17 HMR pros/cons

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:08 am

mikld wrote:I'll toss another idea into the discussion; I like to reload my .223 with cast 45 gr. bullets over loads of WC820 and/or Unique. A bit more than a 22 lr., mebbe less than a .22 Magnum, and a lot less than a .223 an much quieter too. Not a rimfire, not "needed" as there are other cartridges that fit there nicely, but, I have the stuff and it's a heck of a lot of fun...

I was talking to Malamute about downloading .223 after seeing what 22LR is selling for now.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:11 am

sore shoulder wrote:
mikld wrote:I'll toss another idea into the discussion; I like to reload my .223 with cast 45 gr. bullets over loads of WC820 and/or Unique. A bit more than a 22 lr., mebbe less than a .22 Magnum, and a lot less than a .223 an much quieter too. Not a rimfire, not "needed" as there are other cartridges that fit there nicely, but, I have the stuff and it's a heck of a lot of fun...
I was talking to Malamute about downloading .223 after seeing what 22LR is selling for now.

Sore Shoulder; do a search on " Blue Dot Loads for the 223 Rem " I am using a few of them for 2 of my 223's.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:13 am

Yes, this interesting, I did not know one could go down that far with .223.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:16 am

Turtle, Just happen to be well stocked with Blue Dot.

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:44 am

Mesclaro, I bought some 45 gr. Bear Tooth bullets on a whim acouple years ago and just lately started loading them for my Handi-Rifle (1 in 12" twist). First group was loaded with WC820, about 5.0 grains, surplus military brass, CCI small rifle primers. I got sub 2" groups at 40+ yards, good for me! Subsiquent loadings are with 2400, about 9.0 grains and some w/Unique (data out in my reloading shed). All shot very quiet, no recoil, and turned less than 2" at 40-50 yards. Don't have a chrony, but I'm guessing between 1600 to 1900 fps. Still playing, working up a more accurate load. and I expect to get as good as or better than what I get with premium jacketed bullets (if not, what the hey!). My Handi-Rifle will shoot around 1" at this same distance (on a good eye day

). Loads of fun, easy on the powder supply, bullets cheap (even cheaper when I get a .224" mold). I haven't done a cost study as I've had all the stuff on hand for quite a while, but I'm sure it's more than my .22s and less than my .17...

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:39 pm

If I could get more velocity than LR and less noise than .223, I would be happy.

J35 · Post by **J35** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:04 pm

Mescalero wrote:If I could get more velocity than LR and less noise than .223, I would be happy.

Can you say Hornet

--J

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:29 pm

I meant with .223, I gave my Hornet away, maybe I should not have done that.

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:13 pm

I had one for awhile and it worked nicely for groundhogs inside 75 yards .

But....................................................... !

I have the same issue with the 17 HMR I have with ANY rimfire .

You have to buy and shoot factory ammo only . You CANNOT reload . So in a situation like we have now you are screwed if you don't have a bunch stashed away !

Sigmar · Post by **Sigmar** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:01 pm

6pt-sika wrote:I had one for awhile and it worked nicely for groundhogs inside 75 yards .

But....................................................... !

I have the same issue with the 17 HMR I have with ANY rimfire .

You have to buy and shoot factory ammo only . You CANNOT reload . So in a situation like we have now you are screwed if you don't have a bunch stashed away !

one thing I am finding a lot of is 17 HMR rds but not much of anything else

J35 · Post by **J35** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:48 pm

Mescalero wrote:I meant with .223, I gave my Hornet away, maybe I should not have done that.

No, if ricochets are a big concern the little 17 is probably your best bet.

---J

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:36 pm

Mescalaro, if a .223 can be loaded down to Hornet levels then I don't see a problem. I've got a box of 40gr Vmax and a bunch of Blue Dot. Think ill give it a whirl.

J35 · Post by **J35** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:08 pm

sore shoulder wrote:Mescalaro, if a .223 can be loaded down to Hornet levels then I don't see a problem. I've got a box of 40gr Vmax and a bunch of Blue Dot. Think ill give it a whirl.

If by Hornet levels you mean 2400-2700fps no worries.

If you are thinking mid teens or lower be careful you don't stick a bullet, if I was going to try I would use a cast bullet.

Lyman and Rcbs has published data for mid teens to 2100 fps.

---J

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:11 pm

J35nut wrote:
sore shoulder wrote:Mescalaro, if a .223 can be loaded down to Hornet levels then I don't see a problem. I've got a box of 40gr Vmax and a bunch of Blue Dot. Think ill give it a whirl.
If by Hornet levels you mean 2400-2700fps no worries.

If you are thinking mid teens or lower be careful you don't stick a bullet, if I was going to try I would use a cast bullet.

Lyman and Rcbs has published data for mid teens to 2100 fps.

---J

I've loaded 223's down to sub sonic levels with 60 grain jacketed bullets with no problems . So with that being said mid teens should certainly be no problem .

harry · Post by **harry** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:26 am

Mescalero wrote:mikld,
Can you elaborate?

From Hodgdon
55 GR. HDY FMJ IMR Trail Boss .224" 2.200" 4.0gr 1074fps
55 GR. HDY FMJ Hodgdon Titegroup .224" 2.200" 3.1gr 1064fps 4,000 CUP
55 GR. HDY FMJ Hodgdon Clays .224" 2.200" 3.2gr 1060fps 3,700 CUP

17 HMR pros/cons

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