Ordered a 17 Mach IV berrel

24 August 2003, 14:44

Don Shearer

Jules and Tom Maxwell,

I took your advice and got in touch with Mike Sirois at OTT about making a barrel. After the fiasco at that other "Custom" maker I was kind of gun shy about going after another custom barrel. However, Mike was very helpful and quite willing to make up a barrel to my specifications (and I do have a long and exacting list of specs). I really do want a 17 Mach IV barrel as I have never worked with the sub calibers and find the Mach IV to be very interesting. Well, anyway it is on order and the long wait begins again.

But I wanted to thank you for referring me to Mike as everything so far has been positive. I will post results when the barrel does get here and I have a chance to do some serious testing.

Don Shearer

24 August 2003, 14:54

Rich Jake

Hey Don Congrats on the OTT barrel order.You should be happy with Mike's work. Glad to hear you are going to give him a try.I don't think you'll be sorry.
Rich Jake

[ 08-24-2003, 05:55: Message edited by: Rich Jake ]

24 August 2003, 15:20

tommyn

You will be happy with the barrel. I have a 221 Fireball barrel from him. He listens to what you want and makes it happen. I believe the chamber is better than anything I have had up to this time. I had some small specs different than standard and he did a great job. [Big Grin]

24 August 2003, 16:09

Magnum Mike

Here is another vote of confidence for Mike Sirois. I am VERY satisfied with the barrels i have received from him!! [Big Grin]

I just gotta make some time to get the 414 worked out. It was shooting extremely well the last time out....

24 August 2003, 16:29

KTS1

Excellent

Need I say More?

Wes

24 August 2003, 23:25

Jules

quote:
Originally posted by Don Shearer:
Jules and Tom Maxwell,

I took your advice and got in touch with Mike Sirois at OTT about making a barrel. After the fiasco at that other "Custom" maker I was kind of gun shy about going after another custom barrel. However, Mike was very helpful and quite willing to make up a barrel to my specifications (and I do have a long and exacting list of specs). I really do want a 17 Mach IV barrel as I have never worked with the sub calibers and find the Mach IV to be very interesting. Well, anyway it is on order and the long wait begins again.

But I wanted to thank you for referring me to Mike as everything so far has been positive. I will post results when the barrel does get here and I have a chance to do some serious testing.

Don Shearer

I've seen that list Don and I see no reason you shouldn't have what your asking. I figure that's the reason for custom in the first place.... To get what ya want.
BTW, What barrel blank are ya using??
Hey! Think ya could ya use 357Max brass if ya wanted a 17 Mach IV with a rim??? [Big Grin]

I'll be using a Bauska blank for my 7mm project and maybe another for a 40cal project that Mike and I are looking into [Big Grin]

You made a good choise having Mike build your barrel for ya [Wink]

[ 08-24-2003, 14:33: Message edited by: Jules ]

26 August 2003, 05:18

Don Shearer

Hi Jules,

About the barrel, I just specified a premium quality barrel and stated a preference for Shilen. I expect it will be that.

About the 357 Max as a rimmed Mach IV, well, possibly so, it would help out in the Contender, but I would think the built-in headwinds might make it a tough task. First the 357 Max is a 38- 40,00 psi case and the Mach is up around 50,00+. You could probably get away with that, but forming cases might kill it as it would take several form dies and some would have to be special made. That is, I don't know of any 30 caliber short enough, or a 284, or a 257, but the Fireball could be used for one step and the 17 Mach form die. All those others would have to be special made.

It would be an interesting project though, want to try it?

Don Shearer

26 August 2003, 06:27

<HHI 812>

Jules-Dick Saunders has used the .357 Max brass for some .17 cartridges. I have one of his little .17 book from years ago. He also came up with a cartridge called the .17 Saunders Jet (or .17 Super Jet or .17 Saunders Jet 32 degree etc) that used either the .22 Jet, .256 Win or .357 mag case. It had a smaller case capacity than the .17 MK IV, that utilized the .221 FB brass, but he went up to 4200+fps. He did find that the rimmed case primer pockets did not stretch as soon as the rimless .221/.223 type cases. I had a couple of his chamberings in a contender carbine, and loved it. There is a lot more work to making cases, but it sort of put out quite a lot for such a little case.

26 August 2003, 06:50

Verno

MSSMAG...sent you a PM

26 August 2003, 09:31

Jules

Don and Dennis,
I've looked at a couple 17s and i'm not sure I can pick up one of them tiny bullets wit my fat fingers LOL! Heck....I have trouble wit the 224s.

With the OTT-223imp.,OTT-6x223, OTT-308x444
OTT-7MMx307 and maybe the OTT-40KSSR going on I don't really have much time to squeez in a 17 at this [Wink]

[ 08-26-2003, 00:32: Message edited by: Jules ]

26 August 2003, 11:53

Magnum Mike

quote:
Originally posted by Verno:
MSSMAG...sent you a PM

Back at ya Verno. [Wink]

29 August 2003, 14:19

Rob

Don, I have a rimmed .17 Mach IV. You use .360 DW brass necked down. This stuff is amply tough to handle the pressures. You have to anneal it just to neck it down to .30. Forming involves 2 annealings, 7 sizing operations and neck turning. You have to want it bad. So far I only have 50 formed, and that will be about it for a long while I think (better things to do).

I get over 3600 fps from a 14" barrel with 20 gr. Hornadys. The bullet is at the target before you can blink. It is a lot of fun.