I've been reading quite a bit on this "new" little cartridge for varmints, and I'm thinking it'll be my next acquisition. .22 hornet necked down to .17, 20gr. Vmax @3650 fps. Hornady now produces boxed rounds in their Superformance line, and Savage is producing it in their model 25s. Anyone heard of these rifles/ammo in Canada yet?
.17 hornet
- Thread starter Jmiverson
- Start date
I have one on order and was told it should be here around July. I have not seen the ammo for it yet but I did locate some brass which was kinda on the expensive side. If I can't find factory ammo when rifle arrives I will try and find brass and dies then. If I have to wait a while to shoot it when it gets here it won't be that bad.
I'm waffling back and forth on this one. I've always found 17's to be disappointing for various reasons - the HMR is wicked expensive compared to the HMR, and doesn't carry quite the same downrange thump, and it's flatter trajectory is offset by poor performance in the wind. The HM2 is cheaper, but doesn't really offer anything compelling over the hyper velocity 22lr's. And the 17 remington doesn't offer the same sort of long range trajecory or windage as the 204 or 223, and also doesn't give as much downrange thump or gopher-misting ability.
I'd be more interested in a 20 hornet. Even so, I'll probably acquire one of these at some point to play with. I do find that I can reload the 22 Hornet for about the same price as the HMR, and I'm sure the same will hold true with the 17 hornet. We'll see how it performs in the field, and then I'll have to face the decision about whether to keep it, or the 22 hornet. And that will be a really hard day for me, as I am deeply in love with my 22 hornet! Quiet, inexpensive, accurate, and really really amusing when it does connect downrange, and makes them gophers leap for joy
I'd be more interested in a 20 hornet. Even so, I'll probably acquire one of these at some point to play with. I do find that I can reload the 22 Hornet for about the same price as the HMR, and I'm sure the same will hold true with the 17 hornet. We'll see how it performs in the field, and then I'll have to face the decision about whether to keep it, or the 22 hornet. And that will be a really hard day for me, as I am deeply in love with my 22 hornet! Quiet, inexpensive, accurate, and really really amusing when it does connect downrange, and makes them gophers leap for joy
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I might pick one of these up and see if I can shoot it cheaper then the hmr
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
I've seen loaded ammo but no rifles. I would really like a nice little CZ in 17hornet, but could certainly settle for a Savage 
Yes a cz would be sweet. Apparently the .17 hornet uses the same action as a .22 hornet, and I've read about guys re-chambering for it... And as far as $ for reloads it uses less powder than a .204, and making brass from .22 hornet is possible. After all the wildcat was developed in the '30s, just never caught on.
From what I have read you can not resize 22 hornet brass to make a 17 Hornady hornet. The rims at the base are different sizes. I ordered my rifle from a small local shop that sells mostly Savage rifles. I was quoted a really decent price of $550 so I thought I would give my local store (who I have bought from before) a little business. I was quoted $40 for 50 brass from another store so I thought if I have to pay that much I might as well look for factory ammo which should be about $1 a round.
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
Thats ok mack, they are both easily made from parent cases. I want a fireball as well. would like one of each in a mod 7 cdl
I had a .17 Ackley Hornet built about 10 years ago, I never stays home from a ground hog hunt. It's built on a Sako L-46 action with a Mac Clennan barrel turned to the factory contour. It's relatively quiet, light and accurate. I wouldn't want to be without it.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Hence the .204
Currently I am reloading 50 rounds of .204 for a little less than the cost of .17 rimfire.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Hence the .204
Heard that the 204 is picky with bullets. Was never really interested in it either lol. I will see when they get here. Also I like that fact that recoil is suppose to be like a 22 mag.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Well... Yes, they are a little picky. But ones the recipie is found, they are amazing. I can attest to trying 12 different bullets before finding the one.
Recoil is very mild.
Interested in seeing if hornet takes off and why .17 fireball didn't.
Can anyone with .17 centerfires chime in as to how their's are for fouling? I've been reading in some accounts that because they move so fast and the small caliber makes for quick fouling. True or false? I've shot .17 fireball, .204, and own a .223. I wouldn't rely on a .17 for long shots in any wind, that's where the .223 shines. But I wouldn't mind the .17 hornet for calm summer days at the gopher patch.
I have 2 Fireballs, 2 17 HMRs, a 17 M2 and a 17 HH. The fireballs have gone well over a 150 rounds without being cleaned while gopher shooting and I saw no drop in accuracy. The 17 HMR and M@ get cleaned at the end of the year so probably 3000 rounds each over a normal gopher season. I have not shot the 17 HH a lot between cleanings yet, but the load is similar to what I use in a 22 hornet and the hornet will go over 200 rounds between cleanings.
Like so many things on the Internet, there is a lot of myths posted by people who heard from a friend or read it somewhere else. If you can find the actual users you often find these to be just Internet myths.
