17 Remington Project

[FireBallGuy]

Picking up a remington VSSF II as a project gun and want it to redone for the 17 remington. Having issues deciding what length the barrel should be for top velocity. All the components have been selected and this is a issue right now, I know 24" will work but I am thinking longer, perhaps 25". Any thoughts on the matter?

[Rick in Oregon]

I suppose it depends on what you want to use the rifle for. The .17 Rem is not a PD bench gun but a excellent coyote slayer. For that reason 24" would be my choice, as a longer barrel will just get in the way on stands. My primary dedicated coyote rifle is a Rem Model Seven SS Synthetic, with 20" barrel that handles like a dream on a stand, and I've never felt any sadness for any decrease in velocity. None of the coyotes have noticed either.....

The .17 Rem is already a fast zipper. Why on earth would you want a longer barrel than 24"?

[FireBallGuy]

I suppose rick....being the speed freak that I am....Just want to wring as much out of this puppy as I can! I don't get the trend among yote' hunters towards shorter barrels and decreased performance....no offence intended towards anyone who thinks this way but our style of predator hunting involves little calling and the length of my gun is really of little concern. Velocity on the other hand is EXTREMELY important! All my guns, with 1 exception all were 26" tubes and I don't have a big problem with this at all.

[Rick in Oregon]

FB Guy: Just how much faster do you need a .17 Remington to go? After 40+ years of wacking coyotes with everything from a .22 WMR to my .270 Win, and every varmint caliber in between, I'm just wondering what you've discovered that myself and all my coyote hunting buddies here on the western high desert have been missing all these years.......

[FireBallGuy]

Can't argue with that rick! You have about 10 years on me as far as whacking dogs is concerned. I suppose my real question was what do you think is the optimal barrel length for this caliber? Take in to account case capacity.....etc. Judging from what I have read, 24" seems to be almost ideal and in the end this is likely the way I will go. And.....NO! I have not unlocked any great unsolved mysteries about this caliber, like I said before, I like to get EVERYTHING I possibly can from every gun I shoot. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who offers up thier thoughts and opinions in this forum, keep them coming!

[Rick in Oregon]

Remington originally offered all their .17 Rem's with 24" barrels. They must have something there.......

All my varmint rifles wear 24" barrels, except my .243 Mdl 7 coyote rifle (20"), my Swift has a 26", my 17 Ackley Hornet has a 22 incher. That's just my take on it though, others may vary.

I'd stick with 24" for your .17 Rem as the best combination of velocity and handling. JMO.

[FireBallGuy]

That is kind of the way I was thinking as well. Not much point in re inventing the wheel here. The caliber has a proven track record with a 24" tube and the case capacity really does not warrent a longer tube. Have to talk to my smith and see when he is getting in some more lilja's so we can get this bad boy going!

[acloco]

Reading this thread provides a little thought for a question.

What is the relationship between powder burn rate, bullet bearing length, bullet weight, velocity, and barrel length?

Yeah....that is a handful.

In short, what are optimum barrel length for powder burn rates?

[FireBallGuy]

That is a darn good question acloco! I have been reading about a 17 cal wildcat based on an improved 17 rem or 223 case that has a very short neck. This guy is getting well over 4000fps with 30 grain bullets out of a 26 inch tube. That is really why I have posed this question. Length of gun is of no concern to me....optimum performance IS!! SOmeone really needs to look into this.....LOL!!

[stevecrea]

FB:

Have you seen the article on this site about the test of taking the .204 with a 24 inch barrel, chronographing it, and then taking an inch off at a time, and chrongraphing the result?

Without going back and looking, there was very little difference in velocity between 24 inches and 21 inches. I would expect that the results for the .17 Remington would be quite similar, and they tend to use many of the same powders. Accordingly, if it were me, I would not go longer than 24.

I have a friend with a Cooper Varminter in .204 with a 26 inch barrel, but I would tend to doubt that he is getting any more velocity out of it than a 24 inch barrel.

My brother has a 700 Rem in .17 REM with a Shilen moderately heavy barrel, and I am pretty sure that it is no more than 24, and may be only 23 or so.

[FireBallGuy]

Decision made......24" tube it will be! Mine will be the same profile and diameter the gun originally came with as I love my heavy barrels!!

[stevecrea]

I think that is a good choice.

What make of barrel are you going to use? I did not see your comments if you addressed that above.

[FireBallGuy]

Lilja all the way!

[remy3424]

The .17 Rem is not a PD bench gun but a excellent coyote slayer.

Rick, what is the issue with the 17 Rem & PDs?? It's susceptibility to the wind?? If so, long distance coyotes would be very marginal. I would want good shot placement with a 17 anything on a coyote. On a calm day (if there is such a thing on a PD town) I would love a 17 Rem.....Wouldn't I????

[lanenebraska]

My CZ 17rem is a PD wacking fool

Tagged some at 300 yards as well, off a bipod. Just gotta adjust for wind