17 Hornady Hornet Opinions

BCD 45

BCD 45

Member
I've been in the market for buying a 22WMR but after do some reading I've about changed my mind to a 17 Hornet. Since I already have 2 17HMR's I thought this may be a better choice & I do reload.

I'm wanting it mostly for just shooting for fun but also some small varmints & predators, crows & such.

What's your opinions? Any downsides to this little cartridge? I don't have the time for lots of case work but would I be better off with the 17 Fireball? If you think so, is the 17 FB a lot louder report?

Also, the two guns I'd be interested in in the Hornet would be the Ruger 77/22 if I could find one or the 24" CZ Varmint. Thanks girls,

Jim D
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Texas Swifty Thanks girls,

Jim D

well sweetie, a 17 hornet is about as much fun as you could stand with you dress still on.
tt1.gif
 
STS, thank you. I added to my thread a question about 2 rifles. Would you tell me your opinion? Or the rifle you would choose? I'm wanting to fill that gap between my 17HMR & my 222's.

I try to keep that dress pulled down because my 65yo legs are hairy & ugly as chit.

Jim D
 
I have a CZ 527 Varmint in 17 Hornet and it is a sweetheart of a little gun to shoot. The CZ overall is about the nicest little gun you can find in its price range and the trigger is outstanding. The only downfall it has is they don't feed quite as smooth as other centerfire rifles do due to the fact that it's a rimmed case. I've massaged the magazine a fair amount and it's made a significant improvement but it still doesn't feed as smooth as my CZ 527 in 204. Some people choose to replace the detachable mag all together and put a single shot follower in its place and they eliminates any potential problem entirely.

Also, have you given any consideration to the 17 WSM? I have one of those as well and they definitely have more "thump" than does the 17 HMR, especially out past 100 yards. The Savage Bmag 17 WSM got a lot of bad press when they first came out because MANY of them didn't shoot for sheet. I have one of the newer heavy barrel stainless models and it shoots extremely well.

For me, the biggest advantage my 17 WSM has over my 17 Hornet is when I'm shooting sage rats, ground squirrels or just out having fun shooting whatever, with the 17 WSM being a rimfire I don't have to mess with saving brass and when you're shooting 300-500 rounds a day, it's nice not to have to mess with saving brass. If that's not something that concerns you, I'd definitely take the 17 Hornet over ANY rimfire.

I pretty much shoot everything suppressed but even un-suppressed the 17 Hornet is about the quietest centerfire available.
 
Last edited:
My vote would definitely be the 17HH over the 22mag or any other rimfire!

Out of the 5 different 17 calibers i have the 17HH is my favorite out to about 200 yards or so and the 17 fireball takes over from there out to 300/350yds which i have shot/killed a few 1000 Sagerats and PDs at that range very easily.

I also run everything suppressed with the 17HMR and 17HH i use my rimfire suppressors, the rest of them i run a 30cal suppressor and they make them all very fun and easy on the ears.

I had the Ruger in 17HMR and it was a pretty good shooter but not as good as my CZ and I have both the 17HMR and the 17HH in the CZ American and they are both darn good shooters! loading for the HH is not any different than any other caliber!

I picked up 1300 pcs of once fired brass for pretty cheap, there are guys that shoot factory loads and never load there own and if you look you can find brass pretty reasonable.

As far as loads for the 17HH mine much prefers the 25gr Burger/H4198 and I was hoping it would shoot it the best for different reasons.

If you would pull your skirt up to just below those hairy knees you will have a Blast with the 17HH
wink.gif
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: reddog964If you would pull your skirt up to just below those hairy knees you will have a Blast with the 17HH
wink.gif
wink.gif


no, no, no. to the ankles is just fine.

of the 2 you asked about it would be the cz if it were me. but be aware some cz 17hh do have feeding issues. the one i had did and i have heard of many others. other than that they are nice rifles and shoot great.
 
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: reddog964If you would pull your skirt up to just below those hairy knees you will have a Blast with the 17HH
wink.gif
wink.gif


no, no, no. to the ankles is just fine.

I think there is only a couple inchs difference so we should both be safe
wink.gif
wink.gif


P.S. I'm sure Jim D will thank us both... Lol
 
I have the cz American and my son has the varmint.. They both shoot excellent.. I also had the ruger
77/17hh.. I had the trigger redone on it and sent back to the factory to be evaluated.. It shot 1.5 groups at 100 yrds... I cant remember what was but they sent it back and it sill shot lousy.. Many people said it was because the bolt was sloppy and some have put a shim in it to tighten it up some.. I just got rid of it and went to CZs... As for the feeding issue on the CZ.. My shells would get locked to the shell below it in the mag and make it hard on impossible to chamber without remove the mag ... If you load the magazine careful and make sure each shell is pushed back as far as can go seems to help with the feed issue... Dan
 
I have the Ruger 77/17 Hornet and it's a great rifle. I don't experience any feeding issues and the accuracy has been terrific. I appreciate the fact that it is a true full size rifle that has a little heft to it but is still light enough for hunting. To me the flush mag was important so CZ was out

100 yard group Superformance shelf ammo
1128151349_zpsuueuw42b.jpg
 
Back
Top