.223 or .17hmr

hutchster

hutchster

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ok, i have been itching at getting a new gun since i sold my 10/22, but i have a dilemma!

i was looking at a marlin heavy barrel in .17 hmr(917 i think), mainly as a plinker and for the occasional varmint hunt.

i know a guy with a rem 788 in .223 that may be for sale,hopefully quite cheap, and i have been told that it groups quite nice.

now, my question pertains to range, in that how does the .17 hmr's 17 grain bullet handle out to say 200 yards? or is it simply for 100 yards and in? for paper and 4 leggers each respectively? also, what is the max critter size for the hmr?(gopher,rabbit,fox,coyote)

ammo seems to be pretty comparable give or take a bit, and i do reload for my 7mm saum, so loading for the 223 is not an issue.
 
hutchster said:
my question pertains to range, in that how does the .17 hmr's 17 grain bullet handle out to say 200 yards? or is it simply for 100 yards and in? for paper and 4 leggers each respectively? also, what is the max critter size for the hmr?(gopher,rabbit,fox,coyote)
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The HMR is actually an amazing little round for what it is. Flat like a Lazerbeam to a Hundred meters and generally very accurate.
A great performer for Squirrels, bunnies and such. I have seen it take a Coyote but this was at 50 yards and a perfect head shot (left a golf ball sized exit wound) but this I now feel to be more of a stunt then a good choice in firearm for Dogs.

It will take with good shots and limited ranges (well under a 100) critters up to and including Foxes But the 223 is a Much better round when Foxes and Yotes are on the agenda. No comparison between a Centrefire and a rimfire actually;)

Thanks to Bartell for Nursing me through my 17 HMR dillusions from long ago :)

Leave the HMR for Gophers...it will Hit things far beyond the range it can humanely kill them at !
 
I went thru the same dilema earlier this year.

I ended up buying a Rem 700P 223 and mounted a Bushnell Elite 4200 6X-24X scope on it.

It is an excellent gopher/coyote gun but there are times when I am out gopher shooting that my 223 is to much gun and my Browning BL 22 22lr doesn't have enough reach.

Which brings me to wanting something in between like the 17HMR or a 22 Hornet for the times that I am shooting in populated areas and don't need the reach or the noise level of the 223.

So my answer would be to get the 223 first and then the 17HMR.

"Yes" an excuse for another rifle.... :dancingbanana:
 
I bought a .17hmr and love it but as the rest of boys say the .223 is good for dogs and the .17 is good for smaller stuff, but I have shoot gophers at 120yards
with my .17hmr with a BSA 4x12x40 17sweet scope. Just go bigger on the scope power as a gopher is like a hot dog bun at 120 yards. Have fun and good shooting.
 
Pick up that remington 788 in .223

My dad has one in .22-250 and I like it a lot. It has a leuopold 3-9x50.

you can always sand down the stock and stain it a nicer color if you want to, or get another stock.

Its basically what the stevens 200 is when it came out years ago(yay sayers and naysayers). The 788 has a magazine which I like. Its an accurate little rifle!

With the price of 17 HMR ammo, I know what my pick would be. I think the .223 is a more versatile round for you.

If you want a gun similar to your 10/22 go for the .17hmr
 
223 or

I fell in love with a 223 at the Kamloops show last spring-the bullet turned me on. Wrapped a Ruger no 1 around it and I am happy. Killer range. A buddy bought a .17 and was unhappy with wind effects. Tack driver to 100yds but seemed to drift a lot farther out. Guy shoots match lots. Sold the .17 and went back to his old 10/22. I have both 223 and 22 and will keep them thanks.
 
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