Re: reloading 17 fireball
is anyone else out there having run out issues with there .17's, if so, any fixes? please help :)
Re: reloading 17 fireball
Are you letting your barrel adequately cool down between groups? How clean are you keeping the bore?
I am not a .17cal shooter (yet ;D) but I have read that the .17s foul bores pretty quick, some cartridges more than others. I don't know but just a stab in the dark.
Re: reloading 17 fireball
yep, I do let it cool adequately between groups. also I usually clean the barrel between sessions which is usually 25 or 30 rounds, making sure i get all the powder and copper fouling out. I have gone up to 100 rounds and nothing seems to change.
I dont know if you (boots mcguire) have shot any 17's but they are great to shoot. hopefully I can get mine shooting good. I'm going to try changing the bullet seating depth and see if that helps. thanks for the input :)
Re: reloading 17 fireball
I got a redding competition seating die and that seemed to help. also full length sizing seemed to lower the amount of runout too. .001 to.004 is what i am getting now
Re: reloading 17 fireball
It could be the primer. Small cases as such are more particular about primers and consistant powder charges. I use Rem 7-1/2 with good luck. Federals always give me a fit. Try some Hodgen Lil'gun.
Re: reloading 17 fireball
All 17s are fussy because you aren't dealing with a lot of leeway, the smallest bullet weight, powder difference, or case inconsistency will change a lot more than any other caliber. You have to be very thorough (benchrest crazy) to achieve target accuracy consistently. I know a guy who weighs his primers. :) If you can hold an inch group that should be adequate for hunting because at 150 you are about out of steam. I run BLC2 in my 17 remington but I don't think it's even listed for the fireball.
Re: reloading 17 fireball
thanks leather5to1
Today I tested my new reloads and finally got some consistency. I fired 3 3 shot groups they measured .518, .526,and .698. this is
I tried a few different things this time which were, trimming the outsides of the necks and i used a redding competition seating die. also I full length resized which eliminated the runout of the empty cases. My bullet runout was reduced to .001 to .004 from .006 to .009.
I am going to weigh my cases and mess with my seating depth next time, maybe that will tighten things up some more :)