[muzzleblast]

Hey all, Rimfire Central

What do you guys think of the 17 HMR? Its a round that I found is getting lots of hype, for flat shooting and rapid expansion...looks like it has significant chances of bridging the gap somewhat between rimfire and centerfire. Anyone here ever used it? Or have any thoughts on it?

It's a bottle-necked 22 magnum, with some loads being 17 grain round at 2500 FPS

 

[AK]

Fired five rounds of it. Seemed like a good cartridge but I can't comment on how well it takes down varmints. While firing I had a pretty good group I'd say, but the range was fairly short (50 meters) so it's all relative.

When I read about it in a magazine it was being advertised as a great varmint-killer round. But, as stated before, I can't comment on that. The images in the magazine showed some pretty well-killed gophers, looks like the round would be able to take it down without too much trouble.

 

[muzzleblast]

thanks for the review, AK. I mostly would like one for cheap long range (not real long but reaching out to 300+ m with a 22lr isn't effective) paper punching, fun plinking, and taking small edible game. Rabbits, partridge...and beaver come to mind. We Canadians do like our beaver.

 

[cody221]

i like beavers too..srry i couldnt help myself...

 

[AK]

i like beavers too..srry i couldnt help myself...

Sometimes, they come over the plate like Beachballs and you just have to take the swing.

thanks for the review, AK. I mostly would like one for cheap long range (not real long but reaching out to 300+ m with a 22lr isn't effective) paper punching, fun plinking, and taking small edible game. Rabbits, partridge...and beaver come to mind. We Canadians do like our beaver.

For what you specified, Hornady Magnum Rimfire (.17-HMR) will get the job done. I'd say 300+ meters is a bit optimistic, but you can get semiautos chambered in it. It's also a cleaner round than the .22, so a semi won't stop up with the same frequency as a .22LR-chambered one.

I'm suggesting Semi because I dunno if the .17 will reach out to 300+ meters consistantly - so the second follow-up may be needed. Speaking of which, I think I'll get my hands on a .17HMR rifle and some ammo now. Damn you, instilling that kind of bug in me.

 

[muzzleblast]

Canadians can talk about beaver, eating beaver, and beaver pelt with a straight face

Nah, no shooting animals at 300 m, just paper, plastic milk jugs and the like. Ranges for small game will be inside 100 m. But, why have a 22lr when you can have a 17, I figure. I'm lookin at a Remington 597 target...and hey dude, I want to shoot one too lol. Oh, and that bug is fair revenge for you making me want to get my hands on Operation Flashpoint.

 

[Scatch Maroo]

Nah, no shooting animals at 300 m, just paper, plastic milk jugs and the like.

I'm not trying to initiate the ethics discussion again, but when you won't shoot animals at 300m, is it because the 17 specifically would not prove lethal quickly enough, or is it the case that you wouldn't shoot any animal with any caliber at such a distance?

The motive for my question (to thwart you instigators! ): I would imagine hunting with a tactical rifle at longer distances (such as 300 yards) would prove extremely challenging, yet fun and exciting, and am wondering if anyone actually does this, or if they reserve testing their marksmanship abilities to paper/steel targets?

Scatch Maroo

 

[AK]

It's because of the cartridge. .17HMR kills things well, but due to the extended range, you might whing it, and in that case, .17 doesn't have enough mass to make whatever you glance your shot into sit back and say: "Oh my, I've been slain" like .308 or .300WinMag or suchforth would do to a larger game animal.

That said, 300 meters, a gopher is a small target that you're trying to hit with a small round and I do not know how well the round performs at extended range. Shooting a deer with a .308 or anything larger is not as difficult at 300 meters because it's a larger target, obviously, and the larger calibers have much more consistancy at longer ranges than the smaller ones do.

Oh, and that bug is fair revenge for you making me want to get my hands on Operation Flashpoint.

Yes, yes it is. I do that fully knowing that getting your hands on a copy of OFP and OFP:Resistance (Which is what you need if you want to partake in the community in a big way) is going to be a real bitch now.