.17 HMR hunting

[destroyerbear]

so i was mostly planning on buying something like a savage BA rifle so i can have multiple rounds rather than a single shot. i was mostly focusing on predator *coyote, fox, wildcat* and varmint hunting. however, i thought since .17 HMR had such a velocity, if i could hunt deer if taking a perfect headshot. if you think its a terrible idea and i should get a bigger gun for it, then don't bother telling me so, cus i can't afford to get a bigger gun so i won't hunt the deer, but tell me if you think it would work. i am mostly focusing on the hunting of predators and pests.

i would use the 870 but i was worried about range of the deer to use it, but if i choose to hunt deer i'll try my 870 on em

 

[matrem]

I'd suggest using your "new" 870 for the deer killing!

 

[Arkel23]

It will work, I know a guy who won't let people use high powered rifles on his property during deer season because his kids like to go outside an play, so he makes the people who hunt on his land use a .22 or .17 HMR. I wouldn't do it, but if you have a perfect head shot, they will drop in their tracks.

 

[destroyerbear]

sounds good to me matrel. >

 

[Quoheleth]

In Texas, any rimfire is illegal for big game. Suggest you check local laws.

I'd suggest using your "new" 870 for the deer killing!

Bingo! or...the Remington SPS (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5783854#post5783854) you asked about before the .17.

Q

 

[rangerruck]

if you have a 223 rifle, use that, otherwise, a brand new stevens 200 rifle, in 223 is as cheap as a Savage 17 hmr. plus the ammo is about the same cost as well, the 17 hmr is a couple bucks cheaper, that is it.
if not, and you want a 17 hmr, it will deff do the job; I make no judgements about doing so, but look at this thread.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287174
and then check this
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292675

 

[destroyerbear]

quoheleth, unfortunately i didnt get an sps, i couldnt find the cash to buy one so im gonna go with gettin the rimfire. i would definately love to have one tho

 

[tactikel]

Rimfire is illegal for deer in Wis. that being said, I know a guy whose grandfather fed his family poaching deer during the '30s with a .22 rifle and a couple of handfuls of shells. Is it legal (or ethical) NO, but if it was survival-yes. Use the 870 and some slugs for deer, save the .17 for varmints.

 

[handle02]

The .17hmr will work on deer,but if your gonna shoot a deer you at least owe it a clean kill.Go with 870 for deer and use the .17 for small game under 40lbs. P.S. rimfires are illegal here in TN for deer also

 

[destroyerbear]

i wasnt planning on deer hunting anyway. i was just wanting to know if it was able to drop a deer. it is kinda like wat tactikel said, for survival. thanks for the help guys

 

[Sunray]

"...use a .22 or .17 HMR..." Illegal everywhere for deer and other large game. A .22 or .17 RF will kill a moose with the right shot placement.
"...worried about range of the deer to use it..." As in how far away? 100 yards sighted in with slugs. Buckshot of any size is unreliable. Totally useless past 30 yards. The choke on your 870 matters too.

 

[destroyerbear]

yea yea i know all that, but im not gonna deer hunt so no use in teaching me how, thanks for the info however. if i do choose to deer hunt, i'll get myself a slug barrel and some good slugs i like, mount a scope, and go. or i could take the easiest and cheapest way and use my dad's S&W .45. he isn't very much into guns, so it has been setting in a wooden gun box for hard tellin how long on top of our entertainment center. not even sure if he has fired it. get some moon clips and some .45 acp and presto, got myself a deer killin machine

 

[dmazur]

While Col. Cooper was reputed to have killed a deer with a 1911, I believe this is considered more of a stunt than something to emulate.

(In other words, anything chambered for .45ACP isn't a "deer killing machine". Shotgun with slug barrel is excellent, however. )

 

[Kindrox]

If you can get the perfect shot, go after moose and grizzlies too. But you gotta get'em just right of course.

 

[destroyerbear]

dmazur, im not quite sure if my source was correct but i can't remember where i heard this from. it was something about why .45 cal was chosen as the military's round for the 1911. they were using i think like .32 or .38 and couldnt properly kill cavalry. i can't remember if it was the original .45 colts or the actual 1911 im thinkin of, but they wanted .45 because it was best for taking out the horses on cavalry. if they can easily kill a horse, im sure they could even easier kill a deer. if you know whether this is close to true what i told or even what i am thinkin of, please PM me cus i would love to get my facts straight

 

[dmazur]

PM sent.

 

[ricebasher302]

It'll kill 'em, but....

I shot a whitetail doe at about 30 yards with an HMR. She dropped like a bag of rocks. I shot her right in the brain stem with a CCI 20 gr. Gamepoint load. I would NOT MISS BY AN INCH if I were going to do it again. No Brain, No shot, and I would not be confident beyond 50 yard or so without a rock solid rest. That being said, she died as fast as any head shot I've made. The .17 HMR is so limited in an application like that that it is not really practical at all, but it can work in a pinch. Check your local laws.

 

[Arkel23]

"...use a .22 or .17 HMR..." Illegal everywhere for deer and other large game.

It's not illegal everywhere. If you want the website and link I can provide it for you.

 

[LC '92]

While squirrel hunting with this svelte little CZ .17 HMR, I brain panned this sow at about 65 yards. She did the Curly Shuffle for a few minutes, but this is typical of a head shot.

I'm not saying I recommend hunting big animals with an 17 HMR, but with ideal shot placement its a deadly round.

 

[destroyerbear]

sure arkel23. it doesnt really matter to me, but i would like to know just in case. pm it to me please. thanks

 

[sachmo]

So let me get this straight. You ask for advice but only want comments that reinforce your preconcieved notions. You cant even hunt deer in this state with a .220 Swift and for good reason. A .17HMR, give me a break.

 

[TomADC]

While my 17HMR is very accurate, I don't believe 17 or 20 grain bullets have anyplace on game much larger then rabbits etc not way I'd shoot a deer of any size with one, not saying it can't be done but just not the proper tool for the job.

 

[24kshooter]

Ethical red flag here - The choice of a 17 HMR will not be the best choice for any of your considered applications (deer or predators) except under the very best of conditions. The 17's have their place and it certainly in not in the big game or larger predator hunting arena. You may be that good of a hunter / shot but considering you are even looking at this as an option gives me pause.