What good is a 17HMR in Ontario?

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kastles

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So I am wondering if there is a good reason to keep my Savage 17HMR for hunting here in Southern Ontario? I have a Ruger 10/22 that is accurate enough for me, and a 223rem that shoots sub MOA. Is there anything I could not hunt with these two rifles that I could with the 17HMR? Example: is there a rule against hunting groundhogs with a centerfire? I have looked through the regs and am pretty sure I don't need it. thanks

kastles
 
The 17 would be good to use if the farm your shooting on has some neighbours.Its not as loud as a 223,and the little bullet should turn to dust when it strikes a gopher,crow, ground etc. reducing the chance of richochet.
 
I use my .17 HMR all the time for ground hog hunting residential rural areas. The .222 and .243 is much too loud and draws unwanted attention. In a pinch I even took a nice female coyote with it. I also find myself grab for the .17 when heading out for squirrel.
 
It makes a good varmint/groundhog round up to 200 yds. at far lower cost then a central fire unless you reload. Sometimes it's nice to just grab some ammo and go hunting without having to cast, then reload ammo!
 
ben hunchak said:
It makes a good varmint/groundhog round up to 200 yds. at far lower cost then a central fire unless you reload. Sometimes it's nice to just grab some ammo and go hunting without having to cast, then reload ammo!
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You probably shoot your ground hogs with a 45-70 of some 400+ grain variety.:D I bet the 17 is a nice change.
 
The 17 has never really sparked any interest in me. I understand the whole sound issue but when you can load a .22 hornet or .222 or even a .223 for the same price as a 17, why bother?

But if you don't reload, I guess it's a viable option for a small, 200 yard varmint rifle. My friend has one and doesn't reload. Very accurate but I keep bugging him that shooting my .243 is nearly as cheap.
 
The 17 HMR shreds squirrels - fine for pest control but no good if you want to eat them (squirrels are great eating! - need several for a meal).

17's are good for ground hogs but limited in range. All centerfires are good for ground hogs. Just remember the caliber restriction on S. Ont. (no bigger than 270 S of Hwy 89).

I had one but it's long gone...

If you sell it, buy another gun to keep your collection going!!!

Good luck - SD
 
"...a rule against hunting groundhogs with a centerfire?..." Nope, but some municipalities have their silly calibre restriction. Doesn't apply to your rifles though.
 
I have two 17HMR's I love them reall tack drivers. I originally bought them for Gopher hunting in the prairies but love hunting ground hogs and bunnies with it in Ontario. Note:: it is too small for yotes I shot one at about 70 yards in the head and it just ran off a little blood and hair but no yote.
 
superd222 said:
The 17 HMR shreds squirrels - fine for pest control but no good if you want to eat them (squirrels are great eating! - need several for a meal).

17's are good for ground hogs but limited in range. All centerfires are good for ground hogs. Just remember the caliber restriction on S. Ont. (no bigger than 270 S of Hwy 89).

I had one but it's long gone...

If you sell it, buy another gun to keep your collection going!!!

Good luck - SD
Click to expand...

hey superd222 is it south hwy 89 or hwy 9 i thought it was hwy 9 . Maybe it changed ?
 
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