I'm in the market for a new varmint rifle and have narrowed it down to the CZ 527 LUX 22 Hornet, or the CZ 527 American 17 Hornet. The rifle will primarily be used for night time fox hunting, with the occasional coyote. Most shots taken within 100 yards, but can stretch to 200 in some spots. I already have a couple of nice 223's, but they tend to make pretty nasty holes in a fox. A buddy of mine shoots a 22 Hornet and it does a nice job on a fox.

I'm really leaning towards the 17 Hornet. What says the fire? Will this cartridge do what I want it to do? Seems that the 17 would be just about perfect for fox and woodchucks, but what about coyotes? Thanks for your thoughts!

I am thinking about buying one as well. I have no experience with either of the cartridges you mentioned and can’t give you much advice. Do they still make any 527s in 221 Fireball?

I have heard that the 22 Hornet can be finicky to load for, if you load. Seems like I have read that the 17 Hornet works well on Fox - no exits - but then it may be a touch light for coyotes. You may find more info at http://www.predatormastersforums.com

I've got rifles in both 22 and 17 Hornet and I'd say to go for the 17. It shoots faster and flatter and seems to noticeably smack small game harder than the 22H. I've never shot a fox, but I've taken 4 coyotes with my CZ 527 17 Hornet and the farthest one has run was maybe 20 yards. The 2 in the picture were both at about 175 yards out and both dropped in their tracks. Would think at the ranges you specify for fox the 17H should do really well.

Aspen-what bullet are you running in your 17?

I'm ordering the rifle today. Gotta find some ammo now!😀

I usually shoot the factory Hornady 20gr vmax loads and all the coyotes were shot with that. But this last spring I started testing out the Hornady 25gr hollow points on chucks and those performed very well with just as good accuracy for me. I'd probably take the hollow points if I was thinking I might run across some coyotes.

Thanks! Found both types at a local shop. I'll see which ones my rifle likes best. Should arrive on Tuesday. I went with the 527 American Varmint.

I've got four 527 Americans, and the danged little guns are fine shooters. I've got both Hornets, a .221 Fireball (they make a run about every three or four years or so) and a .204 Ruger. All of them shoot well enough to make me happy. The Fireball is probably the most accurate of my four, and the .204 is probably the least accurate of the bunch, BUT, I've never missed a shot with the .204, it's one of those "lucky" rifles we all dream about. And it still shoots under an inch, it's just that the others shoot SO well they make it look bad.

So have you found one yet? Sounds like you are on the right track w the 17HH. Expect you will like 25 gr HP's best for fur and the 20 gr ammo may get the edge if after rodents.

Only varmint getter caliber I prefer over the 17HH is a custom for this rifle currently, that is the 17 fireball. With the 17 FB reloading would be a necessity. For the non reloader the 17HH may be hard to beat. Some may ask why not the 17 Remington and ammo price and barrel life may be my response.

Yes, I got the 17 Hornet, 527 Varmint. Shoots the 20 grainers into neat little groups! I topped it with a Burris E1 3-9x50. The 50mm is a nice "filler" for the high-ish rings. Can't wait to get after the foxes!

You made the perfect choice

I like the 527 in the 17HH, I am just having a hard time choosing between the American and the Varmint. Do the extra 4" of barrel really add all that much to the velocity for the extra weight to be worth it? I'll be carrying it around more than shooting it. The American just looks handy.

I bought the American, it's light and handy, and even a sporter weight barrel is plenty heavy and thick enough for the little bitty .17 hole going down the barrel.

I carried my Varmint all night for a fox hunt. It was a blast! I don't regret getting the Varmint model at all. I use a Claw sling, and the rifle stayed put all night. Never felt heavy.

I've got both and the Varmint isn't bad to carry around, but the American is really nice and light and feels like nothing to haul around all day. That'd be the one I'd get if like you say you are carrying it more than shooting.

Merry Christmas all. Varmint vs an American is simply a Personal choice & if you can swing it, I kind of like Aspen creeks path.

Then there is something to be said for the one rifle guy. For me I chose the 17 HH American. & my next CZ527 was the 6.5 Grendel. Find it pretty neat to be able to go after small varmints to coyotes w the 17 HH & Coyotes to deer w the Grendel.

As fox are kind of fragile - how well does the 17 Hornet work ?
The 22 Hornet is a known quantity.