17 Hornet

[bench]

what do you guys think about me building a 17 Hornet for my two grandsons for a starter rifle.
I think a single shot would be the way to go for a starter rifle
Would build with a TI action for the weight and topped off with a PacNor barrel
Let me know any pro or cons that you can think of.
Thanks
Bench

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Two cons i can think of is not all actions will run a hornet case. The other is you cant do much legal hunting with a 17cal. If youre looking for something small like that they can practically use and will work with any action is a 221fb although id suggest a good ole 223 so you can get blasting ammo or load good stuff and be able to deer hunt with it later. A stock cz527 is a good choice and will be lighter than what youre thinking on the other components on top of that. Also one of the little howas

 

[Iowa Fox]

Just my thoughts but for starting I would go with a 22 rimfire. A bolt gun that would shoot shorts -L-LR and of course Super Colibri. I've always thought everyone should own a T/C Contender & Encore action, short stocks for youth shooters, rimfire to the big stuff. To me noise & recoil are two big considerations when starting a new shooter. I've got 2- 17 AH and they are cracky noisy. I'm going to have to wait for great grand kids before I get to start the next generation.

 

[Ramblerman]

what do you guys think about me building a 17 Hornet for my two grandsons for a starter rifle.
I think a single shot would be the way to go for a starter rifle
Would build with a TI action for the weight and topped off with a PacNor barrel
Let me know any pro or cons that you can think of.
Thanks
Bench

Well, 17 Cal overcomplicates things to me...stick with something in the 22 caliber range. 17's need special attention and equipment...not challenges you need to include when trying to engender the love of a sport.

Just ask yourself this...is it for them, or for you? If it is for them you might just get a nice pair of 22 rimfires...ammo is cheap and accessible, they need little to no maintenance and shoot well enough to teach the fundamentals without fear or intrusion of the complications of an obscure wildcat.

If it has to be a center fire (which I don't agree with, flinch induced by noise and reasons above
) then a 223 for the reasons mentioned here would be a fair bet.

Just my $00.02. Good luck. Kevin

 

[snert]

Littlr kids...22 single shot, open sights, fun targets and lots of grins and smiles from Grandad.

Middle kids...223 bolt gun or TC with good 4-14 scope, teach them to load and start with light loads, even reduced loads, then work them up to shooting varmint rounds.

Big kids: (send me whatever you want tested and I will tell you if it is appropriate after i test it enough to turn the barrel into soft noodle....)

 

[Tommie]

I think a 17 Hornet would be a great rifle for a kid.

 

[bench]

Thanks guys for all the replies
Some food for thought.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I've got a pair of .17 Ackley Hornets. Love them. I think they'd be a great starter gun. My kids shoot my rifle very well. Get to watch the action in the scope! But honestly I'd probably do a 17 fireball instead. Better brass out there, dies cheaper and off the shelf. Hornet brass has gone down hill in my opinion over the last 10 years or so.

 

[JSH]

You can always load down, it's hard if not impossible to load up.
Worst thing I did was start my son with a 20 gauge, he was about 12-13. The youth model seemed like it was out grown in no time at all. Next thing I knew he had grabbed up everything I was shooting.

A CZ 22 rimfire has a place. Price is reasonable enough, accuracy is over the top of much anything else in the price range.

Most will raise an eye to this, but a 30-30 can be loaded way down, yet still used for years to come. There are a few bolt guns out there of decent quality if you look. A TC Contender is a slick single shot and a hoot to play with.

 

[Bojo]

How old are the grandkids ?
Hard to beat a 223 bolt gun . Cheaper savage actions and let them shoot the piss out of them. Besides if they do not properly take care of them as much won't be" lost".

 

[scubohuntr]

A .17 Hornet in a little bitty falling block is cute as hell. Sure, it's not terribly "useful", but start 'em off right from the start. It doesn't need to be really useful if it's really cool.