Who shoots a 17 Hornet?

[stringnut]

A friend of mine just loves his 17 hmr and wants to go 1000 fps faster. The 17 Hornet is what he is interested in. Being a good friend l said I would take the leap if he does.

Just wondering what rifles people have and how they shoot. Not interested in the 17 Remington or any others at this time. As of right now haven't even found anyone who has one. That makes it tough to gather information.

 

[ZGunner]

I have one and like it. Mine is a Savage Model 25 with the laminate stock that was just too good to pass up. I haven’t shot it a bunch, just enough to get it zeroed with a 4-16x42 Nikon Prostaff. The only ammo I could find was the Hornady Superformance stuff, and I’m just not sure the rifle,likes it. I’d like to get a set of dies and try my hand at rolling my own for it. Accuracy in the field has left me a little disappointed, but I have yet to run it through it’s paces at the range and see where I need to improve it. Luckily, I’ve only had wounding shots on soda cans.

So, I like the rifle but need to work with it more. I’ll be interested to see what others have to say about this little rocket.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I know someone with a CZ527 17 Hornet. It shoots some impressive groups. I'd have one if they made a left hand gun.

 

[TN Outlaw]

I'd definitely go with the CZ 527 if I was interested in the 17 Hornet. Awesome gun for target work or a critter getter.

My only experience with .17 is 17hmr and 17Rem so I'm not great help but I will say even at 17Rem speeds wind is a big factor. It doesn't take much wind to see movement.

I've heard the 17 Hornet with the vmax has some pretty explosive results on small varmints so it should do the job and I've not heard of accuracy ever being an issue with a CZ. That's all I got.

Good luck

 

[Picher]

Here are some comparisons:
.17 Hornet - Wikipedia


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.17_Hornet

 

[jmorris]

I have spent decades trying to convince myself I need a .17 besides pellet guns.

I’ve leaning towards the CZ 455 combo for the last couple years because I am sucker for another .22 and technically I’d have a .17 too.

I do like the .22 Hornet for what it is. Leaps and bounds over the .22 magnum but a lot of that is selection of ammunition. From what I have learned there is pretty good factory ammo for the HMR, so that might close the gap a little on the accuracy end.

 

[Picher]

Good luck with your .17 Hornet quest. Frankly, I'm not at all interested in a .17 cal centerfire and if you go ahead with the project and not be happy, it's probably going to be hard to sell.

I'm sticking with .223 diameter as the smallest centerfire to purchase and am very happy with the .223 Rem in a bolt action that I handload for and sometimes shoot factory. However, I've often thought about getting a .22-250 Ackley-Improved as being a longer-range, harder-hitting varmint cartridge and wish it would become a factory cartridge because it cures the ills of the .22-250 Rem, namely, case body taper that causes excessive case-stretching. I'll probably get there fairly soon, since I have a .223 rem 700 ADL that could be converted without too much work.

It's fun to play around with rifles and get something that isn't seen in most gunshops!

 

[BigBlue 94]

Never dabbled in the 17 Highpowers but I do have a 204 ruger that spits fire. It's a ruger 77 rifle

 

[jmorris]

Frankly, I'm not at all interested in a .17 cal centerfire...

That’s where I’m at and why I’ll follow this thread, to get something that will entice me besides you can’t have one of everything without one.

 

[Gordon]

I have a Martini Cadet actioned one for 20 years. It is .17 Ackley Hornet. I have not yet tried the new factory ammo, but After checking dimensions it should work. Mine is more accurate than my .22 k Hornet Martini, but that is probably a barrel factor. It is slightly under a Moa out to 200 yards. I have shot ground squirrel to 286 yards Max and they don't blow up as well past 250 yards. Yes .17 are much more affected by wind compared to .22. they seem to run out of steam before 300 yards. They are quieter than .22 , I have a good comparison next to the .22 k Hornet. A fun niche gun in my opinion, excellent for shooting ground squirrel in suburban orchards, or Jack rabbits in edge of towns where it is legal.

 

[<*(((><]

For the 17 Hornet, I would lean very heavily towards the CZ 527, it has a set trigger that can be utilized or disabled.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm sticking with .223 diameter as the smallest centerfire to purchase

I have probably come to that same conclusion, at least that is the reason for no .17 so far, and it will likely stay that way. Shot a friends .17 HMR, and it shot great and was fun. Don't want to buy a .17 rod, brushes, etc......

 

[<*(((><]

I have probably come to that same conclusion, at least that is the reason for no .17 so far, and it will likely stay that way. Shot a friends .17 HMR, and it shot great and was fun. Don't want to buy a .17 rod, brushes, etc......

This has been my thought as well on the subject. I like the idea of a .17 Hornet, but then I look at my .223 bolt and realize it'll doe the same thing at less cost essentially. But that doesn't stop me from wanting...

 

[sscoyote]

Oughtta' be the coolest little 250-yd. and under varminter ever, IMO with the 20 V-Max. I have a 17"-Shilen barreled 17 Fireball XP-100 and it is my favorite predator gun during fur season. Killed a bobcat with it at 350 yds. couple years ago as well 25 V-Max at 3400ish, and have burned out barrels on 2 17 Rem. Model 7's.

 

[JWF III]

I have a Savage Model 25 with the synthetic stock. I wanted the laminated stock, but couldn’t turn down the deal I got. The gun/pawn shop was going out of business. Bought the gun, new, for $400 otd. Buying the gun, they through in all 10 boxes of ammo they had, .17 caliber cleaning rod, scope rings, bore brush, clp, etc. I could have got a Bushnell scope for $50, but I had a cheap BSA not being used already. I wish I had gotten it. I still need to replace it with a better scope.

First range trip with it with crappy scope... All at 100 yards... 3 shots, adjusting between each. Then 2 to verify zero. Next 5 for a group... Measured 9/16”. I was sold.

I don’t have a reason to own it. Only hunt deer, ducks and dove. (Turkey every once in a while.) I’d love to take it turkey hunting, but it’s not legal in GA. So in reality, it doesn’t get shot that much. Less than a box per year. But I do like it. It’s not going anywhere. (Not that any other will go anywhere either.)

My only complaint about it is that it is extremely heavy, for what it is. Glad I didn’t get the laminated stock now. But they sure are nicer to look at.

Wyman

 

[Picher]

I bought a "fairly expensive" .17 Cal Dewey cleaning rod and bent it the first time using it. Gotta be very careful using one. They should probably be built from spring steel, but that might be a bit hard on bores. I only stroke bronze brushes from breech to muzzle and remove them there to prevent crown erosion. First use of the bronze brush was the problem. Since then, it goes through much easier.

Now, after careful straightening the rod and, with the rifle held by the rubber "vees" of the cleaning rest, I support the rod a few inches back of the receiver with my left hand, so it has less unsupported length to bend.

 

[Offfhand]

Going back to the OP's post and question stated therein: If the friend who is interested only in the .17 Hornet, and intends to shoot only factory ammo, he should be quite happy with the choices available. However, if he wants an even better, more practical, choice he should strongly consider the .17 Rem Fireball. Especially if he is a handloader.