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[MidMORiverRat]

Looking into a .17 Fireball, .17 Rem. or a .204.  More of a play gun than anything.  .17 would be remingtons, but the .204 I do not know.  Howa makes a nice looking rifle with thumbhole stock.  Anyone know about these? 
Helped buy a .204 last year, but never have shot it yet.  Dad must love it as he packs it everywhere . 

[Larry in SD]

Not having had a .17 Fireball, .17 Remington or a .204 Ruger I can not really comment on those choices. However since the .204 Ruger is sort of the new kid on the block and taking the shooting world by storm I would guess that there would be more choices in bullets and or ammo available for it.

As per the Howa Rifles, well I have had a few and worked on several others in the form of Weatherby Vanguards, Smith & Wesson Model 1500's, and Howa's. The ones I have worked with have been .223's, .243's & .270's. I have worked up loads for several of these and all have been good shooters. The one .223 had an exceptional long throat but once the right combination of bullet, powder and seating depth was found it shot very well.

The triggers on the Howa's are adjustable, albeit a bit tricky at times. I have had to take one apart and stone off a burr and after I found that burr and stoned it the trigger ended up super. All the rest I was able to adjust. There is a built in safety feature to these triggers in that if you get the sear engagement too fine the safety can not be applied, kind of a gauge so to speak as to whether or not you have adequate sear engagement.

All in all I think the Howa is a very good value for the $$$ in a Rifle these days, but then so is Savage, Stevens and a few others.

Larry

[TomKat]

I saw a skunk shot with a .17HMR a while back, it was impressive. Lights out.

There has been a lot written about the .204 Ruger, it seems to be here to stay

[MidMORiverRat]

Yea TK I have a 17 HMR in a stainless bull barrel.  Impressive squirrel gun and have shot bobcats and yotes with it.  Just wanting something different to add.  Definitely do not need another gun, but will not go there.

[Scot]

Having the choices you mentioned I would purchase a 204 Ruger...hands down!  I have a CZ varmint in 204 and it is nothing short of spectacular.  With factory Hornady 32 gr loads it shot 1/2" or better groups right out of the box.  Handloading produces similar results.  It will dispatch any critter up to and including a coyote with no problem.  At a distance up to 300 yards you can just hold right on and the fun part is that you can see the downrange results through your scope.  Its an amazing caliber and a permanent addition to my rifle battery.  You won't be disappointed owning one.

[CoAce(James)]

Howa biulds a heck of a gun. They are higher dollar but you get what you pay for with them.
 The new AXIOM line is almost unbeatable for the money (yes it comes in 204.
 As for your cals you want....
Check your local store on prices and avalibilty on ammo before you decide as some you mentioned may not be cost effective as a plinker/fun gun.
Going with the 204's heavier bullet weight may also be a better choice for windy day shots. the 204 will also be easier to find. 
  What ever you decide make sure to to more homework on each before you buy.
 I will try to do some bullistic checks on the 3 cals you mentioned and post them up before sunday night if it helps you decide.
                              James

[CoAce(James)]

AMMUNITION BALLISTICS FOR:
                                                            .204
.17 Remington

 25 gr HP                                           32gr PP
 MV of 4040                                           MV of 4225
At 100yards   3284fps                           @ 100         3632fps
     200           2684fps                               200         3114fps
      300           2086fps                               300         2652fps
       400           1606fps                               400         2234fps
        500           1235fps                               500         1836

Energy  @ Muzzle  906                            @Muzzle  1268
At 100     599                                          100         937
     200      388                                          200         689
      300      242                                          300         500
       400      143                                          400         355
        500     85                                             500         345

Trajectory at 100yrds  is 1 " high                 At 100yrds  .06 high
  @   300     6" drop                                        300          4.2" drop
      400      20" drop                                        400          13.5" drop
       500    47" drop                                          500          30" drop

So now a list of Ammo prices from Midway USA

 .17 Rem                                               .204 Ruger

Box of 20                                          Box of 20                                           
$27.99                                            $18.99 to $26.99
Midway is backordered                   Midway has ALOT in stock
On ALL 17 REM

I hope this helps you decide between the 2. I didnt do the fireball because I dont thik it should be concidered ammo will be harder to find as will the rifle itself. If you want a diff rifle mabe concider the 221fireball or the 220 swift. 
  Again I hope the above info helps you
                                                         James

[MidMORiverRat]

Thanks for all the responses.  Sorry CoAce but I believe I am leaning toward the .17 Fireball in a Remington SPS Varmit.  I have 3 .223's, .22-250, .22 hornet and a .220.  Just like to be different I guess. 
Who knows though I might change my mind when I go to order.

[TomKat]

The numbers on the .204 are impressive. It would appear that SOME .243, 6mm, and .22-250 loads MAY exceed the top speed of this particular listed .204 load....

[MidMORiverRat]

TK,
Did I see somewhere that you are a 6mm man or was I just dreaming that.  I have a 6mm in a M77 and have used it for deer, shooting 100 gr. Partitions and 95 gr. BT's.  Do you use it for yotes and if so what bullet do you use? 
I have never really played with the 6mm and do not plan on myself using it much anymore.  I am sure my kids will and the wife shot her first deer with it a couple of years ago.  Will have to find a pic of it.  Talk about beginners luck.

[TomKat]

Yes, I am a vocal proponent of the 6mm Remington. I got an old tang safety style M77 from CoAce in a trade some years back (THANKS JAMES!!!! ) and have shot hundreds of prairie dogs with it. This particular rifle is a medium weight barrel and is, for my any way, to heavy to be a pratical calling rifle. But the gun shoots very good groups, I have put 5 of them in a group at 100 yards that you could cover with a dime.

Its hard to find this great caliber in a light weight calling rifle. Ballisticly, its a great round and a cousin to the .243 I have been very impressed with the performance of Sierra 70 grn Match Kings and Varget in 6MM.

[CoAce(James)]

Your welcome Tom.

MidMo you want to be diff? Try the 218 Bee

The .218 Bee

By Chuck Hawks



The .218 Bee was named for its bore diameter, it actually uses standard .224" bullets. It is based on a necked-down and blown out .25-20 case with a 15 degree shoulder. It is a neat little rimmed cartridge with an overall case length of 1.345". The SAAMI maximum average pressure for the .218 Bee is 40,000 cup.

Winchester's .218 Bee factory load uses a 46 grain hollow point bullet at a MV of 2760 fps and muzzle energy of 778 ft. lbs. At 200 yards the figures are 1550 fps and 245 ft. lbs. According to the Winchester ballistic tables, the trajectory of that load looks like this: +1.5" at 100 yards, 0 at 150 yards, and -4.2" at 200 yards.

According to the Hornady Handbook, Third Edition a 45 grain spire point bullet can be driven to a MV of 2900 fps with 13.0 grains of H4227 powder, a 50 grain spire point to 2700 fps with 14.2 grains of H4198 powder, and a 55 grain spire point to 2700 fps in front of 14.0 grains of H4198. All of the foregoing loads were developed in Winchester cases using Winchester primers. Reloaders wishing to duplicate the factory load can use the Speer 46 grain flat point bullet in front of 14.2 grains of IMR 4198 powder with a CCI primer for a MV of 2738 fps, according to Speer reloading data.

 

[TomKat]

When I was about 12 years old I shot one of these. The first rifle I ever fired. Fun to shoot then, and now.

[bluescout]

If the .218 Bee uses a modified 25-20 case I'd hate to think of what the factory ammo would cost.  I have a Winchester model 1882 lever action rifle chambered for 25-20 and the last time I checked Cabela's wanted a little over 50 bucks for a box of shells.

[CoAce(James)]

Blue it is mostly a reload ammo. it can be found.  winchester white box 50 loaded rounds runs $72.99 at midway.
       this is a round you would want to reload  Brass at midway is $36 per 100.  

Where as the 17 fireball ammo runs $47.99 per 50 for loaded Remington UMC.
  Brass is $36 per 100  


Either could be loaded (per 100) for about $100 first go round and about $25 per 100 everytime after with proper brass care.

Midmo I'm in no way trying to change your mind. I'm only trying to through out options for you  
 Keep in mind also that .172 bullets will also be a little harder to find on a local level. .224 is made alot more because of the military use.
                Just food for thought for you.
                                              James