17 HMR groundhog hunting ammo

[pacobillie]

What ammo would you use in 17 HMR for groundhogs, if you wish to keep meat damage at a minimum, yet anchor the critter before it gets back in its hole.


Update: I have now received the rifle that I had ordered and took it out to the range. It is a plain jane Savage 93R17 GV.

I found two specific varieties of ammo at the local sporting goods store. Both are from Hornady: the 17gr V-max and the 20 gr. XTP. Based upon one trip to the range, the rifle seems to have a marked preference for the latter.

 

[SJAR]

I always liked the Winchester 20gr stuff for beavers and groundhogs. Headshots only and they don't usually move much after a solid hit.

 

[adamg]

Aren't there only two kinds, the plastic tip and the non-plastic tip?

 

[Donny Fenn1]

meat damage? tell me more

 

[pacobillie]

meat damage? tell me more

They are supposed to be good eatin!

 

[pacobillie]

Aren't there only two kinds, the plastic tip and the non-plastic tip?

No! There is hollow point, soft point, FMJ, and V-Max

 

[prairie lover]

No! There is hollow point, soft point, FMJ, and V-Max

ive shot tons of all. fmj is for muskrats and mink shooting for fur. acts like a fmj should.
v max is extremely frangible, penetration on closer shots can be limiting, ive seen them blow up on pigeon wing bones and just spatter the body which could clearly be seen after a follow up shot, and some plucking. Just hammers rabbits chest shots out to 150.
tnt hp is an awesome all round choice. gophers- you will get more crawl offs than with v max. the are also good on rabbits. better choice for head shooting beavers than the v max, you wouldnt see splashes with them like you occasionally can pushing a v max to the limits. .
20 gr hp is a tough mushrooming hp. rabbits often run off a bit with chest shots. doesnt really fragment.

 

[passengerseven]

Delete

 

[passengerseven]

Delete

 

[Gillshot]

Try the CCI 20 grain “game point”

 

[.22LRGUY]

There are, I believe, 3 bullet weights out there-15.5gr NTX, 17gr. ballistic tips, and 20gr HPs. However, what you "should" use is what the gun shoots most accurately, which probably is NOT the 15.5gr. Having shot plenty of groundhogs with 17HMR, it's head shots you want, and limit the range to 100-125 yards. I recommend the heaviest, 20gr HPs if they all shoot equally-well.

The advice I want to give is this-use something with more power. I don't believe 17HMR is a great (or even "good") caliber for groundhogs. When I first started hunting them, that's what I used. My gun shot 17gr. BTs best and on a pressured farm, you couldn't usually get closer than 100+ yards away. Yes, it will do the job but even on smaller groundhogs, a body shot was not a guarantee they're dropping on the spot. Which is the goal of course. I moved up to 22WMR, in spite of the accuracy limitations, and @ 100-125 yards...it was a far more successful/consistent choice. I know the following is likely to be hammered down by the CGN experts, but I also know people will boast about ANYTHING short of stern words being effective at knocking them down. I've read people saying slingshots, pellet guns, 22s, etc. All possible I suppose..under the right circumstances, but you'd be VERY VERY poorly equipped, in the spots I hunt them, with anything that isn't a centerfire.

What IS the best choice? I don't suggest anything lighter than 22WMR for the job, but I've found that 17 Hornet is the best choice of low report, rimfire-like recoil, enough power to drop them on the spot to at least 200 yards (furthest hit I've made with 17H), etc. 223 is probably a more economical choice, and the rifle options are nearly endless in that caliber. I personally use a 204R=more than you need @ 100 yards, but no groundhog inside of 300 yards is safe. (longest shot I've taken with it) Very flat shooting, and enough spice to get the job done probably beyond that.

 

[skwerl]

Being that the ''H'' in .17 HMR is Hornady I always shoot them.
CCI manufacturers ammunition to Hornady specs. & the other is Winchester
so we are limited to that choice .

I shoot Anschutz 1717 D HB & Cooper Varminter that both
have a good relationship with .17 gr V-Max .

 

[.22LRGUY]

Being that the ''H'' in .17 HMR is Hornady I always shoot them.
CCI manufacturers ammunition to Hornady specs. & the other is Winchester
so we are limited to that choice .

I shoot Anschutz 1717 D HB & Cooper Varminter that both
have a good relationship with .17 gr V-Max .

^sort of feel the same way. (see avatar ) Winchester/Remington-made rimfire ammo=not options I choose, but I've also learned that whether it's 17HMR or 17M2, ammo that "appears" to be loaded to the same spec doesn't always shoot the same. Had that confirmed again when out with the new 17M2. I'm sure all 3 of these left the same factory, but they don't shoot the same;

Hornady has had "their" new .22LR offering out for a while, also rumoured to be loaded by CCI..yet CCI SV shoots great out of every 22 I personally own. (not that long a list) the Hornady 22LR doesn't shoot well from any of them. Referring to accuracy, comparatively.

 

[skwerl]

If I weren't so invested in HMR & .22 lr I would give
HM2 a shot .

 

[.22LRGUY]

If I weren't so invested in HMR & .22 lr I would give
HM2 a shot .

It's allot like a spicy 22, with the added frustration of sourcing what few, overpriced ammo options are out there. lol