17hmr vs......

If you like the idea of the 204 but you’re not sure about reloading for it. Have a look at 20 Practical, it’s the 223 necked down to .204. You use a 223 bushing die and simply use smaller bushings in two stages.
Simple to make easy enough to load and if you’re going to get a custom rifle why not get a wildcat?
I have had stunning results with mine, easy to get the hang of the bushings (script side up).
 
I have had stunning results with mine, easy to get the hang of the bushings (script side up).
I will be replacing my 20 Tac like for like. But if I didn’t already have Wilson dies for it. I would have a 20 Practical built. Bushing dies Lapua brass or cheaper stuff if you’re prone to lose it jobs a good one. Chuck a 39/40 grain bullet down range at 4000fps ish and not much gets up
 
dusted off the 17 HMR following this thread. looked at some old rounds and many are split after firing.

Looked at my new rounds and splits present mainly on the neck. I have about 25% fail rate. so two questions

1: How do I depose of the these rounds

2: I still have 2 new boxes unchecked, No idea where i bought them from. As these are Winchester is it worth discussing with the UK importer? any idea who is the importer?

advice welcome.
 
I started my FAC with a slot for 22LR 17HMR and .223. i bought an anchutz 1517 first. its surgical accuracy was incredible. i soon bought a .223 and didn't use my HMR for some time. after a while i ended up buying a .308. that was all well and good but i soon realised there was an area in my requirements that neither the HMR, .223 or .308 accommodated, and that was shooting quietly. i sadly sold my HMR and switched the slot for a 22LR and bought a CZ455. I dont regret this. the .223 and .308 are very similar in trajectory. i even have a scope on my .223 which's BDC accommodates both the .223 and .308. the 22LR ticks the box for shooting close range quarry silently. this all said, the anchutz is one of the best rifles ive owned in term of accuracy. i never shot so many bunnies in one night as i did with the HMR. it safe, accurate and affordable.
 
dusted off the 17 HMR following this thread. looked at some old rounds and many are split after firing.

Looked at my new rounds and splits present mainly on the neck. I have about 25% fail rate. so two questions

1: How do I depose of the these rounds

2: I still have 2 new boxes unchecked, No idea where i bought them from. As these are Winchester is it worth discussing with the UK importer? any idea who is the importer?

advice welcome.
1. Usually a decent RFD would take them for onward disposal to the Police, but that’s kind of out of the equation at present. There are still a few main Police Station front counters open to the public, who would normally take them (after the obligatory explanation and FAC discussion) giving you a property ref number. However, I would play safe and not attend until after we get back to some order of normality.

2. The Importer for Winchester is BWM, DIdcot for the UK market. But I don’t think they will be of much help. Depends how old the ammo actually was etc. I know they had some recalled but they were 20gr XTP from what I can remember and a specific batch no.
 
Just had my first batch of .17HMR 20G GTX ammo with split cases. They landed on target - squirrels (on the ground) - so that worked. But what dangers does it pose and if not inherently dangerous, as you can't reload rimfire cases, does it matter much? I have removed the box (only fired 8 before I noticed) and emailed Hornady for good measure. I intend to dispose of the remainder but interested to know.
 
I just got a HMR and do get some split cases after shooting. I just hope they one day overcome the obvious work hardening of the brass.
It's still very very accurate for vermin shooting and with a decent mod not noisy at all.
 
I just got a HMR and do get some split cases after shooting. I just hope they one day overcome the obvious work hardening of the brass.
It's still very very accurate for vermin shooting and with a decent mod not noisy at all.
Its not work hardening. It's the poor quality of the brass that causes the split necks at rest. High zinc content is famous for having cases split at rest. Remember: Poor, beleaguered Hornady made extremely good HMR ammo for years. I shot prototype ammo in 2003 and became hooked. When it was released, the ammo was flawless. I built a custom 77/17 Ruger that would shoot an inch and a quarter at 200 yards on a still desert morning. Nirvana. About the 2nd or 3rd production run however, the accuracy started to fall off. It was made faster and cheaper as it was rebranded for other entities. Then they started getting the split cases....

So it's not a work hardening problem. It's not a problem at all. They just need to up the quality of their brass mix and make it the way they once did, and should again.
Too bad they got greedy. ~Muir
 
Its not work hardening. It's the poor quality of the brass that causes the split necks at rest. High zinc content is famous for having cases split at rest. Remember: Poor, beleaguered Hornady made extremely good HMR ammo for years. I shot prototype ammo in 2003 and became hooked. When it was released, the ammo was flawless. I built a custom 77/17 Ruger that would shoot an inch and a quarter at 200 yards on a still desert morning. Nirvana. About the 2nd or 3rd production run however, the accuracy started to fall off. It was made faster and cheaper as it was rebranded for other entities. Then they started getting the split cases....

So it's not a work hardening problem. It's not a problem at all. They just need to up the quality of their brass mix and make it the way they once did, and should again.
Too bad they got greedy. ~Muir
Thanks Muir. I was hoping for your input.
What you say makes perfect sense 👍
I was looking at the brass and did wonder how little copper is in there! It feels odd too if that makes sense! Some 70's made wmr brass by Winchester looks and feels different.
👍
 
I’ve got a 22 hornet, out to a hundred a perfect rifle and rabbits

The recently acquired .17 hornet is a game changer on distance, I have grassed a few foxes with it under a 100 with H&L shots it’s worked out pretty good And done the job

where it is a upgrade vs the 22 hornet is as a rabbit rifle, I’ve been grassing rabbits out to 220 yds With ease with the .17 hornet it’s incredible and very very accurate and At distances normally Reserved for the 222
I’ve put a Yukon 470 s on top and its daylight clear at night, really decent bit kit.

Probably won’t be putting it up to a 100 yd plus range on a fox, I’ve only fired 200 rounds through it, so far very very happy, pleased I’ve got it.
 
Ditched my 17hmr after not for the first time, a bullet lodged in the barrel which at night is no fun trying to confirm and remove, after that Incident was checking every round before going out for splits, have a nice little bag with them in.
Like Philip, I love the 17hornet best decision I made, helped when I showed the FEO the bag containing the split 17hmr’s.
Nearly went for the 17wsm but opted for the hornet as could buy factory ammo and reload for it.
 
Never had any issues with 17 HMR ammo - but always shot 20gr - and bought new production batches of 2000 rounds, great rabbit round and Fox effective up to 100m

17gr ammo too frangible for Charles
 
Never had any issues with 17 HMR ammo - but always shot 20gr - and bought new production batches of 2000 rounds, great rabbit round and Fox effective up to 100m

17gr ammo too frangible for Charles
I'm new to 17. I have been running some tests and am about to continue with 20gn next. The 17gn has done ok but something screams stick to 20gn! The CZ had sticky extraction and caused cases that split after firing to occasionally get stuck. I cleaned the extractor channels and polished the extractors.
I now get more positive extraction and ejection.
The ammunition case wise does suck in the quality department!
 
Its not work hardening. It's the poor quality of the brass that causes the split necks at rest. High zinc content is famous for having cases split at rest. Remember: Poor, beleaguered Hornady made extremely good HMR ammo for years. I shot prototype ammo in 2003 and became hooked. When it was released, the ammo was flawless. I built a custom 77/17 Ruger that would shoot an inch and a quarter at 200 yards on a still desert morning. Nirvana. About the 2nd or 3rd production run however, the accuracy started to fall off. It was made faster and cheaper as it was rebranded for other entities. Then they started getting the split cases....

So it's not a work hardening problem. It's not a problem at all. They just need to up the quality of their brass mix and make it the way they once did, and should again.
Too bad they got greedy. ~Muir

Yes, I remember the first ammo I bought was good in about 2005/6 ('ish?), very accurate and reliable then a few years later the nose dive in quality. However, more recently with Hornady I've found the accuracy is back and I'm not suffering any of the failures that used to occur. Must be two years ago now Hornady admitted on their website they had strengthened the .17HMR cases and I presume took production back in house.

To the original post, I would buy a new box of ammo and give the .17HMR another go before going for a big spend!?
 
I don't think Hornady have taken it inhouse. CCI have always manufactured the HMR cartridges from Hornady, Federal, Remington and their own model. I topped up on rimfire ammo the other day as my HMR has been dusted off recently due to a new rabbit job I have taken on and when I visited the shop, I was offered Norma black tipped V Max variant of 17g HMR ammo. Looks exactly the same as Federal V Shock HMR ammo but boxed in Norma branded packaging. I bet my last quid it is made by CCI.

The brass does look very good though, if not the actual sizing ha ha. No split necks and it is accurate enough. Lets hope it continues.

I was offered Hornady but when I looked through the plastic, some of the tips were orange and some were red. I am sure it would make no difference but it did look a bit odd so I took the Norma.
 
I’ve got a 22 hornet, out to a hundred a perfect rifle and rabbits

The recently acquired .17 hornet is a game changer on distance, I have grassed a few foxes with it under a 100 with H&L shots it’s worked out pretty good And done the job

where it is a upgrade vs the 22 hornet is as a rabbit rifle, I’ve been grassing rabbits out to 220 yds With ease with the .17 hornet it’s incredible and very very accurate and At distances normally Reserved for the 222
I’ve put a Yukon 470 s on top and its daylight clear at night, really decent bit kit.

Probably won’t be putting it up to a 100 yd plus range on a fox, I’ve only fired 200 rounds through it, so far very very happy, pleased I’ve got it.
I can match that with the 22 Hornet, no problem at all 👍🏻 My Hornet replaced my HMR, but if I were shooting loads of rabbits each during each session, I'd stick with the HMR. I don't mind reloading for ten rabbits or so each session.
 
Back
Top