Why the .17hmr is one of the best rimfire calibers around

F23Blackwidow2 · April 6, 2015, 08:18 PM

As we all know, any serious match or target shooter worth their salt reloads their own ammo. But since reloading rimfire ammo is impossible, so we are stuck buying highly priced Elly ammo if we want to shoot great groups at anything over 50 yards. But that ammo is both expensive and hard to find! Heck, regular .22 is hard to find!! And if you're hunting, anything over 75 yards is not a shot you should be taking, and even that's a stretch.

So, what happens if your squirrel (or bud light mix-a-rita in my case) is past 100? How about 125? Or even 150? Well, if you're me, you put down your Mossberg .22lr, and pick up with your Marlin VRX-17. Rack the bolt, aim, pull the trigger, repeat 4x. 2 at 125y and 2 at 150y. And the most impressive part? They exploded just like they did at 50 yards. A tin can noticeably smaller than a soda can hit at 150y with a gun sighted for 50y. Pretty impressive. With neasured sub .5 inch groups at 50y all day thanks to the bull barrel I have, this gun is the most accurate stock gun I have ever fired. Period.

Another great thing about .17hmr is its availability. Yup, you read that right. It's available in almost every store I go to, and I believe it's because people aren't hoarding it like we tend to hoard .22 and .556/.223. The people who shoot .17 are few and far between, but there's enough of us to make enough shops carry it. And all of the ammo is top of the line, pretty much match grade. Tolerances are incredibly tight, as shown by the accuracy. And at ~$16 a box of 50, for the grade of ammo you're getting, it's a steal.

And it is devastating when it makes contact. The damage a hollow point .22 does at 25y to a soda can is noticeably less compared to the damage on the cans at 150y with the .17hmr. Remember, KE=.5mv^2. Velocity is more important (to a point), than mass. And a .17hmr has the same velocity at 200y that a .22 at the muzzle (per back of the box of of Hornady .17hmr 17grain varmint rounds and CCI mini mags).

Which brings me to my last point. Whatever you do, don't buy a .17hmr. I need all the ammo I can't get!!!!!

F23

Ccctennis · April 6, 2015, 08:37 PM

Yes agreed love my savage.

I reload for every gun I own but love taking mine out to the ranch and hitting targets at 100-150 yards easy with no recoil at all.

lamarw · April 6, 2015, 08:39 PM

I own a Marlin 917 V, and it is a joy to shoot.

idek · April 6, 2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

...So, what happens if your squirrel (or bud light mix-a-rita in my case) is past 100? How about 125? Or even 150? Well, if you're me, you put down your Mossberg .22lr, and pick up with your Marlin VRX-17. Rack the bolt, aim, pull the trigger, repeat 4x. 2 at 125y and 2 at 150y. And the most impressive part? They exploded just like they did at 50 yards. ...

And what about those people that don't want their small game blown up?

Tony Z · April 7, 2015, 04:05 AM

Those of us the don't hunt as much as we used to (two problems: lack of time and wife that refuses to cook game, so what I shoot is given away), do like to punch holes, thought my "Thumbhole Savage .17" makes it very easy to make me look far better than I am!

CWKahrFan · April 7, 2015, 06:19 AM

I'm a new convert. If one simply LOOKS at the tiny hole at the end of that RELATIVELY FAT barrel, it's no wonder they're so darn flat-shooting and accurate. Nice fun-factor for me.

Magnum Wheel Man · April 7, 2015, 06:37 AM

actually I don't own a 17 HMR... so it's not best for me

I do however love the 17 Mach 2 ( 22 LR necked to 17 caliber ) it's also a laser in my converted old Marlin bolt action, head shooting pidgins at 100 yards is not that difficult... wish those cartridges were as available as the HMR's... because I expected difficulties finding ammo, I bought 4 bricks of Mach 2's the day I finished my rifle... & at my house, the 17 Mach 2 has killed more "game" & varmints than all other rifles combined... MRS uses it to drop coons out of the trees the outside doggie runs them up, during the night... & he's quite good... one day he had 5 coons up the same small tree

however I'm a major reloader, so the rimfires just don't hold the same interest for me... so I also will not likely buy the new 17 "super" rimfire... but the 17 Hornady Hornet does hold my interest

HeathH · April 7, 2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idek

And what about those people that don't want their small game blown up?

You can use the CCI 20gr fmj. This year I used it for squirrel. It just poked a small hole.

SARuger · April 7, 2015, 12:54 PM

Love my RAR .17HMR

Longshot4 · April 7, 2015, 04:27 PM

The 17 HMR is accurate and fun to shoot. My Hornet is more fun to shoot and I can reload for it. I can load hot N fast 35gr. or slower 45gr. I can shoot the eye out of a squirrel at 100yds or take a crow at 200 yds. I can stock up on components and not worry about not having ammo. Whare it is legal I can take much larger game with the proper bullet than the explosive 17 can. I can load much slower bullets that don't explode and reduce the noise whare the 17 HMR is only screaming POW. I don't want it, You can have it. It's to fast for me.

joneb · April 7, 2015, 09:44 PM

I'm waiting for a 5mm or 22cal rim fire based on the 17 WSM case.
The 20gr 17 HMR doesn't hit hard at distance, I rather use my 22 WMR.

F23Blackwidow2 · April 7, 2015, 10:08 PM

Idek
Who eats the head of a rabbit?

F23

idek · April 8, 2015, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Idek
Who eats the head of a rabbit?

True. At the same time, a little hole to the head works as well as blowing it up.

Rob228 · April 8, 2015, 09:54 PM

Mine drops about 1/4" from 50 yards to 100 and hitting a dime at 100 isn't a problem. Its by far the best firearm choice I've made in a long time.

savagest · April 12, 2015, 03:51 AM

I have a thumbhole savage. Badass gun

Sure Shot Mc Gee · April 12, 2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Which brings me to my last point. Whatever you do, don't buy a .17hmr. I need all the ammo I can't get!!!!!

With that said. (above) Those of us who are pleased with our rifle calibers (22lr -22 mag) will some how manage to endure.

No sir. You won't see me depleting your market place reserves of 17 HMR or shooting squirrels at 150 yards. In both instances neither appeals to me.

Quote:

But since reloading rimfire ammo is impossible

Oopsie Daisy

you may want to check out this littl video OP._

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxh6cvWk09g

No need to get excited sir. I was just pulling on you're chain a little.

sm · April 12, 2015, 02:12 PM

The .17 HMR was recommended to me by gun buddies for my use on the farm...
Besides all the aforementioned, one thing kept being brought up, that being lack of ricochet.

Granted 90 acres of farm gives one some room, still I had to be safe, and "know my target and beyond". A ricochet could cause severe problems with horses, cattle, other livestock, not to mention farm houses, barns, and equipment.

Savage 93R17, nicknamed Killswitch

JWT · April 12, 2015, 08:04 PM

Started out with a Henry Golden Boy in .17hmr and really liked it. Have added a CZ 455fs and a Winchester 1885 low wall. All are extremely accurate. Love the caliber. Fun to shoot and affordable.

gubowner · April 12, 2015, 11:43 PM

I have only one .17, Henry lever with a octagon barrel. It is one of the most accurate rifles I own. With only iron sights I can't seem to miss. Love the round and yes I can get bricks of 500 when needed locally. Looking to get a bolt gun with optic soon!

power5 · April 17, 2015, 05:53 PM

Have not even seen 17hmr sold in bricks. Does your local source ship? I love shooting my savage 93r17 as well. Came with wood stock and scope for less than 250 shipped to my lgs.

ch47gunner · April 17, 2015, 09:05 PM

I have two of the .17HMR's - great little round that fills the niche between my .22's & .223.
I found the 20gn JHP's work best in my Savage 93R17-BV and the 17gn V-max works best in my CZ452 Varmint.

Savage 93R17-BV

CZ452 Varmint

April 6, 2015, 08:18 PM	#1
F23Blackwidow2 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: NY, sadly. Posts: 80	Why the .17hmr is one of the best rimfire calibers around As we all know, any serious match or target shooter worth their salt reloads their own ammo. But since reloading rimfire ammo is impossible, so we are stuck buying highly priced Elly ammo if we want to shoot great groups at anything over 50 yards. But that ammo is both expensive and hard to find! Heck, regular .22 is hard to find!! And if you're hunting, anything over 75 yards is not a shot you should be taking, and even that's a stretch. So, what happens if your squirrel (or bud light mix-a-rita in my case) is past 100? How about 125? Or even 150? Well, if you're me, you put down your Mossberg .22lr, and pick up with your Marlin VRX-17. Rack the bolt, aim, pull the trigger, repeat 4x. 2 at 125y and 2 at 150y. And the most impressive part? They exploded just like they did at 50 yards. A tin can noticeably smaller than a soda can hit at 150y with a gun sighted for 50y. Pretty impressive. With neasured sub .5 inch groups at 50y all day thanks to the bull barrel I have, this gun is the most accurate stock gun I have ever fired. Period. Another great thing about .17hmr is its availability. Yup, you read that right. It's available in almost every store I go to, and I believe it's because people aren't hoarding it like we tend to hoard .22 and .556/.223. The people who shoot .17 are few and far between, but there's enough of us to make enough shops carry it. And all of the ammo is top of the line, pretty much match grade. Tolerances are incredibly tight, as shown by the accuracy. And at ~$16 a box of 50, for the grade of ammo you're getting, it's a steal. And it is devastating when it makes contact. The damage a hollow point .22 does at 25y to a soda can is noticeably less compared to the damage on the cans at 150y with the .17hmr. Remember, KE=.5mv^2. Velocity is more important (to a point), than mass. And a .17hmr has the same velocity at 200y that a .22 at the muzzle (per back of the box of of Hornady .17hmr 17grain varmint rounds and CCI mini mags). Which brings me to my last point. Whatever you do, don't buy a .17hmr. I need all the ammo I can't get!!!!! F23 __________________ Just a young guy that likes old cars and straight shooting guns

April 6, 2015, 08:37 PM	#2
Ccctennis Member Join Date: April 22, 2013 Posts: 65	Yes Yes agreed love my savage. I reload for every gun I own but love taking mine out to the ranch and hitting targets at 100-150 yards easy with no recoil at all.

April 7, 2015, 06:19 AM	#6
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	I'm a new convert. If one simply LOOKS at the tiny hole at the end of that RELATIVELY FAT barrel, it's no wonder they're so darn flat-shooting and accurate. Nice fun-factor for me. __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

April 7, 2015, 06:37 AM	#7
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	actually I don't own a 17 HMR... so it's not best for me I do however love the 17 Mach 2 ( 22 LR necked to 17 caliber ) it's also a laser in my converted old Marlin bolt action, head shooting pidgins at 100 yards is not that difficult... wish those cartridges were as available as the HMR's... because I expected difficulties finding ammo, I bought 4 bricks of Mach 2's the day I finished my rifle... & at my house, the 17 Mach 2 has killed more "game" & varmints than all other rifles combined... MRS uses it to drop coons out of the trees the outside doggie runs them up, during the night... & he's quite good... one day he had 5 coons up the same small tree however I'm a major reloader, so the rimfires just don't hold the same interest for me... so I also will not likely buy the new 17 "super" rimfire... but the 17 Hornady Hornet does hold my interest __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

April 7, 2015, 10:08 PM	#12
F23Blackwidow2 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: NY, sadly. Posts: 80	Idek Who eats the head of a rabbit? F23 __________________ Just a young guy that likes old cars and straight shooting guns

April 6, 2015, 08:39 PM	#3
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I own a Marlin 917 V, and it is a joy to shoot.

April 7, 2015, 04:05 AM	#5
Tony Z Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2013 Location: North Central Pennsyltucky Posts: 749	Those of us the don't hunt as much as we used to (two problems: lack of time and wife that refuses to cook game, so what I shoot is given away), do like to punch holes, thought my "Thumbhole Savage .17" makes it very easy to make me look far better than I am!

April 7, 2015, 12:54 PM	#9
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	Love my RAR .17HMR

April 7, 2015, 04:27 PM	#10
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	The 17 HMR is accurate and fun to shoot. My Hornet is more fun to shoot and I can reload for it. I can load hot N fast 35gr. or slower 45gr. I can shoot the eye out of a squirrel at 100yds or take a crow at 200 yds. I can stock up on components and not worry about not having ammo. Whare it is legal I can take much larger game with the proper bullet than the explosive 17 can. I can load much slower bullets that don't explode and reduce the noise whare the 17 HMR is only screaming POW. I don't want it, You can have it. It's to fast for me.

April 7, 2015, 09:44 PM	#11
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I'm waiting for a 5mm or 22cal rim fire based on the 17 WSM case. The 20gr 17 HMR doesn't hit hard at distance, I rather use my 22 WMR.

April 8, 2015, 09:54 PM	#14
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	Mine drops about 1/4" from 50 yards to 100 and hitting a dime at 100 isn't a problem. Its by far the best firearm choice I've made in a long time.

April 12, 2015, 03:51 AM	#15
savagest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2013 Posts: 110	I have a thumbhole savage. Badass gun

April 12, 2015, 02:12 PM	#17
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	The .17 HMR was recommended to me by gun buddies for my use on the farm... Besides all the aforementioned, one thing kept being brought up, that being lack of ricochet. Granted 90 acres of farm gives one some room, still I had to be safe, and "know my target and beyond". A ricochet could cause severe problems with horses, cattle, other livestock, not to mention farm houses, barns, and equipment. Savage 93R17, nicknamed Killswitch __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

April 12, 2015, 08:04 PM	#18
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Started out with a Henry Golden Boy in .17hmr and really liked it. Have added a CZ 455fs and a Winchester 1885 low wall. All are extremely accurate. Love the caliber. Fun to shoot and affordable.

April 12, 2015, 11:43 PM	#19
gubowner Junior Member Join Date: March 1, 2015 Posts: 2	I have only one .17, Henry lever with a octagon barrel. It is one of the most accurate rifles I own. With only iron sights I can't seem to miss. Love the round and yes I can get bricks of 500 when needed locally. Looking to get a bolt gun with optic soon!

April 17, 2015, 05:53 PM	#20
power5 Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2012 Posts: 247	Have not even seen 17hmr sold in bricks. Does your local source ship? I love shooting my savage 93r17 as well. Came with wood stock and scope for less than 250 shipped to my lgs.

April 17, 2015, 09:05 PM	#21
ch47gunner Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca. Posts: 204	I have two of the .17HMR's - great little round that fills the niche between my .22's & .223. I found the 20gn JHP's work best in my Savage 93R17-BV and the 17gn V-max works best in my CZ452 Varmint. Savage 93R17-BV CZ452 Varmint __________________ http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member1197.png