17 HMR penetration?

[Picher]

I was "out and about" the blueberry fields recently and decided to try shooting my .17 HMR at an old bullet-riddled, small metal field-shack. I keyed on a lone bullet hole to use as a target and hit close to it, offhand at about 100 feet, but was surprised that the 17 grain bullets didn't penetrate the metal, since .22LR high speeds and .22 magnums would do so.

The .17 HMR bullets do a good job on small game at about the same distance, probably due to their frangible nature and velocity, but it's surprising that they didn't penetrate sheet metal better than that. Maybe the heavier bullets would do better. Guess I may not have to worry about damaging my 1/8"+ thick small metal silhouettes with the HMR rounds.

 

[crestoncowboy]

My cz didn't shoot the hp bullets worth a crap, but the winchester and hornady vmax bullets have killed many varmints. I went from 22mag and hornet to the 17 for my atv varmint gun. No hearing protection required and accurate to boot. Up to Bobcats and coyote the penetration has been adequate but the damage has always been impressive. I'm not a big fan of posting up dead animals but the last full grown bobcat I killed with a between the eyes headshot at 100ish yards passed completely through.
Were you using hp or v-max bullets. Not sure it matters but curious

 

[BigBlue 94]

I've experienced the 17s smashing to bits on a steel reset target. I've also seen many a squirrel taken with it, right through my bedroom window.

Had a case crack, and the powder got humidified. The damn bullet lodged itself halfway up the barrel. The shot sounded like one of them .22 colabri ratrounds

 

[Bfh_auto]

I was "out and about" the blueberry fields recently and decided to try shooting my .17 HMR at an old bullet-riddled, small metal field-shack. I keyed on a lone bullet hole to use as a target and hit close to it, offhand at about 100 feet, but was surprised that the 17 grain bullets didn't penetrate the metal, since .22LR high speeds and .22 magnums would do so.

The .17 HMR bullets do a good job on small game at about the same distance, probably due to their frangible nature and velocity, but it's surprising that they didn't penetrate sheet metal better than that. Maybe the heavier bullets would do better. Guess I may not have to worry about damaging my 1/8"+ thick small metal silhouettes with the HMR rounds.

At 100 yards they will punch through an old fuel oil barrel.

 

[jak67429]

Most of the 17hmr bullets I have seen are designed as varmint bullets. they are supposed to come apart on contact. I would have been more surprised if it had gone through.

 

[CraigC]

In my experience, the 17gr bullets come completely unglued. The 20gr XTP is a completely different critter and I have no hesitation to use them on coyotes. Actually, it's the only XTP I'm not averse to.

 

[crestoncowboy]

My cz went from moa or less at 100 yards to 3-4 inches with the hollow points. Other rifles weren't as bad but none were quite as good as the v-max. And I waited for the hollow point to come out thinking it would be better. When cci released one I was disappointed. I never used them for hunting so can't speak to how they penetrated though. I'd guess it does much better for penetration
I can switch between the winchester and hornady with no difference. I know both use the same v-max but I'm thinking they are the same round with different letter on the base and slightly darker tip.
I was excited to try the first green tip 22 mag ammo when it came out as well. But it didn't shoot very well in anything I had either. I used it up in handguns.

 

[fpgt72]

Perhaps it was the distance....at our clubs indoor range there is a rule against that specific round, it was making nicks in the steel backer....but that was only 25 yards. Without a lot of mass I would bet those bullets slow down as they go out....I guess.

On the other hand I know I have taken starlings out to 100+ yards and they just go poof into a ball of feathers.

I really don't know, but I have seen the nicks in the steel they "said" was from the 17, and I have seen the air rats go poof.

It would be interesting to see what real world FPS readings are 100 yards down range with that so you can see if it is really bleeding speed quickly.

 

[earlthegoat2]

On my 17 HMR I could penetrate clear through a milk jug filled with water with the CCI 20 gr game points. The VMax bullets would always leave pieces in the puddle of water after shooting the jug.