For you guys reloading a 17 Rem, what have you found is the best seating depth for your bullet? I'm using a 20gr V-Max .010 off the lands and have settled on a load that is currently giving me 1/2" groups @ 100yds. It's now time to try tightening it up. Do these little guys typically like more of a jump, or are they happy resting on the lands?

Hello Jethro,

I have a Remington 700BDL in .17Rem. I also shoot the Hornady 20gr VMax and 25gr HP. I get 5 shot groups (100yds) of .446" with the VMax. but not every time. I may well precede or follow it with a 1.2" group. The rifle will definitely shoot but only when it damn well pleases.
It's a frustrating litle beggar. I seat my bullets out to 2.18". It may go a bit longer. I've actually never miked it so I'm not certain. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I mainly shoot 25grainers but .010 off the lands has been kind to me with most of my seventeens however experimintation is always in order.Some like .005 as well but you already have a decent group and is always nice to be able to seat bulletout further with throat wear.Good luck with your further testing.

If youes is a factory 700 that averages 1/2 inch groups-rejoice......I don't think it gets much better than that....My 'tuned' 700 won't average 1/2" (comes close) with 30 grain Bergers which work the best at .010 off the lands.......

I guess I already found the sweet spot then. I need to shoot it more to get a good average, but the last three 5-shot groups I made were at 1/2". I was amazed when I changed bullets from the 25gr Horandy HP to the 20gr V-Max. My groups went from 3" down to 3/4". I adjusted the seating depth a bit and got 1/2". My load was 24.0gr of IMR4320, 20gr V-Max bullet seated .010 off the lands, and Rem 7 1/2 primers. I'm gonna try some CCI 400 primers next, but for a 31 year old rifle, I guess it's doing quite well.

Methinks that a rifle that shoots the small groups puncuated by bigger ones is trying to tell you something. First place I'd look is at my loads. Today's words are Run Out. Tomorrow's are RCBS CASEMASTER. With a caliber that small, .003-.005 RO will kill your accuracy.

I haven't tried anything above 25gr, but mine sure liked to keyhole the 25gr Hornady HPs. About 1 in 5 went through sideways and all were wobbling at 100yds. Maybe one of the premium 25gr bullets (Berger, Starke)would have made a difference, but I haven't gotten around to them yet. I don't even think I can get the Starke's since they are no longer being made.

Are you certain you're that distance off the lands? I just spent an evening measuring 9 different rifles for OAL with my Stoney Point guage, and found that with most bullets I cannot get close to the lands. We're making our rifles now with ridiculously long chambers. In most instances by the time the bullet is at it's maximum. when the ogive will allow it to go no further, the bullet is well out of the case. Thus it becomes an impossibility to seat into the lands because the bullet and case are no longer a single unit. Some rifles, like Sako, feature realistic
chamber length with which it is possible. Has anyone else made these measurements? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal