njc110381 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I took my longest shot on a bunny with my .17 Hornet the other day. Witnessed at about 280 yards according to my spotter/mate, but not being a long range fan the number hasn't stuck in my head! It was one of three, all shot at around the same distance, in the neck. Not a shot missed and a first round hit on #1. Considering I'm using a 3-9x40 Leupold VX-1 and just held over and to the side a smudge for wind I was pretty impressed. I've just thrown some home loads together for testing with H335 and 25gr Hornady HP but have no idea how they will pan out? Has anyone else tried this bullet or powder? The gun has seen very little use recently - kind of like the forum and most other things fun. I've got too much going on to enjoy myself at the moment! Up until now it's been running factory ammo. I've done a few foxes with it now along with some bunnies and a crow. The first couple I caught on the shoulder and had slightly patchy results. Placing the shot just a little further back seems to smack them straight over. It doesn't seem to deal with shoulder blades as well as the 6.5x55 that I use if I'm seriously after foxes. I like to be able to hit them from any angle and have them on the floor quickly. If I have to smash one up the rear end as it's running off then so be it, as long as I know it will die cleanly it's a good job done. But with a well placed shot the hornet drops them with ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted July 6, 2015 Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 I took my longest shot on a bunny with my .17 Hornet the other day. Witnessed at about 280 yards according to my spotter/mate, but not being a long range fan the number hasn't stuck in my head! It was one of three, all shot at around the same distance, in the neck. Not a shot missed and a first round hit on #1. Considering I'm using a 3-9x40 Leupold VX-1 and just held over and to the side a smudge for wind I was pretty impressed. I've just thrown some home loads together for testing with H335 and 25gr Hornady HP but have no idea how they will pan out? Has anyone else tried this bullet or powder? The gun has seen very little use recently - kind of like the forum and most other things fun. I've got too much going on to enjoy myself at the moment! Up until now it's been running factory ammo. I've done a few foxes with it now along with some bunnies and a crow. The first couple I caught on the shoulder and had slightly patchy results. Placing the shot just a little further back seems to smack them straight over. It doesn't seem to deal with shoulder blades as well as the 6.5x55 that I use if I'm seriously after foxes. I like to be able to hit them from any angle and have them on the floor quickly. If I have to smash one up the rear end as it's running off then so be it, as long as I know it will die cleanly it's a good job done. But with a well placed shot the hornet drops them with ease. Personally, I can't believe that anyone would do that, never mind admitting to it. But perhap's it's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted July 6, 2015 Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 Depends what context you're reading it in Steve? I did mean with a bullet! My farmer relies on me to kill the foxes. There's no etiquette in the job. Making them dead is all I need to do. The only ground rule I work to is that it needs to be quick. That's my way of showing respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted July 6, 2015 Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 Depends what context you're reading it in Steve? I did mean with a bullet! My farmer relies on me to kill the foxes. There's no etiquette in the job. Making them dead is all I need to do. The only ground rule I work to is that it needs to be quick. That's my way of showing respect. I took it as you meant a bullet. Although I appreciate that you have a job to do, as most of us have, by killing as many foxes as possible, I would, or could not ever shoot one 'up the rear end'. But as I stated, perhap's it's just me who feels this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 6, 2015 Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 With my 35, 308&6,5 anywhere centre from any end and it was all over for Charlie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) back ending a fox is not humane imo allways try for chest /neck if poss they migh be vermin but do a job right if you can Edited July 7, 2015 by zx10mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Listen a 6.5 mm bullet comes in about 90 grains minimum and rear ending a fox with such a projectile is perfectly humane with something like three times the energy of a .17 hornet. In some respects it will kill quicker than a side on chest or neck that doesn't quite land right as the bullet has more time to fully expand inside the quarry and sends bits of hip. leg, rib through creating secondary wound channels and a blooming big cavitation effect to boot. NJC is dead right but then again he likely makes his statement on experience not what he has read. In fact using heavy large calibres can lead to many foxes running off hit side on with perfect calibre size entry and exit wounds (pencilling) ok they will still die but the taxas heart shot will drop stuff lots bigger than a fox with a 6.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Can't argue with that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 That pretty much sums it up kent. I wouldn't take the shot with a lesser calibre but a 95gr bullet from a 6.5 gets in there well enough to hit the vitals no matter what angle it enters. As long as the shot is placed to pass through the vitals you can be certain it will go down. This is a round that will pass right through a large deer. A fox has no chance! I'm more confident shooting them up the rear with my 6.5 than I am chest shooting them with the .17 Hornet. Once you've put down a few hundred you start to get a feel for what works and what doesn't. It sounds nasty, but as I say it's the end result being a clean kill that matters to me rather than how I achieve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Can't argue with that too lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Indeed. If anyone wants to discuss it further I'm happy to on another topic, but I think we should steer this back in the direction of the little .17. There's not a lot said about it so it's in everyone's interest not to derail the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 So, how is the wee case doing for stretching compared to the 22 original? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euget123 Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Ive nothing to compare it to so dnt no how good are bad this is. I trimmed to 1.340" after first firing of factory rounds!ive reloaded and shot this batch of brass 4 times now and longest case measured last night was 1.348" Max length is 1.350 so will trim again when we reach that! No splits yet,and no sign of rings near case head. ET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 That's not to bad then. The 22 has a lot of taper which does not help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I don't trim mine. I also haven't split a neck either. Like you said, having the shoulder helps a lot (I think mine is a 32 degree shoulder) to stop growth. When I get to the point where they have stretched too far, I'll pick up another batch of fresh brass. rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I don't trim mine. I also haven't split a neck either. Like you said, having the shoulder helps a lot (I think mine is a 32 degree shoulder) to stop growth. When I get to the point where they have stretched too far, I'll pick up another batch of fresh brass. rick I am of the opinion that one should only trim if its needed but check the length every time for safety Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I've got 200 factory rounds (about 100 left) to start reloading. Buying dies in the USA and got 20 grain VMAX and hodgdon H4198 on back order at the dealers. N120 is a good powder for 17 Hornet. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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