Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 17 Hornet?

VarmintGuy,

Rough barrels obviously aren't uncommon in today's Savage rifles, but $5 worth of Dyna Bore Coat usually solves the fouling problem--or at least it has in every Savage barrel I've tried it on. DBC is a lot less expensive solution than a new barrel, but then despite the stuff being around for several years now (and a lot of good feedback from shooters) apparently many remain ignorant of its virtues.

I need to get out more huh? Been shooting them for decades. Never seen a bad one. Like I said when they stop pleasing me I will stop buying them.

Mule Deer: Thanks for the tip on that product - I will try and permanently store it in my memory bank.
What are your thoughts on that products use and the "normal barrel life" of a factory barrel?
Does it shorten a barrels life noticeably?
Obviously most folks would rather have a Rifle that does not foul, and does maintain its accuracy for a normal length string of shots, even if the barrel life is shortened somewhat.
I am going to look that product up and read up on it.
Indeed I was one of the "ignorants" you referred to and now I know.
Thanks.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

DBC doesn't shorten barrel life, and may in fact extend it, though the jury's still out on that one. It lasts as long as the barrel; you only have to install it once.

It's basically tiny glass particles in a quick-drying liquid glue. You clean the bore to bare metal, degrease, then smear the DBC inside the bore with a patch or bore-brush. Wait half an hour for the glue to set, then shoot half a dozen rounds. The pressure and heat of the firing presses the glass into imperfections in the bore, and fouling is reduced considerably. The DBC folks claim at least 80% reduction, and in my experience they're right.

I put it in all my rodent rifle bores anymore, and can fire any of them several hundred rounds without cleaning--and when I do clean, it takes far less effort, solvent and time.

John,

Curious if you've been around a 17 Hornet yet? I'm thinking a Ruger may be in my future. Should be up and running by p-dog season.

the future is now....

I've been watching your exploits with the whorenat - looks like a good 'un! Mine isn't happening quite yet due to other krap I've recently bought needing payed off .

Ruger did a pretty good job of cataloguing the rifle, and having them available shortly. I figured it would be a good while before rifles were out with the public.

Billy,

No, I haven't shot the .17 Hornet yet. Was invited on the original Hornady/Savage PD shoot in Wyoming to introduce the cartridge but had a prior commitment.

Will probably end up with one since I have every other commercial .17, so why not another? May get a Ruger, or a Bullberry carbine barrel for the T/C Contender. Am kinda waiting to see what CZ does as well.

By the way, are we thinking of this as a coyote round? Anyone shot anything bigger than a skunk w/it yet??? Just curious...

Whomped a big badger. Neck shot. I've been 2 mornings trying to call in a coyote, but it just hasn't happened. Yet....

Neat. I'm thinking a Ruger 17 Hornet might be my Xmas present to myself.

I had a custom built about 20 years ago on an Anschutz action. Lothar Walther (sp?) barrel. It was an excellent rifle that shot squirrels really really well. Zero recoil. Lots of interesting stories about the crack of the rifle and how it did not seem to affect game in the surrounding area like the 22 centerfires. Keep an eye on that as you play with yours. I had a tough time killing coyotes cleanly every time, but sometimes it was perfect, very dramatic. Shot placement really is critical on coyotes. Mine had a hair trigger which really helped accuracy. The clip on mine went from holding 5 to 4 when it got customized from 22 hornet to 17 hornet. I think you guys will enjoy them. To be honest, I always wished for more power, so the 17 Fireball would be my first choice now. I currently don't get to shoot varmints much, but keep a .221 Fireball for the task.

One of my gopher shooting pards has been using the .17 Hornet on a custom for years. He also maintains the less noise keeps the gophs up, especially outside a certain radius( don't know what his calculations are...) I'm thinking there may be some merit to the concept....

Quick story on that-
Calling coyotes from an elevated rockpile in brushy terrain. Using a fawn bleat. 3 does were concerned and were working their way to me at about 75 yards. Out of the corner of my eye I see a coyote move. About 100 yards away he's spotted the does instead of me, so I swing slowly around and put one in his throat. Hunched up and toppled over. Looking back to the deer, I expect to see tails running, but they didn't miss a lick, just still slowly meandering my way. Only thing I can figure is I was hunting farm country and they were used to the various assorted bang clank noises of trucks, gates, and farm equipment, and this rifle shot fit inside their parameters of those noises. Saw the same thing with coyotes.
I hunted the same area with a 22-250 and finally had this rifle built due to increased settlements surrounding here. I promise you the 22-250 cleared the critters out in an area.
Another day, I called 4 coyotes and 1 bobcat from 5 stands in just a couple hours sweeping through this same area. The shots from the 17 Hornet did not break up the critters.

Interesting.....and duly noted.





One more bit of rationale for buying a 17 Hornet....

as per everything.......

Yep. A day on the dog town with a rifle burning 40 plus grains of powder, versus one burning 20 or less will make this readily apparent.

Doesn't take many shots with a Swift before you have to take advantage of it's flat trajectory, simply because everything close got sick of the noise and went underground. I find this really shows on a dog town that's been shot over a few times. A guy with a good 22 L.R. can often get quite a bit of shooting in on a town that's been picked over by the high power legions.

Glad to hear others have noticed it too....I havent used the hornet yet but in the last couple years Ive been shooting a .222 and thought I noticed more critters than when I was shooting the .223 or .204...

Well, that's not exactly true with coyotes is it? A 22-250 to the azz kills them, but a 17 hornet to the azz don't real well. The 17 Hornet killed a bunch of coyotes for me, but I'm telling you shot placement is critical, and I think you all know what I mean. There's a difference between a 243 and a 17 Hornet. One is more forgiving than another.