Reed's 17cal 32gr

[Out Back]

Just got a box of Reeds 17cal 32gr Re-batted Boat-tail Hollow Points...........These bullets have a .301 BC. Ran them through the Berger Ballistic Calculator at 3800fps which is do able out of a 17 Remington. With 400lbs of Energy being the minimum for a clean kill on a Coyotes that puts the Killing range of the 17 Remington out to 525 yards. All things considered and with tons of information and feedback from other Fur Hunters showing that the 17cal bullet is King if you don't want a large exit hole.
This pretty much puts the 17 Remington back at the top If you want a fur friendly rifle cartridge ..................

Could not believe that going from a 25gr Berger @ .152 BC to the Reeds 32gr. @ .301 extended the killing distance by over 250 yards.................

Now begins the load development using IMR 8208 XBR..................we will see

 

[Zhelton]

Report back on your results... plan on using the 32 when i run out of 30 golds in a 17 remington and 17 tac.

 

[sscoyote]

guess I gotta get some for my 17 FB XP-100. Good luck with 'em.

 

[MTSLW]

You have a chance to play with the 32grs anymore? I'm getting some to try in my 17-204 and curious what load you settled on.

 

[swd]

What twist do they need?

 

[MTSLW]

What twist do they need?

9 Twist. I'm running the 32 HP's in my 17-204, lab radar won't pick them up over 3700ish so I'm guessing I'm in the 3900-4000fps range. Seem to be getting a little more drop at 500 than I should but I'll get a good chrono and check for sure. I shot 3 dogs over the weekend between 90-230yds, all were DRT. Two I hit a bit far forward in the neck area. Rib shots are good for fur, no exit. The neck shot had a 4" exit but it was a smaller dog and I think about any frangible bullet would make a mess there. All in all I'm liking them. I'll try to be more selective on shot placement next time out and see how they do.

 

[knapper]

MTSLW... I am about ready to buy a HMR 17, Rugar model 8311, but after I read your post, I am really curious as to your rifle... what is the make and exactly what is the caliber.. Please give me a little more info on it.. Seems that it is not a HMR but some thing a little bigger..
Thank you very much
Knapper

 

[Reemty J]

What rifle do you all recommend to buy in a .17 Remington caliber? As far as accurate and such?? This sounds interesting, we are all waiting to hear, loads, groups, opinions.....

 

[yote doctor]

I have a 17 Rem and a 17 Tactical. Both are great for coyotes out to 350-400 yards. Killed a few out to 525 with the Tac but wouldn't recommend it. There are some threads on here with great info on the 17s . It's a centerfire cartridge and a whole different animal than the 17 HMRs. Data for my 17s

17 Rem (1980's factory Remington 700)
30gr gold - 3,815 FPS
.4" groups at 100



17 Tactical (full custom rifle on stiller action)
30gr gold - 4,060 FPS
.190" groups at 100

 

[DSheetz]

I had a 17 rem back when all you could buy was the 25 gr hp. bullets for them . They were built off of the rem 222 brass . The loaded factory ammo ran 4200 mv . They drifted bad in the wind blew up on impact sometimes burned up barrels as well as fowled barrels fast . I got rid of mine and haven't tried any thing smaller then a 223 since running 55 grhp.

 

[Orange Dust]

I had a 17 rem back when all you could buy was the 25 gr hp. bullets for them . They were built off of the rem 222 brass . The loaded factory ammo ran 4200 mv . They drifted bad in the wind blew up on impact sometimes burned up barrels as well as fowled barrels fast . I got rid of mine and haven't tried any thing smaller then a 223 since running 55 grhp.

with the right bullets, the big .17's have no peer as a fur rifle.

 

[K22]

I had a 17 rem back when all you could buy was the 25 gr hp. bullets for them . They were built off of the rem 222 brass . The loaded factory ammo ran 4200 mv . They drifted bad in the wind blew up on impact sometimes burned up barrels as well as fowled barrels fast . I got rid of mine and haven't tried any thing smaller then a 223 since running 55 grhp.

The 30gr. Nagel, Blackhole, Reed, bullets are a huge game changer with the 17 Rem. The 17Rem. is based off the 222 Rem. Mag. I never found wind drift to be that much of an issue with 17 vs. any other caliber. With a 4000fps velocity, an astronomical RPM, and only 25 to 30gr. bullet size, wind effect is minimal out for several hundred yds. Not a lot of bullet for the wind to get ahold of. As for a pelt saver it is hard to beat a 17.
If wind was an issue for me than I would build a 17-204 and shoot 30's our of it.

 

[DSheetz]

I am sure that there have been improvements made to the bullets since the early 80's . I don't know what kind of winds you have in N.C. here in the mountains and foot hills we have gusting winds often swirling so they aren't from one direction and may be up or down ward called rotators , up and down drafts . Today we have gusting winds from 15 to 30 mph mainly out of the south east ,it really doesn't make much difference what round you choose to use here the wind will affect it at some point in time . I tried that chambering back then and found it not suited for my needs if it works for you fine and good for you , enjoy shooting it and the best of luck to you with it . For me I found that the 223 with 55gr Sierra boat tail hollow point game king worked best for my needs and did little fur damage when loaded to run at 2900 f.p.s.m.v . . Yes they had wind drift also but worked out didn't exit most times and dropped the animals in their tracks when I did my part as will the 17Rem and many other calibers . Rifles , calibers and almost anything else in life is a matter of what each of us find to our liking and fits our needs the best in our opinion . A Chevy , Ford , Toyota or any other truck may or may not fit your , or my needs it's up to each of us to find what will or will not work for us and as I live in the United States of America as do you we are able to have and state our opinions as long as we aren't causing harm to others or people that aren't old enough to fend for them selves even the president of the U.S. can act a fool and show his back side if he so chooses .

 

[Orange Dust]

9 Twist. I'm running the 32 HP's in my 17-204, lab radar won't pick them up over 3700ish so I'm guessing I'm in the 3900-4000fps range. Seem to be getting a little more drop at 500 than I should but I'll get a good chrono and check for sure. I shot 3 dogs over the weekend between 90-230yds, all were DRT. Two I hit a bit far forward in the neck area. Rib shots are good for fur, no exit. The neck shot had a 4" exit but it was a smaller dog and I think about any frangible bullet would make a mess there. All in all I'm liking them. I'll try to be more selective on shot placement next time out and see how they do.

I tried their 25gr boattails in both my Sakos. They both shoot the kindler's great, but would not stabilize the Reeds. This is in a 10T. Keyholed @100 with not all rounds on the paper. Was very bummed out. The little buggers are pretty sensitive to length.