17 Hornet~any fans/reloaders here?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~been thinking about getting one of these for some time. In fact, I've actually been considering one of the oddball .20cal offerings like 20TAC/20 Practical but having a custom, budget-conscious rifle put together by someone capable doesn't seem like a very straight-forward, or affordable option. Considering I want groundhog (maybe gopher one day) capable, 200 yard max shooter...the 17 Hornet might be up to the task. Besides..I've always wanted a CZ527 Varmint. :)

Curious to know from people who have them, reload for them;

1. Barrel heat~an issue? After how many shots? Suitable to a high-volume gopher shoot?
2. Reloading~big pain in the a** if you have big fingers?
3. Brass prep~prone to damage? What is the best brass for 17 Hornet?
4. Accuracy potential? Especially if you own a 527 Varmint...

Anything I should know before taking the plunge?

I have/use a .223 for groundhogs, but have cranked them with everything from 17HMR/.204R/.223/.243/.270/20ga/12ga...you name it. Some guys get a big kick out of the MOST power you can use for pest control, I'm intrigued by good solutions with the proper tools on the less powerful end of the spectrum. I can make as much noise as I want out where I shoot them...it's not that, more that 17s kind of intrigue me...and if it's not a hot-shooting caliber, maybe I'd consider taking it west for some gopher good times!

Appreciate any/all input...pet loads/bullets...photos...target photos...whatever. Good or bad~tell me everything 17-Hornet related. I don't want/need a $1,500 rifle/scope that is barely up to the task.(s)

Thanks!
 
I had a 17 Hornet for a short while, was a pain in the azz to load for with my sausage fingers... I eventually bailed on both the .17 and .22 Hornets entirely, in favour of the .222 Rem and .223 Rem, both loaded up or down depending on the game and situation. 22-250 for long range stuff. The .222 performs particularly well when loaded down to Hornet levels... it is also available in the 527. IMO the .222 is a much better choice 95% of the time... but sometimes you just gotta scratch that itch.
 
I haven't had it long enough to add much. I bought the Savage with a laminated stock knowing about some of the negative internet opinions. My opinion is not that negative. Yes a CZ would have been nice, likely better, but factoring in the cost?

Reloading is a bit more fiddly than my 223 because of case and projectile size, but I don't see it as the huge issue some do. I didn't like how IMR 4198 metered at so few grains so I switched to A1680 and it works great.

I have wrecked some primers, seems like the primer hole in the brass is pretty tight, that was with Winchester small rifle. Someone suggested CCI works better but I haven't tried them yet.

I think it's a fun cartridge.
 
hoytcanon said:
I had a 17 Hornet for a short while, was a pain in the azz to load for with my sausage fingers... I eventually bailed on both the .17 and .22 Hornets entirely, in favour of the .222 Rem and .223 Rem, both loaded up or down depending on the game and situation. 22-250 for long range stuff. The .222 performs particularly well when loaded down to Hornet levels... it is also available in the 527. IMO the .222 is a much better choice 95% of the time... but sometimes you just gotta scratch that itch.
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Well that's the issue. Whenever I have doubts about a caliber, my instincts are usually right. lol I have reservations about any .17 caliber to be totally honest, but I'm curious about the Hornet because of the small charge and resulting, cooler barrel temps. Still smitten with my latest .22LR purchase, so while I play with that...I can ponder the next rifle down the road.
 
I have access to one. It's fun. Let the barrel cool a min or so between shots. That 527 american will have a bit of a deflection in the accuracy when hot.

Reloading is easy. I got good brass life out of Hornady brass lubed with a light coat of spray lithium grease and max loads. 30+ firings on cases. The necks cracked rather than case separation.

I use tweezers to place the bullets.
 
I have a CZ 527 American topped with a Leupold 6x42. Shoots very well with just about any ammo, factory or handloads. Here's a 100y target with 25gr Hornady HP over IMR 4227

15538766_1660199660939113_2615016775477100544_n.jpg
 
I have owned a Ruger 77 , a CZ527 Varmint, and I now own a Cooper. The Ruger was not consistently accurate, the CZ was much better, and the Cooper is easily sub 1/2moa at 100m.It takes a fair bit of shooting to warm up the heavier barrels, and I have never worried about barrel heat. I use factory Hornady brass, and reloading isn't an issue for me.
 
Why I just happened to shoot two late season gophers with my CZ Varmint this week. Then the rain set in and ruined my day! Using my reloads, a 20 gr Hornady bullet over some 1680.

Like the cal so much a I bought a Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter as a spare/loaner.
 
I've had a 527 Varmint for close to 3 years now. With factory ammo it shoots 3/4" 100m groups, with reloads it gets a little bit tighter.

I've used Lil'Gun which I found a little bit "peaky" with pressures and temperatures, H4198 has been my go to powder with this little cartridge. AA1680 is supposed to be the cat's meow for the .17H, and I scored a couple pounds of it around a year ago, but have yet to load any samplings.

Reloading could be a pain if you've got sausages for fingers! ;) Powder goes a LONG way as you only load ~10gr per round, so around 700 rounds per pound! Only a couple reloadings on my brass so far, all looks fine.

For a gopher cartridge, personally I can't think of one better! Relatively cheap to load for, non-fatiguing to shoot all day, no recoil so you can see the shot (and result) through the scope.

Just do it! :d
 
I've been thinking the 221 fireball would be a great round for exactly what you want. Easier for bigger fingers and more case room makes any error in charge weight less concerning
The only 17 I've really liked is the mach2.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Winter is long...looking for a new project~this might be it! :) I guess I struggle with the "what will I do with it here in Ontario?" question, but, that's never really stopped me before. I don't hunt big game of any kind..but want a 45-70 too! :)
 
I have the 17 in a 527 varmint and I'm very pleased with it. I use it for long (and I mean long) range squirrel hunting (head shots only). Fortunately it will do it too. I haven't reloaded a lot yet and the best I can shoot so far with it is 1 3/8" at 200yds. That's with Hornady bullets and 1680 powder. I thought about the American version as it's lighter but the varmint isn't bad for a morning or afternoon stroll. TC
 
.22LRGUY said:
Thanks for the input guys. Winter is long...looking for a new project~this might be it! :) I guess I struggle with the "what will I do with it here in Ontario?" question, but, that's never really stopped me before. I don't hunt big game of any kind..but want a 45-70 too! :)
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Guess you didn't get the memo? Everyone needs a 45/70
 
brybenn said:
Guess you didn't get the memo? Everyone needs a 45/70
Click to expand...

No...I didn't get that one. :) I did have someone lend me an 1895G while I was out shooting gophers last spring. Naturally, I had to see what the caliber was about...and...shoot a couple of gophers with it. Mission accomplished on both fronts. To shoot that gun, in that caliber...is to WANT that gun...in that caliber. Bizarre effect on a gopher btw, but not the blow-up-ish-ness of the .223 we were also testing out. While our rimfires cooled off. :)

However...the 17 Hornet would have been a great deal of fun out there I'm sure.
 
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