.17 ?


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Guest yoders_hideaway

Seems to be the rifle to get around here lately, so my question is what do people hunt with the .17? Or is it used to just tinker around with? Just curious.

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Re: .17 ?

The .17 is a fun little round. Notice I said little. I have shot woodchucks as far as 93 yards. Killed them dead. Some will tell you it is effective at some really long ranges. In my opinion they are just talking. Any shot past 125 yds. is just luck. The .22 is much more economical to shoot and nearly as effective. If you want a varmit gun that is a whole 'nother story.

The only reason I own a .17 is I saw it on sale one Sunday and I knew no one else in the neighborhood had one.

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Re: .17 ?

Anything you can hunt with the .22 lr you can hunt with the .17 rimfire chamberings, except have a longer range. The .17 rimfires are very accurate but cost more to shoot than the rimfire .22. they can be used on small game, varmints, and predators. I would keep the distance on coyotes to under 100 yards though.

The centerfire .17 caliber guns on the other hand are very nice varmint/predator cartridges. I have used them out to almost 400 yards on ground squirrels and out to about 350 yards on ground hogs. They are superbly fun to shoot as you can watch the bullet impact the target even though its going 4000 fps when it exits the muzzle. I would not hesitate to shoot a coyote with them out to 300 yards. Some uninformed individuals claim that the .17 centerfire cartridges are only good on calm days. This is bunk as the wind drift is about the same as a .222 Rem with a 50 gr bullet.

As far as them fading away, I don't see it happening anytime soon.

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Guest PAdeerdreamer

Re: .17 ?

I use the .17HMR mostly for squirrel and fall turkey it is so much fun to shot. A little exspencive but the performance at 100yrds. is unreal.

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Re: .17 ?

[ QUOTE ]

Seems to be the rifle to get around here lately, so my question is what do people hunt with the .17? Or is it used to just tinker around with? Just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've owned several .17's over the years. My first .17 was a .17 Ackley Bee built on a singleshot Martini action (Back in 1968). Then I got a .12/223, and finnally a Sako custom built .17 Remington rifle. All were very good but usuable only on varmints. The .17 is a special purpose cartridge.

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Guest yoders_hideaway

Re: .17 ?

Thanks for all the opinions, like i said it is just the going thing around here now and i was just wondering. I'll keep shooting my .22 unless one day i decide like LETMGROW to just buy one just to have! Thanks

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Re: .17 ?

You know what, for the price, its a great gun to own...and here is why from ole Dartonman. I have shot squirrels in the head and vitals, with a hot .22 bullet and something goes wrong, they get that last burst of energy, and they make it in a hole I cant get to. I know the LIMITATIONS of a caliber. I have harvested two squirrels with the .17hmr, one with a hollow point, and the other with a polymer red tipped bullet. I am impressed with the energy the little bullet produces...it is a .17 caliber bullet under a .22 mag casing. I would only harvest small game with it., or soft hided animals.......its a fun, fun gun to shoot. I had my buddy clamped mine to a bench, zero it at 50 yards, and it will, under the clamped bench put 6 rounds in the same hole with no varience. It is a great gun for small game. I dont know how far Yoder Indiana is from me, but this summer, if I have time, I would gladly loan you my rifle for fun in the sun, you will love it. al

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Re: .17 ?

You really have to shoot one to appreciate the performance of one. Since buying my Marlin, i have shot countless squirrels, crows, coons, feral cats and wild dogs with mine and have never been in a situation where i lost an animal because I was undergunned. Once you make a couple 100 yard head shots on bushytails, you will be hooked!

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Re: .17 ?

I disagree comparing the 17HMR to the 22. The 22 is not a true 100 yard cartridge. The 17HMR is! The 17HMR is really in a class by itself. Even though I own several centerfire 22's, the 17HMR sits by the back door waiting for bunny-bunny or the casual garden invader in the summer. Its about 75 yards to the garden. PEERRFFEECCT! I already have 8 notches on the stock of my Marlin. Fun, Fun, Fun. Rimfire on steroids is the best way to describe it. grin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif

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Re: .17 ?

Most should compare the 22 lr to the 17M2. The 17 HMR can be compared to the 22 magnum. The 22 lr will do pretty much anything the 17M2 will inside of 50 yards, and be a lot cheaper to shoot. Extend that distance to 75 - 100 yards and the 17M2 takes over. The 22 magnum will match energy of the 17 HMR out to 150 yards. It does not shoot quite as flat though. Out to 100 yards though it is just as deadly on little critters as the .17 cal rimfires.

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Re: .17 ?

What sets the 22 mag and the 17HMR apart are bullet designs. I think this may have somehing to do with trajectory. Your right, velocity is not that much different. I just know that my 17HMR is more accurate than my 22 Mag. May just be rifles....but I just like it. It was worth another rifle in the safe.....then again I don't need much of an excuse! grin.gif

PS In our state you can only use a rimfire after shooting hours (Varmint Hunting with a light). Fits the need........for speed! wink.gif

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