VIDEO: 'Smashing' Spring Rabbits with the 17 Hornet

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10-10-2021, 10:22 PM
GWH

VIDEO: 'Smashing' Spring Rabbits with the 17 Hornet

I took the CZ 527 in 17 Hornet out for a quiet little wander around the apple orchard late on Saturday arvo, man I love this rifle/cartridge!

Since getting a Pard NV008 I've been doing much more shooting at night of late and using the 17hmr so I don't have to worry about losing Hornet brass. But i forgot just how much I enjoy wandering around in the late arvo sun (much more enjoyable than the cold nights of winter using the Nightvision).

Here are a few shots that I filmed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KJWknz2ois
10-10-2021, 10:57 PM
Russian 22.

interesting how they just sit there after you vibe checked their buddy right next to them.
10-10-2021, 11:28 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

interesting how they just sit there after you vibe checked their buddy right next to them.

Yeah its bizare eh, i wonder if they think if they dont move they wont be seen?
10-10-2021, 11:44 PM
Russian 22.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWH

Yeah its bizare eh, i wonder if they think if they dont move they wont be seen?

probably. Hell some people just freeze up when shit goes down even tho they know it is stupid.
11-10-2021, 12:07 AM
gadgetman

Excellent!! :cool:

Good work nailing those little spring bunnies.
11-10-2021, 09:35 AM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by berg243

on the video sound the hornet seems pretty quiet for such a high velocity. does the bullet not pass through much as the other ones sitting right beside the shot one seem unfazed and the one that was directly behind didnt seem to get hit with any fragments . nice place to shoot with all those nice rows and reasonable short grass.

Yeah the projectile blows up when it hits anything, even a blade of grass, which makes it very safe in these flat properties.

Yeah i enjoy shooting that property, the rows present challenges thou, rabbits often are only one or two hops from dissappearing into the next row, meaning i need to reposition myself.
11-10-2021, 10:02 AM
300CALMAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

probably. Hell some people just freeze up when shit goes down even tho they know it is stupid.

Actually I think it's pretty common. Even with training some soldiers still do it.
11-10-2021, 10:11 AM
300CALMAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWH

Yeah the projectile blows up when it hits anything, even a blade of grass, which makes it very safe in these flat properties.

Yeah i enjoy shooting that property, the rows present challenges thou, rabbits often are only one or two hops from dissappearing into the next row, meaning i need to reposition myself.

I will use the 17hmr in some of the more built up places I shoot any day over a 22LR. I have never had a ricochet from a 17, lots from 22. Although 17HMR has a lot more muzzle energy the little pill has a low BC and little weight so it will fall out of the sky if you were to do the unthinkable and fire your rifle at a point above the horizon.

I so want a 17 Hornet, unfortunately Savage tell me they have no plans for a left handed mod 25. It seems left handed CZs in 17hornet are rocking horse shit.
11-10-2021, 10:12 AM
7mm Rem Mag

Good shooting well done
11-10-2021, 11:14 AM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

I will use the 17hmr in some of the more built up places I shoot any day over a 22LR. I have never had a ricochet from a 17, lots from 22. Although 17HMR has a lot more muzzle energy the little pill has a low BC and little weight so it will fall out of the sky if you were to do the unthinkable and fire your rifle at a point above the horizon.

I so want a 17 Hornet, unfortunately Savage tell me they have no plans for a left handed mod 25. It seems left handed CZs in 17hornet are rocking horse shit.

Yes, this is the main reason i use 17 hmr and 17 Hornet, some of the properties i shoot are smaller, all flat, and some have lots of huge plastic water tanks full of fertigation mixes, if i was to get a ricochet from a 22lr (which happens all the time) and put a hole thru one of these tanks i wouldnt be very popular. Other properties are besides motorways and i need to know that the bullet is going to go where i want it and not deflect off and keep going in any random direction.

The 17's just blow up. I've witnessed a number of times now 17's both hmr and Hornet blowing up on a thin seed stalk of weedy grass sticking up in front of a rabbit, this gives me great confidence that there is zero chance of a ricochet off a stone, ground, tree trunk etc

The 17 Hornet is a seriously effective tool. Finding a CZ527 in 17 Hornet is hard enough, let alone a lefty. I feel for ya.
11-10-2021, 11:16 AM
gadgetman

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

Actually I think it's pretty common. Even with training some soldiers still do it.

Yeah, the flight or fight response. Also with supersonic projectiles the sleeping tablet arrives before the sound and they can't figure out where the threat is from so just sit tight trying to be invisible.
11-10-2021, 11:59 AM
chainsaw

Nice shooting, would have been tempted to take out a few of those ugly blue 2 legged things as well.
11-10-2021, 01:41 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Nice shooting, would have been tempted to take out a few of those ugly blue 2 legged things as well.

Yes, and on some properties that have permits for them i do. These birds are becoming a serious pest problem here in the Hawkes Bay (I assume many other areas too) There are thousands of them all over the area. Honestly, it's about time Fish and Game reclassified them as a pest and allowed un-permitted control of them. On one orchard i shoot rabbits on the pukes have started attacking staff this year, flying at their heads with claws out, I'd not heard of this behaviour before. They cause so many other problems it's just not funny.
11-10-2021, 01:43 PM
Backhut

Great filming, thanks for posting, Im out to my local farm this avo with .22mag
11-10-2021, 03:18 PM
Mooseman

That's so cool , what a neat caliber the 17 Hornet is. One of those rabbits in the video sort of exploded. I took my 223 and 22K Hornet out on Saturday and shot 34 rabbits great evening wander. The 223 certainly thumps the rabbits a bit harder with several going two ways. Even the K Hornet was messing them up with the 40 gr BT. Love your videos very efficient way to control rabbits.
11-10-2021, 05:25 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman

That's so cool , what a neat caliber the 17 Hornet is. One of those rabbits in the video sort of exploded. I took my 223 and 22K Hornet out on Saturday and shot 34 rabbits great evening wander. The 223 certainly thumps the rabbits a bit harder with several going two ways. Even the K Hornet was messing them up with the 40 gr BT. Love your videos very efficient way to control rabbits.

Thanks, yeah the 17H is seriously fun to use and super effective. Basically anything within 200 yards is point and shoot dead without thinking about where to hold or dial, i like to make every single shot count and hate missing, when i do miss its normally just over the top of them.

The 20gr at 3700 fps shoots pretty flat eh.
21-10-2021, 03:44 AM
Tararua Phil

What's the scope & power?
21-10-2021, 04:14 AM
southernman

Hi GWH, nice to see that little CZ, is treating you good, nicely done on the video.
Have you tried the 25gr v-max at 3300-3350 ish, with black out, this bullet shoot's better in my other CZ .17 hornet (varmint) and in the Anschutz .17 Hornet I have in Canada, about 1/2" more drop at 200m. over the 20gr. better killer and much more thwack (noise) on a hit.
I haven't been able to get back to NZ since 2019, due to Covid, missing the odd evening stroll, with a we CZ tucked under the arm,
22-10-2021, 02:26 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

What's the scope & power?

Its a Weaver SuperSlam 4-20x50. With a fine varmint dot reticle.
22-10-2021, 02:31 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernman

Hi GWH, nice to see that little CZ, is treating you good, nicely done on the video.
Have you tried the 25gr v-max at 3300-3350 ish, with black out, this bullet shoot's better in my other CZ .17 hornet (varmint) and in the Anschutz .17 Hornet I have in Canada, about 1/2" more drop at 200m. over the 20gr. better killer and much more thwack (noise) on a hit.
I haven't been able to get back to NZ since 2019, due to Covid, missing the odd evening stroll, with a we CZ tucked under the arm,

Yeah i love using it mate.

Ive only used 20gr Zmax/Vmax. Sounds like i need to try the 25s.

Oh boy, this bloody pandemic sure is upsetting things eh.
22-10-2021, 02:57 PM
Maca49

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWH

Yes, this is the main reason i use 17 hmr and 17 Hornet, some of the properties i shoot are smaller, all flat, and some have lots of huge plastic water tanks full of fertigation mixes, if i was to get a ricochet from a 22lr (which happens all the time) and put a hole thru one of these tanks i wouldnt be very popular. Other properties are besides motorways and i need to know that the bullet is going to go where i want it and not deflect off and keep going in any random direction.

The 17's just blow up. I've witnessed a number of times now 17's both hmr and Hornet blowing up on a thin seed stalk of weedy grass sticking up in front of a rabbit, this gives me great confidence that there is zero chance of a ricochet off a stone, ground, tree trunk etc

The 17 Hornet is a seriously effective tool. Finding a CZ527 in 17 Hornet is hard enough, let alone a lefty. I feel for ya.

I was shooting at a rabbit about 120 metres with my 17HMR off a bipod, first shot nothing, rabbit didn't notice, no impact, second shot the same. then realized the thin dead blades of the grass were destroying the projectile at the muzzle. Third shot, he wasn't so lucky. Also have cut fence wire with the same projectile in the same situation. Awesome cartridge. Do you reload the Hornet?
22-10-2021, 03:31 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maca49

I was shooting at a rabbit about 120 metres with my 17HMR off a bipod, first shot nothing, rabbit didn't notice, no impact, second shot the same. then realized the thin dead blades of the grass were destroying the projectile at the muzzle. Third shot, he wasn't so lucky. Also have cut fence wire with the same projectile in the same situation. Awesome cartridge. Do you reload the Hornet?

Yeah ive seen that a few times, ya wonder what the hell is going on "how can I be missing, twice". Yeah i reload for the 17 Hornet, its a super cool little case.
22-10-2021, 06:08 PM
Maca49

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWH

Yeah ive seen that a few times, ya wonder what the hell is going on "how can I be missing, twice". Yeah i reload for the 17 Hornet, its a super cool little case.

I have some projectiles an what powder ru using?
22-10-2021, 07:35 PM
charliehorse

CFE BLK from Hodgdon pretty sure @GWH and I shoot the same load
22-10-2021, 10:11 PM
GWH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maca49

I have some projectiles an what powder ru using?

Yeah CFEBLK is great in the 17H.

Which projectiles do you have, are you wanting to sell them if you dont have a need for them?
22-10-2021, 10:16 PM
charliehorse

I wanted to ask him about the projectiles too but didn't want to cut your grass:oh noes: