17 Fireball and PA groundhogs!!

I put together my "Sabage" 17 fireball for the wintertime fox hunting....but just to keep the gun in shape ;D I take it out on occasion and whack fat 'ol groundhogs with it. Now, shooting the 25gr. Berger bullets leaves tiny entrance holes and usually no exit holes. The second one I believe I "caught" him a bit on the edge of his side.....which "exposed" his rib cage a bit. BUt the first one is a bit female that was only at 60 yards. Anyone want a groundhog coat??? ::) :P

[img width=600 height=337]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/784679235_photobucket_43997_.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=338]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/784679235_photobucket_43664_.jpg[/img]

Hi, glad to see another 17 fireball shooter, they sure are fun to shoot aren't they. I cant wait to use mine on the whistle pigs. I'm trying to work up a good load for my 17 fireball and I have been having some trouble getting consistent groups. I was just wondering what load combination is you are using? Also I was wondering do you get a lot of bullet run out because I am getting about .005 even with a redding competition seater die? what kinda groups are you getting too? Thanks.

Andy,

I'm using H-335 (And I'll have to get back to you with the charge amount) and a 25gr. Berger Target (not Varmit) bullets. I've been getting 1" groups from a bench at 200 yards when I do "my part". I'll look at my load data and OAL and post it here for ya.

BTW....here's one I hit at about 60 or 70 yards. BANG....and down in a heap!!!

[img width=600 height=338]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/784679235_photobucket_43664_.jpg[/img]

NICE! are you doing 3 or 5 shot groups. thanks a lot for the info

and hopefully i can get mine down to half MOA

also what do you do for case prep? are you outside neck turning and separating the cases by weight?

Andy,

Ok....I looked at my loadbook notes and here is what gives my 17 Fireball an average of 3650fps:: 18.2gr. of H-335, 25gr. Berger Target (not Varmit) Bullet, Brass trimmed to 1.40, and total OAL of 1.850.

I don't do any neck turning on the little 17 neck....heck...there's hardly any brass there now!!!! I use Hornady dies, but I honestly think that any quality die set will do ya just fine.

I hope this helps

Dave

thanks

it sure does. I will give it a try