17 Rem fireball Vs 204 Ruger

[Tez]

G,day blokes. Haven't been around the varmint scene as much these days, too busy chasing other things. But now I'm looking at getting another toy for Foxes, so I need to replace my old lazerbeam 17 Rem BDL.

It seems like there are 2 new kids on the block since I've been away. So my questions are: How do they rate with one another & who builds a quality reliable light rig(no heavy # tubes).


Thanks in advance

[louie the fly]

hey mate,
The 204 wins hands down. I have a 204 and reload with 39gr SBK zipping along @ 3850fps. The 204 bullets have a high B.C (much higher than the 17s) which makes it better for long range work, the 17 rem ive herd is very hard to clean, and compared to the 204, is a little harder to reload for. ifyour using it just as a dedicated varmint rifle (foxes and rabbits out to 350m) then 204. Factory ammo for the 17rem fireball may be a little harder or more expensive to get than the 204, but that may change who knows?

If you want to get a factory rifle, Tikka T3 are very good straight out of the box (they have a heavy barrel) and Savage have a good selection of quality rifles.

If you want a custom job, then it depends where you live, but from what ive herd shane clancy is the best of the best.

In summation, the 204 packs more punch than a 17 cal ever could, and with a range of good quality bullets and powders, it's easy to reload for, and is extremely accurate.

cheers mate

[andrewk]

unfortunately tikka no longer make a 17 cal rifle. i'd love a new tikka in 17fireball.

but, you'll love the 204.

[louie the fly]

hey andrewk,

can you get the old tikka m55 in 17cal??

[MISSED]

Hey Tez long time no read.Buy the latest "HUNTER" magazine Thomas Tabor has an article about the 20 Vartarg.32 grainers at 3800fps with 18 grains of Powder.I get all tingly thinking about when I get mine (it was due 12 days ago).Easy as to case form just run a 221 Furball case into a vartarg die and the job is done.I have a 204R as well and performance is rather impressive and I would say a fair bit ahead of a 17 furball.

[Tez]

Hey Tez long time no read.Buy the latest "HUNTER" magazine Thomas Tabor has an article about the 20 Vartarg.32 grainers at 3800fps with 18 grains of Powder.I get all tingly thinking about when I get mine (it was due 12 days ago).Easy as to case form just run a 221 Furball case into a vartarg die and the job is done.I have a 204R as well and performance is rather impressive and I would say a fair bit ahead of a 17 furball.

Vartarg. Never heard of it but like I said, been off the varmint thing for a while now.

How does it compare to the 204R MISSED. Who is doing the work or can they be bought in factory form?


PS-I thought I would also add.
My old 17Rem would allow me 100% of the time to see the hit with 20gn accutips. Will the 204R allow this with 32's or does it have more muzzle jump. I know rifle weight/design makes a difference but what I'm asking is, in 'general'.
This is very important to me, as I've always found scoping & the 'drop to the shot' suited my hunting, especially in some of the areas I venture.

[MISSED]

Tez,The 20 Vartarg (Varmint Target) is basically a 20 cal 221 fireball much like the 17 Fireball is the 17 cal version.I believe the Vartarg is to the 204 as the 17 Fireball is to the 17Rem.
Watching the bullet strike is a 204 specialty. It is awesome watching a rabbit explode at 250 plus metres.

[Tez]

Tez,The 20 Vartarg (Varmint Target) is basically a 20 cal 221 fireball much like the 17 Fireball is the 17 cal version.I believe the Vartarg is to the 204 as the 17 Fireball is to the 17Rem.
Watching the bullet strike is a 204 specialty. It is awesome watching a rabbit explode at 250 plus metres.

Thanks for the info mate. Much appreciated

After a bit of searching I found that the NEW Cooper rifles do 20 Vartarg.
Last time I spoke to my LGS they said "Coopers were not long off". But I would have to order the 20VG in no doubt. Hmmmmmm.

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/our_rifles_new.php

[MISSED]

Mine is being built on an L461 action but a Cooper would be very nice. AI had a 20 Vt in a Cooper.

[Tez]

L461. Mate, that will be a freaking sweet piece of gear.

OK after telling(teasing me ) about ya rig I want to know more. Barrel length, stock etc

[Tez]

Another couple of things that come to mind. 'Muzzle blast & barrel length'.
I figured the 17FB would be close enough to the 17Rem but how about the 204R. And what length tube you blokes running on ya 17 & 204's?

[MISSED]

Donor was a Sako L461 17 Rem sporter.
I have gone the traditional route with the build,Stock is a standard Sako varmint I found on 6mmBR and refinished I have pillar/Arma Grout bedded it.Barrel is a Lothar Walther chrome molly blued and finished at 26".Mounts are Conetrol and the scope is going to be a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite,(Thanx Brad,)
The 204 I have is a Ruger VT with a 26" barrel and scope is another Elite but a 6-24x50.
Muzzle blast is in my opinion mild {when compared to a 22-250 or swift}they are a joy to shoot and the damage they do is out of proportion.

[Tez]

Anyone had experiences with the Remington SPS in the 17 Fireball. If so, how does the bugger feed etc?

[andrewk]

hey andrewk,

can you get the old tikka m55 in 17cal??

yeah, there's heaps around. i have one, 17 remington, but its being rebarreled as a 20 cal.

Anyone had experiences with the Remington SPS in the 17 Fireball. If so, how does the bugger feed etc?

i have a 17 fireball in a remington model 700 vsf and it feeds really well. tikka actions are still smoother but my remington is basically brandnew, less than 50rds down the tube.

it's for sale incidentally

[Tez]

i have one, 17 remington, but its being rebarreled as a 20 cal.

i have a 17 fireball in a remington model 700 vsf and it feeds really well. tikka actions are still smoother but my remington is basically brandnew, less than 50rds down the tube.

it's for sale incidentally

Those Tikka's were a sweet bit of gear! A Fox shooter I know took many a scalp with one, & raved about em. It's a shame Tikka don't built em like that anymore.

That's good to know Andrew.

I just checked it out on the 4 sale board. Nice looking rig alright, surprised it hasn't sold given the price$.