is the 17HMR round worth the extra cash

chezboy

chezboy

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With my mind starting to turn to the reappearance of gophers this coming spring and summer my mind has turned to the possibility of a new caliber for this year. I was thinking aboutthe .17 hmr

I know the round cost 50 cents per shot and is a significant increase from my usual cost of shooting my .22 lr . Does anyone consider the increase in cost of shooting to be well worth it?? I know very little about the round so if anyone could give me some of the pros and cons of the round I would appreciate it
 
I put 500 rds through a Ruger 77/17 last spring, accounted for about 300 or so kills, not any more effective than stingers at 25 to 75 yards, found that accuracy was good enough to hit them out to 150 if it wasn't windy but hits at that range were often not expanding or killing effectively. Sold it and bought a 204, way better, can shoot reloads for the same $$ and decimates them at any range you can hit em..
 
During the first 2 months of gopher season when they're not as plentiful I stick to my Savage in .17M2-cheaper then the HMR,you lose a bit in range to the HMR but it's still awesome bang for the buck. 79.99 for 500 rounds versus 129.99 for 500 of HMR is a better deal for my huntin grounds especially during those 400+gopher days....:ar15:
during peak season i stick to the .22 as they're coming at you too fast and close ....:eek:
 
Like it was mentioned above, get something that you can reload like a .204, .222, or even a .223.

These are great on gophers and can be used on other things such as coyotes.

Hell I went for the .243 and still reload for the same cost and I can use it for deer.
 
I prefer to use one of my centerfires, But, and it's a huge but, there is an undeniable appeal to shooting 500 shots and just giving the counter guy $130 bucks or so and having all my ammo back.
I love reloading, but mass production of .223 gopher ammo is just work. When .223 Whitebox was still $16 per 40 I thought never have to load it again.:(
 
HMR is all hype. It's more gun than a 22LR, but considerably less that the next logical step like the .223 (for the same ammo price point). I can't be bothered with it.
 
17 is a great cartridge but if you already have.22 then 223 is better round for you. you will get far more distance with it and its far more useful. not to forget you can reload it or find it anywhere and any maker has a rifle for it. definitely better choice.
 
17 HMR vs 22 LR ,22 hornet, 223 and 22-250 AI.

I have in my safe right now a CZ Varmint 17 HMR, a Ruger 77/22 Hornet, and many 22 LR. I have also owned a 22-250 AI and a Ruger 223. In my experience the 22 would be a 50-75 yard gun. The HMR is good to 150 for gophers(accurate over 200). The 22 hornet is good for 250 yards. The 223 would be a 400 yard gun, and the Ackley pushing a 55 grain Nosler BT at 3950 would be easily 500 yards with no wind. Of all these cartridges I would choose an accurate 22 Hornet or 223. Cheap to reload, cheap components, and fun. Hornet brass is cheap, only uses 10-13 grains of powder, and will push a little Vmax bullet 3000. Just my opinion.
 
17 HMR is 25¢ a round, not 50.

Yes you can reload 223 cleaply.

The first timre you let the barrel on your 223 cool and gophers start attacking you, you will wish you had a 17.;)

Best thing is to buy a 17 and a 223. Maybe start a new thread on which one to buy first.......
 
joe-nwt said:
17 HMR is 25¢ a round, not 50.

Yes you can reload 223 cleaply.

The first timre you let the barrel on your 223 cool and gophers start attacking you, you will wish you had a 17.;)

Best thing is to buy a 17 and a 223. Maybe start a new thread on which one to buy first.......
Click to expand...


+1 Thats what I did, and a .204 Ruger:cool:
 
joe-nwt said:
The first timre you let the barrel on your 223 cool and gophers start attacking you, you will wish you had a 17.;)

Best thing is to buy a 17 and a 223. Maybe start a new thread on which one to buy first.......
Click to expand...

While I am letting the barrels cool on the 223's its time to get out the 204 , then the 22 hornet and finally the 10/22 with 25 rds mags. As stated earlier IMO the 17HMR dosn't live up to the hype and too expensive to shoot. :stirthepot2:
 
Cummins4x4 said:
While I am letting the barrels cool on the 223's its time to get out the 204 , then the 22 hornet and finally the 10/22 with 25 rds mags. As stated earlier IMO the 17HMR dosn't live up to the hype and too expensive to shoot. :stirthepot2:
Click to expand...

Don't whine to me about your financial status......:evil:
 
I find the .17 HMR is the most accurate round rifle I own. (Savage 93R17) However it is pinpoint accurate up to 100. At 200 yards, it gets blown around too much in even light wind.
 
17

I love the 17HMR. It is a little more expensive to shoot, no doubt. I'm not interested in loading many hundreds of center fire rounds for popping gophers. Sure the center fires on gophers are a lot of fun, as is any gun when they are out in large numbers.
If the added expense isn't a factor for your shooting, go buy a rifle, preferably a CZ and enjoy the hell out of it. Some fellows would rather buy Cooper rifles than buy expensive rimfire ammo.
If you really want to blow them up good a 22 magnum hurts em real bad. Only trouble with this round is a lot of 22 mags don't have the same accuracy you will find with the 17HMR. FS
 
Buy a quality/accurate rifle in 22WMR. You get more smack-down/heavier bullets, and ammo costs less $$.

That said - I used to have a 17HMR - I was 100% in love with everything about it except for paying $.30 or so every time I pulled the trigger. I moved back to 22LR and I just get closer before I fling lead. If I was a dedicated gopher hunter, I'd want a 22WMR.
 
Listen to BROTHERjack, he is wise to steer you towards the .22WMR, heavier bullets means hitting your target easier at extended ranges. Plenty of power compared to other rimfires, HMR included. Nice selction of ammo and cheaper to shoot than a center fire.
 
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