GUN CALIBER DICTIONARY

Although American wildcatters and Australian fox hunters long had interest in a 17-caliber cartridge, the 17 Remington was the first American 17-caliber, introduced by Remington in 1971. Based on the 223 Remington case necked down, the 17 Remington remains one of just a handful of cartridges exceeding 4000 feet per second muzzle velocity. Standard 17 Remington loads, currently offered only by Remington, are a 20-grain bullet at 4250 feet per second; and a 25-grain bullet and 4040. The cartridge shoots very flat and the heavy-for-caliber 25-grain bullet holds up better in the wind, but even this very fast 17 is not considered a long-range varmint cartridge. Instead it is preferred by many predator callers because the light, fast bullets rarely exit, thus minimizing pelt damage. Like virtually all of the 17s the 17 Remington can be exceptionally accurate, but the high velocity can foul barrels quickly so frequent cleaning is recommended. — Craig Boddington