.17 Fireball for coyotes

Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
33
I build an AR chambered in .17 FB. I love it and it's a great shooter for prairie dogs with 20gr Vmaxes. However it's a nice lightweight AR that I'd love to take through the sandhills. I'm going to develop a 25gr Hornady HP load for it. I have a .17 Remington that I love for coyotes so I'd suspect the fireball would be nearly as effective.

Who uses .17 Fireball on yotes?
 

WCB

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
3,286
I use a .17 Hornet sometimes (mostly .223) and my buddy uses a .17 rem 25gr and his only loading it to about 2950fps. I'd imagine you'd be pushing it as fast or faster as his load. Be a great yote round IMO.
 
OP
sandhill_hunter
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
33
I use a .17 Hornet sometimes (mostly .223) and my buddy uses a .17 rem 25gr and his only loading it to about 2950fps. I'd imagine you'd be pushing it as fast or faster as his load. Be a great yote round IMO.
I'm pushing mine to over 4000fps...
 
Joined
May 24, 2012
Messages
32
Location
wet side of Washington
I use a 17 Remington, but a buddy of mine uses a 17 FB. My next one will be a Fireball. Both are great if your saving pelts, but his Fireball is way easier on barrels.

Thinking about a 20 Practical for an AR though, as I won't be so worried about losing brass.
 
OP
sandhill_hunter
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
33
I use a 17 Remington, but a buddy of mine uses a 17 FB. My next one will be a Fireball. Both are great if your saving pelts, but his Fireball is way easier on barrels.

Thinking about a 20 Practical for an AR though, as I won't be so worried about losing brass.
I was going to go to Prac. But the 17 FB barrel showed up at a price I couldn't refuse. I love it, just need to develop a 25gr Hornady HP load.

I use a brass catcher on my ARs. It's kind of a pain especially if you have to clear your gun.
 
Joined
Aug 6, 2017
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551
Location
On the Road my Friend
I was going to go to Prac. But the 17 FB barrel showed up at a price I couldn't refuse. I love it, just need to develop a 25gr Hornady HP load.

I use a brass catcher on my ARs. It's kind of a pain especially if you have to clear your gun.


I was just going to ask if people used a brass catcher while hunting?


17 brass of any flavor is expensive, when you can find it.
 

WCB

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
3,286
I was just going to ask if people used a brass catcher while hunting?


17 brass of any flavor is expensive, when you can find it.
I Shoot a bolt so not I just grab my brass...but I know 2 maybe 3 guys that use them on their ARs while yote hunting.
 

Goodolboy

FNG
Joined
Nov 27, 2022
Messages
2
Nice! I have a model 7 in a fireball and love it. Need to shoot more coyotes with it. I have had 1 coyote get away but that I think was from bad place shot. You said it was a lightweight? Trying to build a AR for my 10 year old boy, what was your build like? Any info much appreciated
 
OP
sandhill_hunter
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
33
Nice! I have a model 7 in a fireball and love it. Need to shoot more coyotes with it. I have had 1 coyote get away but that I think was from bad place shot. You said it was a lightweight? Trying to build a AR for my 10 year old boy, what was your build like? Any info much appreciated
Yeah it's under 7 lbs I think. I've never weighed it. But it has a 20" dead shot barrel on it, aero upper receiver. PSA EPT lower. The rail is awesome and it's a Presma. Super simple design. It's really light. MLoK.

I threw a redifled 6-18 (Leopold vx2) on it.

Hogue grips are a necessity for me.
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2021
Messages
79
I’ve got one in 17 practical in a McGowan barrel and it’s a fantastic little gun. I had some trouble with 20g Vmax so I started using 25g bergers and they seemed to be the ticket for me. I sometimes run a brass catcher but for as often as I shoot it I tend to just let the brass fly and forget about it.

I also hunt coyotes in the Sandhills year round when possible.
 
OP
sandhill_hunter
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
33
I’ve got one in 17 practical in a McGowan barrel and it’s a fantastic little gun. I had some trouble with 20g Vmax so I started using 25g bergers and they seemed to be the ticket for me. I sometimes run a brass catcher but for as often as I shoot it I tend to just let the brass fly and forget about it.

I also hunt coyotes in the Sandhills year round when possible.
17 prac is a good alternative with way cheaper brass to the 17 Rem. My son wants to build an AR and wanted it in 17 rem and I suggested 17 practical.

I've heard the 25gr Bergers are a good coyote bullet.

I'm in North Central Nebraska just south of the SD state line.
 
Joined
Aug 17, 2016
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1,052
Location
Kansas
I shot a few with my 17fb that I ended up selling (regret it)... it worked great. One of the best coyote hunters, Dave Affleck used his 17machIV (basically the same as a 17fb) for 2 seasons and stated it was an amazing coyote slayer.

I'm building a 17fb on a Howa Mini action right now. Pac-Nor barrel, B&C stock with Jefferson Outdoor Bottom Metal. Looking forward to getting back into the 17fb game.


17yote.jpeg
 
Last edited:

RNhuntAK

FNG
Joined
May 8, 2021
Messages
14
I've been pretty happy with my .17 hornet on coyotes. Fast accurate and no pelt damage on these heavy furred Alaskan song dogs
 

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