17 hornet

[Dodder]

From my personal experience, albeit slightly limited, with .17cal I think the bullets used make a huge difference. I used to use 25grn Berger Match bullets (with a very small HP) in my .17Rem and dont think I ever had a crow or magpie move an inch - most magpies were kit-formed on impact.
I now use a .17 Fireball with the remainder of some homeloads developed for it by the previous owner with 25grn Berger Varmint HP's. Velocities are only slightly down on the .17Rem and the hole in the end of these bullets is like a small bucket, so you'd expect really explosive terminal performance. However, I've had several magpies and crows clearly not dead on impact and the magpies are not kit formed in the same manner... It doesn't make any sense to me as you'd expect the varmint bullets to be more explosive, but they aren't.
Just my opinion, but for Charlie bigger is better - never had one even move after being hit by a 50grn HP bullet from my old .22-250 even if the shot placement wasn't spot on.

 

[Foxyboy43]

.222 & a decent mod.

Attaboy! You tell ‘em!

 

[Smellydog]

From my personal experience, albeit slightly limited, with .17cal I think the bullets used make a huge difference. I used to use 25grn Berger Match bullets (with a very small HP) in my .17Rem and dont think I ever had a crow or magpie move an inch - most magpies were kit-formed on impact.
I now use a .17 Fireball with the remainder of some homeloads developed for it by the previous owner with 25grn Berger Varmint HP's. Velocities are only slightly down on the .17Rem and the hole in the end of these bullets is like a small bucket, so you'd expect really explosive terminal performance. However, I've had several magpies and crows clearly not dead on impact and the magpies are not kit formed in the same manner... It doesn't make any sense to me as you'd expect the varmint bullets to be more explosive, but they aren't.
Just my opinion, but for Charlie bigger is better - never had one even move after being hit by a 50grn HP bullet from my old .22-250 even if the shot placement wasn't spot on.

The wrong bullet in any calibre will give unsatisfactory results.
That same bullet dropped to hornet velocity may behaved completely differently.
How a bullet is engraved by the rifling can play a part also in how it behaves terminally.

 

[Deerstalker6]

Hey all, got a question please. I have a sauer 101xt 22-250 and a cz 22lr. Both great guns but my shorting is limited now as such that I only get a chance to shoot a few foxes around my own land. The 22lr hasn’t got the legs for some shoot whereby the 22-250 is too much and even whilst suppressed can be loud. I was thinking of moving both one and was considering a 17 hornet as a replacement. Must be decent quality and thumbhole stock. Any ideas or brands types etc? To be honest I had a 17wsm and thought it was the best all round calibre I ever owned but to my knowledge savage is the only brand (which I don’t like built quality) and ammo is abit of a nightmare. Otherwise I would of went down the wsm route

I did have a 17 hornet for a time was a good nice round to use on vermin,

no different really to my ears than an hmr but I did have a wildcat evo on mine with 17 cal diffuser,

I did get some hornady 25gr HP's for mine but never got a fox with it or the 20gr vmax, just solely used it for vermin control,
hornady have stopped manufacturing those 25gr hp's unfortunately

I'd prefer 204/222/223 or 22-250 over a 17hornet for taking fox if CF,

I can recommend the 22 WMR for an effective rimfire cartridge under the right circumstances on fox limited to 100yds and within,
I have dropped them on the spot at 20yds out to around 90yds, 30gr Federal Speer HP is my current go to ammo for it.

I use mine specifically on small farms/small holdings or places where a CF is no option for fox control

 

[Klenchblaize]

If you have a Tattoo Parlour in your Village ask for the following to be applied to your trigger finger:

.22 HORNET

K

 

[Deerstalker6]

you could keep your 22-250 it owes you nothing , you've probably shot the round for a good few years,
perfect for windy nights where 22 wmr wouldn't cut the mustard & good bc bullets in 22-250 50gr/55gr.

and just get a cheap 22 wmr CZ 452/455 as a sub 100yd fox dropper when you have to be quieter or want a quieter option.

 

[soulboy1957]

Been using a Savage. 17 Hornet for 3 years, shot 100's of foxes with it, it is a 150 yard rifle, but shot placement has to be chest or head, using 20g vmax loaded with lovex 703.1.
Great with a proper centrfire mod in noise sensitive areas.

 

[Smellydog]

30gr Federal Speer HP is my current go to ammo for it.

They are a brilliant round

 

[Deerstalker6]

They are a brilliant round

that they are, my favorite of all the rounds I've tried in 22wmr over the years, consistent & readily available lot more available than 33gr rem accutips
and decent accuracy for 22wmr, that Speer hp is deep compared to the cci tnt round at the same bullet weight.

I'd like to try those new rounds if they ever come over here, that federal have brought out the 45gr hp punch and the 40gr speer gold dot.
the 45gr Hornady round is available I believe at some rfd's.

 

[User00031]

you could keep your 22-250 it owes you nothing , you've probably shot the round for a good few years,
perfect for windy nights where 22 wmr wouldn't cut the mustard & good bc bullets in 22-250 50gr/55gr.

and just get a cheap 22 wmr CZ 452/455 as a sub 100yd fox dropper when you have to be quieter or want a quieter option.

Hey, after looking at all the options I think this would work. Should I put my 22lr on the classifieds section to see if anyone fancies a swap for a wmr?? My lr is a perfect truck gun with scope and mod…

 

[Nick703]

In my opinion the 17 hornet is not a fox rifle,I’ve never owned one but my foxing pal has one ,he’s a descent shot but I often get the !! Can you bring ya terrier,I’ve got a runner or I’ve shot two but not picked them , shot placement is key with a 17

 

[Smellydog]

In my opinion the 17 hornet is not a fox rifle,I’ve never owned one but my foxing pal has one ,he’s a descent shot but I often get the !! Can you bring ya terrier,I’ve got a runner or I’ve shot two but not picked them , shot placement is key with a 17

When you find them for him where was the hole in them?

 

[Nick703]

When you find them for him where was the hole in them?

Not in the head-hart-lungs,last one shot was a touch high,I’ve seen him shoot loads with it but runners are common

 

[Smellydog]

Not in the head-hart-lungs,last one shot was a touch high,I’ve seen him shoot loads with it but runners are common

Sure.
A bad shot from any rifle and they can disappear! Seen it happen with all the calibres suggested instead of the 17 Hornet.

 

[Deerstalker6]

Hey, after looking at all the options I think this would work. Should I put my 22lr on the classifieds section to see if anyone fancies a swap for a wmr?? My lr is a perfect truck gun with scope and mod

Nice one, The ammo variety is a lot in 22wmr or 22mag, 25gr lead free tipped to 50gr jhp,

If you do get rid of your 22lr Winchester do offer a 45gr subsonic hp and it is available in the UK so you have the option for quieter shooting still with the same rimfire cartridge.

 

[Longstrider]

In my opinion the 17 hornet is not a fox rifle,I’ve never owned one but my foxing pal has one ,he’s a descent shot but I often get the !! Can you bring ya terrier,I’ve got a runner or I’ve shot two but not picked them , shot placement is key with a 17

This tells me (as it ruddy-well ought to tell your mate) that the rifle/round simply isn't up to the job of ensuring a quick and humane kill on foxes anywhere nearly regularly enough. It might do for some of them, but not for 99.9% of them. The law dictates that the larger deer species can normally only be shot with calibres .240 and up, and it's for a reason. We shoot our deer with calibres and rounds that will ensure as quick an end to proceedings as we can, for both practical and ethical reasons. Foxes may be a damned nuisance on a property but do we not owe them the same courtesy of as quick and painless an end as any other quarry ? What does this guy get his rabbits with, an old Diana air-pistol ?

 

[gixer1]

Keep the 22-250 - it will do everything you need!

 

[Smellydog]

This tells me (as it ruddy-well ought to tell your mate) that the rifle/round simply isn't up to the job of ensuring a quick and humane kill on foxes anywhere nearly regularly enough. It might do for some of them, but not for 99.9% of them. The law dictates that the larger deer species can normally only be shot with calibres .240 and up, and it's for a reason. We shoot our deer with calibres and rounds that will ensure as quick an end to proceedings as we can, for both practical and ethical reasons. Foxes may be a damned nuisance on a property but do we not owe them the same courtesy of as quick and painless an end as any other quarry ? What does this guy get his rabbits with, an old Diana air-pistol ?

I don't totally agree to the above. Or the following comment in the next post.
I have see failings on fox from a 22-250. Does that make them worthy of a black mark against them. No.
The failings I witnessed were due to wrong bullet choices and sometimes placement.
If you put a bullet that is able to pass through the ribs from one side to the other you will kill it.
If however the bullets constitution is to flimsy so it only produces a shallow wound then you will have issues.
It matters not the diameter of the bullet one bit!
Below is a fox shot with a 17 HMR full patch bullet! It made ten yards, blood everywhere.

To brand 17 calibre rifles are not up to fox shooting is nuts.
I asked earlier where was the lost fox was shot and it was not ideal placement so there was a marksman error or bad luck. If then we add a too fragile or even to tough a bullet then bingo.
It is not grounds for condemning the chambering!

 

[Neddle]

From my personal experience, albeit slightly limited, with .17cal I think the bullets used make a huge difference. I used to use 25grn Berger Match bullets (with a very small HP) in my .17Rem and dont think I ever had a crow or magpie move an inch - most magpies were kit-formed on impact.
I now use a .17 Fireball with the remainder of some homeloads developed for it by the previous owner with 25grn Berger Varmint HP's. Velocities are only slightly down on the .17Rem and the hole in the end of these bullets is like a small bucket, so you'd expect really explosive terminal performance. However, I've had several magpies and crows clearly not dead on impact and the magpies are not kit formed in the same manner... It doesn't make any sense to me as you'd expect the varmint bullets to be more explosive, but they aren't.
Just my opinion, but for Charlie bigger is better - never had one even move after being hit by a 50grn HP bullet from my old .22-250 even if the shot placement wasn't spot on.

Nothing wrong with 17cals just that many don't have the confidence to use them, relying on greater knockdown power to compensate for poor bullet placement

 

[Neddle]

Nothing wrong with 17cals just that many don't have the confidence to use them, relying on greater knockdown power to compensate for poor bullet placement