How good is the .17?

jamesbe2759 · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:15 pm Post subject: How good is the .17?

I'm thinking of buying a .17 cal and was wondering if it is really that much better for preds than my 10-22. I'd welcome your opinions/advice.
Thanks

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 12:41 am Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

There are several .17 caliber cartridges out there. You need to be a little more specific on which and which predators you want to hunt.

tcknight · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

I'm assuming you are talking rimfire since you currently use a 10/22. I'm not well versed in that, but I shoot a .17 center fire and wouldn't shoot anything else. I absolutely love that gun.

I can talk to ya about .17 center fires as can Chambered221, but can't help you much with rimfires. Sure someone else here can though.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

The .17 is more expensive than the 22LR which keeps me content with my 22s. I have a hard time paying the same for a box of .17 as 9mm.

bracer · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:55 am Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

I use 17 HM2, 17 HMR rimfire and 17 Fireball and 17 Remington centerfire rifles for prairie dog shooting. I like the low muzzle blast and recoil of the 17s. I dont use them when its very windy but I live in prairie dog country so I go out when its nice weather. I used the Point Blank program to determain a one inch point blank range for each rifle for shooting the little prairie dog pups. I have used the 22 LR, 22 WMR, 22 Hornet,221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 220 Swift,and 243 Win. rifles for prairie dog shooting ,but the 17s are what I take out for spring shooting.

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

james and bracer....welcome to Hunting Nut !!! Howdy

slimjim · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

bracer wrote:

I use 17 HM2, 17 HMR rimfire and 17 Fireball and 17 Remington centerfire rifles for prairie dog shooting. I used the Point Blank program to determain a one inch point blank range for each rifle

bracer, what are the point blank ranges for each of these rounds?

Grumulkin · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:08 am Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

jamesbe2759 wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a .17 cal and was wondering if it is really that much better for preds than my 10-22. I'd welcome your opinions/advice.
Thanks

I think you'll find the accuracy of a 17 HMR significantly better than a 22 LR or 22 WMR and a 17 HMR will kill just as well.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

Grumulkin wrote:

the accuracy of a 17 HMR significantly better than a 22 LR

what is your rifle and what accuracy are you achieving? 10-shot groups at 50 yards?

bracer · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:10 am Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

Slim Jim: One inch point blank range (PBR), that is a bullet path not over 1/2 inch high to the point where the bullet is 1/2 inch low./// 17hm2 17 Gr v-max bullet- Zero 92 Yds, PBR 115 Yds -0.5 in, 150 Yds -4.32in /// 17HMR 17 Gr v-max bullet-Zero 111 Yds, PBR 125 Yds -0.5 in, 175 Yds -3.88 in /// 17 Fireball 25 Gr HP Hornady bullet-Zero 172 Yds, PBR 195 Yds -0.5 in , 275 Yds -4.19 in /// 17 Remington 25 Gr HP Hornady bullet -Zero 174 Yds, PBR 197 Yds 275 Yds -3.97 in. There is very little difference in bullet ft/sec between the 17 Fireball and Remington because I use the velocity of my most accurate load for the 17 center fire rifles. A prairie dog pup is about a 3X6 inch target . The largest old P dog I have shot was about 4X13 inches.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

Where'd James go??

tcknight · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

Where'd James go??

Good question. Shocked

slimjim · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

bracer, those are some pretty flat trajectories. 22LR aren't even in the ballpark. I've noticed some pretty accurate groups for the .17 rimfires in magazine articles so I was wondering if they were just better rifles to begin with. Ruger listed their .17 bolt action for $777 - wow!!! I thought I was onto something then saw they wanted the same price for their .22LR bolt action. That's more than I paid for my Tikka .270! Marlin was a bit more reasonable with .17 around $400 and 22LR bolt guns for around $200. I don't think I'd get a .17 to replace a 22LR but to have a different "tool" in the cabinet.

rb41rb · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

Hello All,

I've been on for a while but this is my first post. I have 2 17 hmr's 1 that I can't shoot anymore (thanks Remington) and a Marlin bolt action, I use then for coyote & bobcat hunting at close range (100 yards or less) both are very accurate and work well on small game and very fur friendly.

slimjim · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:13 am Post subject: Re: How good is the .17?

rb41rb wrote:

both are very accurate

Can you post some pictures of your groups?