17 Hmr

[Nightowl_272002]

Just wondering what ammo everyone prefers for 17HMR. Not sure what factory ammo is best. Also I have been looking at bullet drop at 200yds if sighted in at 100yds. Everything I have looked up is not consistant. Thanks

[Huntsman27]

is to try them all. My Savage 93 shoots the 17gr HPs 1/2 inch [5 shot groups at 100 yards] The others seem to average just under 1 inch [5 shot groups]

[K9HUNTER]

If your looking for penetration the 20 gainers work really well at 100 yrds. I did some penetration test using oil base modling clay the 17 grainers just popped apon entry, disintergrating the little pill into very small peices, but the 20s went in about eight inches making an almost a two inch hole at mid point. Miniture but impressive little mushrooms....

[mydogisscout]

with my .17 last winter, the bullet hit him in the mouth, and travelled under his skin, through his collar bone leaving a 2" hole, and I found fragments in his rear end. it never left a hole in the hide. I used the 17gr hornady. this spring I killed several woodchucks out to 200 yds with the 20 gr hornadys...none exited, and all were dead on the spot. although I didn't disect 'em...the hole was quite impressive.

[Huntsman27]

with my .17 last winter, the bullet hit him in the mouth, and travelled under his skin, through his collar bone leaving a 2" hole, and I found fragments in his rear end. it never left a hole in the hide. I used the 17gr hornady. this spring I killed several woodchucks out to 200 yds with the 20 gr hornadys...none exited, and all were dead on the spot. although I didn't disect 'em...the hole was quite impressive.
The entrance wound of the 17 is about like a pin hole. They dont exit a chuck neither do 22-250s and 220 swifts with frangible bullets, most times. I also used a 17 extensively for chucks and wasnt too impressed with it. Accuracy is good, but for short range [under 200 yds] the 22 mags hard to beat. Over that [200] the 22-250 and 243s take them out. I will say the 17s a fine squirrel gun.

[mydogisscout]

what gun you use...if you hit bone, and get the bullet to mushroom, the entrance hole will be impressive. Ballisticly speaking, the .17 HMR is far superior with it's lighter bullet weights, and flatter trajectory than most of its .22 caliber counterparts. Not saying the .22 mag is a bad caliber, and it definately has bullet weight and knockdown power. However when I shot my .22 Mag out to 200 yds, (sighted in at 100) the bullets dropped considerably (4 inches at 200 yds) whereas my .17 doesn't drop (sighted in at 100 yds) . I tend to like my .17 HMR better for shooting anything from a skunk to a coyote. like anything, bullet placement is key.
p.s. they tend to blow squirrels apart.

[Huntsman27]

what gun you use...if you hit bone, and get the bullet to mushroom, the entrance hole will be impressive. Ballisticly speaking, the .17 HMR is far superior with it's lighter bullet weights, and flatter trajectory than most of its .22 caliber counterparts. Not saying the .22 mag is a bad caliber, and it definately has bullet weight and knockdown power. However when I shot my .22 Mag out to 200 yds, (sighted in at 100) the bullets dropped considerably (4 inches at 200 yds) whereas my .17 doesn't drop (sighted in at 100 yds) . I tend to like my .17 HMR better for shooting anything from a skunk to a coyote. like anything, bullet placement is key.
p.s. they tend to blow squirrels apart. they fragment which is what they are designed for. Now what you may have had happen is one cutting the skin on an angle and rip wide open. 17 is NOT superior it has a flatter trajectory with LESS retained energy. The chucks and others shot with it were not impressive to say the least. The 17 HRM is not a coyote gun unless its all you have. Id not use one for fox for anything over 100 yards. Same with the 22 mag. Thats just me. I like to use enough gun. Sounds like we hunt the same area because Clios where most of my chucks are taken. But when your presented with the 400 yard shot or more, I like the 22-250s and 243s.........kinda like P-dogs out west. Curious to see some video of the 200 yard coyote kills though...........