Tell us more about the .17 HMR....

[tuck2]

I started to shooting prairie dogs back during the 1950s with a 22 LR round , I next used the 22 WMR round. Since getting Cooper 57 M LVT 17 HM2 and 17 HMR rifles my Anschutz 1710 22 LR and Kimber 22 WMR stays at home when going prairie dog shooting. I limit my shots to about 80 Yds with the 17 HM2 and 150 Yds with the 17 HMR. At 80 Yds from the 17 HM2 and 150 Yd from the 17 HMR the little 17 Gr V-max bullet has 100 ft/lb energy. Plenty of energy for clean kills on prairie dogs. For shots past 150 Yds I use a center fire varmint rifles . I live in prairie dog country and have to drive three miles to start shooting and since retireing go out from 30 t0 40 times a year . The 17 rim fire rifles are the best for spring shooting.

 

[kolob10]

17 Hmr

I have a 17HMR in a Contender 16" barrel and it is exceptionally accurate. I am a 22 mag fan but recently did some side by side comparisons with the 22 mag. The 22 mags that I have are just as accurate (custom T/C 16" & Ruger target SS model 77) and not quite as wind sensitive. I managed to shoot a starling rom the top of a tree @165 yards according to my Leica rangefinder with my 17 HMR. He dropped instantly. By the time I arrived at the base of the tree, he ws dead. A post mortem indicated that thre was very little expansion (CCI 15 Gr.). Later that day I took another starling out of another tree @ 153 yards according to my rangefinder with the 22 mag shooting Remington Premier (38 gr I believe) ammo. The bird also dropped instantly.
A post mortem indicated a dime size exit wound with more tissue destruction than the 17 HMR. There was no wind on either shot.

On squirrels under 100 yards, I see very little difference between the two cartidges other than the better tragectory of the 17 HMR. On coyotes I would give the 22 mag the advantage over 50 yards. As a matter of fact, I don't thik I would shoot another coyote with the 17 HMR and rarely take a shot over 100 yards with the 22 mag on coyotes.

The bottom line is both have their place and the variety of cartidges we have to play with these days would make me stare in awe if I were a young kid again spending my weekends in the woods. Good shooting!

 

[Crow]

I bought a CZ 452 varmint in 17 hmr a couple of years ago to use on ground hogs. At the range I was very impressed with the rifle and the round. With all three of the ammo brands available initially, 10 shots would group under 1" and all shot to the same point. When a hunting buddy and I took the rifle to the farm we hunt, we were impressed with how it worked, at first. Then, as we started getting more and more shots out past 100 yards, we started noticing how the ground hogs would drop but then start flopping around and eventually get back in the hole. Making hits out to 200 yards was no problem, but making them stay dead was. This was only with body shots as opposed to head shots and was also before the 20 gr. bullet was available but we ultimately we not impressed with the round as a ground hog round. It may make a great squirrel/rabbit/crow round but I went back to the 22 hornet for ground hogs out to 150-200 yards.

 

[Timthinker]

I do not wish to seem objectionable, but I find it difficult to justify the existence of the .17 HMR. The .22WMR provides more stopping power than this round and the .22 mag is nearly as accurate at the ranges I shoot. Plus, the .22 mag costs less. If more range and greater accuracy is needed, then I believe a person should purchase a centerfire cartridge.

I realize that many people like this cartridge as a "paper puncher", and I respect their choice on the matter. But I find it difficult to justify the existence of speciality cartridges such as this one. If someone wants to purchase a .17 HMR, I have no problem with their decision but I believe they should consider the points discussed here.


Timthinker

 

[marksman13]

I recently bought my dad a CZ 452 FS. This rifle is awesome. I definately prefer the 17 HMR to a 22 mag. The flatter shooting 17 HMR makes shooting crow sized game at 200 much easier. My only issue with dad's rifle is the fixed 4X scope he chose to put on it. He doesn't shoot much over 100 yards. I do. Two different shooters with two different needs. It's his rifle though.