.17 HMR trajectory

[Guvnor]

I have an NEF sportster in .17hmr. Ive only taken it out to shoot a couple times, but I did get it sighted in at 50 yards with the 20 grain XTP bullet. Im wondering if I should have it zeroed at 100 yards instead.

Can anyone familiar with the .17hmr trajectory tell me where the bullet will hit at 25/75/100 yards with my 50 yard zero?

I thought zeroing at 50 was a good idea at the time because I am using a 3-9x rimfire scope with a 50 yard parallax. But now im thinking I may be missing out on the .17's long range potential.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Dead on at 50yds with my rifle has me ~.75" low at 100yd with 17gr Hornadies. The height of your sights will have some effect on this. My rings are high due to the CZ bolt hitting the scope with lower mounts. These help to keep trajectory appearing flatter then it is.
Wind drift starts be appearent out past 75 yds and can be more important to know then drop.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Definitely go with a 100 yard zero for .17 hummer. Then it's still PBR of squirrel to at least 125-130, and only negligibly high at 50. It's a laser to 125-150 or so, then rapidly deteriorates. You might even run with a 125 yard zero - will give you PBR of rabbit to 150 easily.

 

[matrem]

The height of your sight will only affect trajectory on the
'short side" of your zero, at least within reason. Your 50 yd zero is far enough to be "within reason", assuming you have a "normal" scope mount system.
My rule of thumb for 2700- 3000 fps ( you're close to the low end of that) is 18 yds "equals" 100 yds at 1.5" above bore center.
That is only recommended as a start. There is NO substitute for actually shooting at the longer / desired range.

 

[alfack]

If you are zeroed at 50, then you are effectively zeroed at 100. That's how flat they shoot.

Seriously, I zeroed mine at 100 and am only 1/10th of an inch high at 50.

 

[matrem]

If you are zeroed at 50, then you are effectively zeroed at 100. That's how flat they shoot.

No!
Some like to hit small targets!

 

[Guvnor]

Thanks for the replies.

I had to use extra high rings to provide enough clearance between the scope and hammer. I wasn't aware that this could effect trajectory.

Where I hunt it is pretty dense woods so most shots would be probably well under 100 yards. I plan on using the gun for squirrel hunting and possibly turkey next fall.

 

[Pat4x4]

Heres is a nice trajectory Chart.. Zero it at 20 and be zeroed again at 125.. with only a tiny bit in between.. Very nice for all around hunting.. Knock the heads off all the dogs you want

 

[rangerruck]

does your rifle have the hammer extension thingy, that hangs off to the side of the hammer? if not, then that is a must get. If your scope is sitting way above the boreline, say over 1.5 inches, that means the dead center of your front lens on the scope, is more than 1.5 inches over dead center of the center of your muzzle hole, then you will be shooting obviously low by about an inch , at 25 yards. If you scope is high, and you are on at 50 yards, you are probably at zero again, at 140 yards.

 

[rangerruck]

... see also how that chart below mentions scope height?

 

[NWCP]

I set my CZ 452 Varmint .17HMR up for 100 yards. 50 yards is .22LR territory. JMHO

 

[kingmt]

I have only shoot mine up to 100 yards but it doesn't vary enough to tell.

 

[wishin]

Seriously, I zeroed mine at 100 and am only 1/10th of an inch high at 50.

That's good, and less than the typical margin of error imparted by the shooter.

 

[627PCFan]

+1 on 125yd zero

 

[Kernel]

+1 on the 125 yd zero. It looks very sensible, based on a 2" kill zone. A 50 yd zero would be like having a Shelby Cobra and always driving 5 miles under the post speed limit. All that potential and you never use it.



125 yard Trajectory Table