Author Topic: .17 HMR on varmints... (Read 1640 times)

ironglow · « **on:** April 25, 2005, 02:47:45 AM »

I have stated previously in this forum that I believed ( from my Sportster experience) that the .17 HMR is more accurate...while the .22 mag hits harder..
Since the Hornady poly-pointed rounds seem to be slightly better in accuracy than the CCI hollow points, that is what I used in hunting.

One poster told me that the .17s vary, in that the hollow points seem to knock down varmints (woodchucks) better than the poly-pointed ones.

What is your observation ?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2005, 04:45:10 AM »

Varmint Al has some terminal impact test results on his web site, it's pretty obvious that the CCI TNT/Speer Hollow Point penetrates better and doesn't fragment on impact like the Vmax bullet does, so for bigger, tougher critters, the CCI TNT/Speer HP would be the better choice between the 2, but before I chose the CCI HP, I opt for the 20gr XTP or GamePoint loads, then you not only get penetration, but controlled expansion and maintain bullet integrity with no fragmentation. On small vermin like ground squirrels the difference between Vmax and HP is quite different at 100yds, the HP makes 22Lr like holes and the Vmax makes quite an exit wound, 2 to 3 times the size of the CCI HP rounds.

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

In the pic below, the CCI HP on the right shows the jacket is quite a bit thicker than the Vmax on the left and the hollow part of the core is smaller in the CCI.

centershot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 12:48:02 PM »

We call em' rock chucks around here, but the .17 kills them dead - on the spot. I've shot 7 so far this year from 40 - 192 yards. The most I've seen one move was for his tail to raise up like a skunk for a few seconds then slowly lower back down.... no kicks, no run-offs, just a whop and dead chuck :grin:

Nixter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2005, 05:46:58 AM »

Is a rock chuck the same as a marmot?

I saw some of what I thought were marmots in Montana as my friend and I were driving over the Beartooth Highway. Maybe they were rock chucks...

I had my 93f Savage in 22Mag with me but was unsure of regulations and such, no shots were fired.

Nixter

centershot · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2005, 03:54:38 AM »

yup, Marmots are Rock Chucks or vise-versa. What ever you call them, they are a challenging and difficult target. In pressured areas, they will go in if they see movement 300+ yards away. The young ones are a bit dumber.........I popped 7 last weekend........same results above...pow-whack-dead chuck! :grin:

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2005, 05:14:59 PM »

I used to love blasting them with my Colt Sporter, .223 Remington. Now there are too many cabins where they were so I resorted to prairie dogs. I miss shooting them. I need to find another spot. I'm sure they're around here somewhere.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2005, 12:27:32 PM »

The 17 is truly deadly on the P.D.'s in western Okla.. I just got back from the P.D. shoot and I can safely say the 17 Vmax's are deadly on P.D.'s out to 200 yds. ( just ask Wlscot) It does'nt blow them up but kills them very well. It also works very well on the Jackrabbits.Wes,and all the others that shot it were impressed with the way it performed. The bad part was it was shot from a Marlin 917V. Digger

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2005, 12:30:24 PM »

That's ok Digger!!! The Marlin is a cousin of the NEF/H&Rs as in Marlin owns NEF/H&R!!! :grin:

Thanks for the report!!

Tim