17 Hornet.

Are planning to use it for coyotes, or mostly for prairie dogs/gophers?

Do you still have your 17 fireball? How has that been for coyote pelts? Have you taken any bobcats with it?

like most rifles I buy probably 3 trips to the range then sell it on CGN :D:rolleyes: I'd take a coyote with it I think, at 250 yards or closer

I sold my 17FB, but did take a coyote with it at all of 40 yards. Pelt damage wasnt great but I also shot the back end off it on the run and then shot it in the head when it was spinning around. No bobcats 'round these parts :) but Im sure the 17's of all types are good for pelt damage most of the time
 
A .17 based on the Bee would be best, I'd favor the Mashburn Bee version, but I don't think you would see it except maybe Cooper.
 
A .17 based on the Bee would be best, I'd favor the Mashburn Bee version, but I don't think you would see it except maybe Cooper.

A good excuse to buy a Cooper. I ended up buying mine because my choice was Remington or Cooper when I was looking at the 17FB.
 
I think that the .17 Fireball would be a more accurate round, just based on case design, some outfits may not chamber the .17 Hornet because of the rim in bolt guns. I would think it would be dandy in a falling block single shot or a rebarreled Martini.

Don't know why you think the .17 Fireball would be more accurate. This is a well balanced round and there are several bolt guns around that currently are chamberd for the .22 Hornet that could work with the .17 Hornet. The Ruger 77/22 for instance.

What I like about this cartridge is that it is not over bore capacity as are all other factory .17s and even the Ruger 204. All those others exceed 4000 fps and while that looks good, it's hell on the barrel. The .17 Ackley Hornet, that is very similar but a custom job, has an excellent reputation for both accuracy and barrel life.
 
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