What is the 17 hmr good for?

James1873

James1873

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McLennan, Alberta
Normally I'm just a plain 22 kind of guy for plinking and small game. But I recently traded for a 17 hmr Henry rifle. Then after some research about the 17 hmr it seems to be a niche cartridge. Too fast for grouse and squirrels to have much meat left. And too small for bigger critters like coyotes.

So is the 17 hmr more of a varmint removal cartridge vs hunting?
 
Apparently they are good for hides, they extend your reach out a bit for shooting gophers. The neighbour shoots gophers for a week in SE alberta every year and really loves his CZ thumbhole stock
 
I thought that one of the attractions of the .17HMR was its ability to accurately reach out and touch ground game at distance? So the 200m rabbit was achievable with a rimfire.

Candocad.
 
James1873 said:
............And too small for bigger critters like coyotes.
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Don't let the little 17 fool you. It's definitely not my first choice for yotes and I would never take it out if I was specifically looking for one but if I'm out with the 17 hmr (for reasons other than yotes) and I have an opportunity I will put one down. My longest shot on a yote with the 17 hmr was 120 yards and he dropped right there (I wouldn't recommend any farther). Broadside shot to the lungs, entrance and no exit. The 17's fragment explosively so you need the opportunity for good shot placement. No frontal chest shots or shoulder shots where you will hit bone. Put the bullet in the right place the first shot and you will have yourself a dead coyote.
 
jiffx2781 said:
Don't let the little 17 fool you. It's definitely not my first choice for yotes and I would never take it out if I was specifically looking for one but if I'm out with the 17 hmr (for reasons other than yotes) and I have an opportunity I will put one down. My longest shot on a yote with the 17 hmr was 120 yards and he dropped right there (I wouldn't recommend any farther). Broadside shot to the lungs, entrance and no exit. The 17's fragment explosively so you need the opportunity for good shot placement. No frontal chest shots or shoulder shots where you will hit bone. Put the bullet in the right place the first shot and you will have yourself a dead coyote.
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Ill second that.
shot one over 150yrd. Got full penetration through both lungs.

17 is also very effective on gophers. I would say more humane too. I have see far less doing the "funky chicken" after getting tagged with the 17's.
 
There are many gophers who could provide a reference on the 17 but regrettably they are no longer available for an interview.
 
I use mine on gophers. FMJ are also available. I ended up with some mixed in my gopher ammo. Noticed that the ones hit with FMJ didn't explode like the HP ones, so I did a check. Not sure about any other game or varmints. Pretty sure the 17 hmr would be good skunk food. My buddy Deaner smoked a skunk at about 100 yds. Nice broadside shot, skunk stopped right there. He pumped another one into him to be sure.
 
Done a few 130 yard head shots on grouse with my kids 17 hmr. Seen lots of snowshoe hares lately, I think a few wabbits will fall to the 17 this season. I shot 1 coyote with it and it made farther than I thought it would have. Awesome for grouse near and far.
 
I've used my brother's 17 with 20gr hollow points for grouse and cleaning up a few critters around camp that cause trouble. The varmint bullets can be pretty destructive on grouse if you don't make a head shot. I ended up grabbing a 22wmr after I played with his 17, just to be a little different.
 
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