be a single shot rifle strictly for shooting critters from a bench.

26" at least.

Alan in GA · #6 09-13-2014, 02:25 PM

Might as well get the muzzle blast as far away as you can. Also, later on you can cut it shorter if you want too, but.....(we all know this)....you can't cut it longer.
BTW, my 17 Mach IV in Pac Nor SS Super Match is 24" finished length.....happy with it's length.

ae35gunner · #7 09-13-2014, 02:31 PM

Brad,
You have a PM.
Charlie

philip · #8 09-13-2014, 02:34 PM

Brad,

I got my barrel from Lilja at 28".

My smith finished it as close to 27" as possible, I can`t remember the exact length...

Phil.

Bill K · #9 09-13-2014, 03:11 PM

I have began to order my barrels so that I get a good honest 24 inch of bore, which seems to be the most recommended barrel/bore length. Depending on the cartridge length, you must then gauge the over barrel length to obtain the24 inch of bore. ( hope you understand what I am saying) But go with what you feel and handles well for you. Bill K

Chuck Miller · #10 09-13-2014, 06:23 PM

As long as the blank will allow, especially for high qty targets. Nice to go back and lop off a couple inches and extend the life of one of those overpriced pieces of pipe. As far as velocity gained or lost 100-200fps doesn't mean squat in a Sagerat patch. I built my first 17mk4 at 27". That was the longest the blank would allow. After2600 and a loss of accuracy I cut it down to 24" and after another 1000 it's still going strong.