Which 17?

I recently aquired a CZ455FS in 17HMR and am now enamored with this bore size. Impressed with the killing power these tiny frangible bullets have on ground squirrels. For a tiny 17gr bullet to do so much damage when launched at a pretty unremarkable 2550fps with a very modest BC of .125. It's shockingly easy to hit the little buggers out to 200yds and beyond. Now I find myself wondering how much more performance is on tap with this little bore and contemplating building or buying a centerfire .17. Anybody have any experience with the .17 Velociraptor, .17 Ackley Hornet or any .17 centerfire. I think something that keeps pills in the <3500fps range would give decent barrel life and perform like a laser out to 300yds. Maybe on a Howa 1500 mini action or a CZ527.

I have a 17 Remington and 17 fireball, that I’ve used on prairie dogs. I shoot the 20gr vmax out of the 17 Remington at 4300fps, and the 25gr Hornady hp out of the 17 fireball at 3800fps. They are like tiny laser beams out to 400yds, but when the wind picks up, they are definitely affected.


JTD

What is your barrel life like at those high velocities? Where I shoot ground squirrels it's pretty easy to go through 200rds of 17HMR in a couple hours or less.

Ive only got around 1000 rounds through each and they are still going strong. After burning through some 220 Swift and 22-250 Ackley barrels, I’m going to guess that barrel life would be similar, around 2000-2500 rounds.


JTD

Not a .17 but take a look at the 204Ruger. Faster and better in the wind. --- pruhdlr

.17 Flintstone Super Eyebunger

My wife loves her .17 Hornet....I'll look at home as to what the reload recipe is