best .17 Rifle for vermin control

[Doing it for the kids]

Not sure is this Ag enough - please move if needed!

selling a .22 to upgrade.

got a .243 as well but overkill for long range crow etc.

not after fancy, just practical,

second hand or new? no VAT reclaimable on second hand i am told?

recommendations welcome...

 

[neilo]

Not sure is this Ag enough - please move if needed!

selling a .22 to upgrade.

got a .243 as well but overkill for long range crow etc.

not after fancy, just practical,

second hand or new? no VAT reclaimable on second hand i am told?

recommendations welcome...

Lots of choice of secondhand .17s in near mint condition, just look on Guntrader, etc.
I bought a practically new CZ 457 a few months back, with varmint barrel, synthetic stock and 500 rounds, for £220.

There's no VAT reclaimable as there generally isn't VAT on secondhand rifles from a private buyer.
The whole gun is tax deductible of course, if bought for vermin control in the farm business.

 

[Nithsdale]

You just can't go wrong with a CZ, IMO. Used to get branded a farmers gun because they are all about being practical.

Other makes are maybe a bit nicer but they cost a lot more - Anschutz for example... But straight out of the box CZs just work. I'd cry if I twanged an Anny off the landrover or a gate when out shooting and marked it


Really miss my old 452... I went the other way - from .17hmr back down to .22 during COVID because .17 ammo was hard to get at that time and got very expensive

 

[Jerry]

As @neilo says, you wont go far wrong with a CZ, Ive had mine 15 years and it is my go to rifle for rabbits through to fox.

They are cheap and cheerful. If a wooden stock make sure the barrel is free floating, I did mine it was touching.

And if you want fit an aftermarket trigger kit, such a Brooks, and it will transform the rifle.

The HMR is an incredibly accurate little rifle that punches well above its weight.

 

[David.]

.17 Hornet is great fun, and in the absence of wind, capable of reliably thwacking small vermin out to 300m.
The one I used was a CZ527.

 

[Landrover]

As others have said a CZ, put 1000s of rounds through my .22 and my .17 and never missed a beat, get a .17 with a varmit barrel tho, great gun, accurate even for me !

 

[Rnold]

Another vote for CZ. I have a 455 in 17 HMR with a varmint barrel in a laminate thumbhole stock. A great rifle with a long life ahead of it.
Just because they are at the lower end of the price spectrum this should not put anyone of purchasing one. They are well made rifles from a company with a long history of gun manufacture. I think the Bren gun was originally their design.

 

[steveR]

Useful thread, as I am wondering should I change from .22 to .17 on safety grounds. FA Officer was keen last time, but I was not impressed at ammo prices...

 

[alomy75]

I went through a similar dilemma. I’m pleased I went anschutz as I’ve now forgotten what it cost. They look and feel like supreme quality. My firearms dude also convinced me to have 22 and 17 hmr. .17 is obvs most accurate which is good because if you miss you won’t be having any more shots for a while

 

[Nick.]

Useful thread, as I am wondering should I change from .22 to .17 on safety grounds. FA Officer was keen last time, but I was not impressed at ammo prices...

Keep the .22 and buy an HMR too ?

The .22 is sooo quiet.
Ideal for ratting in the right place or anything close enough.
Plus not worth much as a trade in I wouldn’t have thought.

 

[milkloss]

I would question the benefits of a varmint barrel for a 17. Are you going to ping enough rounds through it quickly enough to be of use?
I have a Sako in 17hmr with a varmint barrel, too heavy a lump imo.

 

[Jerry]

Keep the .22 and buy an HMR too ?

The .22 is sooo quiet.
Ideal for ratting in the right place or anything close enough.
Plus not worth much as a trade in I wouldn’t have thought.

Have to agree with this, I’ve got both and they each have their place

 

[Jerry]

I would question the benefits of a varmint barrel for a 17. Are you going to ping enough rounds through it quickly enough to be of use?
I have a Sako in 17hmr with a varmint barrel, too heavy a lump imo.

The Varmint barrel is a lot shorter so ideal when in the truck shooting.

 

[Vader]

Get a .17 remington. Bullet speed nearly double the hmr

 

[Nithsdale]

Have to agree with this, I’ve got both and they each have their place

When I had both I found myself taking the .22 on rabbits and leaving the hmr for crows - which I didn't do much of really...

Ended up letting the hmr go.


Rabbit numbers are on the up again after I had reduced them, before Myxi and RHD wiped them out this past 10 years. Might get a hmr again one day

Can't beat the silence of the .22 can't beat the lethal accuracy out to 150yds of the hmr

 

[Kidds]

I have .22 WMR rather than .17 HMR but I really like my CZ452. It doesn't feel or shoot like a budget rifle, it is very accurate at up to 100yards just on iron sights.
Have .22 lr of the same which has claimed thousands of rabbits, very good guns.
As said, have both if you have room as the cost is hardly prohibitive.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Good this forum is great!

I’ve 2 number .22’s, semi auto Rugers. Keeping the one with scope and mod.

Basic, naive questions;

Floating barrel? Recall being told about this when passing a shooting test but can’t recall.

Varmit barrel? What’s this? 22 inch looks to be the standard. I know with a mod it’s long but I want long range accuracy.

Talking of which, crow at 150 yards, achievable?

Lastly .17 HMR vs .17 Hornet, is there a difference?

We don’t have rats or rabbits to justify a rifle to use against them. We do have a lot of crow type birds.

 

[exmoor dave]

Lots of choice of secondhand .17s in near mint condition, just look on Guntrader, etc.
I bought a practically new CZ 457 a few months back, with varmint barrel, synthetic stock and 500 rounds, for £220.

There's no VAT reclaimable as there generally isn't VAT on secondhand rifles from a private buyer.
The whole gun is tax deductible of course, if bought for vermin control in the farm business.

Did almost exactly this too, but a 455,
A airgunner decided to grade up to rimfire and I think gave himself a fright, so wanted the whole outfit sold.
Have since changed the scope but otherwise been a brilliant rifle

 

[exmoor dave]

Good this forum is great!

I’ve 2 number .22’s, semi auto Rugers. Keeping the one with scope and mod.

Basic, naive questions;

Floating barrel? Recall being told about this when passing a shooting test but can’t recall.

Varmit barrel? What’s this? 22 inch looks to be the standard. I know with a mod it’s long but I want long range accuracy.

Talking of which, crow at 150 yards, achievable?

Lastly .17 HMR vs .17 Hornet, is there a difference?

We don’t have rats or rabbits to justify a rifle to use against them. We do have a lot of crow type birds.

You really don't need a .22lr or 17hmr barrel longer than 16", esp if there's a moderator to go on too

 

[Jerry]

Good this forum is great!

I’ve 2 number .22’s, semi auto Rugers. Keeping the one with scope and mod.

Basic, naive questions;

Floating barrel? Recall being told about this when passing a shooting test but can’t recall.

Varmit barrel? What’s this? 22 inch looks to be the standard. I know with a mod it’s long but I want long range accuracy.

Talking of which, crow at 150 yards, achievable?

Lastly .17 HMR vs .17 Hornet, is there a difference?

We don’t have rats or rabbits to justify a rifle to use against them. We do have a lot of crow type birds.

Floating barrel....so the barrel is not touching the woodwork on the fore end, makes for far better accuracy

Varmint barrel is shorter and heavier, means it does not warm up quick so accuracy remains constant

Crows, bunnies even head shot foxes at 150m is no problem