sniping grouse - .22 vs .17hmr

popcan

popcan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.4%
173   1   0
Location
N 51.22.803 - W 121.16.257
How's the performance of a .17hmr on a grouse, compared with .22?

The .17 has such explosive velocity at short ranges, (compared with .22), but does it show any real difference at impact on a grouse? I know, dead is dead, - just wondering what the difference is.

.17hmr is always discussed as having a very frangible bullet - less worry about ricochets - so short range shooting at targets on the ground might be a good idea. Thoughts?
 
Grouse die very easily. A standard 22 lr will be best in my opinion as it does less damage to the meat, just a small hole for the most part. I wouldn't use anything that ripped the bird apart. Its unnecessary and unwanted.
 
Both will work well from my experience. But a 22LR is cheaper, does less damage if you miss the sweet spot. Both work better than a 300 win mag as I learned a couple of years ago. Miss the head with a 300 win mag and you will be picking up the pieces.
 
I have used a 22 than this year I used a 12g and man I will never use anything but a scatter gun
 
You can get FMJ's for the 17. They just make a nice small hole - both in and out.

That, and they will penetrate through damn near anything.
 
tonka said:
I have used a 22 than this year I used a 12g and man I will never use anything but a scatter gun
Click to expand...


Tell us why. I have always hunted grouse with my .410 or 20g. I plan to take the .22 this year, to see what it's like. What do you like about the 12g (which is too much gun, IMHO), over your .22?



agilent_one said:
You can get FMJ's for the 17. They just make a nice small hole - both in and out.
That, and they will penetrate through damn near anything.
Click to expand...

But that's the point... fmj can ricochet, and the .17hmr has a far reduced tendancy to do that.
 
I had been thinking about using an hmr to try and snipe sharptails out 100-150 yards into a field, but ruffies in the bush it would be no good. Maybe a 17m2 but that would be a head shot thing too.
 
shotguns work best in the bush. 22's are good too, but if they fly up into trees you just dont know where that round will eventually end up... I've tried hunting for sharpies with my dads 17 back home in fields, but they are hard to spot, and if you miss the head, the meat is ruined.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Grouse die very easily.
Click to expand...

Lorne said:
Don't miss the head if you do theres nothing left.I learned this the hard way with my 17
Click to expand...

tonka said:
I have used a 22 than this year I used a 12g and man I will never use anything but a scatter gun
Click to expand...

I prefer a short shotgun with #2 or #4 shot. Grouse can be very easily killed, I have found with the larger shot at times they can be hit with as little as 3-4 pellets and die outright. Minimal meat damage. For closer ranges; "Aim high Willis! Aim high!" :p

For 22, I have found shooting at the base of the neck works best. For the most part you will hit neck, or worst case upper back, causing minimal damage to the breast meat.

Happy hunting! :D
 
As mentioned, if you are going to be hunting grouse with a .17, make sure you hit them in the head, especially when using the V-max rounds.

I think .22 would be the best bet (over the .17) just because less damage, and the fact that they are quieter and less expensive to shoot. If you hit a grouse in the body with a .22 at least you will still have meat left but try to hit them in the head regardless of caliber :)
 
You wouldn't need the extra ballistics of the .17 HMR for grouse unless you get a lot of long shots, like over 80 yards and you have a good rest handy. Both highly unlikely on a regular basis. Still, I'll never forget the sharptail I shot in the head with a WMR at around 150 yards. On the other hand the .17 HM2 might be a good choice but the ammo is pricey and that cartridge is rapidly losing popularity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom