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The .17 HMR shoots pretty flat to 100 yards. It drops off 10 inches at 200 yards. That is an improvement over a .22LR (5/6 inches at 100) and .22mag (2 inches at 100). Bullet drop is not the big problem with this little fella within 100 yards. It's wind. Any fair amount of wind and that tiny little 17 grain bullet is all over the place.
I have a Marlin .17 HMR bolt action rifle. Within 100 yards I think it is a pretty good improvement over a .22 on small game. Nothing bigger than a prairie dog. Just look at the thing. It is really tiny and light. I mean, there is so much you can do according to the laws of physics. After 200 yards there is so little energy left in that little projectile that you might as well throw a rock.
The .17 HMR is currently all the rage, but I predict in a few years, even though it will still be around, it will pretty much be forgotten. New cartridges are like new fishing lures. Not meant to catch fish, but fisherman. Guilty as charged!
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