.17 HM2 for silhouette or IHMSA?

[MatthewVanitas]

I was looking at a few of the subcaliber rounds out there, and on a whim was checking to see if one could be sneaky and use the 5mm Remington Magnum Rimfire in smallbore/rimfire silhouette competitions. It appears that at least some groups already thought of that and forbid the 5mm since it can damage the small-scale targets.

However, some clubs apparently allow .17 HM2 (not HMR) for smallbore silhouette, provided using plastic-tipped bullets. Is this a commonly-allowed option? Does the flatter trajectory of the HM2 make it a good option, or does the low bullet weight cancel out that advantage?

 

[Howard Roark]

Rule 3.17 says "smallbore ammo shall be .22 short, long or long rifle, hot loads such as "Stingers" are not allowed". A match allowing .17 cal anything can not be an NRA approved match. A doubt that anyone would let high velocity ammo be shot on their targets since they cost about $5.00 each to replace.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Ah, got it. So when folks like this website mention allowing .17 HM2, that's a local casual match thing and likely not endorsed by any of the larger formal silhouette organizations?

Smallbore Silhouette Rimfire Match Description
...
Allowed cartridges:

.177, .22, .25 pellet
.17 HM2 (plastic tip only)
.22 BB Cap, .22 CB Cap
.22 Short, .22 Long
.22 LR Long Rifle
.22 WRF
----
Prohibited cartridges:

.17 HMR
.22 WMR
.22 Hornet
5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum
No steel or armor piercing allowed
No tracer ammunition allowed


Read more at http://palominogunclub.org/262/smallbore-silhouette-rimfire-match-description/#RMRvlilqyV7Jvasg.99

I've seen a few clubs online that have similar rules, but again that might just be folks independently holding silhouette matches.

 

[Detritus]

that's a local casual match thing and likely not endorsed by any of the larger formal silhouette organizations?

pretty much, the rounds on the prohibited list you show are those that tend to damage or outright destroy typical rimfire silhouette targets. one of the advantages (to a club) of Rimfire silhouette is that the targets can be of a lower cost steel.

as for the rule sited by Mr Roark, there are times when it is best to set your limits very clearly and keep the debate to a minimum.
If .17HM2 were let in, and i'm not sure if it would cause damage or conversely even work, then some (group of) dill weed(s) without an understanding of why the HMR is disallowed would raise a stink about it...