What do you use your HMR for?
- Thread starter viking499
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Lots of guys on RimfireCentral use them for squirrel hunting or prairie dogs or even nutria/rats. Also heard about people using 17HMR on coyotes as well. Very accurate round out to 100+ yards.
Personally, I like to shoot it on the 100 yard line and make guys with their centerfire's feel bad with the small groups I put up with my tiny-hole rifle.
Personally, I like to shoot it on the 100 yard line and make guys with their centerfire's feel bad with the small groups I put up with my tiny-hole rifle.
627PCFan
Member
Used to use it for groundhogs on neighbors farms. Now its reserved for squirrel hunting and crow protection while deer hunting.
cat_IT_guy
Member
Pretty much what he said. Great fun, very accurate assuming not too much wind, and virtually no recoil = watch hits through the scope.
Gtscotty
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I have a 17hmr barrel for my CZ 455, and it's easily the barrel I shoot the most. I mostly use mine to make itty bitty groups at the range, but it is also my off-season walking around rifle. I plan on using my 17 for armadillos this year, but thus far I haven't had an opportunity to try it out for that purpose.
I say go for the CZ if it's a good deal, the hmr is a hoot to shoot, I don't think you'll regret the purchase.
I say go for the CZ if it's a good deal, the hmr is a hoot to shoot, I don't think you'll regret the purchase.
Coyote3855
Member
My wife has a CZ 452 with a Leupold 3x9 variable. Turns ground squirrels into hamburger. Excellent rifle, excellent cartridge. Having shot a coyote or two over the last 50 years, I think the HMR is light for anything bigger than feral cats. YMMV.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
I got 2 cattle pastures I tend to, both over 400 plus acres and infested with hogs, over the past 3 years I have used my Savage model 93 .17hmr to take out many a pig of all sizes with shots to the ear at up to 100 yards, also killed a lots with lung/heart shots, makes jello out of them. using a 20 grain bullet the .17 is a whole lot cheaper than my centerfires I carry in my pickup. I do carry anything from .22-250 to .308s, but with so many hogs, the .17 fits in just fine.
Texaspatriot, from one farmer to another, what are your feelings on the 17 vs. a .22 magnum? I've been using the .22 mag for deer on my farm, have yet to attempt a heart/lung shot with it though. Impressed to hear the .17 is capable of it.
I've been leary of a 17 just because a .22 has more mass, but your post about heart/lung shots on pigs really took me by surprise. Have you tried these shots with the .22 magnum? If so what are your comparisons side by side?
Jackal
Member
Need does not come into play when it comes to 99% of all guns made/purchased. If it was need based, no one would own anything other than a 30-06 rifle, .22LR rifle, .45/.44 cal handgun and a 12ga shotgun.
gearchecker
Member
I bought a 17 HMR about 4 months ago just so I would have a rimfire rifle that ammo was available for. I keep roughly 1500 rounds in store and I replenish it as I shoot thru it a box at a time. IT's fun to shoot and the accuracy is unbelievable. I refer to shhot with a tail wind whenever possible. Side wind is a little tougher to keep hole in hole groups at 100. I'm happy shooting 1/2" groups when the wind dies down.
It has nothing to do with the need, but it let's me keep shooting when the 22 is so hard to find.
I can't wait to get my hands on the new Savage 17 Super magnum.
It has nothing to do with the need, but it let's me keep shooting when the 22 is so hard to find.
I can't wait to get my hands on the new Savage 17 Super magnum.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
Hipoint, to tell you the truth, I haven't shot any of my .22 mags in a while, couple years ago I shot about a 100# sow in the heart/lung area and just out of curiosity I cut into it to see what kinda damage the little 17 did, I was amazed, like I said they were jello....shot was about 75 yards or so. I normally don't mess with the hogs, just tie on to them and drag them off to gut pile or a pit dug out in the pasture. I might just have to dig out one of my .22 mags and see. I use the Hornady 20 grain hunting tip on my .17.
Prairie Dogs. Some locals don't want you shooting centerfire rifles on their property. The 17 HMR has slightly better range, and better bullets than the a 22LR or even 22 Mag.
Cryogaijin
Member
I use mine to set off tannerite at 75 yards or less.
Radagast
Member
Rabbits and hares. Also making itty bitty groups to bolster my confidence/show off.
FWIW I have the CZ452 American in 17 HMR and the iron sight CZ452 Lux in .22 magnum and .22lr. If I am going to walk around the .22 magnum is my preference due to the hogs back stock - its easier for me to shoot off hand. If I'm sitting shooting off the bipod, then the .17 wins as its a laser beam. Last time I sighted in I used a copper tack at 100 meters as an aiming point. Shot out the tack. That will do me.
FWIW I have the CZ452 American in 17 HMR and the iron sight CZ452 Lux in .22 magnum and .22lr. If I am going to walk around the .22 magnum is my preference due to the hogs back stock - its easier for me to shoot off hand. If I'm sitting shooting off the bipod, then the .17 wins as its a laser beam. Last time I sighted in I used a copper tack at 100 meters as an aiming point. Shot out the tack. That will do me.
dubbleA
Member
Several years ago now I had the HMR fever.It is a fun little round. I wound up buying 5 of them. A NEF sportster is my beater, a Ruger 77/17, a couple of Anschutz's and a Cooper. I don't shoot them much anymore so they are safe queens presently.
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