Which rifle for returning to small game hunting?

[Timbo]

I am wanting to get back into shooting.
I am looking at a 17HMR, 22 hornet or 223.
Small game mostly.
Any suggestions please

[SCJ429]

The bleedin obvious but boring choice is a bolt action in 223. However a 204 is a little more interesting.

Do you already have a 22LR?

[JimTom]

Mate I reckon any of those chambering you mentioned will suffice for small game. The expected range and actual game you’re chasing will probably dictate which is the most suitable for your application though.
I quite like the .22 Hornet however the most obvious choice is a .223. I have experience with them both and love them equally for different reasons. If I had some coin I wouldn’t mind giving the .17HMR a go.
Let us know what you decide mate.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

223 hard to go past versatile little round also have a 17hmr that I use predominantly for foxes,hares and rabits just have to ensure that your on point and hard to go past great little quite round.

[Oldbloke]

22lr, 22 mag, hornet, 222, 223, 204.
Ive never regreted getting a 223.

Remember ,, if you intend to reload, u can always load squib loads. You cant make a 223 from a hornet, but you can make a hornet from a 223

[Bill]

small game hey, well the old 223 can be a bit much for bunnies, fox, hares somedays .

The 17 HMR can be a little light for foxes I reckon once distances get up and the 17 WSM is a no go for most due to a lack of suitable rifles. 22 Hornet or 17 Hornet are both nice and quiet due to the small powder charge and super light on recoil.

I just got into a 17 Hornet and the accuracy from Sellier Bellot ammo ($24/20) is pretty darn good, 5 shot 1 moa, not sure if you can find a rifle over your way but its a real fun gun with just as much reach as a 223.

[Stix]

Depends on ranges youll be shooting things & how versatile you want, & if you reload too.

204 is a beauty...!!...
223 nearly as fantastic but cheaper to feed.

with reduced loads out of 204 & 223 youll get a hornet thrown in for the price too--provided you reload & are happy to work with 2 loads out of a rifle.

Other rounds for shorter distances as a general rule.

Hey youre in WA...how you going to get one...?

[Blr243]

I was spotliting stubble from my Ute one night with a scoped 22 mag hanging out the window because I was getting a run of foxes and cats. My 223 mini 14 was sitting on the seat beside me because initially it was a pig spotting mission but the mini 14 seemed overkill on the small stuff hence the temp swap to the 22 mag ...all of a sudden this nice boar materialised out of nowhere only 50 m from me and the Ute engine running ... he stopped munching for a second and I knew I only had possibly only a second before he became a runner. No time to grab the bigger gun so I had to take a head shot and down he went. But at longer range it wood have been a problem and this story wood be different. So I say get a 223 because it can do all the little things and more if it shows up. But if you were strictly a small game devotee and have no interest whatsoever in shooting bigger game that turns up grab a 204 ruger. But I imagine factory 204 ruger ammo might be expensive compared to buying bulk 223 u can get that very cheap. Personal reloading opens up options

[SCJ429]

If my shooting was within 200 metres, the 222 comes with a 1:14 twist and would be very accurate with 40 to 50 grain projectiles. Hard to find another factory chambering with more potential.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

222 would have to be one of the most under rated calibre i own. Also dropped my first red deer with the old 222.

[Bruiser64]

In the interests of a positive re-frame, you have plenty of time to research which way you want to go. No one knows when any of us here in WA will get the opportunity to attend a gun shop. Where will you be shooting? What will you be shooting? I am going to assume it will mostly be foxes, feral cats, and rabbits. Given the nature of the application process and the fee structure, if you have a sufficiently large property to shoot on, I recommend applying for a few firearms. Based on my own experience, I recommend a 12 gauge shottie (I like my u/o), a rimfire, and a centrefire. I own both a 22 magnum and a 17 hmr. I like them both. I think the magnum is more versatile than the 17. Although I own a 204 (which I love), I believe the 223 is a more rational choice due to its ubiquity. Especially if you will only buy factory ammo. If you are reloading the ammo cost difference would be minimal. I shoot on a number of different properties, so each of my rifles gets a workout.

[Bill]

Ive upgraded the 17 Hornet and I now believe a 20 Practical is a way better option .....

[Stix]

Ive upgraded the 17 Hornet and I now believe a 20 Practical is a way better option .....

Did you actually kill anything with it in that 24 hr period Bill...?
Slowly working your way up to a 204 hey...

[SCJ429]

What happened to Timbo, one post and off to self isolation?

[Bruiser64]

What happened to Timbo, one post and off to self isolation?

He possibly realised there is no point pursuing anything for the foreseeable future.

[Harrynsw]

First question I'd ask is how much shooting will you be doing? If you're not going to be going through a lot of ammo I'd go .223 mainly because it's nice to have a little extra grunt for unexpected encounters.

Otherwise your 22mag or 17hmr.

[Oldbloke]

He's from WA. Everything is closed.

[snag]

.223 is obviously the most universal small gamer and therefore the most economical, both in terms of rifle and ammo. But, for the true small game aficionado, nothing beats the .22 Hornet. Mucking around with them is the most fun you can have with you pants on and there is nothing more satisfying than taking a bunny or fox at medium distance with something that your grandfather used.

[Bruiser64]

.223 is obviously the most universal small gamer and therefore the most economical, both in terms of rifle and ammo. But, for the true small game aficionado, nothing beats the .22 Hornet. Mucking around with them is the most fun you can have with you pants on and there is nothing more satisfying than taking a bunny or fox at medium distance with something that your grandfather used.

Any right thinking person knows you need both. The Hornet is ideal for smaller properties as well. Plus serious consideration should be given to a 17 Hornet as well.