.17 Shooters,

I'm getting my stuff together to order a 17 Mach IV Contender barrel. All the specifications fall into place easily except the twist. I plan to shoot mainly the 20 grain Hornady V-Max bullet at around 3200 to 3400 f/s. Possibly I will want to shoot some 25 grain HP's as well. I've done the Greenhill calculations for those bullets and it says 9" or 10" twist.

Now, since I have no experience with the .17's, my question is whether the Greenhill formula really is appropriate for the 17 calibers.

Anyone out there that has experience that can say if the formula works for the .17's and what bullets you use with what twist? And of course do they stabilize and do they shoot where you point them?

Don Shearer

Don,

Since you have the bullet picked, what does Hornady's Techs have to say about the twist? I would think they might have something to offer from their testing. If you find out anything let us know. I have had and interest for a .17 for quite a while now. But hey, most anything interests me, I'm easily entertained.

Mike

Don
I tried to look it up on shilen's twist rate chart but it was down. Try it again later if you have the time. www.shilen.com
Rich Jake

[ 05-12-2003, 13:15: Message edited by: Rich Jake ]

My Sako 17 MachIV has a 1 in 10 twist Douglas barrel and stabilises the 25gn at 3800fps. I believe they make 4 types 1 in 6,9,10 & 12". i'd probably pick the 9" for the lower velocity in your TC Condender.

Hi Don,
I cannot remember where I had read it but for the higher velocity 17's, the 1-9 was supposed to be better. Also a 3 groove if you can get it. Les Bauska in Montana makes a blank, and I have been playing with a 17 in it. It seems to be grouping pretty well, and the 12" bbl put out 3054 fps. I am still testing it and will share the results down the road. It will be tested along side the Douglas 1-10 to see any differences. I have also had very good luck with the Douglas blanks for the hmr's.

FWIW,

Thanks for the input guys. I will try to take all the advice.

mbk, I have sent an email to Hornady, but haven't gotten a reply yet.

Rich, I finally got the Shilen page to come up and did send them an email too. No reply yet.

B.A. Wallace, I expect to hear that either a 9" or a 10" will be best for those bullets in the velocity range I expect to use, I'll probably lean toward the faster twist as I'd rather be a bit overstabliized than under.

As soon as I get some feedback from the bullet and barrel guys I will place my order. I've been advised the delivery time is 8 weeks, so now starts the long wait. I will post results when it all happens.

Feedback time,

OK guys, I did get feedback from both Shilen and Hornady about twist rates for the 17 Mach IV and from my son who shoots a 17 Rem Contender. Shilen advises 1:10" twist for bullets up to 30 grains. Hornady says 1:10" is fine, but for the slower velocities of the 17 Mach IV and the 20 grain V-Max it probably would be better to go with 1:9" twist. Yeah, 20 grain bullet only going 3400 f/s should be regarded as slow. But anyway, based on that plus what BAW and mbmco said, I decided to go with 1:9".

I placed the order today with VVCG to use a Shilen stainless barrel, then went with all the niceties that go along with precision stuff. That is, tight neck, min freebore, etc, etc.

Now begins the long wait, but those late season prairie dogs better watch out, because here comes old-whutz-is-name with a new toy!!

I'll let y'all know when it arrives and when I am able to make some little bitty holes in the target.

Don Shearer