I want to go rabbit hunting but I'm have hoping to see a coyote that I can take a shot at. A .22lr would probably kill a coyote but not as effectively as a .17HMR which also shoots flatter. Would the .17HMR be overkill for the rabbit if I'm taking head shots? I want to eat the rabbit.
Will a .17 HMR make a rabbit's head explode? Or will the whole rabbit be ruined?
- Thread starter Tikka223
- Start date
- Location
- Jameson, SK
.17HMR is a very good choice for what you're doing.... You could even put one in the chest and still have dinner.....
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I have a photos somewhere of 2 rabbits. Both head shots. One with a 405 round nose at 1200 and the other with a 17gr plastic tip something at ~2500.. the big bullet made a clear see through hole but it was mostly intact, the .17 made an ugly mess of the whole head.
Both were delicious.
I'd stick to head shots as I hit one bad with the .17 last year and it was a right off.
Both were delicious.
I'd stick to head shots as I hit one bad with the .17 last year and it was a right off.
- Location
- Jameson, SK
I'd listen to ryan, despite his instability.....
Actually, I'd listen to him because I'm scared of his instability.....hahahahhaha
Actually, I'd listen to him because I'm scared of his instability.....hahahahhaha
.22 is the one I would take for small game I intend to eat. And I'd likely go for head shots up close or body shots longer range. A .17 does sort of limit you to small target head shots.
But I'm Biased. I'm not a big fan of .17Hmr due to the cost of limited variety of ammo, and it's violent impact. It kills wonderfully but doesn't preserve the meat very well.
But I'm Biased. I'm not a big fan of .17Hmr due to the cost of limited variety of ammo, and it's violent impact. It kills wonderfully but doesn't preserve the meat very well.
Also with a .22 you have the option of using standard velocity for the rabbits and carry a spare mag worth of CCI Velocitors or stingers for the coyote should you see one. Or just use Velocitors on the rabbit too. Still pretty flat shooting, and not nearly as destructive as a .17 hmr.
I think .17hmr is great for varmint shooting, but less than ideal for hunting a meal.
I think .17hmr is great for varmint shooting, but less than ideal for hunting a meal.
Steve McQueen
Regular
- Location
- Southern Onterrible
I am pretty certain you need a holy hand grenade.
Depends on whether one is hunting near caerbannog
My .22lr Savage MKII has almost exactly 1mil of drop at 100m using Standard Plus ammo. I'm half think of the .17 because I've heard it shoots flatter but I honestly know next to nothing about the caliber. 1mil at 100m can easily be a miss and if the .17 really is that flat it would take even more guess work out of head shots anywhere in between. A partridge has a very little head and so does a rabbit, a little high or a little low and no food for you.
Shot one once..jack rabbit that is in Alberta.
Was 140 long paces in the grass and the head didnt explode.
Hit in the cheek bone ....
Rabbit did run a few more yrds though before the lights went out.
Rob
Was 140 long paces in the grass and the head didnt explode.
Hit in the cheek bone ....
Rabbit did run a few more yrds though before the lights went out.
Rob
Is the.17 inherently less accurate than the .22lr? I was checking out a few reviews and range reports and haven't seen any stellar groups. One guy was getting 1" groups at 50 yards. My .22lr Savage has gotten very close to 1" groups at 100m.
I'm going to say the 17 is much more accurate than the .22 especially a CZ in 17 HMR and then an Annie is even more accurate in 17 HMR.
But, the proof is in the targets.
Rob
The 17 hmr is generally very accurate. However the wind really blows them around. They do shoot much flatter than a 22 Lr. I tried the hmr and sold it. To me it's a perfect crow and ground hog gun and ideal for fox. I find it to light for coyotes and to violent for edible game. I'm sure someone will post after me about dropping a coyote at 200 yards with one but the few I've seen shot with the hmr it was not a quick death
I have used a 22 mag on coyotes with great success but she's are usually less then 30 yards
I do use a 17 mach 2 for rabbit and squirrel. For edible game I think it's superior over the hmr
I have used a 22 mag on coyotes with great success but she's are usually less then 30 yards
I do use a 17 mach 2 for rabbit and squirrel. For edible game I think it's superior over the hmr
leebuilder
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
17 Hmr is prone to copper fouling that effects accuracy. Accuracy is the same 17 Hmr has a better range 150 plus meters. Never shot a rabbit with mine but crows fall out of the trees pretty much intact, even after it looks like a pillow exploding.
be well
be well
You have find out what your rifle likes 17gr or 20gr bullets, my savage shoots 1" groups at 100m all day long with 17gr Hornady ammo, however it tends to spray 20gr Hornady bullets into a 2" group at 100m, it also doesn't like any other ammo and especially not the Winchester crap!
I've killed lots of bunnies and crows with mine - all DRT!
I've killed lots of bunnies and crows with mine - all DRT!
