Ruger 77/17 Hornet

M

Marc Johnston

Member
Does anyone have any firsthand experience and knowledge about this rifle? I’m looking around for either a used CZ 527 or the Ruger 77, but all I’m seeing is the Ruger in 18.5” barrel. I see a lot of good reviews on the 24” barrel but the only thing I really saw about the 18.5” was someone regretting the purchase. They said it was shooting 1.5”-2” MOA at best. I think I have settled on this round as my next smaller critter/bobcat and fox rifle. I’m going to eventually suppress it as well. I see Savages all over the place, but very spotty reviews when trying to eject rounds. Shoot well, but their functionality doesn’t seem up to par. Thanks for any help and replies!
 
I have one, purchased new. I do not recall what my 100 yard groups were. American Eagle 40gr were the best factory. My reloads were a little better but not great so I put on a Lilja, it now is almost a tack driver. If I had to do it over again I would go with standard 22 Hornet. I had a Ruger 77 22/Hornet, it was may favorite prarie dog gun, wish I never got rid of it. The woman that has it doesn’t use it, never hunts but won’t sell it back.
 
The little 17 Hornet is a fun gun to shoot but slap a can on one and you'll giggle like a little girl every time you pull the trigger. They aren't all that loud to begin with but are just silly quiet with a suppressor on them. A few years before CZ stopped making the 527 I bought a Varmint model 17HH. It was so much fun to shoot I bought a second one a year later and I'm glad I did because not only have prices gone crazy on all CZ 527's but CZ in all their infinite wisdom decided to stop making one of the best 17HH you could get then Ruger stopped production of their 77/17 Hornet quite a few years ago as well which left us with only the Savage model 25 for a 17 Hornet and for me that's the same as having no option so I'm grateful I have my two CZ 527's. Hopefully Ruger has plans to some day make their 77/17 Hornet again.

Many of the better rimfire suppressors like the TBAC 22TD, Dead Air Mask, and Silencer Central Banish 22 cans are 17 Hornet rated so you get the benefit of being able to use a much smaller lighter rimfire suppressor on your 17 Hornet.

The "Varmint" model CZ 527 17HH have a 24in barrel and with a can on them makes for a pretty long setup for a little pea shooter like the 17 Hornet so I had about four inches lopped off when it was in getting threaded. I would have gone shorter but that was the most my smith could cut off without pulling the barrel off. If I ever rebarrel either of them I'll probably go with something around 18-20 inches. You're going to love that shorter 77/17 Hornet, especially, when you start shooting it suppressed.

Marc, if you reload 12.2gr 1680 w/20gr Vmax is what I load in both of my 17HH's and they shoot that load really well. Even if all you shoot is factory ammo the Hornady and Federal American Eagle ammo still shoots very well. Some Lot#'s tend to shoot a little better then others but I've yet to shoot either of those two that wouldn't shoot MOA at 100yds or better. Also, don't drag your feet getting a suppressor for it and get one now. Once you start shooting that thing suppressed you'll never take it off!
 
B23 said:
The little 17 Hornet is a fun gun to shoot but slap a can on one and you'll giggle like a little girl every time you pull the trigger. They aren't all that loud to begin with but are just silly quiet with a suppressor on them. A few years before CZ stopped making the 527 I bought a Varmint model 17HH. It was so much fun to shoot I bought a second one a year later and I'm glad I did because not only have prices gone crazy on all CZ 527's but CZ in all their infinite wisdom decided to stop making one of the best 17HH you could get then Ruger stopped production of their 77/17 Hornet quite a few years ago as well which left us with only the Savage model 25 for a 17 Hornet and for me that's the same as having no option so I'm grateful I have my two CZ 527's. Hopefully Ruger has plans to some day make their 77/17 Hornet again.

Many of the better rimfire suppressors like the TBAC 22TD, Dead Air Mask, and Silencer Central Banish 22 cans are 17 Hornet rated so you get the benefit of being able to use a much smaller lighter rimfire suppressor on your 17 Hornet.

The "Varmint" model CZ 527 17HH have a 24in barrel and with a can on them makes for a pretty long setup for a little pea shooter like the 17 Hornet so I had about four inches lopped off when it was in getting threaded. I would have gone shorter but that was the most my smith could cut off without pulling the barrel off. If I ever rebarrel either of them I'll probably go with something around 18-20 inches. You're going to love that shorter 77/17 Hornet, especially, when you start shooting it suppressed.

Marc, if you reload 12.2gr 1680 w/20gr Vmax is what I load in both of my 17HH's and they shoot that load really well. Even if all you shoot is factory ammo the Hornady and Federal American Eagle ammo still shoots very well. Some Lot#'s tend to shoot a little better then others but I've yet to shoot either of those two that wouldn't shoot MOA at 100yds or better. Also, don't drag your feet getting a suppressor for it and get one now. Once you start shooting that thing suppressed you'll never take it off!
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Appreciate the reply! I went with the 18” Ruger 77/17. I’m excited to get it! I think I’m going to put a Trijicon Huron 3-12x40 on it for the time being, I think that’ll suit my needs.

I really wanted a CZ 527 Varmint, but that was $1750 starting bid on Gun Broker. Maybe someday. Looks like a great rifle, but I’ve heard good things about the Ruger as well. I tried to steer clear of the Savages after reading the shaky at best reviews.

I’d like to learn how to reload. I’ve always wanted to, I’ve just never taken the plunge and actually did it!
 
Marc Johnston said:
Appreciate the reply! I went with the 18” Ruger 77/17. I’m excited to get it! I think I’m going to put a Trijicon Huron 3-12x40 on it for the time being, I think that’ll suit my needs.

I really wanted a CZ 527 Varmint, but that was $1750 starting bid on Gun Broker. Maybe someday. Looks like a great rifle, but I’ve heard good things about the Ruger as well. I tried to steer clear of the Savages after reading the shaky at best reviews.

I’d like to learn how to reload. I’ve always wanted to, I’ve just never taken the plunge and actually did it!
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If you've never reloaded or spent much time reloading even I don't know that the 17 Hornet is a cartridge I'd want to start out with. They aren't particularly hard to load for but they certainly aren't without their quirks that's for sure.

When you get it give the barrel a good cleaning and proceed to shoot the he11 out of it. I don't think I'd want to go bear hunting with one but those tiny little 20 grainers can be impressive.
 
I can second B23’s quirky reloading comment. I have been able to get better than factory ammo groups with reloads but consistency has been an issue for me. Still considerably cheaper to shoot reloads than factory ammo keeps me working at it Beloit a fun gun to shoot especially with a can.
 
Marc Johnston said:
Does anyone have any firsthand experience and knowledge about this rifle? I’m looking around for either a used CZ 527 or the Ruger 77, but all I’m seeing is the Ruger in 18.5” barrel. I see a lot of good reviews on the 24” barrel but the only thing I really saw about the 18.5” was someone regretting the purchase. They said it was shooting 1.5”-2” MOA at best. I think I have settled on this round as my next smaller critter/bobcat and fox rifle. I’m going to eventually suppress it as well. I see Savages all over the place, but very spotty reviews when trying to eject rounds. Shoot well, but their functionality doesn’t seem up to par. Thanks for any help and replies!
Click to expand...
No experience but I do with the CZ527 American in 17 HH, mine is totally stock, and I shot this at 100 yards, perfect benched-down conditions. I opted to try and improve on that, so I sent a picture to Lilja. They responded that they wouldn't touch a factory-barreled rifle that shot like that. Talk about an honest company. My go-to groundhog and coyote rifle out to 250 yards. Find a CZ and pay the price you won't regret. Four-shot group below, Hornady 20 grain V-Max Superformance.Hornady shoots the best; however, Winchester and American Eagle are very similar, Hornady only by a hair.My set trigger is 8 ounces, not recommended for novice shooters, however.
 

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ohlongarm said:
No experience but I do with the CZ527 American in 17 HH, mine is totally stock, and I shot this at 100 yards, perfect benched-down conditions. I opted to try and improve on that, so I sent a picture to Lilja. They responded that they wouldn't touch a factory-barreled rifle that shot like that. Talk about an honest company. My go-to groundhog and coyote rifle out to 250 yards. Find a CZ and pay the price you won't regret. Four-shot group below, Hornady 20 grain V-Max Superformance.Hornady shoots the best; however, Winchester and American Eagle are very similar, Hornady only by a hair.My set trigger is 8 ounces, not recommended for novice shooters, however.
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Knowing my addictive personality, I’ll probably fall in love with the 17 Hornet and want to buy another. So maybe the CZ 527 is in my future. I ended up buying the Ruger 77/17 Hornet a few weeks back. I’m excited to shoot it soon once the rings get delivered to my house!
 
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