17 Caliber Contender Cartridge

[tred1956]

Just knocking this around. A long way from ordering but I believe this may be my next purchase. I read a post about the 17 Ackley Hornet that has really peaked my interest. Like the idea of an efficient cartridge but, then 4000+ fps sounds nice too. What I would like to hear from the members is which 17 caliber and WHY you perfer each. Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Safe shooting
Doug

 

[Rust]

I'd consider the .17 Hornet AI to be the most sensible out of all the .17 centerfire cartridges.

The larger cartridges are seriously overbore, and they eat barrels. Been there done that with the .17 Remington and a .17-221 variant. Wouldn't do it again.

 

[Gibbsfan]

I have 17 remington and am very happy with it. Most of the problem that 17 cal stuff has is that it fouls barrels pretty fast so you have to stay on top of keeping it clean. I moly coat and i can go longer without cleaning but if you start getting some flyers it is definately time to clean. Also don't shoot long strings because 4000 fps can heat up a barrel really fast. Thats pretty much rule of thumb for an gun though.

 

[kitsap]

tred1956

Check out Varmint Al's article on the 17 Ackley Hornet here .......

http://www.varmintal.com/arelo.htm#Forming_17

DougF

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I'd consider the .17 Hornet AI to be the most sensible out of all the .17 centerfire cartridges.

The larger cartridges are seriously overbore, and they eat barrels. Been there done that with the .17 Remington and a .17-221 variant. Wouldn't do it again.

17 hornet one and done effective out to 300 yards with proper shot placement, very easy on barrels at 3750 fps average, 15 and 20 grain bullets prefer 20,but the 15 never failed me but extremely hard to find. Stick with a CZ IF you can find one I love mine and as proven here have taken a trailer load of coyotes and gh's.

 

[hogpatrol]

17 hornet one and done effective out to 300 yards with proper shot placement, very easy on barrels at 3750 fps average, 15 and 20 grain bullets prefer 20,but the 15 never failed me but extremely hard to find. Stick with a CZ IF you can find one I love mine and as proven here have taken a trailer load of coyotes and gh's.

Thirteen year old thread, the OP probably has it figured out by now.

 

[SSL]

Thirteen year old thread, the OP probably has it figured out by now.

Or a very slow learner...

 

[Tommie]

Some folks haven’t quite figured out the zombie thread rule. And then there’s some folks who habitually resurrect ancient threads.

Maybe some day.

Maybe.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Some folks haven’t quite figured out the zombie thread rule. And then there’s some folks who habitually resurrect ancient threads.

Maybe some day.

Maybe.

Just think maybe 10 years from now somebody will bring back the Lab radar vs. the Garmin thread. Sooner or later we going to run out of new things to talk about

 

[NZ_Fclass]

My Hornady version works pretty well on small game. Easy to load to 3500fps with CFE Black and good brass life.

 

[msalm]

More info, I took a 17 HMR barrel and opened chamber to 17 Ackley Bee…. Good little cartridge also. I had a Martini Cadet in the same, so went with that, otherwise the Hornet would have likely won out.

 

[JSH]

I was just starting to poke the 17’s with a stick 13 years ago.
2023, I have had or have 17HMR, 17WSM,17HH, 17FB and 17 Remington. The HMR and the 17HH went bye bye.
17HMR was not my cup of tea for prairie dogs. Past 100ish too many crawl offs, no splat factor.
17HH was a problem child for me from day one. A lot of tinkering and tuning. I learned a LOT from it though. If I was ever to go with a Hornet case again it would be a 17 AI as long as I had plenty of the same bunch of brass.
17WSM, another problem child of sorts. It is an MOA rifle at best (Savage). I deal with it and am fairly satisfied. Bought plenty of ammo when it was cheap and no one wanted it. The accuracy issue is ammo related, from my findings. To much velocity swing + to -. Maybe ignition would fix it, it not dropping $2-3000 to find out.
17FB, it will do anything the Hornet case will and more. Easier to work with, easier to get accuracy. Will equal sane speeds of a 17 Remington and 20 grain bullets, 4000FPS is easily reached.
17 Remington, I run nothing but 25 + grains in mine and stay at 3700-3900FPS. Don’t be stupid and blast away. If you do yes you will see issues. I use mine only to fight the wind a little better and gain some range.

Yeah a 223 is a good service rig, but a 17 is just a lot of fun

 

[ArtinNC]

Shot at 205 yds with 17 mach 4 Contender and droped like a rock .. You can see where the bullet entered going toward the left front shoulder .

 

[searcher]

Old thread - but new interest...
I have thought a lot about a .17 HMR in a Thompson contender PISTOL, fitted with a muzzle brake. Anybody out there do that? Able to keep sight picture? Was thinking of a 10" heavy barrel. Would use it for small ground squirrels - pretty easy to kill.

 

[3Ackleys]

Thirteen year old thread, the OP probably has it figured out by now.

maybe maybe not. From the OP: "A long way from ordering " LOL

 

[Big Mc]

Just knocking this around. A long way from ordering but I believe this may be my next purchase. I read a post about the 17 Ackley Hornet that has really peaked my interest. Like the idea of an efficient cartridge but, then 4000+ fps sounds nice too. What I would like to hear from the members is which 17 caliber and WHY you perfer each. Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Safe shooting
Doug

I have a 17/223 .easy to make cases, and the yotes in south Texas hate it .. 20gr Noslers @ 4167. Only problem is cant shoot it in the fog. Tommy Mc