17 cal Barrel Life

[Sieg]

I recently acquired a Remington 700 CDL 17 Fireball Commemorative Edition, what is realistic barrel life expectation for the Fireball or similar?

The factory AccuTip ammo chronographs in the high 39's to low 4's, and for my development loads I'm trying to keep it in the mid 39's or less with 20g bullets.

It currently resides in a Magpul Hunter stock because the factory stock has a barrel support and is near perfect. The rifle had a 180 rounds through it when acquired (I shot 60 of those in 2008) and I've put 150 through it since.

Any experience/insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Depends on the accuracy requirements you need. Shooting small critters like squirrels needs more accuracy than shooting a coyote.

 

[Sieg]

Depends on the accuracy requirements you need. Shooting small critters like squirrels needs more accuracy than shooting a coyote.

.5"-.75" at 100yds is my reloading objective. Primary target is digger squirrels at 100-300yds.

I have a load using Nosler 20g tipped and H322 that's grouped .348" at 100yds w/ 0.06" jump. But velocity vs barrel life is my primary inquiry.

 

[GoWyo!]

You know it really depends on your volume/ rate of shooting. If you’re a dyed in the wool colony varmint shooter your barrel life is going to be much less than if you’re in the occasional coyote caller. If you heat up your barrel, it will wear faster. My Sako AI in 17 Rem has under 1500 rds through it. Have you used it a bit in all areas-Pdog towns, rock chucks, but mostly for coyote calling. (I’m ashamed that I don’t know actual number). More wear occurs from cleaning than from shooting I would wager. Use RP 7.5 primers, these will prevent piercing in these high pressure little rounds. Well, at least in the 17 Remington, I don’t know if the fireball is prone to that or not, probably not.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I think using thicker cup primers for 17s is a good idea. The pressures seem to spike faster than larger bores.