17 Rem a viable option?

[horsepower]

This kind of falls into the category of I wanted one since I was a kid and poored over the annual guns and ammo round ups.  I am basically looking for a lean in the corner and grab when needed rifle that might also go on the occassional predator hunt and small time plinking.  What I don't know is that since I am not a reloader, will I be able to find factory loads that will suffice with minimal pelt damage and still anchor coyote and smaller sized animals well or should I just go with a 223 for wider variety of off the shelf options.  The cost per rounds really isn't much of a factor-all combined, I doubt I shoot 150 rounds a year and 125 of those would be 22lr.  Any insights?

[poncaguy]

Look into the new 17 Rem Fireball...............

[trotterlg]

I shoot a 17 Remington and it is one of the most pleasant fun rifle I have ever owned.  Pull the trigger and watch the round hit the target.  It is a very misunderstood round, lots fo people bad mouth it who have never owned or fired one.  They will anchor a Coyote easily, and you will only have one tiny hole going in with nothing on the other side.  There are good factory loads that will shoot well for you most likely, it is lots of fun to re-load for, but you can find factory ammo easily.  The 17 fireball is it's little Brother, and has a good reputation amoung the Coyote hunters.  I have never owned or shot one, so I can't tell you about it.  The 17 Remington has a little more zip to it and I am very happy with mine.  Mine will put 10 inside of an inch at 100 yards most every time I try.  Larry

http://www.22-250.com/cup.wmv

[Heavy C]

Look into the new 17 Rem Fireball...............

The November issue of American Rilfleman has an article on the Fireball.  Ammo is readily available and it doesn't foul the barrel as much as the 17 Remington.  They included a ballistics table as well.

[woodchukhntr]

I have an early 700 in .17 Rem., and a new Model 11 Savage in .223.  Both are great!  The .17 gives 1-shot kills like you wouldn't believe on woodchucks, but I haven't shot anything larger yet.  The Savage is a lot less expensive rifle than the Rem. 700 and is a lot less expensive to shoot.  My Rem. has a great trigger and the Savage has the accu-trigger that works really well.

The .223 would give more versatility since it could (?) be used on deer.  The .17 has a flatter trajectory.

[Catfish]

The .17 Rem. is a great round and would serve you well. I anchored a dog that would have went over 100 lbs. with a 25 gn. Rem. factory load. The 30 grners. would be a better choice but I shot what I had. As for the crap about the .17-221 shooting cleaner I would not worry about as I never had trouble with mine fouling when hunting and put over 50 rounds through it when on the range with out lose of accuracy. Actually nothing wrong with ether round you might want to buy the one you get the Best deal on. 

[woodchukhntr]

Good advice, Catfish.  I am always looking for the best deals and look around for something used in good shape before I consider new.  Then I shop around.  I think that CZ makes their 527 in .17 Remington. I have a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 and love it.  It is light and handy and shoots extremely well, even with the Wolf ammo.  Thompson-Center also has chambered Contender carbine barrels in .17 Rem.  They can often be found in the T/C classifieds.  I have been thinking about getting one, but have the Rem 700.