5.7x28MM? or other small round?

[K0na_stinky]

Hey all. I have fallen in love with shooting my .17HMR. But I have fallen deeper in love with reloading. ;D

I want to buy a rifle thats chambered in a very small center fire round. Something that wont be too loud. And have no kick. I'm looking to shoot pop can sized things out to 300 yards or so.

I thought about the .22 hornet. But I hear alot about the bad "paper thin" brass. But I guess the brass is very cheap.

I came across the 5.7x28MM round when I was looking on Savages site. Are there any people shooting this round? Where would I get brass?

Any other ideas? I'm willing to try something odd ball. I would rather it be different.

Thanks everyone.

 

[ab_bentley]

Don't bother with the 22cal version of the 5.7. If you like the 5.7 look into the 20cal or even the 17cal versions. I have a 22 Mink and 1.145" 22 K Hornet. It uses 10.6gr of Ramshot Enforcer with 40gr Vmax's from a 22" barrel and I am clocking them at 3000fps. I have had the 20cal versions aswell and the 32gr VMax with the same load is going 3200fps. The 17cal version will book it at 3600fps with the 20gr bullets. The brass I am shooting is Winchester 22 Hornet brass and I have over 40 full bore firings on them. My rifle is a CZ 527 with a Pac Nor American 1-10" 3 groove Super match barrel. It weighs in at 7lbs with a Khales 3-9x40 Helia scope. I have shot everything from Beldings ground squirrels to Eastern Coyotes and have gone down. The biggest draw back to the round is the starting, the dies are custom as is the barrel, but this shouldn't stop you. The Rifles are available with the proper bolt face, no need to bush the bolt face, brass is plentiful and in-expensive. I don’t regret it and plan adding a 4th one to my stable.

Here are a few pics. The Coyote was shot at 100yds quartering; the rabbit was shot at 125yds through the head as you can see the rifle is light and nimble. The series of cartridges are the different calibers next to their parent 22H case.

http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4104&highlight=kitfox
http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4900&highlight=17KF
There are a few threads from Saubier.com and much more to find there. Please hit me up if you would like to know more. Adam

 

[K0na_stinky]

Thanks a ton for the info. What action are you building your guns on?

Building a gun is over my head right now. But I'm willing to learn. I guess its easy enough to buy a nice 22 hornet and change it to what ever caliber I like later on down the road.

How hard is it to change the barrel on a CZ? Is it like a Savage?

 

[ab_bentley]

Changing the barrel on a CZ is very easy if you have the proper tools. Not as easy as a Savage (doesn't have the nut) but when you change the barrel a smith will be doing the work, so for you it would be very easy . ADam

 

[K0na_stinky]

Changing the barrel on a CZ is very easy if you have the proper tools. Not as easy as a Savage (doesn't have the nut) but when you change the barrel a smith will be doing the work, so for you it would be very easy . ADam

Did your CZ's start out as a 22 hornet? If so, How where they?

I'll have to have a talk with my favorite gun smith. I'll be buying the gun from him to. Hes going to make fun of me and tell me to get something like a 220 swift for a light varment caliber. ;D

 

[CJ6]

Other choices could be had in the 221 Fireball lineup 17,20,6mm or straight 221 Fireball. The 378 boltface is easier to get in more styles of actions.

 

[K0na_stinky]

Other choices could be had in the 221 Fireball lineup 17,20,6mm or straight 221 Fireball. The 378 boltface is easier to get in more styles of actions.

I think the 221 fireball is alittle bigger then I'm looking for. I'm looking for a 22 hornet or smaller. Maybe a 17 or 20 mink, or squirrel.

After reading this I have been very attracted to that tiny round.
http://www.saubier.com/smallcaliber/17squirrel.pdf

My only problem I have is that I have never done any case forming. But I guess this is where every one starts.

Would this be a first custom barrel / caliber to start with?

 

[KevinL]

I shoot a 22 hornet. and a 20 ack hornet and hands down you cant go wrong with the 20ah so easy to form brass. run brass threw a fl die load and shoot. vary easy on the ears shoulder and pocket book!
Hope it helps Kevin

 

[K0na_stinky]

I shoot a 22 hornet. and a 20 ack hornet and hands down you cant go wrong with the 20ah so easy to form brass. run brass threw a fl die load and shoot. vary easy on the ears shoulder and pocket book!
Hope it helps Kevin

With the 20 AH what are you useing for bullets? What kind of velocity are you getting? Where would I find dies?

What action are you useing? What make barrel? Whats the length and the twist?

Thank you very much.

 

[ab_bentley]

As for the 527's as hornets never shoot them. I have always hated the standard 22H round. The Improved versions though . Don't let your smith be fooled these are "REAL VARMINT" calibers. The Mink is running right there with the 22H but uses 4grs less and better seating capabillity with the 40gr bullets. It feeds from the magazine as well without modifcation. Adam

 

[K0na_stinky]

As for the 527's as hornets never shoot them. I have always hated the standard 22H round. The Improved versions though . Don't let your smith be fooled these are "REAL VARMINT" calibers. The Mink is running right there with the 22H but uses 4grs less and better seating capabillity with the 40gr bullets. It feeds from the magazine as well without modifcation. Adam

Why have you hated the 22H round? pour accuracy? I was thinking about buying a 527 in 22H and shooting that for a while until I am ready for taking on a job like making 22 mink or 20 mink cases.

 

[ab_bentley]

The Mink and the 22H, well it's like the Super model and her "friend". I don't know about you but I like Super Models.

 

[K0na_stinky]

The Mink and the 22H, well it's like the Super model and her "friend". I don't know about you but I like Super Models.

What should I expect for accuracy from a CZ 22H? Under an inch at 100 yards with handloads?

 

[ab_bentley]

Well, average from my POV. I really think if you want to keep it cheap just have the smith K the chamber and be done. ADam

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I have .22 Hornets in a Ruger 77/22H, a Savage 40, & T/C Contender. It is my go to caliber! The Ruger resides behind my kitchen door. It has taken prairie dogs in SD at over 200 yards, and darn near everything that walks here in Iowa. It took a while to get it (the Ruger) to shoot, with my best loads in the .4" range. The Savage is a newer acquisition and has amazed me thus far. With my standard varmint load it shot in the .25" range the first time out! I'm a Hornet addict, they're quiet, efficient, no recoil & accurate enough for crows on my property.

 

[K0na_stinky]

I have .22 Hornets in a Ruger 77/22H, a Savage 40, & T/C Contender. It is my go to caliber! The Ruger resides behind my kitchen door. It has taken prairie dogs in SD at over 200 yards, and darn near everything that walks here in Iowa. It took a while to get it (the Ruger) to shoot, with my best loads in the .4" range. The Savage is a newer acquisition and has amazed me thus far. With my standard varmint load it shot in the .25" range the first time out! I'm a Hornet addict, they're quiet, efficient, no recoil & accurate enough for crows on my property.

Thanks for the reply. I might have a look at the Savages. I have 3 savages so far and they are all great firearms. Do you know if the barrel is threaded on the lightweight varminter savages?

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I believe it is threaded as I don't see a visible pin (but don't quote me on that).