Newbee seeks advice

[PAC1 0]

Hi guys

 

new to this forum, but not to shooting (I've had a shotgun for over 20 years and regularly hunt with this and a TX200 air rifle) , I'm after your thoughts or advice on rifle choice, having recently obtained my FAC. I have registered for both .22 and .17 HMR and am after recommendations for both calibres. I've shortlisted a few rifles based purely on reviews and seeing the rifles in the flesh. I've entered both calibres on FAC as I believe there's still advantages of one over the other depending on quarry, land and distance so the best of both worlds can be had. For .17HMR, I've rarely heard a bad word against the CZ Varmint but have also seen a Stirling .17 that looks good S/H. For the .22 I've been offered a BRNO and another CZ (Amercan with 21" barrel).

 

I've also heard conflicting reports on ammo choice for the .17. There's a relatively recent 20 grain hollow point that reputedly doesn't destroy the meat (not convinced) but the 17 grain bullet seems more favoured in pest control circles. My shooting is a mix of small quarry pest control for a local farmer and food for the pot.

 

.22 is less of an issue as I would exclusively use sub-sonic hollow points which I know are accurate and deadly close quarter rounds (up to say 75 yds).

 

Your thoughts welcomed.

[PAC1 0]

Hi guys

 

new to this forum, but not to shooting (I've had a shotgun for over 20 years and regularly hunt with this and a TX200 air rifle) , I'm after your thoughts or advice on rifle choice, having recently obtained my FAC. I have registered for both .22 and .17 HMR and am after recommendations for both calibres. I've shortlisted a few rifles based purely on reviews and seeing the rifles in the flesh. I've entered both calibres on FAC as I believe there's still advantages of one over the other depending on quarry, land and distance so the best of both worlds can be had. For .17HMR, I've rarely heard a bad word against the CZ Varmint but have also seen a Stirling .17 that looks good S/H. For the .22 I've been offered a BRNO and another CZ (Amercan with 21" barrel).

 

I've also heard conflicting reports on ammo choice for the .17. There's a relatively recent 20 grain hollow point that reputedly doesn't destroy the meat (not convinced) but the 17 grain bullet seems more favoured in pest control circles. My shooting is a mix of small quarry pest control for a local farmer and food for the pot.

 

.22 is less of an issue as I would exclusively use sub-sonic hollow points which I know are accurate and deadly close quarter rounds (up to say 75 yds).

 

Your thoughts welcomed.

 

Has no one anything to offer?

[dave1372 83]

.

 

Has no one anything to offer?

For .22lr either a CZ452 or Ruger 10/22 you can't go wrong just depends whether you want bolt action or semi-auto. I have a CZ and am quite pleased with it, I occasionally hear the Ruger semi-auto can jam if not cleaned .... no doubt I will be corrected if wrong lol !

[ace32 4]

i run 2 cz,s at the mo,a 452,and a model 2e,took thousands of bunnies with them,no jams,

no probs at all,they just keep spitting out win subs,no probs and dead quiet,the varmint version is a lot heavier if your planning to walk about a lot,both .22,still waiting to try a .17,mainly due to noise with them,but not many of them about in the n/east aparently, oki doki,ian

[Deker 3,478]

Personally I see no benefit in any varmint version of a .22lr or .17hmr. No accuracy advantage to talk of and simply carrying around a heavier lump. Not for me but others may well favour them.

 

The 20g HP HMR ammo actually flies about 25mm higher and 25mm left of my 17g V max rounds (100yards). The grouping is not as good but they do tend to cause less meat damage. If you are concerned about meat damage then keep to head shots or get the 20g FMJ HMR. For vermin control the 17g ammo is the business.

 

All my rimfires are CZ, no complains, and they all do the business for me day and night!

[PAC1 0]

Thanks guys,

 

all very helpful thoughts. I hadn't thought about the weight of the Varmint, just assumed the heavier barrel was to aid accuracy or noise supression (?). The 452 bolt action certainly looks well built and trigger kits are very cheap, so that is probably the way to go. For silencers, I guess they're all pretty much the same but Sako seem to have a good reputation from those with 17 HMR's. A 16 inch barrel also seems to be a popular choice for CZ's. Any loss of accuracy with these?

 

The Stirling I was offered looks well made but I dont have any information on that model so don't know how it shoots.

 

Deker

 

thanks for your feedback on ammo. I probably will stick to Hornaday 17 grain resin tip rounds for vermin control and 20g HP's for rabbits for the pot. I don't favour the SP 17 grain FMJ's as there's too much risk of the bullet passing straight through and the animal crawling off to die somewhere. The FMJ was primarily developed for target applications and is not a good hunting round in .17 and I see no advantage to HP's for head shots.

 

Some good sensible advice, thanks guys.

[PUGDRIVER205 0]

Hi ! Just returned from local guncentre having just collected a Stirling .17hmr - Once I have had a few rounds through it I will let you (all) know what its like ! - It was certainly a LOT cheaper than a CZ !

[Colster 1]

A 16 inch barrel also seems to be a popular choice for CZ's. Any loss of accuracy with these?

 

 

Nope, apparently you could take it down to 12inches and it would still shoot as straight (the powders burned out by then). Mate of mine is wary of short barrels though as someone once put a hole in his landrovers bonnet with one. Leaning over to shoot a bunny that looked clear through the scope.

 

16" barrel is easier when you're lamping and jumping in and out of a 4x4 but generally cost more. I've been quoted as little as £20 difference and as much as £70

Edited November 27, 2009 by Colster

[English Steve 0]

Hi,

 

I have the CZ452 16" Varmint in .22LR with SAK mod, Brookes trigger kit and 3-9x50 scope. Absolutely no problems with accuracy or noise. I walk quite a bit with mine and don't find the weight to be an issue, although I do use a sling if going very far.

I tend to use Eley HP subs or CCI Velocitors depending on the situation. Highly recommended for rabbits.

I understand that ammo for the .17 is considerably more expensive than .22, but no doubt someone will correct me on that if I am wrong.

 

Only down side I can think of is that it refuses to eject an unused round occasionally. Apparently this is due to the tight chamber on CZs, but there is a modification which can be done to the ejector to sort it out. I have not bothered as it has never been a major issue.

[dave1372 83]

Hi ! Just returned from local guncentre having just collected a Stirling .17hmr - Once I have had a few rounds through it I will let you (all) know what its like ! - It was certainly a LOT cheaper than a CZ !

Remember to upload a photo so we can all have look at your new bit of kit.

[The Seeker 3,048]

I have a CZ .17hmr great rifle very accurate use mainly 17g V MAX. For the money in my opinion you'd br hard pressed to find a better HMR rifle for the money.

 

For a .22 I have a Ruger 10/22 I really like this rifle but I can confirm jamming is an issue, Its usually the spent cartridge case not clearing the ejector properly (approx one every 20-30 rounds) which can be a little annoying to say the least I dont think cleaning is the problem as this can happen with a newly clean action and barrel so Im still trying to work the cause out.

[elvolcan 0]

I have a CZ .17hmr great rifle very accurate use mainly 17g V MAX. For the money in my opinion you'd br hard pressed to find a better HMR rifle for the money.

 

For a .22 I have a Ruger 10/22 I really like this rifle but I can confirm jamming is an issue, Its usually the spent cartridge case not clearing the ejector properly (approx one every 20-30 rounds) which can be a little annoying to say the least I dont think cleaning is the problem as this can happen with a newly clean action and barrel so Im still trying to work the cause out.

 

CLEAN IT , then use ELEY subs - PROBLEM SOLVED.

 

RUGER 10/22 is a great rifle.

[scorpionchipper 0]

I use a cz 452 2e zkm varmint .22 lr and Icannot reccomend it highly enough.

[tbeagley 0]

Hi!

i use a CZ varmint 16" with Wildcat whisper mod(expensive but quality) & Nikko Sterling Gameking 4-16 x 50 AO & Harris 9-13 swivel bipod. Have had it for about 18 months & cant rate it highly enough. The last pic is what it is capable of shot at 100 yards off the bipod.

 

I've not found any brand of ammo any better than the next but always buy an extra box & re-zero when changing batch/manufacturer, although the difference is minute.

The only difference i have noted in the .20 gr XTP over the .17 gr polymer tipped is that the .20 XTP go straight through everything so i now only use the .17gr.

The noise is not an issue, i shoot around horses(as near as 30 yards)in the same field & they will quickly look up & then carry on grazing, unbothered.

You won't be disapointed with a .17HMR,

Cheers,

Terry.

[rjimmer 4]

I bought my BSA Supersport 5 in 1968 so not much point in talking about that.

My only input is to say that a mate bought a BRNO at the same time. At the time I wished I had bought one. Now, 40 years later he tells me that it used to jam!

I heard a keeper raving about the accuracy of his 10/22 last week.

A previous keeper friend bought an Anschutz and liked that.

My BSA is still going, with it's Parker Hale moderator on it's, wait for it, 24 inch barrel.

Not used more than a hundred HVs through it. Nearly all Eley Smokeless/Subsonic through it.

 

BRNO = CZ I believe.