New rifle, considering 17rem, 22 hornet,204 ruger

Cummins4x4

Cummins4x4

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Location
In the sticks East of Lethbridge Alberta
Just been looking around for a new caliber for a walking varminter, got a 223 LTR so considering a lighter caliber and something for mostly under 200 yds offhand shooting of gophers, skunks, foxes and yotes. Considering the Ruger 77/22 in 22 hornet, Rem 700 CDL in 17 Rem, CZ or Brng micro in 204. Mostly looking for input on the differences in cartridge performance, thinking most of these rifles will keep me happy but any other rifle suggestions would be helpful too. Might consider a CZ 17HMR Varmint but the frickin ammos $$$$:mad:
 
i have a 17 rem, ,22 hornet ,17 hmr by far my favorite is the 22 hornet then the 17 rem, i really do not use the 17 hmr to often, as i find it does not really preforms much better than my 22 with a quaility bullet. i have heard mixed reviews on the ruger 77 in 22 hornet, but have never shot one.
 
I'm not sure I'd consider the 17 and 204 as 'lighter' calibers. Both produce similar blast and report, and a much flatter trajectory, sufficient for 300 yard 'point blank' shots. I have a 17 rem, 204, 222, Hornet and a handful of other varmint calibers.

You might like the 17HMR. I'd have to dispute the 'not much better than a 22' statement, though. Accuracy was better than any other rimfire I'd ever seen. Trajectory was much flatter, allowing for kills at astonishing distances. And, terminal effects on gophers was much more than any 22lr - I'd frequently get 'helicopters' and total gopher disruption :D Still, while I had one for a while, I sold it as I much preferred the Hornet. There are lots of options right now; one of the 'remington' mausers, CZ, Ruger, and Savage. I have the 77/22 and it's unbelievably accurate. Avoid older Rugers (earlier than mid 90's) - before they used to forge their own barrels, accuracy was hit and miss. Also consider a CZ in 221 fireball, or the new remington 17 fireball.

Or, you could play around with 'blue dot' loads for your 223 to simulate Hornet performance levels with reduced noise and blast
 
Last edited:
The .204 is my choice... a 440 yard shot on a groundhog yesterday made me a believer. The recoil is so light I watched the impact in the scope. 32 grain V-max at well over 4200 fps. Definitely a flat shooter to 300 yards... wind can be a factor with the light bullets at longer ranges though.
 
Under 200 yard Varmint rig

Go with the 22 Hornet for sure. It's a proven varmint / pest remover. If you want a little more power later simply have it done up to a K-Hornet.

The Hornet has a lot of history and a lot more class.

Arch:)
 
The Hornet is fun but not usually very accurate.

The 204 and 17 will pull your 223s pants down and spank it out to 400 yds or so.

Both 204 and 17 are fairly recoilless and extremely accurate.

Good luck!
 
cc878@hotmail.com said:
Might consider a CZ 17HMR Varmint but the frickin ammos $$$$:mad:
Click to expand...

Not sure why you think the 17HMR ammo is expensive - I pay around $12 for a box of 50, that's about a quarter per shot. Reloading anything is going to cost you at least that much plus labour.

I LOVE MY 17HMR - Savage 93R17BTVS
93r17BTVS.jpg


Eric
 
I'm starting to come around on the .204. I have seen lots of other guys having success with them.

I have zero field experience with one but if someone would show me how they are on fox hides I would get one and try it his year.
 
In a good rifle with good handloads, the Hornet is both useful and accurate. If you are interested in harvesting fur it is a better choice then the factory loaded high velocity cartridges. Quite a few guys tried the .17 Remington around here, and with factory ammo, it tended to cause unacceptable pelt damage to our small arctic foxes. If you handload you can make a high velocity cartridge perform like the Hornet, and in that respect the high velocity rounds are more versatile, but for me the Hornet was a good cartridge.
 
Of the choices you listed, .204 Ruger by far except with one consideration. If you don't reload, another choice might be more suitable for you. Forget the .17HMR if coyotes are ever a serious target.
 
Keep in mind he said he's looking for a lighter cartridge, for off-hand shots within 200 yards, and that he already has a 223.

Personally, I wouldn't consider the 204 any lighter, and it is unnecessarily fast/flat for <200 yard shots.


Hell, you might even want to consider another 223. Stevens 200 or Tikka T3 are both very lightweight, and accurate. If you handload, you could go for reduced 'blue dot' loads for the 'walking around' type shots.
 
When you added Coyotes to the list for me that removed the 17hmr, but that is me. But as a gopher gun and up to fox sized stuff it is a fun little gun, nobody in gopher country should be without one.

I added a 22 hornet to the inventory last year, it is a fun little round about perfect for your criteria. In standard config it's not a 200 yard coyote gun maybe 125-150, depending on the load.

Mine is just a handi but it was real easy to convert it to k-hornet. I was pop'n gophers with it last week makes nice chunks,and accurate enough considering. And it should be good for coyotes to about 200, but then one of the fireballs(17 or 22) should do that out of the box, with more to spare.

For those of you griping about hmr ammo take a look at hornet ammo, the hornet is one of those rounds where you actually save money reloading. 13$ for 50 vs 43$ + for factory.
 
cc878@hotmail.com said:
Just been looking around for a new caliber for a walking varminter, got a 223 LTR so considering a lighter caliber and something for mostly under 200 yds offhand shooting of gophers, skunks, foxes and yotes. Considering the Ruger 77/22 in 22 hornet, Rem 700 CDL in 17 Rem, CZ or Brng micro in 204. Mostly looking for input on the differences in cartridge performance, thinking most of these rifles will keep me happy but any other rifle suggestions would be helpful too. Might consider a CZ 17HMR Varmint but the frickin ammos $$$$:mad:
Click to expand...

Hello, since you are interested in a small game stalking rifle for use out to 200 yards you can forget about the .22 hornet and under, however if you are interested in having some work done and possessing a very personal rifle you may be interested in re-chambering a Brno ZKW 465 to .22 spitfire(necked down 30M1 carbine) this leaves you with a short bottle neck cartridge that will push a Nosler 40 Gr ballistic tip at 3400 fps in a lovely little stalking rifle.
There is a lot of pissing around sourcing dies, reamers and such, however the work on the rifle only entails re-chambering and removing the pressed guide ribs from within the magazine(filing).
Because the cartridge is so short you are able to seat the aforementioned Noslers out to the required depth with ease, what is more you do not end up with a lip/gap where the case and projectile meet( as one gets when one attempts to use 40 Gr Noslers in a hornet).
Regards, J Stuart.


Ps we have had two ZKW 465's and one Ruger done, all three shot under 1" at 100 yards with the re-chambered factory barrels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom