I don't have a great deal of experience with the 17 HMR for target shooting past 50 yards. I'm looking for something that will be good for shooting at 100 yards, which is the maximum at the two ranges I use. I know that unlike .22LR there isn't any match 17 HMR ammo, and I know that not all rifles will perform as well as others. For the sake of argument, assuming calm conditions and MOA is the goal, is the 17 HMR effective for target shooting at 100 yards? at 150 yards? Is it a good round for target shooting?
17 HMR range for target shooting
- Thread starter grauhanen
- Start date
100 yards will humble you. Whenever I'm feeling smug and over confident, I shoot my .17 out to 100 yards. I have yet to match my best groups at 50 yards (0.16" for 5 rounds). I've tried it out to 200 metres. Rainbow is all I'll say. Fun times!!
But, it's great fun. And mind the wind!
But, it's great fun. And mind the wind!
- Location
- Jameson, SK
.17 at 100 yards is just fine.....and fun!! 200 is doable, and 300 is to impress your friends!! It is doable before anyone yells at me..... it'll make a light "tink" on the gong.... just like a .22 at 200...
For killing paper it will do the job just fine.
I think it is known more for small game/varmint type shooting than it is for target shooting though.
Look forward to getting out with mine next days off and a drier gravel pit too.
Rob
In calm conditions, with a good rifle, steady rest...and with the ammo it likes, keeping 17HMR rounds in the 1" circle should be pretty easy. Groups can be much smaller with the right gear/ammo. My best group was with a CZ452 Varmint and 20gr. Hornady HP. 5 shots, .375". Only did that once, but 1/2"-3/4" wasn't difficult at all with that rifle. Like most guns, most HMR rifles will most likely prefer 1 ammo over all others...the results can vary immensely. Wind will blow HMR rounds around. The more OF it, the greater the distance~the more your groups will open up.
On a side note~it took me 3 x 17HMR rifles to decide that I like .223 more. Better varmint gun (for Ontario-sized varmints)...better groups, beats the wind well...and anywhere I can make HMR-level noise... .223 is no issue. Last year, I finally added another HMR to the collection and I like it, but it will soon be living in Alberta for my annual gopher trips out there. I personally have no use for HMR here in Ontario~as interesting a caliber as it is.
On a side note~it took me 3 x 17HMR rifles to decide that I like .223 more. Better varmint gun (for Ontario-sized varmints)...better groups, beats the wind well...and anywhere I can make HMR-level noise... .223 is no issue. Last year, I finally added another HMR to the collection and I like it, but it will soon be living in Alberta for my annual gopher trips out there. I personally have no use for HMR here in Ontario~as interesting a caliber as it is.
- Location
- Jameson, SK
If you're ever bored and shooting with a buddy you want to mess with, wait til he's very intently and seriously working to sight in or run ladders, and then drop a couple of .17 holes an MOA or 2 away from his group....
Enough to make him think they're flyers, until he catches on that they're 1/2 the size of what he's shooting....
Good times...
Enough to make him think they're flyers, until he catches on that they're 1/2 the size of what he's shooting....
Good times...
It's not a whole lot more to go 223.I shoot 22lr out to 200 yds. My best 200 yds group with cc I tactical and 10 rounds is about 3.8".I prefer the 223 for 100 to 300. Lots of ammo choice. Cheap federal ae 55 fmj is about 50 cents per round. I shoot a $400 weatherby vanguard series 2, moa Guranteed and cheaper than a cz rimfire or a savage in a laminate stock.Less wind issues. I passed on 17 hmr due to high cost and no match ammo.
Now you've got me rethinking the whole thing.
Good advice for shooting paper.
Scary thing is I have approx $1400 into my CZ452 Varmint with rings and a sightron S11 bigsky 6-24x42.
I have a total of $1100 into the Vanguard 223 with rings and a used Vortex HST 6-24x50 ,target turrets,well bought off the EE
You can still get cheap AE AR tacticle 223 $51.99 /100 rounds.The 223 is all kinds of fun.These are my 2 favorite range toys presently.
