What is this .17 wildcat?

Dave R · December 20, 2002, 04:49 PM

I recently inherited a rifle I know little about. Its cartridge is a .357mag pistol brass necked down to .17 caliber.

Anyone know what its called? Anyone know where I can get reloading data and a ballistics table for it?

bk40 · December 20, 2002, 11:17 PM

Dave,

I'm familiar with several .17s but not this one. Go over to the small caliber section at http://www.accuratereloading.com/ and ask. Someone should know. Or, call Todd Kindler at 330.897.0614 Todd knows as much as anyone (and way more than most) about 17s.

HTH - Billy

**Mike Irwin** · December 21, 2002, 11:36 AM

Yep, either a .17 Jet, or possibly a .17-.256, which quite frankly is about as useful, easy to make, and easy to use as a brick with wheels.

Dave R · December 21, 2002, 07:14 PM

"which quite frankly is about as useful, easy to make, and easy to use as a brick with wheels.:

Yeah, the buddy said it was hard to make cases. I got some brass (and loaded rounds) with it. The cases say .357 mag, no max.

He called it the "ultimate whistle pig gun".

**Mike Irwin** · December 22, 2002, 01:15 AM

I can think of about 200 calibers that are more "ultimate" for ground hogs than a .17 caliber based on the .357 Mag.

Dave R · December 23, 2002, 12:20 AM

Not ground hogs--whistle pigs. About half the size of ground hogs. .17 cal size!

'Sides, Mike, I know you're jealous cuz you don't have one

**Mike Irwin** · December 23, 2002, 01:52 AM

OK, whistle pigs is another name for prairie dogs?

Here in Pennsylvania some people call g-hogs whistle pigs.

Know the first thing I'd do if I had that gun, Dave?

Rebarrel it to either .256 Mag., or .357 Mag.

.22 K-Hornet, .25-20, or something similar would also be good choices.

I've about 0 interest in .17 caliber firearms.

bk40 · December 25, 2002, 05:17 PM

Mike, you're missing out on a lotta fun! There are many 17 cartridges to choose from today, from the little .17 CCM up thru ones such as the .17 VLR and .17 Tactical.

Bullets are available from 15gr up to 37grs!

December 20, 2002, 04:49 PM	#1
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	What is this .17 wildcat? I recently inherited a rifle I know little about. Its cartridge is a .357mag pistol brass necked down to .17 caliber. Anyone know what its called? Anyone know where I can get reloading data and a ballistics table for it? __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

December 21, 2002, 11:36 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yep, either a .17 Jet, or possibly a .17-.256, which quite frankly is about as useful, easy to make, and easy to use as a brick with wheels. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 21, 2002, 07:14 PM	#4
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	"which quite frankly is about as useful, easy to make, and easy to use as a brick with wheels.: Yeah, the buddy said it was hard to make cases. I got some brass (and loaded rounds) with it. The cases say .357 mag, no max. He called it the "ultimate whistle pig gun". __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

December 22, 2002, 01:15 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I can think of about 200 calibers that are more "ultimate" for ground hogs than a .17 caliber based on the .357 Mag. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 23, 2002, 12:20 AM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Not ground hogs--whistle pigs. About half the size of ground hogs. .17 cal size! 'Sides, Mike, I know you're jealous cuz you don't have one __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

December 20, 2002, 11:17 PM	#2
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	Dave, I'm familiar with several .17s but not this one. Go over to the small caliber section at http://www.accuratereloading.com/ and ask. Someone should know. Or, call Todd Kindler at 330.897.0614 Todd knows as much as anyone (and way more than most) about 17s. HTH - Billy

December 23, 2002, 01:52 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	OK, whistle pigs is another name for prairie dogs? Here in Pennsylvania some people call g-hogs whistle pigs. Know the first thing I'd do if I had that gun, Dave? Rebarrel it to either .256 Mag., or .357 Mag. .22 K-Hornet, .25-20, or something similar would also be good choices. I've about 0 interest in .17 caliber firearms. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 25, 2002, 05:17 PM	#8
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	Mike, you're missing out on a lotta fun! There are many 17 cartridges to choose from today, from the little .17 CCM up thru ones such as the .17 VLR and .17 Tactical. Bullets are available from 15gr up to 37grs!