17 Hornet: Is it worth an investment?

[Heckler303]

OK, I've been reading up a lot on the 17 Hornet, ever since the availability of the new 17WSM plus the rise in price of the little 17 cal rimfires, maybe it's worth taking a step to an even more powerful cartridge that really, is going to be heaps cheaper since I plan on reloading for it and have the added ability of customizing it just for my rifle

I would plan on using it for both rabbits and wallabies, being extremely interested in it's very flat trajectory and amazing hitting power without too much damage to hides. My uncle owned a 17 Remington, which was a fantastic rifle, which made me think more about the hornet as I don't really need that kind of velocity or lack of barrel life.

So I ask, how much of a good investment is it?

[happyhunter]

Any rifle that you find a use for is worth it. Rabbits and wallaby seem like a good reason to buy the 17 H.

[Gwion]

Reloading .177cal bullets is going to be a bucket of fun.

[southwest shooter]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

[GLS_1956]

Were I in the market for a .17 caliber centerfire, the 17 Hornet is the one I'd get. Since you seem to be after hides as much as anything the 17 Hornet sounds like a winner.

[Heckler303]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

I've heard some dribble on .204s recently, I just don't see me having a use for it.

17 cal > 20 cal.

[Heckler303]

Reloading .177cal bullets is going to be a bucket of fun.

As long as I have my tweezers at hand I'll be fine

[NukeBOMB88]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

I've heard some dribble on .204s recently, I just don't see me having a use for it.

17 cal > 20 cal.

e

I know that it's not what you're looking for but the .204 is a phenomenal cartridge , the .17hornet is a ripper too though. I know a guy who used one on foxes for ages but he changed to a .204 because the little buggers weren't letting him close enough

[Heckler303]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

I've heard some dribble on .204s recently, I just don't see me having a use for it.

17 cal > 20 cal.

e

I know that it's not what you're looking for but the .204 is a phenomenal cartridge , the .17hornet is a ripper too though. I know a guy who used one on foxes for ages but he changed to a .204 because the little buggers weren't letting him close enough

Ehh, I see the use for other people of the .204 Ruger, but as I said, no use for it, too much damage, too fast.

[NukeBOMB88]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

I've heard some dribble on .204s recently, I just don't see me having a use for it.

17 cal > 20 cal.

e

I know that it's not what you're looking for but the .204 is a phenomenal cartridge , the .17hornet is a ripper too though. I know a guy who used one on foxes for ages but he changed to a .204 because the little buggers weren't letting him close enough

Ehh, I see the use for other people of the .204 Ruger, but as I said, no use for it, too much damage, too fast.

That's true , it hits like a ton of bricks

[happyhunter]

No , buy a 204.
personally I like howa.

I've heard some dribble on .204s recently, I just don't see me having a use for it.

17 cal > 20 cal.

e

I know that it's not what you're looking for but the .204 is a phenomenal cartridge , the .17hornet is a ripper too though. I know a guy who used one on foxes for ages but he changed to a .204 because the little buggers weren't letting him close enough

Ehh, I see the use for other people of the .204 Ruger, but as I said, no use for it, too much damage, too fast.

You would find the 204 isn't as destructive as people make out. I' ve been shooting one for a long time and head shooting rabbits means you get to recover all the meat so long as you are carefull of the angle you hit them. On foxes inside 250 meters shooting 32 grain vmax there is barely an entry hole and no exit hole. All the damage is on the inside (uless it's a head shot)
.
Saying that, I rekon you are on the money with the 17 Hornet.

[GLS_1956]

[ little buggers weren't letting him close enough [/quote]


Well there's your problem.

[WayneO]

I believe that the .17H is a very must have caliber. I would get one just for the fun of reloading it. I used to reload for the Hornet and that was a delicate affair, the .17H should be as delicate as tying flies.

[BBJ]

I believe that the .17H is a very must have caliber. I would get one just for the fun of reloading it. I used to reload for the Hornet and that was a delicate affair, the .17H should be as delicate as tying flies.

Reloading it is sounding more and more painful as I read on

[southwest shooter]

Crikey I, ve heard it all about the 204 now !
Hits like a sledgehammer on foxes and you don, t get an exit wound , head shooting rabbits for meat no dramas.
easy to reload also , have fun reloading a 17 hornet .
buy a 204 now , best investment you can make.

[John Ryan]

Glad to hear many positive things about the little .17 Hornet as I just bought one for my first rifle in a CZ527

I researched quite extensively what would be best suited for my needs, flat shooting small Calibre for small game and heaps of fun to shoot at the range with minimal recoil so my girlfriend should have an enjoyable first experience and won't put her off.

Able to reload so will learn before getting other bigger calibres, from what I've been told and read
should be like shooting a laser lol