Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 17 Hornet options AND now powder?

I am looking for input from 17 Hornet owners as to what they consider a good value. Yes, I did a search here but got more hits on the "hornet insect" than rifles.
So give me some advice about a pending purchase. Thanks

I consider my CZ 527 to be an excellent 'bang for the buck'. It's a well made, traditional wood stocked/blued steel rifle that functions well and is very accurate. Plus, it has an excellent single set trigger.

+ one on the CZ 527

Ed

I have the 527 Varmint.


It needed some work on the extractor to get it to feed properly....but it feeds good now.



Its a good rifle. Its an excellent prairie dog rifle....but a little to big for a pickup rifle.



The 527 American would be a good pickup rifle or walking around rifle.


Best to get both. I will someday.



Fun round. Very easy to reload for and cheap to shoot.


I think I am shooting it cheaper than a 17 HMR......but I dont care enough to actually crunch the numbers.

JIm,

I have crunched the numbers. In general, if you can buy bullets for 10 cents or less (sometimes possible on the Internet, even with shipping) you can load the .17 Hornet cheaper than on-sale .17 HMR. (Of course, a lot depends on .17 HMR prices. I tend to look for good sales, around $10 a box of 50. Have pretty much a lifetime supply stashed away at that price, and sometimes slightly better.)

Thanks John!

I have a CZ527 American in 17 Hornet. That’s the way I’d lean if it were me. Course I’m bias, I have a safe full of CZs. I love them.

I don't speak schleckoschlahvahkian so I bought Ruger......

We cant all be money-ed up cowboys like you.

You've never Czeched them out?

only the czubby czechered ones.

How do they "do the twist" in those?

If you’re asking about the CZ......1:9 on my American.

Czechs 'do the tzwist'......

Ok, now that we have that solved, what's the powder of choice for the 17?

I use 1680.

If you are gonna get set up to reload....I would recommend the Hornady die set.

The sliding seater make it easy handling those little bullets.


I bought factory ammo and reloaded it. It had the wonky primer pockets.

Never did buy empty brass.......it seemed too expensive for some reason.

Bigwhop: I have certainly been very happy with my heavy barrel Ruger 77/17 Hornet.
Its accurate, functions flawlessly, love the stock and the flush fitting rotary magazine and the safety works correctly and positively.
I recommend the Ruger heavy barrel 77/17 Hornet - they are pricey but they hold their value.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

bigwhoop,

Have burned thousands of rounds loaded with 1680, and it's great.

Have since switched to CFEBLK. Same accuracy, another 150 fps, and even less copper-fouling. Wasn't much with with 1680, but would still rather shoot than clean.

I believe the savage 25 was chambered in this round too, but I've no experience with it or the czubby czechered rifles.. Had a ruger that I should have my butt kicked for selling. Need to hunt one down one of these days.