turbo33 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) I would like some rifle advice please. I am after a rifle capable of taking out foxes to 175 yards and also for use on rabbits and corvids at the same distances. I don't want to go down the bigger centrfire route just yet and was wondering it the .17 hornet would be a suitable rifle to look at for this purpose. Any other ideas would be welcome. Many thanks. T33 Edited October 25, 2015 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) 17 Hornet (centre fire - in which case might as well get a 223) and normal centre fire prices (£ 70/100) or did you mean 17HMR (20gr jacketed bullet will take a fox at range described, with 17gr v-max for rabbits/crows) which is lot cheaper to run (£25/100). Edited October 25, 2015 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 17 hornet is a handy little round. It will do everything you want. The only downside is the choice of rifles. Reloading 17 ammo will take the cost down to rimfire. If you don't plan on using much ammo then factory rounds are around is £20 for 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Or .22 Hornet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 22 hornet would be my choice or a 222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 the .17 hornet should drop foxs at the range your looking for but beware bullet choice ive used 25grain hp bullets that zipped through and fox ran dropped with a follow up shot. was straight through the boiler room too. i now use 20grain vmax and they seem to be more forgiving. id like to use a 25 ballistic tip bullet but vmax dont stabilise in my rifle so when i come accross some others ill try then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 .17 Hornet will do the job. Also the .22 Hornet as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euget123 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 .17 hornet sounds perfect for what you want! Ive only taken half a dozen foxes with mine but 20gr vmax have done the job everytime. Crows and rabbits to 200 yards and beyond without much bother. As said a 222,223 or .22hornet would also do the job! But im really enjoying the .17 hornet! Works out at about 30p a bang when reloading, and not much louder than the hmr! Rifle choice is limited!the savage is not much good in my opinion plenty accurate but just a bit cheap and nasty! Ive the cz527 which is brilliant and havent seen a ruger yet!(but reports are good) ET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 .17 hornet sounds perfect for what you want! Ive only taken half a dozen foxes with mine but 20gr vmax have done the job everytime. Crows and rabbits to 200 yards and beyond without much bother. As said a 222,223 or .22hornet would also do the job! But im really enjoying the .17 hornet! Works out at about 30p a bang when reloading, and not much louder than the hmr! Rifle choice is limited!the savage is not much good in my opinion plenty accurate but just a bit cheap and nasty! Ive the cz527 which is brilliant and havent seen a ruger yet!(but reports are good) ET +1 for the CZ 527. A brilliant rifle, and accurate straight out of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 22H or 222 here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thanks for the input chaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 I may be able to get you out with a 222 if you fancy trying one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 I may be able to get you out with a 222 if you fancy trying one out. That's a kind offer Daf. When I'm a little clearer on my direction, I may well come back to you A bit more research to go. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Another thing I always say about the less popular calibres is research the availability of ammunition in your area. If you are in Surrey that shouldn't be a big problem but it is going to be a factor you should consider. A lot of RFDs won't stock anything but the fast selling calibres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Sound advice Vince, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeadWasp Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 22 hornet would be my choice or a 222 +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 .22 Hornet is very cheap to reload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Now really confused I wasn't hugely impressed with the HMR and its various issues and idiosyncrasies and the need for a more suitable foxer and longer distance vermin rifle. So thought maybe 17 hornet. In typical PW fashion, the next up calibre is always suggested so we are up to 222! That's ok, but when I did some research on that, ammunition seems to be an issue, and the calibre allegedly fading into the archives! So now it seems a 223 is the one to go for or should I stop being a girl and get a .50 bmg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Any centre fire will do what you want. I thought about a Ruger .204, but some people think they have short barrel lives. .17 Remington ammo is probably expensive. If you don't intend to reload, .223 might be the answer from a price point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 I have a .204 ruger for the sort of jobs you are asking about. You can buy a Tikka off the shelf and feed it factory rounds that are about a £1 a shot. Out of the box the T3 is a brilliant gun. Food for thought maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Nothing between 223 and 222 in real world but I prefer the 222 never heard of it fading out and my RFD can always get me ammo for it 😇 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) I have a .204 ruger for the sort of jobs you are asking about. You can buy a Tikka off the shelf and feed it factory rounds that are about a £1 a shot. Out of the box the T3 is a brilliant gun. Food for thought maybe? Yes, the Tikka is starting to look like an option........thanks for that. The 222 seems to have a better reputation for accuracy over distance, but sees to rely a bit on reloading. Not so much of a problem. However even the basic Lee isn't doing the kit in 222 anymore, then it seems the brass is becoming harder to find! Starting to lean towards a Tikka 3 lite in 223.............hmmm, more research Edited October 30, 2015 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 (edited) Yes, the Tikka is starting to look like an option........thanks for that. Starting to lean towards a Tikka 3 lite in 223.............hmmm, more research Make sure you get a 1-in-8" twist, they are always wanted because they can handle heavier bullets if necessary. 6-month waiting list if you can't find one on the shelf somewhere. There is probably someone closer, but you are welcome to have a go with my T3 Varmint. Edited October 31, 2015 by rjimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly47 Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 I've got a cz 527 in .222, great bit of kit and I've never had any problems getting ammo for it.... Tedly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 I've got a cz 527 in .222, great bit of kit and I've never had any problems getting ammo for it.... Tedly Great rifle and cartridge combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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