.17 HMR Hornady 20gr Hollowpoint

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kherter

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Has anyone used the .17 HMR Hornady 20gr Hollowpoints on gophers. I was wondering what kind of damage you get vs the 17 gr v-max. I shot some with the v-max the other day and they flew right through, and the gopher still ran a little ways before dying. :cool: Upon inspection you could hardly see that you hit them.
:50cal:
 
I haven't tried the XTP on game but I'm pretty sure they're supposed to expand less violently than the v-max.

The only animal I've shot with my .17 was a fisher going after the chickens. Made it about 10 feet. NO fur damage, chest contents were liquified (17gr federal).
 
The 20gr hollows are all I use, I've never shot the 17gr.
I have been told that the 20's are much better on game...

Small bird went to puff from 100 yards, I couldn't believe that I hit it.

I had to shoot a skunk 5 times from 80 yards before it died, it ran hard.

I shot a cottontail from 70 yards, bullet just nipped the bottom of it's guts, it ran a good 60 yards before the dogs caught up.

A big Jack Rabbit I shot was sitting up at 65 yards, the shot broke it's front leg and did real good damage to it's guts, it dropped hard on it's face and barely even kicked.

Just my experience with the bullet, don't know enough yet to say good or bad.
 
kherter said:
Has anyone used the .17 HMR Hornady 20gr Hollowpoints on gophers. I was wondering what kind of damage you get vs the 17 gr v-max. I shot some with the v-max the other day and they flew right through, and the gopher still ran a little ways before dying. :cool: Upon inspection you could hardly see that you hit them.
:50cal:
Click to expand...

I started using the .17 grain because they grouped better than the hollow points in my gun,but you will find the odd time exactly as you described for entry,exit,wounds.If it is happening on all the gophers your shooting thats a tough one to figure out,maybe a bad batch of shells?
Google in varmint al's website there is a very good bullet and gun testing section on the hmr.
 
Stick with the 17 grainers. I have tried the 20 grainers and there was zero expansion at 100 yards or further. That sometimes happens with the VMAX, but the TNT bullets have never let me down.
 
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I prefer the 17 gr bullets as well... only used on a few problem squirrels and rabbits but felt the 17gr preformed better then the 20gr I have did. If I was shooting anything bigger then these rodents/pests I would more then likely use a 22 mag or 22 hornet.
 
I shot hundreds of groundhogs all with the 17g vmax. I can almost take the head clean off under 50 yards, any hit in the upper chest region and up they are dead within seconds. All shots were under 200 yards. Tried the 20g but it didnt shoot as good from my gun so I never bought anymore. Shot lots of skunks/coons as well with good results all with 17g'ers
 
I used to shoot the 20 grain XTP's almost exclusively. If you wanna eat what you kill (which I did), they are great; not a lot of damage. If just wanna kill it as fast as you can, the 17 grain explosive pills are probably better.
 
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