Effective killing range of .17HMR?

bill c68

bill c68

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What is the effective killing range of a .17HMR.
According to ballistics, it has the about the same energy at 150-200yds as a .22 at the muzzle. Is that about right 200 yds? 150? 100?

I'm thinking foxes, rabbits, crows and possibly coyotes.
 
200 yards is outside of my comfort zone with a .17 HMR on coyote. One problem is the bullets, which are explosive in effect and do not penetrate well. The 20 grain Hornady's are better, but not much. I see the HMR as the ideal gopher gun, it will take them out to 200 yards - if you can hit them.

Sharptail
 
I will definately be taking some coyotes this winter with my 17,I'm use to taking shots inside 100yds,a call & howler help bring 'em close!
I just picked up some 20grs,I'll see how they compare to the 17gr I used last year to dispatch the more than dozen 'yotes I claimed last year.
 
A friend of mine dumped the same coyote twice at 100 yards with his .17 HMR only to have it run away. Another friend uses a .17 Rem centerfire and has good results up to 200. The .17 Rem is a very different cartridge and even with it he is limiting his shots to 200.
 
Murf said:
A friend of mine dumped the same coyote twice at 100 yards with his .17 HMR only to have it run away. Another friend uses a .17 Rem centerfire and has good results up to 200. The .17 Rem is a very different cartridge and even with it he is limiting his shots to 200.
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It seems like the energy is there but Shot placement would be of the utmost importance. Hel I dumped a Coyote last year at 100yds with a 22-250 only to have him run 3 Kilometers on the ice and dissapear into the woods.
 
I know of a guy who dropped a roo with a head shot at 120yds with his 17HMR but I wouldn't be using it on anything bigger than a fox and 120yds is the outer limit.
Bring wind into the equation and forget it.
Mind you, all the way OUT to 120yds it's great.
 
17 Hummer is a fox gun IMO, nothing more.

Sure its possible to kill yotes with a 17HMR, especially with the 20 gr. XTP, but I personally would prefer a 22 Hornet at the minimum for yotes...
 
Well I got my HMR, I am wondering about ammo, I have 2 boxes of CCI 17gr V-Max. I can also get locally CCI 20gr Gamepoint, which is better?

I do have a 22-250 Tikka T3 that I will be using, the 17 is more for fun but I am interested in trying out on the Vermin. It is alos a nice light gun that my wife can carry all day. We'll see how accurate she is at 200 before we try reaching anything at that range.
 
Iv'e got a win 1890 in WRF that shoots a 45 grain bullet,is that even close to the 17hmr?

It looks like the same size case lenght and all it's not the same size as a 22WRM or as hot as the mag!

But it hits a lot harder than the 22LRF!

Bob
 
I shot one yote at about 80yds with the 17HMR Hornady V-max....right behind the ear and that did it. My friend shot one in the heart lung area at about 140yds and it got away.

My gun is one of those heavy barrel H&R single shots.....6x24x40 Tasco Varmint scope. I dont know what Mark's gun was but I think he has a Savage 93
 
bill c68 said:
You've had a few guys???? BIGREDD, I had no idea :eek:

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like head shots only and under 100yds.
I'll still try it on crows and such at 200.
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Geez.. I just re read my own post... I am going to count my meds right now.:redface:
 
BIGREDD said:
Geez.. I just re read my own post... I am going to count my meds right now.:redface:
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Hey, big guy, it's nothing to be ashamed of in these days of social tolerance.:D
And to think we have our own "Broke Back Mountain" star right on the forum.:p
 
kombi1976 said:
Hey, big guy, it's nothing to be ashamed of in these days of social tolerance.:D
And to think we have our own "Broke Back Mountain" star right on the forum.:p
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And thats how it starts.... they all line up to kick a fella when he's down....;)

I will get up eventually... and then your gonna get yours.....:eek:
 
Keep the .17 for shooting crows and magpies over a caller....It has too little energy to be humane IMO....FWIW I have taken marmots at 206 yards but both managed to get 20-30 yards before expiring.
 
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