Thread: 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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Excellent!!

Good work nailing those little spring bunnies.

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

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.

Great filming, thanks for posting, Im out to my local farm this avo with .22mag

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.

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.

What's the scope & power?

Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

What's the scope & power?

Its a Weaver SuperSlam 4-20x50. With a fine varmint dot reticle.

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,