Pretty disappointing results there, elk, I wonder if you got, bad brass, I have been using rem 6.5 in both My CZ's (varmint & American) for two years now, no problem, except the first batch of brass, with shallow pockets and bent rim's. several thousand loads now, been up to 11gr with N120 as well. but FF with 10 gr and 10.5 for normal loading.
17 Hornet
- Thread starter scott_r
- Start date
Pretty disappointing results there, elk, I wonder if you got, bad brass, I have been using rem 6.5 in both My CZ's (varmint & American) for two years now, no problem, except the first batch of brass, with shallow pockets and bent rim's. several thousand loads now, been up to 11gr with N120 as well. but FF with 10 gr and 10.5 for normal loading.
The 6-1/2 primers went into the pockets very easily, I believe that the primer pockets are oversized. The BR-4 primers went in with more resistance, so I hope that they don't leak, as there are already marks in the bolt face.
In the long run, I think the time spent to resize, .22 hornet PPU brass is well worth it, at least its consistent, and gives good life, Hornardy brass is hit and miss for the .17 hornet, my last four boxes were good, but the first two, and the first ammo was garbage.
I have had good luck with forming both Remington and Winchester 22 hornet brass to 17 ah. I neck down in 3 steps then trim and anneal. Last batch of 250 I maybe lost 2 or 3. I had some hornady brass in the hh split on first firing. Load both 20 grain Berger and 20 grain z-max with n120 and Cci 400 primers. Fire form rounds kill gophers just as good as regular loads. Probably the best gopher round there is. Quiet but hits with authority. Ah is a cooper 38 and the hh is a ruger that was in the first batch to come in to Canada. Jard trigger in the ruger is a big improvment. Mine came from brownells. No issues with shipping as its under the $100. Every serious gopher hunter needs a 17 based hornet.
The BR-4 primers stopped the leakage around the primers. I worked up to 11gr of N-120, and accuracy was sub moa, but not a lot better. Velocity with 11gr was 3385 fps. I tried the 25gr, and they were horrible. I will try some w296 tomorrow with the 20gr. If that doesn't do better, I am going to look at bedding and floating the barrel, as some groups were 1/2 to 5/8 moa with the 20gr bullets and n-120, and the larger ones were usually larger due to a flier.
W-296 wasn't the answer at all. The front of the stock was putting a great deal of upward pressure on the barrel, so I removed some material and the groups grew. I completely floated the barrel and the groups grew even larger. I then bedded the front of the receiver , and the first couple of inches of barrel. I let the bedding fill the notch in the barrel as well at that point. The groups shrunk back to 1-1/2" or so, so I added a slight pressure point, and there was no change. I then took apart the rifle and ground the bedding material that was filling the notch in the barrel completely away. The groups shrank slightly, so I ground the front pressure pad away at the range, using my vehicle's 120v outlet to power my pencil grinder. It was starting to get dark, and I only had five rounds remaining, which formed a .370" group at 100m to end the day. Apparently letting the bedding material fill the notch in the barrel was causing the barrel to bind on the bedding material. So after over 120 rounds fired, three powders and two bullets tested, primer issues, reworking the trigger, and two rounds of bedding, the rifle is finally shooting as it should.
I love it more, when I just load up some rounds for a new rifle, and I immediately achieve the accuracy that I am seeking.
I was actually getting to the point where I was running out of ideas. It was a great relief to see that tiny five shot group tonight.
Well hopefully you can repeat that tiny group. Was that with 296 powder? How many grains. Will have to try that as well.
So what is the issue with the Hornady brass with dished primer pockets? I think I may have some. Will have to check.
I use Rem 7 1/2 primers in my loads.
So what is the issue with the Hornady brass with dished primer pockets? I think I may have some. Will have to check.
I use Rem 7 1/2 primers in my loads.
The best accuracy in my rifle was with 11gr of N-120. The first batches of Hornady brass had dished rims, and shallow primer pockets. The batch that I have seem to have oversized primer pockets. As far as repeating the group goes, I certainly hope so, but I have much more confidence in a five shot group, than I would have had in a single three shot group. The odds of a fluke are much lower with a five shot group.
Last edited:
I just picked up a CZ Varmint in 17 Hornet myself. My first test load today grouped well under 1/2moa, despite a lot of creep in the trigger. I adjusted the trigger tonight, and I will take my chronograph along tomorrow.
So, how is the CZ working out? I was looking at CZ 527 in 22 Hornet, but am considering the 17 instead.
I have a load that is quite accurate, if not overly fast. I adjusted the trigger until all creep is gone, and I also ordered a B&C synthetic stock for it. It will be ready for ground squirrels next spring.
Last edited:
How did you make out mounting a scope. What did you use for scope and rings?
I couldn't tell you, as everyone that I know that has a CZ527 in 17 Hornet has the varmint model. The dealer had both on hand. but I had a 527 Varmint Kevlar in 223 that I liked, so I chose the varmint model again. As well, when in a good field of ground squirrels,, the shooting can be pretty fast, so a little heavier barrel will heat up a bit slower.
I have both in .17 Hornet, CZ 527.
Given the variance's in scopes, a swarvo Z3 4x12 BRX fine, on the Varmint and a Leopold 4x14 x 50 std duplex on the American, fairly close to the same, both will put ten shots under a inch group at 100m, with the varmint slightly better, more flyers with the American, but thicker cross hairs and light rifle, I find the American harder to hold steady.
I think the heaver varmint, is easier to shoot accurately, have shot sum very good, five shot groups with mine, .250-.300 range @100m.
I will point out, that the varmint .17 hornet, has been bedded, and my American has not. I bought the Varmint, cheap brand new ($600), as the action was not square, and rocked slightly in the stock.
depends on your use, the American is a great walk about firearm, for rabbits, magpies and gophers etc.
but if you do a lot of gophers, from a fixed position, I would take the varmint every time.
Given the variance's in scopes, a swarvo Z3 4x12 BRX fine, on the Varmint and a Leopold 4x14 x 50 std duplex on the American, fairly close to the same, both will put ten shots under a inch group at 100m, with the varmint slightly better, more flyers with the American, but thicker cross hairs and light rifle, I find the American harder to hold steady.
I think the heaver varmint, is easier to shoot accurately, have shot sum very good, five shot groups with mine, .250-.300 range @100m.
I will point out, that the varmint .17 hornet, has been bedded, and my American has not. I bought the Varmint, cheap brand new ($600), as the action was not square, and rocked slightly in the stock.
depends on your use, the American is a great walk about firearm, for rabbits, magpies and gophers etc.
but if you do a lot of gophers, from a fixed position, I would take the varmint every time.
