Hunting with 17 HMR

[majors-guntalk]

I own a 917v with a BSA Sweet 17 scope 6x18 this gun is one of the first that was built by marlin that has a schellin barrel on it.

I took the little gun to Utah to give it a workout on chipmunks,fox, and maybe coyotes. After playing around with differnt brands of ammo I found out mine doesn't like the CCI HP bullets all that well but will shoot most of the other brands and types very well.

While working in Utah for 18 months I was able to fine tune the little rifle a bit by doing some bedding work on it and polishing the bolt and bolt channel to a mirror finish...and had a gun smith true the bolt face. to smooth things up a bit...along with minor barrel lapping as well.. "awsome"

I took several crows,loads of chipsmunks.....but what I was pleased the most in is the fact most people said it was to small to take coyotes........($15 bounty on coyotes in Utah) so I decided to try it on coyotes and was able to bring down 5 of them with the little gun rangeing 65 to 175 yards....during the 18 months I only had two that was unrecovered.

All in All I couldn't be any more inpressed with the little gun as long as you keep it's limitations in mind..

Tell me your hunting story with your 17 HMR

 

[majors-guntalk]

Ammo used

The ammo I used during my 18 months in the dessert...lol in Utah....was the Horndy 17gr haven't tried the 20grs yet...but will keep you updated when I give them a try.

 

[MCgunner]

I'd think 175 yards would be a little beyond the rounds limits on something as big as coyotes. The .22 mag carries more energy out past 100 yards. I look upon the 17 as a prairie dog gun to 200 yards. It's flatter shooting than the .22 mag and prairie dogs don't take as much killin' as a coyote.

Ain't no prairie dogs around here. I really don't have much use for a .17 or a .22 mag, but traded a guy out of a .22 mag last month anyway and have been playing with it. I really don't know what I could use it for that a .22 LR won't do just as good or better. Squirrels is about all I shoot with a rimfire of any kind. But, heck, it might be better on jack rabbits out west, especially at extended ranges. The .17 would be good for that, too. I guess I could get into predator hunting. Only coyotes I've taken have been taken while deer hunting. Lord knows I have plenty down at my place to shoot, even took a bobcat down there, once. Maybe I need to buy one of those MP3 predator callers.

 

[majors-guntalk]

true

175 yards it a bit far for the little gun but being out in the dessert like landscape in Utah I felt that due to the visiblity out there I didn't hesitate to attempt the shots.....and in most cases I had good rest to be able to pick the placement of the shots...two of the coyotes was hit in the neck.

the calls I used in Utah is a cd player in my truck with a roof mounted magnetic water proof speaker so I could get the volume broadcasted at long distances......works A++

 

[majors-guntalk]

Calling setup details

While hunting is such vast area I found a unique setup that works very well for calling coyotes & foxes. In Utah you can get a spotlight permit to hunt coyotes at night So getting your calls broadcast great distances.....The set up a weather proof speaker with a magnetic base on roof of cab...Also a hand operated roof mounted spotlight. With this setup you can drive down the numerus dirt roads in Utah with the call playing through the speaker and the spotlight shinning while driving........hehe to catch those coyote eyes at distance allowing you time to setup and call them closer....."bam" $15 more dollars for another dead coyote.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I can't hunt from a vehicle on my place anymore. I sold my Toyota 4x4 and can only get down there on my dirt bike now. I'd have kept the ol' boy, but it was rusting away and in need of a lot of cash infusion. Still ran, of course.

Anyway, there's a pocket electronic caller at bass pro for 30 bucks, supposed to be 110 decibles. Not sure how good it'd be, but it's mighty compact. They also have one for 70 that is remote operated. I have a rechargable 1 millon CP spotlight that's pretty neat for night hunting hogs. I just figured if I got this small caller, I could sit in my stand and call 'em up. Might actually attract hogs, too, never know.

 

[majors-guntalk]

I hear ya

Where are you located?......you like hog hunting.......woo hoo ...that is some good eats....

 

[crawfish]

Gray Squirrels. I finished three squirrel project guns four summers ago, a 10/22, a CZ 452 and TA DA a Savage 93R17. I made the mistake of shooting the Savage first. I haven't touch the other two except to sight in and find the brand they like best, no hunting. The Savage has been used to kill my first and second time season limit of 70. I also have 5 laser ranged squirrel kills of 100 yards with the longest being 117. Ammo is getting pricey right now. I bought 5 bricks of Hornady and a bunch of odd numbers of other ammo. By my stock is getting low only one brick of Hornady and a few boxes of other stuff. The .17HMR is a fun round to shoot and on a calm morning the squirrels in my pecan grove are in big trouble. They are butter fat and prime eating.

 

[quatin]

I've read plenty of threads of coyote hunting expeditions with a .17 HMR and plenty more of people who are against it. It's the same as hunting deer with .223, if you can place the shot it's plenty of power.

 

[majors-guntalk]

A++ partner

shot placement is everything......I couldn't agree more.....if I do what I am supposed to by placing the shot.....the it will do what I ask....