WampusCat

Thanks Willie! HunterB17, I won't tell you an HMR wont kill a coyote but I will say you may be frustrated with some of your results. Shot placement will be a key factor! Fox is a different story and I think the HMR is a great fox round when called inside 100yds.

Fair enough. When I read Ackley I immediately thought Ackley Hornet. He worked his magic on the little case long ago. Hornady just breathed new life into it.

Well, since the spring results are out and I won't be hunting this year, I thought I would make a post that I meant to long ago. I thoroughly enjoy introducing new people to our way of life and that includes preparing and eating wild game. Once or twice a month at work on friday we try to BBQ and I try to bring something wild. They have seen it all from fish, to frog legs, to dove, to elk steaks and everything in between. I bought a left over tag two years ago and headed East with a couple buddies who had never hunted much less eaten Javelina. They had heard stories from a knucklehead at work that came from Texas. He told them about how it wasnt really hunting and the meat was terrible. I was determined to show them a good time and a glimpse into my love need for the outdoors. Being an avid reloader and predator hunter I have spent many summers fine tuning what I think is the best balance in a fur load in several calibers. This trip we were toting ARs in .223 and I had lots of 52gr Speer hollow points loaded from the previous fur season left over. These have been reliably putting down critters for me so I figured they would work on a Stink Pig just fine. We promptly found a nice ridge a began glassing. No pigs but I called a coyote we spotted right in for an easy shot. I think they believe it's just that easy now. They have much to learn. It was the next day before day we glassed a nice herd and closed the distance. We played the wind and picked a spot that would offer a good shot when pigs came out of the brush. I debated whether to attempt calling them since we have had such a blast while chasing them with archery equipment but I decided against it since everything was falling into place. The pigs filtered out and we watched for a bit. I picked the largest of the group and put a single round in his shoulder. The pig dropped and as I turned around looking for a high five my buddy said the pig was up again. I shot again and the pig was down just as fast. Another round behind the ear for good measure and we were off to check out the pig. It was a great pig and it was even better showing these guys the tusks where the Javelina get their name. This all happened inside of 150 yds so I was surprised at what happened. I was even more suprised when I skinned the pig out and found my first bullet just under the skin on the "near side" from where I shot. Absolutely zero penetration. That pigs body armor literally stopped a bullet from entering the pump station. While I love that bullet for fur it is defintely not a Javelina bullet. We went on to kill one more pig the next day (different bullet) and headed home. Once back home I promised the guys that Javelina was indeed good to eat. It was just a matter of field care and preparing the meat. The meat was carefully cleaned without touching the hair or skin. After cooling on ice for a day I grabbed a random rub and went to work. After the rub was on I wanted to try something new and weaving bacon sounded like a great idea. The woven bacon made a perfect wrap that I hoped would help the meat from drying out. Then into the smoker they went. It's a bit difficult trying to keep a big metal smoker down at the right temperature in the Yuma sun but we made due. After a few hours we couldnt wait any longer as the smell had attracted a platoon of hungry animals. I diced both of the juicy chunks up, bacon and all. Mixed in a bit of BBQ sauce and served it on a bun with a slice of provolone. There was hardly a scrap left shortly after.

Incredible shots! Not an easy target but you are amking it look easy. Those deer are lucky you didnt pack a bow. Are these with your 400mm lense you mentioned in a previous post?

Very cool heavy buck. Glad you got back out there.

The Hornet is dang near the exact same thing as the Ackley. The only damage I had with this caliber was on a fox that jumped up on a boulder 5-10 yds in front of me as I called a big canyon. It startled me and I took a poor shot. I believe at the angle I hit him in the shoulder blade any chambering including a 22 mag would have removed a lot of "mass". More my fault than the caliber. Other than that instance the Hornet has behaved very well.

Thanks everyone. Jim, if you break out the smoker post some pictures.

I wouldn't call it creep but imagine about a half pound take up before you hit the actual wall. I prefer the 2 stage for the mental prep stages it lets me go through. It may be a carry over from match shooting days but I like feeling the purchase I have on the trigger and taking up the slack. When I make contact with the "2nd stage" I can stay there and wait for the sights to settle on the target knowing any more movement rearward will release the hammer. When its time, I make the final movement. There should be zero creep after the 1 stage is taken up. Do not confuse a gritty or sloppy single stage for a 2-stage. Depending on the specific model of course but I bet your Sig 400 has a single stage. I would recommend hitting up a gun store and dry firing a few models that have a 2-stage before you commit.

+1 on the Geissele. They make some of the best triggers out there for different applications. If you like a 2-stage look at the "G2S" model. It is my favorite for price vs quality. Bought a few of them in the $165 price range. Their important surfaces are EDM finished and the springs are stout.

Thanks Havasu, I too had a 22 hornet a while ago and I had similar results as you describe. For reloading the 17, I was using lil' gun and the brass was fine except for the primer pockets. Your remarks on the lack of recoil and watching the impact are spot on and I can't believe I forgot to mention them in the post.

Pretty incredible! Dreams are made of beautiful country like that chock full of elk.

Some type of this crust stuff is growing in our AZ deserts as well. I have seen a lot of it in the KOFAs and similar terrain. I try to stay off of it because it takes so long to recover.

I am in love with my 17 Hornet. Occasionally I wish it had a bigger gas tank but for a calling gun where 90+% of my shots are inside 100yds, it was a hammer all last season. I keep things inside 200yds and have had great experiences. There are a couple things to be noted when gunning with 17s... These are not hold on fur and shoot rifles. You will need to be specific about your aim point and place the projectile in the correct place. Sometimes this means waiting a bit longer to hold out for just the right shot. These are not wind bucking rounds. Even though its mighty fast, the projectiles a very light and the wind owns them when past 100yds These are not 300yd DRT coyote rifles. Again, when calling almost everything ends up inside 100yds at the shot so not an issue I dwell on. These are not shoot through the bit of grass or brush between you and the target rifles. That tiny little bullet cooking downrange is not driving through anything without changing course. These rifles do not replace a 3" load of lead BB's for me. Different tool for different job. On the plus side... They will not tear up fur when large bones just under skin are avoided. The only thing I have treated fox and cat pelts better with is a 22 Mag. Several times I shot, carried, hauled home, and skinned coyotes without any blood until the the wound was exposed via skinning. They are relatively quiet (Hornet). Doesn't punish my ears as bad as others. Most 17s I've shot were exceptionally accurate rifles. It is important to understand the tool you are using and use it the most effecient way possible. If you are willing to accept the parameters of this great little cartridge and stay inside the abilities of the shooter and the equipment I believe you will enjoy it as I have. These are just my experiences. Your mileage may vary. When I have a bit more time to sort out some photos I will start a thread about my experience last season with this rifle. P.S. If Hyper ever decides to part with his fireball I hope I get a chance at it.

Thats awesome man. The last cage I had stolen was by snowbirds on bicycles. I dont know how they hauled it off or how the heck they found it. Im guessing it ended up in the nearby body of water.

I cant believe you left us hanging like this...

I would too, thats why I was intrigued. Never ceases to amaze me what those little bullets will and wont do when they are screaming down range. Thats me, Strawberry or ATA sales or conventions, bumped into ya several times. They messed up and sent me overseas again this year so I spent most of last season at schools on the east coast. Made it to the sale this year and sold everything I had during all the "no sales", lol. I was leaving and had fun collecting what I brought. Success! I dig the #4 Creek Double Longs for an exposed pan cat set. For everything else canine I am a modified #3 Bridger guy. Only lug around cages cause AZ makes me.

I hate to admit it but I dont remember the exact time. It was between 3-5 hours for certain, and fought to keep temps under 300 deg in the Yuma sun. I would do a few things different next time. I was only concerned with getting internal temps up high enough to kill any potential trichinosis. I am not 100% if they are carriers but I wanted to be safe since I was cooking for a group. It was delicous. A lot of non hunters left that day thinking Javelina is delicous.

Great video. Someday I want to start filming. I dont know the specifics or circumstances of the shot but it looks as though the same branches blocking the camera shot were blocking yours as well. Did the small .17 pill not penetrate the skull completely? Not armchairing your shot at all, but with your experience with that gun do you think the results would have been more "instant" with a shot 3-4" lower in the neck? The one down fall I experience with the smaller calibers is the need for a well placed shot. Sometimes as I'm sure you know I have to wait a bit longer for the right angle. I'm not a contest caller so I feel I can afford a few extra moments to wait em' out.

Like everything else we use, everyone has their favorite tools for the job. None are wrong except for meeting the goals of the user. .17 Fireball has been on my wish list for years! I think its the perfect fur caliber and wonder why it never caught on and now Remington seems to be letting it fading away. Brass and factory chamberings are pretty rare. The full blown .17 rem is an awesome catridge and the only reason I dont put together an upper is I dont want to look for brass after a stand and the AR platform slings them all over. Shot the barrel out of a 22-250 growing up and still have one today. No doubt they put coyotes down with authority, but I still cringe when a fox or cat steps out because I know what is about to happen when I'm packing that rifle. 50gr Vmax's were deadly accurate but even on coyotes they still suffered from the dreaded splash occasionally. Not a deal breaker on scroungy desert dogs, but more important on higher elevation praire coyotes. Loading 36gr Barnes Varmint Grenades over Varget at 4,400 fps makes a 300 yd laser beam and as good on fur as it gets in that caliber. Mine hasnt seen near as much use in the last 4-5 years since the ARs caught on and mil surplus brass is everywhere. Wayward flying brass from the ejection port doesnt need hunting down. During my limited season last year I shot 23 coyotes, a pile of fox, and 2 cats with a .17 Hornet in AZ/KS were dispatched immediately with ZERO damage to fur. None needed a follow up, but a few got one. For most it was like the life was just snatched right out of them, sometimes without even drawing blood. The lack of mess it creates for a fur guy is a huge deal to me. I will start another post soon on that gun and my results with it.

This will save a guy more trouble than any other tip, trick, or tactic. Get in, get out, and keep your gear organized so you can move efficiently. .

I also mark my traps in a special way. Once, while on a trip to Kansas I had several footholds stolen that were located near some prime real estate on private land. The truth eluding thief broke multiple laws and ultimately got caught because of the way my traps are marked. When I have 7 dozen marked like that and he somehow had three that were different from his rusted out Dukes the truth was obvious to the law man. I spend a lot of time modifying and tuning every trap I own and go to great lengths to hide them and my presence from scumbags. Tricks like Hyper is talking about have no doubt saved me lots of heartache trying to be CSI. When I had cages stolen in AZ it was always very obvious it was snow birds who thought they were doing right by the poor caught animals. Filed reports with G&F and the sheriff on the odd chance they would be reported, dropped off, or found. Never saw them again.

No, not the "match" variety. I would think the match version would perform better. I am talking about the plain ole hollow point. It has an obnoxiously large hollow point (flying soup can). It is my go to fur load in .223 http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2149480539/speer-bullets-22-caliber-224-diameter-52-grain-jacketed-hollow-point

This is the varmint hollowpoint. It looks like a flying soup can. I still love those bullets. It fulfilled its role perfectly as a non exiting coyote round. Just not the ticket on Javelina.

Bill, I knew they are actually peccaries but they look a lot like a pig and well you know... I did not know about the namesake. Someone told me long ago they got the name from their spike like teeth. Made sense to me and had no reason to doubt them. Thanks for the correction.

What he said^