Thinking about a 17 Hornet

[searcher]

I use a .17 Hornet and .223 a lot for squirrels. If you use a small Barnes Varmint Grenade in your .223, you will not have ricochet issues any more than you would with a .17 Hornet. Those things really explode on contact with anything and the air drag on what is left of the bullet stops them from travelling more than a few hundred yards in my experience. Much better for ricochet prevention than using a solid lead jacketed bullet.

 

[gunman870]

I feel like i came late to the party as most of the comments i would make are already said. All of my 17 hornets shoot very well. Maybe im lucky but i dont have any that are over an inch out of the box with factory ammo. Most of mine shoot far better than that. You will be pleasantly surprised by accuracy and lack of report. Great combination in the every advancing urban sprawl setting.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I've been to 4 guns stores. (Real gun stores or sporting goods, like Cabela's, Dicks, Field & Stream) And searched 5th local one that lists their inventory online. No one has a 17 Hornet. At least for this spring, I'm going to see how I can do with just the 17hmr. Still pretty effective at 125 yards or less. But shot placement is crucial. And as I said before, my current 17hmr is shockingly accurate...even for my limited skills!

 

[hogpatrol]

I've been to 4 guns stores. (Real gun stores or sporting goods, like Cabela's, Dicks, Field & Stream) And searched 5th local one that lists their inventory online. No one has a 17 Hornet. At least for this spring, I'm going to see how I can do with just the 17hmr. Still pretty effective at 125 yards or less. But shot placement is crucial. And as I said before, my current 17hmr is shockingly accurate...even for my limited skills!

https://www.whittakerguns.com/product/30850 Twelve in stock.

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

I shot mine two nights ago to 500 yards. It wasn’t consistent at that distance, but was able to ring a couple steel gongs. This was just for fun, as I wouldn’t try that distance with the Hornet on any living Varmint. I could see the impact through the scope when I missed the steel targets as it has zero recoil. That was roughly 10 minutes of elevation from a 100 yard zero.

 

[WyleWD]

I've been to 4 guns stores. (Real gun stores or sporting goods, like Cabela's, Dicks, Field & Stream) And searched 5th local one that lists their inventory online. No one has a 17 Hornet. At least for this spring, I'm going to see how I can do with just the 17hmr. Still pretty effective at 125 yards or less. But shot placement is crucial. And as I said before, my current 17hmr is shockingly accurate...even for my limited skills!

What brand(s)/ models are you looking for?? WD

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

What brand(s)/ models are you looking for?? WD

For the above posts, I was more window shopping than a serious buyer at this time. But recently found out the Savage Model 25, seems to be a dud of a product line. The Ruger is rather expensive. The CZ 527 seems to get consistent praises on the inter-webs. So if I do get one, it will most likely be CZ.

I've decided I'm going to continue this year with the 17hmr and the 223. I figure the 17hmr will get most of the work, considering the restrictions I will have. A friend is starting his 2nd years on some land he'll be leasing, and he's asked me to look into hunting. I've looked at the satellite map: I don't think there's any way I could use a 223....too many homes. We'll see how many times I catch myself saying "If I just had a little more power and distance".

 

[Bill K]

I've been to 4 guns stores. (Real gun stores or sporting goods, like Cabela's, Dicks, Field & Stream) And searched 5th local one that lists their inventory online. No one has a 17 Hornet. At least for this spring, I'm going to see how I can do with just the 17hmr. Still pretty effective at 125 yards or less. But shot placement is crucial. And as I said before, my current 17hmr is shockingly accurate...even for my limited skills!

My local gun store, when I wanted the CZ527 17 Horner ordered it in for me, took about 2 weeks total even with my 10 day waiting period to take home. Did you ask your's if they would order one in ?

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Did you ask your's if they would order one in ?

Not serious enough of a buyer at the moment.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Savage 17 Hornet. With a silencer - very quiet. I like mine for use around farms where noise may excite townies ( usually our version of Democrats) living on "lifestyle" blocks. Only one powder, in my not so humble, opinion for loading - CFE Black. 12.6 g makes the factory velocity. Now had a dozen loads from Hornady cases.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I'm the original poster. With the stock market declines (and the bond market too) I'm really holding off on purchasing a new rifle. But I did something I've been considering (and putting off) for years. I'm having business cards made up. Offering my services that I'm a groundhog/varmint hunter. I'll send letters (with a few cards inside) telling farmers to toss the cards in a drawer, and if they start seeing groundhogs on their property, give me a call. (and give a card to a friend)

I'll practice 'social distancing'...by being out in a crop field by myself.

 

[Webster]

I have a 17hmr and a 223. I would like to do more groundhog hunting. I live just north of Columbus, Ohio and urban sprawl has people moving north into what was mostly farmland. But the northern and western parts of my county are still mostly farmland and small towns. But the problem is it's still populated enough in some areas...and the land flat enough that I'm worried the 223 is too susceptible to ricochet. A 40-55 grain bullet at 3500 fps will go through a hog and travel some. So I'm always concerned about what's beyond what I'm shooting...especially because the land is mostly flat. There's been more than a few times I've not taken a shot because I know what's beyond...

So I'm thinking about a 17 hornet. It's got enough punch for a hog, but that little 17 grain V-max bullet will explode upon hitting anything. It has 1/2 the ballistic coefficient of the 55 grain 22 cal Vmax. I just feel it's safer than the 223. I'll never shoot past 250 yards...something the 17 hornet can handle.

I've seen the destruction the 17hmr can do on hogs at closer ranges (and watch it explode squirrels)...and it seems the 17 hornet just adds more energy and range, but retaining the safety that I'm looking for.

Why would you assume a 17 Hornet won't ricochet. Any how it's a good cartridge for what you want. Just be careful. I refuse to hunt on flat ground.

Check out VarmintAl.com for info on the Hornet.
No reloading data. Shows how to form a 17 Ackley Hornet from standard brass. The Ackley version has the same case capacity as the standard 17 Hornet. Sounds like the std version is the way to go.

 

[Bangs OH]

.17 Hornet for groundhogs? Nah...been there, done that. Sounds like I’m in the same area as the OP, and once thought that round would be perfect for the same reasons. Now IME, for ‘hog hunting small farms near development and people (including my own which backs up to a now-busy rail trail), the only centerfire rifle to consider would be a good ol’ .22 Hornet.
I drank the .17 HH kool-aid when it first came out; not only had trouble putting down our big Eastern ‘chucks it blew around in the wind, and to my (protected) ears had a sharper, more annoying report than a .22 Hornet. Basically a .17FB or .17 Rem. wannabe without the “kill-ability” or wind-beating speed; might be good for rat-sized colony varmints on a still day. Unloaded mine for a nice CZ .22H and never looked back.
Actually, for safe close-in shooting you want a round with a trajectory that is fairly flat for a while then drops like a stone - which the .22 Hornet does, especially with the 45 grain Speer pointed soft points I use (good coyote bullet, also). Put a 100 yard zero on it, don’t try to shoot anything over 150 yards away, aim in a safe direction with a backstop and you’ll be okay.

 

[Webster]

I have a 17hmr and a 223. I would like to do more groundhog hunting. I live just north of Columbus, Ohio and urban sprawl has people moving north into what was mostly farmland. But the northern and western parts of my county are still mostly farmland and small towns. But the problem is it's still populated enough in some areas...and the land flat enough that I'm worried the 223 is too susceptible to ricochet. A 40-55 grain bullet at 3500 fps will go through a hog and travel some. So I'm always concerned about what's beyond what I'm shooting...especially because the land is mostly flat. There's been more than a few times I've not taken a shot because I know what's beyond...

So I'm thinking about a 17 hornet. It's got enough punch for a hog, but that little 17 grain V-max bullet will explode upon hitting anything. It has 1/2 the ballistic coefficient of the 55 grain 22 cal Vmax. I just feel it's safer than the 223. I'll never shoot past 250 yards...something the 17 hornet can handle.

I've seen the destruction the 17hmr can do on hogs at closer ranges (and watch it explode squirrels)...and it seems the 17 hornet just adds more energy and range, but retaining the safety that I'm looking for.

There has been a post by a guy that hunts GH with a bow. Max safety.

 

[Bindi2]

K Hornet 35gn Vmax full case of ADI 2205 (H4227) out to 150 good, 180 going south. My rifle is a Lithgow conversion so a little on the strong side.

 

[Bixahsheesah]

Move cautiously if you are looking at a Ruger or the Hornady Hornet. Out of the box, it shot patterns not groups. I have way more time than should be necessary to get it to shoot consistent(not) 1” groups. Hoping that bedding will take it to 3/4” but I wont hold my breath. Hands down the most persnickety cartridge I have ever loaded for. A tenth of a grain is huge in some cases. Thrown charges, even out of my Harrell’s are not close enough for remotely decent standard deviations. That said, it is a ball to shoot. If I had to do it over again, I would do the Ackley version.

I agree. I could not get my Ruger to shoot, and cases would separate after only a couple of firings. I finally sent it to a gunsmith, who re-chambered it, re-crowned that muzzle and tightened up the bolt. Still can't get it to shoot better than 1" groups, often much worse...

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

.17 Hornet for groundhogs? Nah...been there, done that. Sounds like I’m in the same area as the OP, and once thought that round would be perfect for the same reasons. Now IME, for ‘hog hunting small farms near development and people (including my own which backs up to a now-busy rail trail), the only centerfire rifle to consider would be a good ol’ .22 Hornet.
I drank the .17 HH kool-aid when it first came out; not only had trouble putting down our big Eastern ‘chucks it blew around in the wind, and to my (protected) ears had a sharper, more annoying report than a .22 Hornet. Basically a .17FB or .17 Rem. wannabe without the “kill-ability” or wind-beating speed; might be good for rat-sized colony varmints on a still day. Unloaded mine for a nice CZ .22H and never looked back.
Actually, for safe close-in shooting you want a round with a trajectory that is fairly flat for a while then drops like a stone - which the .22 Hornet does, especially with the 45 grain Speer pointed soft points I use (good coyote bullet, also). Put a 100 yard zero on it, don’t try to shoot anything over 150 yards away, aim in a safe direction with a backstop and you’ll be okay.

I'm the OP. I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of the 17 hornet. Of course I do recognize you've had one and I don't. But you seem to be in the minority of people who've commented on the subject. (not just this forum) I prefer a flat shooting round, and the 22 hornet is not too good. And I'd like something that will get me out to 250 yards. For the 17 hornet, just like my 17hmr...I think shot placement is crucial. The 17 hornet has more energy than the 22 hornet at both 100 & 200 yards. But I recognize energy isn't everything. I do appreciate your sharing your experience with the 17 hornet. I often put more faith in reviews of people who DON'T like something, rather than people who give over the top praise...and no negative comments at all.

Also, if there's wind, I'll be on my sailboat...not in the field!

I spoke with one of my long time farmers the other day. I commented about the amount of housing, even though it's mostly farm land. He understood exactly what I meant. He said years ago, farmers took on too much debt to buy farm land. Banks were nervous about the debt levels. So he said farmers would slice out 5 acre lots and sell them to people who wanted to live in the country. The money from these 5 acre lots freed up cash to satisfy the banks. But now you have more homes than normal.

As I posted earlier, I'm definitely not purchasing anything this year. I'll continue with my 17hmr for the close stuff, the 223 for the longer stuff. (And possibly a shotgun for some up close fun stuff...like around the corner of a barn) I need to direct my efforts at getting permission from farmers, developing those relationships and getting known in the area.

 

[sscoyote]

Love my 17 FB and Hornet. Hornet nets 3700-20 vmax from my Savage Striker pistol 18" barrel, but I think you're right on track for closer range discreet shooting with the HMR...just have to get closer. Bowhunting for them is supposed to be really fun from what I've read.