Since you have put Aussie Land in your title Daryl

I'll chip in.

There was a time when fox skins were worth good money here in Oz, up to $25 each back in the 70's. That was good money. My brother in law bought a car with his earnings. (A green Torana G-Pack for those with long memorys) He bought and used a Remington 700 BDL in .17 remington and I have used it extensively. It is a great calibre, accurate and with head shots will bring down goats and pigs.

It is said that wind is its biggest down fall but I have never had any problems with the Remington.

The .17 Ackley Hornet was also a very popular round as the lower velocity reduced pelt damage. The .22 Hornet was a popular calibre in Australia and lots of people had rifles and brass to modify. The limiting factor back then was the choice of projectiles. Just two. The Hornady 25 Hp and the Remington 25. New projectiles have obviously improved the .17's versatility.

A close mate had a .17 Ackley built on a BRNO Hornet action. It had a #4 Shilen barrel which initially didn't shoot very well. The Gunsmith reduced the barrel 1" at a time until it was only 20" long and it was a tackholer. Go heavy and go short with the .17 Hornet.

You will find a lot of .17 Hornets in Oz as well as .22 Hornets. Cheap to reload and quiet owners tend to hang onto them and not trade them. It has largely been superceded by the .223 these days.