17-223 Rifle and Ammunition

[buckspen]

I am a new member here and have a question. I have the opportunity to acquire a Sako bolt action rifle chambered for the 17-223 wildcat cartridge. I am not very familiar with the Sako rifles and don't know what the action type is, but it appears to be a short action. The barrel on the gun is marked 17-223 and it appears to be a factory barrel. When did Sako make rifles for this cartridge and is there any factory ammuntion avialable anywhere? I am aware that ammo can probably be made by necking down the .223 cartridge case, but am interested in finding some factory ammo. Did Sako make any?

Thanks!

- - Buckspen

 

[kevinlg]

Buckspen,

The only factory rifle, that I'm aware of, which was chambered for the 17-223, was the H&R Model 317 Ultra Wildcat. It was available with the Sako L461 action in 17-223, from 1968 thru 1971, among other chamberings.

To my knowledge, Sako has never produced any 17 caliber ammunition. The 17-223 is a wildcat cartridge.........although, years ago, I bought some "custom factory" loaded 17-223 ammunition. It was made by.......are you ready for this???....................Cisco and Pancho's Ammunition Company.

No, I'm NOT kidding. I may even have a pic of the ammo box somewhere.

I'll post a pic of one of my 17-223's(This one is a 317P, presentation model.

Hope this helps.

Friend Of the 17

Kevin Gullette

 

[buckspen]

Kevin - Thanks for the information. I will look the rifle over more carefully.

Cisco and Pancho Ammo Co.! Huh!!!

Best Regards,

Buckspen

 

[hhhodes]

I am a new member, and I just read your post and thread about the .17/223

I own an H & R Ultra Wildcat in .17/223 (it was my dad's) and it is one of the most beautiful rifles I own (and it is deadly accurate - under low wind conditions!). It is built on a SAKO Vixen L461 receiver.

Years ago, I purchased a set of RCBS Dies that neck-down .223 GI brass to .17 cal. Whenever I need new cases, I neck down the GI Brass and fire-form the cases using a reduced load. After that, you can reload all the way up to SAAMI maximum pressures while make the velocity versus accuracy tradeoffs. Typically the highest achievable velocities will NOT be the most accurate, but very accurate (.75 MOA or better) loads can be worked up even at MVs of 3000 fps.

Recently, I came across a Guns & Ammo magazine cover story (from October 2003) that features this exact model.

The URL to this article is as follows:
https://www.gunsandammo.com/content/17caliber-ultra-bomb?page=1

My best to all,

Harry

 

[Allen49]

Hello i am new to this forum and i noticed the post about a Sako 17-223. I used to own a Sako 17-223. I bought a Sako short action. I took it to a gunsmith along with a 17-223 cartridge that had made from 223 brass and had him chamber a barrel for it to fit the cartridge. In had a walnut thumb hole stock put on it. I think it had a 22 inch barrel. It was a beautiful rifle. I kept it for a great many years but finally had to sell it. Statistics I read concerning this wildcat cartridge was that you had to keep your hand loaded bullet speeds to under 4200 feet per second or the 25 grain bullet would come apart about 50 feet out the barrel. I never did see any factory ammunition for it. And was not sure 17-222 would or any 17 caliber ammo other than my hand loads would work in it. Just thought I would say a word about it.