Groundhogs+17 Hornet=success

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Well, I haven't retired my .223 for the job...but late last fall, I decided to buy a 17 Hornet to see what it was all about. This past weekend, I got out for my first groundhog outing of the year...and put 3 hay thieves to rest. lol Turkeys everywhere, and this guy is after groundhogs. :) 17 Hornet did admirably, longest shot (last photo) a ranged 178 yards.

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Hey Rob~the first 2 were head shots (all that was visible)...the 3rd a body shot. I didn't look closely at the 3rd, but took photos of 1 and 2 to minimize the visible damage. For the sake of forum-friendly photos.
 
Ahh man...
Yeah, kinda morbid me posting the carnage angle, but curious to see how the bullets perform on these larger critters.
When I was in Alberia a number of years ago using quick shock the bullets would create a hole the size of a quarter and the guts would fall out.
Didn’t matter if they were 5 yards or 25 yards away, still the same result.
AE hollow points would tear them in half.
Hence my morbid curiosity.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Glock4ever said:
It seems like all of the gopher threads has somebody mentioning or asking that...
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^yeah...I've seen that plenty of times. Focus is on pest control, but I should add that when these things get struck by a 53 or 55gr. V-Max from my .223...body shots...I can assure you, they get scrambled pretty good inside. Gophers~another story altogether. My custom hollow-point, HV 22LR ammo busts those little rats apart nicely. :)
 
As a potential 17 Hornet buyer ,what does it offer that the .223 doesn’t?...
A part of me just wants the 17 Hornet (cz527 action) to complement my 223 cz.
Beautiful rifle btw!
 
When the 17 hornet goes off in my savage its just low noise and a slight bump, first time I shot it i actually stopped and had to think about it as the results were so unexpected. I think it has less recoil and noise then a 22
 
Craftsman said:
As a potential 17 Hornet buyer ,what does it offer that the .223 doesn’t?...
A part of me just wants the 17 Hornet (cz527 action) to complement my 223 cz.
Beautiful rifle btw!
Click to expand...

Thanks! :) I've always liked 527s, and was looking for an excuse to get one. I already had a .223, I've owned .204R...just wanted to try something else. Another factor~sometimes I get curious about a rifle/caliber/scope...and reading reviews just isn't enough. As I said to someone else via PM, 17 Hornet performs like people SAY 17 HMR does. lol (and I've owned 4, 17 HMRs over the years) I'm still in the "getting to know it" stage, but enjoying the process so far.

As HTH pointed out re: advantage over .223? I don't think it offers anything that .223 can't do as well..or better from a performance POV. If you had to have only one, I'd pick .223 as a more versatile caliber. I'd have more confidence shooting a coyote with a .223 than 17H, but have had guys tell me it's a capable coyote caliber..even out to 285 yards. (one person's claim, not mine)

From a practical POV...I'd call them benefits more than advantages.. :) .. but they include lower report, no recoil, less than 1/2 the powder consumption of .223 if you hand load, etc. My decision to get one was more about curiosity, not the need for another varmint gun.
 
Glock4ever said:
It seems like all of the gopher threads has somebody mentioning or asking that...
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with haven a little fun , now is there?
:}

kamlooky said:
Sonnahavah beech..............is that a midgitt CZ or a bigg'un furr?
Great photos.
Glamouruss CZ.
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Prolly scaled version on the 527 and 452 actions....
Iffen I had a Coyote problem I might be tempted further.
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
Nothing wrong with haven a little fun , now is there?
:}



Prolly scaled version on the 527 and 452 actions....
Iffen I had a Coyote problem I might be tempted further.
Rob
Click to expand...

The size is very similar to my 452 Varmint. I'll have to get a side-by-side photo when that rifle comes back from Alberta in a few weeks.
 
man that is a beautiful gun. I bought a cheap marlin .17 just to try the caliber and I love it...
 
Pics said:
man that is a beautiful gun. I bought a cheap marlin .17 just to try the caliber and I love it...
Click to expand...

You're probably referring to a 17 HMR. I have one of those too, a Marlin 917 with an upgraded Rifle Basix trigger! :) The caliber these groundhogs fell to is 17 Hornet.
 
I just drove by a property that I have permission for and saw half a dozen hogs perched on their mounds... hmmm... might have to bring the .223 next time up to camp.
 
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