I don’t get many opportunities to shoot weird emergent calibres, but a kindly soul offered me the try of a (right-handed) moderated CZ527 American in .17 Hornet reloaded with 25gr Hornady V-Max & HP.
It was bewitching to fire … no recoil … just a ‘phuttt’ sound like a .22rf sub-sonic. Even after reorganising the bench around to left plane to suit me it gave impressive bug-hole groups. These were a little high from me, which we agreed was due to different eyes.
This is IMO the best reincarnation of the .22 Hornet (5.6x35R Vierling) case which has been around since 1930. The parent calibre is difficult to reload, and has been outclassed and overtaken by the .222/.223 cartridges but still hangs on in a niche of it’s own. There are lots of classic rifles for it too.
I would pull the trigger on a fox if armed with a standard .22 Hornet in SP, but am not sure about the .17 Hornet loaded with V-Max.
I’ve read all the hype, but a 25gr bullet is too light to maintain momentum much beyond 200yds. The .17Ho. and .22Ho. are matched if pushed to 200yds, but the .17Ho. is so much flatter over the distance, and safer on the ricochet aspect. My feeling is that it’s the ideal tool for long range bunny-bashing, but isn’t up to much else.
http://www.hornady.com/store/17-Hornet-25-gr-HP-Custom/
http://www.hornady.com/store/22-Hornet-35-gr-V-MAX/
http://www.hornady.com/store/22-Hornet-45-gr-SP/