Looking for some infromation on the .17Ackley mag. Have one on 700 Rem. by PO Ackley. Loads in the Ackley book are blowing primers and other pressure problems. Any one have experience with this one?

You might post that question in the Tech section at Coyote Gods. They're pretty heavy into .17's. Hope this helps. Ask Shaun Frame your questions.

http://www.coyotegods.com/ubb/forum.shtml

I am using a Rem 700, with ShilenSS 1in 10 pitch barrel chambered for the 17/222 magnum improved with 40 degree shoulder. It is my second rifle in this calibre, my first began service in 1972.
The case capacity of the .222 magnum case necked to .17 was 29.2 grains, and after fireforming it increases to 31.0 grains.
I have mainly used it here in Australia as a fox and varmint rifle, but it has also accounted for kangaroos, wild pigs, and goats. Some loads are:
28.0 grains H380 25 grain Hornady Hp 4189 fps
29.0 grains H380 25 grain Hornady HP 4253 fps
28.5 grains H414 25 grain Hornady HP 4251 fps
29.5 grains H414 25 grain Hornady HP 4395 fps
28.0 grains V550 25 grain Hornady HP 4113 fps
29.0 grains V550 25 grain Hornady HP 4333 fps
30.0 grains V550 25 grain Hornady HP 4472 fps

28.0 grains H414 30 grain Hammett HPBT 4039 fps
29.0 grains H414 30 grain Hammett HPBT 4144 fps
27.0 grains V550 30 grain Hammett HPBT 3928 fps
28.0 grainS V550 30 grain Hammett HPBT 4080 fps

26.0 grains WW760 37 grain Berger HPBT 3618 fps
27.0 grains WW760 37 grain Berger HPBT 3791 fps
26.0 grains H414 37 grain Berger HPBT 3581 fps
27.0 grains H414 37 grain Berger HPBT 3736 fps
27.5 grains H414 37 grain Berger HPBT 3887 fps
29.0 grains WW785 37 grain Berger HPBT 3706 fps
30.0 grains WW785 37 grain Berger HPBT 3785 fps

As expected the 37 grain Berger HPBT keyholed into the target, but I chronographed them to find out what the case was capable of.

The case capacity makes it more suitable with bullets of 30 grains and heavier. If I was to use just the 30 grain bullet, I would chose a 1 in 9 twist barrel, and from what I have been told by others, to use the 37 grain Berger you will need a 1 in 7 twist barrel.

I hope the above data is of some use, but as always, if using this case, the usual drill, start 10% below my listed loads and work up to maximum pressure. Regards, Brian

Besure to use Remington 7 1/2 primer, they don't pierce like some others. Just my 2 cents worth! Nailman...

Brian, how many rounds did your first .17/222 Mag barrel last? Just curious, as I've heard the .17 Rem is pretty hard on barrels.

Also, did any of the 37-gr Bergers vaporize before reaching the target when you started pushing them over 3500 fps? I've read that 3500 fps is about the limit for the 37-gr VLD's, but that is through a 7 twist instead of a 10 twist, so there would be more rotational stress. Thanks.

To Geo,

My first barrel was a 24 inch Shilen SS with a 1 in 10 twist, and was used with the Hornady 25 grain HP for 99% of the time (mainly because no heavier bullets were availabe). It was stolen along with other rifles in 1982, but at that time the throat had eroded about .250 inches after about 1300 - 1500 shots, but it would still group between .5 and .7moa as long as I kept the barrel clean. That barrel for some reason was about 150 fps slower than the current one but was slightly more accurate.

My current barrel has fired about 1500 shots and the throat has eroded .265 inches, velocity now is down about 75 - 100 fps, but like the first barrel will still group about .5 to 75 moa as long as I keep it clean.

I am looking at having it rebarreled but am trying to find a source of .17 bullets in the 33 to 40 grain range before I make a decision on barrel twist, length, and manufacturer. I would like to use the Berger 37 grain VLD, but like you I have heard many conflicting reports about their ability to hold together. I will not take the risk of basing a rifle around just one bullet.

After chronographing Berger's 30 grain HP, and
finding that many were disintegrating in flight at velocities between 3,800 and 4200 fps, I wrote to Berger's and asked what twist was required for the 37 grain VLD, and what velocity would they reliably hold together at. Walt Berger replied and told me that 1 in 6 twist was needed, and he would not guarantee them to hold together above 3450 fps.

However, since then I have read in various forums, and received emails confirming that some people have successfully been using the 37 grain VLD at velocities up to 3900 fps, while others have had them come apart at 3600 fps. Most of the successful ones were using a 1 in 7 twist rather than a 1 in 6 twist.

When I chronographed the 37 grain VLD I ended up putting the sighting target at 25 yards, as many were not hitting the target when it was at 100 yards. Most did appear to reach the target at 25 yards, but have no idea what percentage, as by that stage I was only interested in the velocities achieved.

Regards, Brian.