Ruger 77/17 Hornet

[michiganoutdoorsman]

Does anyone have any firsthand experience and knowledge about this rifle? I’m looking around for either a used CZ 527 or the Ruger 77, but all I’m seeing is the Ruger in 18.5” barrel. I see a lot of good reviews on the 24” barrel but the only thing I really saw about the 18.5” was someone regretting the purchase. They said it was shooting 1.5”-2” MOA at best. I think I have settled on this round as my next smaller critter/bobcat and fox rifle. I’m going to eventually suppress it as well. I see Savages all over the place, but very spotty reviews when trying to eject rounds. Shoot well, but their functionality doesn’t seem up to par. Thanks for any help and replies!

 

[huntsman22]

My 77/17 Hornet is an early one. Fantastic rifle. I've killed just about everything to be killed on the ranch with it.....

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

That thing is a certified killer. I want it in an older style. I will continue to check the gun sites for one. I’m not in any hurry but I kind of am because I would like it before our bobcat season in January. I’ll keep my eyes peeled! I just don’t know if a 5.5” shorter barrel would do much to the accuracy or not. I can’t find much aside from one negative review on it.

 

[jaredg]

I have one as well. I had the CZ, but the barrel was too thin to thread so I bought the Ruger in 22 Hornet and 17 Hornet. Both fantastic rifles. Pretty sure I put a trigger in mine. You will be happy with the Ruger. If you are going to suppress, 18" barrel is perfect (mine are 18")

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

I went and snagged it. Can’t wait to get it!

 

[Axlrod]

I have an early 77/22 Hornet and an Anschutz in 17 Hornet. The Annie is more money, but shoots a lot better than the Ruger.

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

I have one as well. I had the CZ, but the barrel was too thin to thread so I bought the Ruger in 22 Hornet and 17 Hornet. Both fantastic rifles. Pretty sure I put a trigger in mine. You will be happy with the Ruger. If you are going to suppress, 18" barrel is perfect (mine are 18")

What suppressor are you running?

 

[Dan Carey]

I have a CZ 527 17 Hornet with a threaded barrel, 1/2X28. The suppressor works just fine.

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

I have a CZ 527 17 Hornet with a threaded barrel, 1/2X28. The suppressor works just fine.

What suppressor are you running on your 17?

 

[Dan Carey]

Its a custom built. 6.5" X 1 1/4" First 2 baffles are stainless steel K's and the rest are Aluminum cones. The hole in the end cap is .205

 

[jaredg]

What suppressor are you running?

TacSol Axiom

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

Anyone have a recommendation for a cleaning kit for the 17 Hornet?

 

[nm.otter]

Also interested -- .17 cal rods turn out to be somewhat spendy, even at pistol lengths.

 

[B23]

I have a couple different .17 cal cleaning rods one is a Gunslick carbon fiber rod the other is a Montana X-treme. I've had the CF one from Gunslick the longest and never had any issues but I've heard of them breaking and spearing the user so I really don't use that one anymore and would have a hard time recommending it. The Montana X-treme 17 cal cleaning rod I use now is a nice high quality product.

These 17 cal cleaning rods are obviously tiny little things and the flex/bow a good amount when pushing a patch through the barrel especially on the first couple patches down the bore so I highly recommend using a bore guide. A proper fitting bore guide will support the rod and help keep it straight so when you are pushing a brush through the bore it doesn't yaw and put more pressure on one side or the other.

 

[TaperPin]

I don’t have a 17 Hornet yet (this post has me fired up to get one), but for other 17 cal I like the basic bare stainless pro shot one-piece rod. It’s still $40. Any of the good quality one piece rods would be miles better than a multi piece aluminum. A lot is made by the cleaning industry of using coated rods and I’m sure they are great, but careful use of an uncoated rod has never turned up visible wear on the lands near the chamber of any of my barrels (keeping rod clean, using bore guide and keeping as straight as possible).

On a budget I’ve seen these inexpensive rods and bought one to see if they would be any good as travel rods. If you carefully go over the seams/joints with super fine sandpaper to eliminate any ridges they would be safe to use if you are careful about not grinding the rod against one side of the rifling. They are not made of a springy steel that snaps back into straight shape if bent, so if someone is careful they are usable.