17 Hornet

[bigchiefj]

I finally shot my 17 Hornet. I got about 3" groups at 100 yards. Not too bad considering the action I have the barrel on probably has a trigger that breaks at crisp 10 lbs. Wayne York cut a good looking chamber so once I shoot all my factory ammo, I'll be ready to reload the brass.


I did learn today that mixing extractor and ejector barrels can be fun. I'm glad I was wearing glasses while shooting when I broke open my extractor barrel and a 22 Hornet case bounced off the glasses instead of my eyeball. 

[cwlongshot]

You should be able to beat that level of accuracy.    Keep at it, Mine shoots well under a inch.

Start with the basics, lockup, clean barrel, stock and your own ergonomics. H&R's seem to respond UNFAVORABLY to improper bench positioning. Rest on something like sand bags, avoid hard surfaces and if needed rest at forstock receiver juncture.

CW

[mothman]

The first handi-rifle I purchased was a 22 hornet.  I had an older Savage previously which made me a fan.  The first thing I noticed was how inaccurate factory ammunition was.  The first major brand ammo would shoot a group within the limits of a pie pan.  The second major brand would be covered by a soft ball.  At the time ammo for a box of 50 was 25-30 dollars a box and I felt, even then, it was too expensive.  Now ammo is pushing 1 dollar/round and I am sure it is too expensive.


After working on the trigger and reloading many, many rounds,   My last group was 0.25" at 100 yards.  When I shot this group, I immediately stopped shooting, packed my bags and headed home from the range.  Havent shot it in a couple of months for fear of losing that thought in my mind.  Besides, I have other calibers to work on.  They arent the easiest to reload, but are among the cheapest.  Very little powder and you can reuse the brass many times.  Generally I shoot about an inch group at 100 yards with my pet load/s.


I realize the 22 hornet is a different caliber than the 17 hornet but I cant imagine too large a difference in loading for them.

[bigchiefj]

Thanks for the tips. I definitely need a better rest. I've got a bag, but it's way too high for my Handi Rifles. When I learned to rest on the pivot point instead of the foreend that's when I got my rifles down to 3" groups.


I think that 17 barrel fits better to my receiver than the ones I had factory fit.

[gcrank1]

Resting the front on a bag in the general direction of the target is just the beginning; any, as in ANY, variation of hold or body torque to the rear of that will throw the shots, even with std. velo 22LR from a 12# target rifle (dont ask how I know.... ).

[bigchiefj]

I'm pretty sure I'll turn this barrel into a shooter because it means I'll have to shoot a lot more to get it right. I've only put 25 rounds down the bore. That thing isn't broken in yet.


I am swapping out the stock, I don't like the H&R varmit stocks.