.17 HMR on snowshoe hares and grouse?

[philthygeezer]

How would the cartridge perform relative to a .22 LR? Too destructive? Not enough punch? Are the 17 grain bullets unsuitable? Are the 20 grain bullets suitable?

Any real life experience with the cartridge on small edible game?

 

[ciphery]

The cartridge has lots enough punch. The problem is getting a clear shot. Any twig that gets in the way will cause a 17hmr to self destruct....wich is better than a 22 that ricochets.

 

[DVXDUDE]

head shots only with 17hmr on rabbits. You hit a bunny in the body with a 17g v-max it will have an exit the size of an apple. a very accurate 22lr will be a more suited gun IMO

 

[ciphery]

head shots only with 17hmr on rabbits. You hit a bunny in the body with a 17g v-max it will have an exit the size of an apple. a very accurate 22lr will be a more suited gun IMO

Agreed. Of course I was taught to aim for the eye on small game (only non white part of a snowshoe hare in winter) I just thought it was a given. But good point. The 20gn bullets seem to be somewhat less explosive however.

 

[arcstarter]

you could try the FMJ flavor from CCI they are 20gr and shouldn't expand much if at all

 

[dastt]

I shot a rabbit once with my .17 and I'd never do it again if you want to eat the thing. Unless you shoot it in the head

If you havnt shot anything with the .17 you'll be very impressed the first time you do

 

[.22LRGUY]

If you havnt shot anything with the .17 you'll be very impressed the first time you do

x2 Grouse~.22 would probably be better, but the same rule applies~head shots only. Anyone who has made a body shot on a bird using 17 grain V-Max bullets will know what I mean.

 

[aprilfoolsme]

17 HMR turns small animals into hamburger, most of my expierience is with gophers and from the right angle will basically turn them inside out

 

[.22LRGUY]

Gophers~hamburger. Birds~more like paste..it just hollows them out.

 

[IR_Mike]

Most of my shots on ruffies seem to be 40 yards at the very most, usually less.
Im shooting remington 17 gr v max in a savage 93 with a 4 x 14 x 44 scope and a sling for extra steadiness. All of the 15 grouse I got last fall were head shot.

Bunnies have even bigger noggins.

Go with the .17 HMR

 

[philthygeezer]

So what are you guys trying to say?

 

[ben hunchak]

Use a shotgun, it's meant for such game.

 

[crazydave]

17 is awsome if you shoot for the head, only place i will shoot small game that is edible is in the head so i think it's a good choice fwiw. BTW i tried a 20 gauge for rabbit and at 30 yards all that was left was a hind quarter worth eating.