[sasnofear]

I've ordered one. and i wanna know from others their experances etc!

[ralphtt]

I bought a Ruger 77/17 in January and have been using it as my "walkaround" rifle on my groundhog hunting forays. Have killed a few crows and about 15 groundhogs with it and find it very accurate and potent out to about 150 yards.

Go here http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=15 for more info.

I like the little gun! :cool:

[Smoke]

I bought the Marlin. Spooky accurate. Sorry trigger. Love the round.

[waynzwld]

Got a Savage. I love it! Came with a terrible trigger which I worked on a little. It's much better, but I went ahead and ordered a Rifle Basix trigger sear. Can't wait to see if it shoots better. Get an average of 3/4" to 7/8" groups at 100 yards. But, boy does the wind play heck with that little bullet.

Smoke, that Marlin trigger can be easily fixed, either as a "do it yourself" or get a Rifle Basix trigger for it.

[Smoke]

Waynz,

Yeah I know.....I just haven't got around to it, ya know.



But, boy does the wind play heck with that little bullet.

Really? I have no scientific data to back it up, but I felt the wind has less affect on this than my .22. Just my casual observation.

[Jaegermeister]

I was looking into these but opted not because of the wind issue. I also have a Ruger 77/22 that loves CCI Stingers and the 40 grain Velocitors. I am covered out to 100 yards with the Ruger.

Anything farther and I'm stepping up to my .223 H&R Ultra Varmint. This thing does .60 inch groups at 100 yards with Coyotee or Ultramax factory reloads. It loves the cheap stuff even better than Federal Premium with the fancy plastic-tipped bullets.

.223 ammo is cheap, how much is that .17 ammo?


New calibers mean you have to buy new rifles. It's a conspiracy I tell you.

OK, go ahead and buy a new rifle. I just have to get a new muzzleloader this summer because I don't have one.

Irony

[dude]

$9/50

[swifter]

got a Marlin VS, installed a Rifle Basix trigger, set for 24 oz. just with a minor try, its easily the most accurate rimfire I've ever owned. I get the cataract removed from my "shootin eye" tomorrow, so next week I'll know more about the accuracy...:D
Tom

[WonderNine]

Honestly, I don't see the point of this new round, but can understand it's early popularity as the latest "new thing" kinda like with the current short magnum fad.

$9 for 50 rounds??????

That's as bad and overpriced as .22 magnum.

I got 300 rounds of SA surplus .223 for $45 shipped. MUCH better for prairie dogs and other assorted varmints and not affected by the wind ANYTHING like .22's and .17hmr's.

And if I want to shoot REALLY cheap I use the Marlin model 60 .22lr. You can't beat Walmart 550 round value packs of Remington .22lr's for $10. Kinda beats the hell outa $9 for 50 of .17hmr's. (if you can find the ammo).

And that Marlin is pretty darn quiet if that's the selling point of the .17. I have a 1,000 fps pellet gun that I believe is louder than the .22!

[Jaywalker]

I think the point of the 17HMR is that it's "spooky accurate." I don't have one, but I'm shopping for a 17HMR, 22 Mag, 22 Hornet, 222, or (first choice, if I can get one in a really short action) 221 Fireball.

I mostly shoot at a range, 100 yards, though my new club does have longer ranges. The 17 should group well to 200 yards. I don't reload, but would start, if I buy a centerfire; if you don't, the 17HMR is a fine choice. I would have thought woodchucks were a slight stretch for the round, but lots of folks are happy with it in that role. It's quieter even than the 22 Hornet, which has been the standard for years in "settled land varmint hunting" role. The 17 is cheaper than the centerfires, and is higher than the 22 Mag. Ammo availability will ease when the manufacturers tool up for the really unexpected demand for the round.

I think the 17HMR is here to stay, and might even make the 22 Mag rare in years to come. That'd be a shame, since it's accurate too, and hits harder.

Jaywalker

[dude]

hey wondernine........enjoy your .223s and Marlin 60 but don't be upset if some of us would rather have .17HMRs and lever-action .22s. I don't give a crap if you don't see the 'point'

[WonderNine]

I'm not upset, whatever gave you that idea? And I don't give a crap that you don't give a crap that I don't see the point. :neener:

[dude]

you must be because this is the 2nd thread where you tell us all why you "don't see the point' of what/why we are doing and enjoy.

-This one where we are talking about .17HMRs but you tell us about .223s and .22s

-and the other one where the guy is looking for .22 lever action advice but you don't see the 'point' of them........... and recomend a Marlin semi-auto




The fact that some of us actually prefer .17s over .223s and lever guns over cheap semi autos must upset you because you keep telling us about it!

[dude]

.........oh, I understand now seeing that you are a libertarian

[waynzwld]

Jaywalker, I don't know who is saying that the Hummer will group well at 200 yards, but i can tell you, it just ain't so. There are super custom rifles out ther that might, but you are looking at some serious money to get that kind of performance. So far, the best I have done at 200 yards is around 3 to 4 inches and that was with "calm" conditions.

Wondernine, the 17HMR fills a gap in the rimfire lineup. it has such a frangible bullet that even a blade of grass will cause it to blow up. So not much worry about ricochets, unlike a 22LR and some of the 22 Mag rounds.

(eddited to add) It will really teach you the hard way to learn to read the wind!

[Jose_Wales]

I agree 100% with waynzwld. It's a 150 yard round at best. I too thought long and hard about buying a .17HMR - - I finally decided on a Cooper Montana Varminter chambered in .19-223 Calhoon.

Check it out (make sure to read the ballistics tables - very impressive)

www.jamescalhoon.com

He also makes a .19 Calhoon Hornet that is pretty cool.

[Jaywalker]

waynzwld:So far, the best I have done at 200 yards is around 3 to 4 inches and that was with "calm" conditions. Interesting. No, no one told me that; I presumed it, based upon the 100 yard groups I had read about and the fact that it did have some residual velocity remaining. That led me to believe there'd be respectable groups. Wrongly, I guess. Are you using the the Hornady bullets? I understand they're a bit more aerodynamic.

Jaywalker

[waynzwld]

Jaywalker, I have tried all 3 brands and they are very close in performance.
The Remington is the fastest and the CCI is the slowest with Hornady in the middle. I suspect the spread at 200 yards is due to wind, even if it is almost non-existant. From my experience so far, a 5 mph, 90 degree wind is good for +1" drift at 100 yards. Because the bullet is so light, it starts loosing velocity pretty fast past 150 yards. I tried nailing some crows one time at 200 and 300 yards and never connected. This was with 3 to 4 mph 45 degree angle wind. I would get close, but never made a hit. At 75 yards on a crow, WOW!!! :what: it really does damage all out of proportion for its size and weight, almost as much as a 222.

[Ledbetter]

You really have to shoot one to see the benefit. There's no recoil and the hole appears in the target before the recoil has a chance to lift the rifle up. You see the bullet strike because of the velocity. It's uncanny.

Mine is a CZ Varmint/American, the Accusport version. The first time I took it out to sight in the scope at 100 yards, I shot a five-shot group that fit completely under a dime (Hornady ammo). There was some wind, but not much.

Also, it's not meant for anything bigger than a great big squirrel and it's not good out to 300 yards. It's a rimfire for crying out loud. Enjoy it for what it is: a quiet, lightweight critter-gitter.

[WonderNine]

you must be because this is the 2nd thread where you tell us all why you "don't see the point' of what/why we are doing and enjoy.

-This one where we are talking about .17HMRs but you tell us about .223s and .22s

-and the other one where the guy is looking for .22 lever action advice but you don't see the 'point' of them........... and recomend a Marlin semi-auto




The fact that some of us actually prefer .17s over .223s and lever guns over cheap semi autos must upset you because you keep telling us about it!

I'm just letting you in on a little info since it seems silly to me to pay so much for a round that does the same thing and a gun that is not as accurate and not self loading.

You keep responding to me. You must be upset with me. It leads me to believe that you think about me alot. I hope you don't lose any sleep. :cool: :cool: :cool:

.........oh, I understand now seeing that you are a libertarian

Whatever makes you sleep better. :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Mannlicher]

To me, nothing about the .17 justifies buying one. I have a perfectlly good Marlin .22 Mag, and see no reason to get another gun that I would not use often.

[bad_dad_brad]

It's like they say - new lures catch fishermen - not fish.

I wanted one only because it was different so I got the cheaper Marlin just to check it out - the Ruger - too pricey for me.

It is a tack driver for sure, and within 100 yards it will make short work of small varmints.

Advantages over other cartridges? It does have a flatter tragectory - barely - within 100 yards than a 22 magnum, but as stated, wind does affect the little sucker.

Ammo is expensive because it is scarce, and because it is a pretty precise little bullet to make.

If you already have a 22 magnum, and don't have the luxury of just buying a new rifle - just because - there probably isn't a reason to rush out and get a .17HMR - I just wanted one.

[Jose_Wales]

Very well put bad_dad_brad

[Coltdriver]

I have a Savage. Cost about $200.

The gun is accurate beyond anything I have ever owned. I can consistently shoot a one inch square at 100 yards.

I think that the comments about the round being good out to a max of around 150 yards are right.

For small varmints it is excellent.

Mine is the only rifle I ever had that inspired me to put a really decent scope on. The scope and rings cost about $200 too:D

There is a simple trick to getting the take up out of the trigger with a .025 shim under the trigger group. The rifle basix set up is supposed to really make it a great target trigger. But for $89 dollars I opted for the shim.

The round is just a departure from anything else available in rimfire and the accuracy makes the package unique.

[Robert inOregon]

In real world use, the 17 HMR beats a 22 Magnum hands down!

Was invited to a "squeaker" hunt in the Spring. Location was Klamath Falls which is known for erratic weather conditions and high winds. Took two rimfire rifles. A Marlin Stainless bolt gun in 17 HMR and my own Browning A-Bolt in 22 Magnum. The Browning has been worked on and shot groups about half that of the Marlin in controlled conditions. The Marlin consistently shot sub one inch groups.

During the hunt, the Marlin out performed the Browning in every way. From number of kills, distance of kills and consistent accuracy. High wind, cross wind or any other kind of wind there is, the 17 killed better. I was so impressed with the performance of the cartridge that the Browning is now being retrofitted with a 17 barrel for next season. And rarely do I get the itch to turn a collectable firearm into a shooter.

Now, why not 223 which is less expensive to shoot and more readily available? Because its not as much fun to shoot! That's why. Part of the varmint experience is watching the critters explode and you can't do that with a 223 on such a small target. Only your spotter gets the kick out of watching. Shooter is only lucky to see part of the carcass fly through the scope from time to time. More than half the time shooter can't even tell if they scored a kill unless another shooter or spotter saw it happen. Centerfire is great for long range, but the close in stuff is better left for rimfire. And today some farmers are also making request more and more that hunters use rimfire only, which makes the matter moot.

When trying to kick your hunting buddies teeth in with your shooting prowess requires all the help you can get. Get yourself a 17 HMR!

[dude]

I just enjoy watching orange clays shatter out to 250m and charcoal briquetts just go 'poof' in a black cloud out to 200m or so!! Right through the scope like a friggin viedo game. I don't shoot or kill stuff that I don't eat but I can see how the .17 would tear up small critters. My uber-redneck buddy who shoots ANYTHING that moves has one-shot killed two coyotes out @ 100m or so on his property with the CCI HP version of the .17HMR.


The .17 WAY outperforms the .22mag (F=MA) with less than 1/2 of the .22mags drop @ 200m and still going supersonic (unlike the .22mag) All you have to do is shoot some water-filled milk jugs with each caliber out at exceeding ranges to see the vast superority of the .17 when it comes to hitting power.

[Robert inOregon]

I don't shoot or kill stuff that I don't eat but ........................

Don't have to worry about eating anything, because there is nothing left to take home after the squeaker gets hit. :D
The little devils are also cannibalistic, so nothing goes to waste. :)

Its just like shooting at one of those charcoal briquettes! Poof! :evil:

Varminting is the adult version of burning grasshoppers with a magnifying glass. And tell me that wasn't fun! :neener:

[dude]

I've seen a viedo clip or two and you are right.

btw- the uber redneck usues a HK USP compact and is dead-on on the little criters from the atvs we use to get into the desert back country for some awesome brown trout fishing. I tell him that he is going straight to hell for it.....and he happily agrees. Now killing a big brown trout or two for the grill is OK with me!

[WonderNine]

I don't shoot or kill stuff that I don't eat but ........................

Can say I've eaten any of the prairie dogs, pigeons, or crows I've offed with .22lr or .223. :D

[sasnofear]

wow, my thread got a lot of interest, thanks 4 replying guys. i really wanted one, however the land i was going 2 shoot on apparently i now cant shoot on and as the other land i've got only has shots at 100-150, theres not much poijnt for a gun that i wanted to use at 200-250 (yes fellas it will go out to that range if barrel broken in rite. i've seen it done!)

although i think semi autos r stupied, i may just get a semi auto .22lr instead. i twas thinking remmy 593 but apparently its an unreliable peice of crap. and whats with ruger accuracy? never used one.suggestions?

[dude]

.22??(!)


get the .17 for those 100-150 yard shots............you will NOT be dissapointed !!

[sasnofear]

dude, ur forgetting. u think ur .17HMR ammo is expensive? come over here then double it!

due2 greedy ammericans gobbling it all up forcing prices up :)

[sasnofear]

i.e $20 per 50

[dude]

true.......but most of your beer is better so we're even!!

I say most because y'all don't have Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond on tap. I'd be happy to ship you a few bottles though.

[Smoke]

In regards to the ammo shortage: I just don't see it here.

Local gunshop/hardware store always has a supply. $8.00/50 seems to be the norm. It is pricey when compared to .22lr. BUt thats not a fair comparison. Compare to .22wmr, or other smaller centerfire. IT may still seem pricey for a rimfire, but as others have said....It's a whole lot of fun!"

Price is relative.

[David4516]

Wow, alot of Oregonians posting in this thread. :D

Well I live a bit to the north, in Beaverton. Its not a bad place, but there are alot of people around and not many good places to shoot. I'd love to move to a part of the state where I can shoot in my own backyard...

Anyway, back to the question at hand: .17 HMR

Whats the point? .22 WMR hits harder, and the ammo is cheaper and easy to find. Accuracy? My .22 WMR is by far the most accurate gun I own, and I dout a .17 HMR could beat it. Range? If you are shooting at something that far away get a .223

And whats this I hear about .22 LR for 100-150 yards? I think that is a bit beyond the effective range of the caliber. I don't take shots past 50 yards with .22 LRs...

[dude]

I hate to argue w/a fellow Oregonian.........but the .17 will WAY out perform the .22mag in both accuracy............ and power out beyond 150m (as it is still going supersonic while the .22mag has almost fallen away)

Come on out to Bend sometime and I'll show you! I can't shoot from the backyard but pretty close by.

[David4516]

You may well be right, I've never atempted a shot past 100 yards with my .22 Mag, but I can tell ya at that range .22 mag is AWSOME!

Bend is a nice place, I've been camping out there a few times. Went to see all the lava caves, pretty darn cool stuff...

I'll be passing thur bend in a couple weeks when I leave for my camping trip to Paulina Lake...

[dude]

Stop by, as we will shoot the .17 -vs- the .22mag @water filled milk jugs at 50m intervals out to 200m or so.

[clem]

What else that is nice, is almost zero recoil. That's great for us who have had shoulder injuries/surgery.