17 Hornet vs 17 FB vs 17 Rem

wisconsinteacher · Jan 7, 2013

What are the big differences between the 3 and would it be worth selling the 17HMR to fund a 17 center fire? I enjoy reloading and as of now shoot my 17HMR about 10 times a year due to ammo prices and the fact that it is not that accurate. What one of the 3 center fires would you get or would you go with a 204? I do have a 22-250 that I love but I want something smaller.

SJB358 · Jan 7, 2013

I am not sure. I have thought about the same thing. I really like that little 17 Fireball, but then again, they could all be pretty awesome. What are you thinking for use WT?

wisconsinteacher · Jan 7, 2013

Uses would be

Shooting at the range
A cal to reload for
Small critters in the yard that may smell, make a mess, or just drive me crazy.

gerry · Jan 7, 2013

wisconsinteacher":d1c8vnnu said:
Uses would be

Shooting at the range
A cal to reload for
Small critters in the yard that may smell, make a mess, or just drive me crazy.

I thought about the 17 FB and it would be a great choice I'm sure, but the 17 Hornet should be really cheap to shoot and cover those needs nicely.

Guy Miner · Jan 7, 2013

I recommend the .375 H&H for those purposes... :mrgreen:

wisconsinteacher · Jan 7, 2013

Not the 50 bmg Guy? Ha ha ha

DrMike · Jan 7, 2013

Guy Miner":2kjg2eaj said:
I recommend the .375 H&H for those purposes... :mrgreen:

Seems as if I recall someone using that particular cartridge for similar purposes, don't I, Guy? :shock:

Guy Miner · Jan 7, 2013

No .50 BMG here, but I did use the .375 on a rockchuck last summer...

Actually, we've got both the .17 HMR (which has turned out to be extremely accurate) and the .204 Ruger here, but no center-fire .17's.

I have no desire for anything smaller than the .204 Ruger in a center fire. Virtually no recoil, 3900 fps with 1/2 MOA accuracy... Depending on the bullet though - it's more akin to your .22-250, and can actually beat the bigger cartridge in some combinations.

Out of the .17's - the .17 Hornet might just do the trick... It just looks like fun to me.

Guy

FOTIS · Jan 7, 2013

I have the savage 17 hornet and I love it, Shot it yesterday for the first time. Extremely accurate. We were picking off pieces of clay pigeons at 200 meters with no problem at all. Additionally I like the fact that one pound of lilgun will make 700 rounds!

BTW I have played and owned the others.

JD338 · Jan 7, 2013

I think anything Hornet would be fun!

JD338

Wincheringen · Jan 7, 2013

I've never been that interested in a centerfire 17, but I have a .204 Ruger that I shoot a lot. Its very accurate and totally destroys gophers on out to 400 yards pretty easily. It is laser beam flat shooting.

Brass is cheaper for the .204 than any of the others.

tjen · Jan 8, 2013

If you get or have a 17 Hornet get the LEE Collect Neck Die. I use this collect die for my 22 hornet and have yet to retrim a single case. I think some cases have been reloaded five times with no change on Over all Case Length.

Waldo · Jan 8, 2013

I can't comment on the Hornet or FB but have had a .17Rem since the late 70's/early 80's, the thing is a little gem of a rifle to shoot and very accurate.
My son has shot it more than I the last few years and the performance of the little 25g HP is sensational, so smooth to shoot and just seems to do it by itself.
Cheers,
Waldo

FOTIS · Jan 8, 2013

tjen":2r7lvcqi said:
If you get or have a 17 Hornet get the LEE Collect Neck Die. I use this collect die for my 22 hornet and have yet to retrim a single case. I think some cases have been reloaded five times with no change on Over all Case Length.

I can not find one anywhere.

wisconsinteacher · Jan 8, 2013

I still don't know. If all three were in front of me right now and I could pick one it would take me a year to figure it out. My brain says go 204 then 17 Hornet next year then I think just get a 17 Rem and forget about the 204 and Hornet. I think the FB is off the list for now.

FOTIS · Jan 8, 2013

Put it this way your 204 overlaps with the 17 remington. What one will do so will the other with the edge going to the 204.

Does this help? :mrgreen:

Waldo · Jan 9, 2013

Really like my .17Rem but if the barrel wears out I would rebarrel it with a .204, new kid on the block and just a little bit more.
Cheers,
Waldo

FOTIS · Jan 12, 2013

What did you decide?

wisconsinteacher · Jan 12, 2013

Ha. Until I place the order my mind will never settle on one. I am really thinking CZ Varmint in 204 with the hope that CZ make a rifle in 17 Hornet in the future. I could have matching rifles then. If they don't come out with a 17 Hornet then I will have to figure something out. I just need to save up. I just picked up a summer job so I may be able to swing it in a few months.