17 HORNET PERFORMANCE?

[searcher]

I've not had anything in .17 cal other than the hmr. I've thought about the Hornet but have put off buying one due to no lead-free bullets being available to reloaders and if I shoot locally, that is what I have to use. Regardless, I can't help but wonder about the practical field performance of those neat little cartridges. For those of you that have them, what are your thoughts on performance, barrel fouling, accuracy, effective range, etc.? Any input is appreciated.

 

[LCazador]

I've got a CZ 527 in 17 Hornady Hornet. It has been fantastic on prairie dogs out to 300 yards. I'm loading the 25gr. Berger at about the same velocity as the 20g. factory load. I'm using 22 Hornet PRVI brass. It's a bit faster than the 17 Ackley Hornet which I also shoot. I thought Nosler was making an NTX non lead bullet for it. I have shot the NTX in the 17HMR and it loses too much energy. I'm sure someday we'll all be shooting non-lead bullets as all the lead will now be coming from abroad. They closed the last lead mine here in the US due to environmental restrictions.

 

[searcher]

They do make a factory load with the NTX - but none of the bullet manufacturers are selling a non-lead component bullet. And they do get squirrely sooner than leaded bullets for sure. Still, have been able to get lots of 300-yard hits on squirrels with the 17 HMR 15.5 grn NTX load, so I guess it is not that bad. While I have gotten scores of hits at 300, once you get to about 330 yards, it gets ten-fold harder to get a hit - at least in my guns. Was hoping this new little gem in .17 Hornet would stretch it out just a bit more and give me the abilityt to tune the load.

 

[searcher]

I don't blame you for not wanting to move to California. I just got back from a trip up through Oregon and Idaho. The highlight was getting a personal tour of the BAT Machine operations and to shop in a REAL sporting goods store called Blacksheep in Coeur D'Alene. You just don't get to see that here. Here, it seems to be mostly queers, nuts and fruits, illegal aliens and those who want to take from those that work for a living (did I leave anybody out?) Hell, I think there is a law that makes me saying such light-hearted things as being a terrorist. Heaven forbid. I have finally realized, after 40 years, my drill instructor was right.

 

[kcjim]

I recently bought a .17 Hornet CZ 527 Varmit. I am still breaking the barrel in and working up a load. I have been very pleased with the accuracy. I have been shooting 20 grain V-Max's using Win 296. I have achieved 1/2" accuracy at 100 yds so far. It's a very fun cartridge to shoot. I plan to use mine for prairie dogs. I'm going to chronograph it later this week.

 

[MrMajestic]

I have finally realized, after 40 years, my drill instructor was right.

;D