2026 varmint shots.
- Thread starter Stinkdog
- Start date
Rick in Oregon
Well-known member
Who really knows what goes on inside these things? One day all is well, it's possible the very next day is one of the worst ones you've had in ten years. My worst day was some time ago when my desktop hard drive decided to die without notice.
Lesson learned.....the hard way.
Sieg
Active member
Good attention to detail Rick, the diagram in Nosler's book shows case length at 1.410, others show 1.400, Nosler's factory loads are 1.403 to 1.406, and somewhere else I saw 1.406, so for the sake of addition bullet grip I decided to try it. Just measured and inspected the last 10 fired hand loaded cases and they are 1.409 - 1.414, nothing about the necks look abnormal. Factory Rem cases are trimmed to 1.400, fired cases were 1.406 - 1.411. I'll likely go back to the 1.400 - 1.402 range.Seig, since your tweak, I see them all now.
Looks like that 17FB is working out very well for you. Not so much for the squirrels though.Your squirrels shown have a much longer and bushier tail than our Beldings do. Obviously a different species of grass rat.
View attachment 925
Nice tripod setup in the back of your truck. This is my first season with my BOG Death Grip tripod. My primary use is for rockchucks here. So far, it's working out as good as hoped.
Question: The Fireball case trim length is listed at 1.400" and is for the 17FB, 20VT and 221FB also. I see on your box label you have your cases trimmed to 1.406". Do you have a custom chamber with a longer neck length? What am I missing?
When I have more time, I'll check their BTS measurement. I haven't experienced any heavy bolt issues or seen any other pressure signs.
Those squirrels are California Squirrels, pretty big, extremely cautious, and tough to get close to, 75yds is a gift.
They will also put the hurt on a dog trying to kill them.
This picture was posted using my SmugMug link....
The other squirrels in the Valley here in the orchards are Silver Greys and an abundance of Eastern Fox Squirrels.
The Beldings are like going to a shooting gallery compared to these Californians. But they deliver a great report when hit!
My first season using the tripod and saddle too. I think the direct connection via Arca rail and clamp would provide more stability and easier to release the rifle. But if the rifle has a nice factory wood stock, I'm not butchering it to mount a rail.
