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maddog Offline OP
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Ok boys, as a follow up to Spotshooters thred on 22LR vs 17 hmr. I'm debating getting a 17 hmr, not as a primary, but a backup squirrel rifle for late season squirrels and misc. small/casual varmint hunting [aka piney squirrels, gophers, and the occasional ground hog]. I'd like to see some pics from you guys to give me an idea of how bad it will tear them up. I know the V max will, but was wondering about the 20 gr. CCI game point[assuming good accuracy]. I have a couple months here, to make a decision. Even if the pics are gory, post them, to give me some kinda idea if I want the hummer or not. For you western boys, it's okay to post prairie dog pics, they are about the size of our big fox squirrels. grin


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MDog....I took my Savage HMR out once in the early season for squirrels. I took 2 with head-shots using CCI 20gr. Gamepoint ammo. Pretty much left them "headless". I didn't take pics, but if you choose to limit to head-shots only, you will be okay. Otherwise, you may as well toss them out, as you won't have much left except maybe the hind quarters. It really makes a mess of the little critters, plus you have the loud report of the rifle to contend with also. I have decided to stick with my 22LR from now on. JMHO....

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BC 909, thanks for the info. I'm getting less enthused about a 17 hmr....


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IMO, the 17HMR is a tad too much for the average squirrel if you are expecting to eat, even a neck shot can/will damage the front shoulders to the point of no return. I have been using a 17m2 for a couple of years and even with it, only take head shots. The occasional neck shot is still do-able.


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Are the 17's as noisy as a subsonic .22? As a high velocity .22? Or even noisier?

I value the quietest guns. If the 17 is quiet, I might consider it.


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Originally Posted by BrentD
Are the 17's as noisy as a subsonic .22? As a high velocity .22? Or even noisier? I value the quietest guns. If the 17 is quiet, I might consider it.


i'd say the 17mach2 is about as loud as the average high speed 22long rifle.

to my ears, the HMR has a noticeably louder/sharper report than any 22long rifle load, and that includes hyper-velocity rounds such as CCI Stingers, etc...if you value quiet, the HMR might not be what you are after.

i shot a couple of squirrels with the CCI FMJ rounds in 17HMR, body shots were not overly destructive, and they shot OK in my barrel...but not sure i'd risk buying a gun in the hopes it would shoot well with the one single loading available that would not splatter whatever you are planning to eat.









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Tooooo much gun... renders them headless... and in two pieces if shoot anywhere else... smile

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maddog Offline OP
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Got on another site and saw some squirrel pics that were shot with the 17 hmr. I'm definately going to take a pass, as of now.


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I prefer the Hornady 20 XTP in my 17 HMR'S

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A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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The .17 HMR is a 200 yard crow killer. I don't really use it for anything else.

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17 HMR is my favorite for squirrel hunting, i only take head shots and that is what squirrel hunting with a rifle is all about


A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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I have used them all (17HMR, 17HM2, 22mag, 22LR, 22hornet, and airguns in .17, .20,.22cal) and sold the .17s, the Hornet and most of the airguns. When the season begins and there's leaves on the trees, I use standard velocity .22LR exclusively and break out the .22mag when the leaves fall.

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Originally Posted by BrentD
Are the 17's as noisy as a subsonic .22? As a high velocity .22? Or even noisier?

I value the quietest guns. If the 17 is quiet, I might consider it.


The 17HMR is as loud as a 22mag and definitely louder than a standard 22LR. I have the 17, 22mag, 22LR and I really can't find a use for the 17. It's too much for most and not enough for others. It is a cool gun though and one I would never part with.

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Originally Posted by bea175
17 HMR is my favorite for squirrel hunting, i only take head shots and that is what squirrel hunting with a rifle is all about


A few years ago, my next-door neighbor (may he rest in peace) told me to bring him all the squirrels I cared to shoot, so I started going after them with a vengeance.

When I brought him the first batch, he then asked me not to head-shoot them. He liked to eat the brains.... sick. So, I started lung-shooting them.

Pop....pause....plop. It just took a little longer. They would generally hang on with one claw for a few seconds, then tumble.

I haven't been squirrel hunting since his passing. I may have to do so, it is quite enjoyable. And, they will be head-shot if I can help it.

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MDog...if we were a little closer in location, I'd loan ya my .17 before you made a final decision in regards to your purchase. The HMR is definitely fun to shoot, but for your intended purpose ie squirrels....I'd pass.

Looks like you're doing just fine with that sweet single shot rig!

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Originally Posted by ZacP
Originally Posted by BrentD
Are the 17's as noisy as a subsonic .22? As a high velocity .22? Or even noisier?

I value the quietest guns. If the 17 is quiet, I might consider it.


The 17HMR is as loud as a 22mag and definitely louder than a standard 22LR. I have the 17, 22mag, 22LR and I really can't find a use for the 17. It's too much for most and not enough for others. It is a cool gun though and one I would never part with.


Okay, retraction time. Been out with the HMR a few times over the past week and I am now hooked. 100 yards or 10 it's all the same and will kill any small game I want to shoot. I'd say since it will head shoot a squirrel @ 90 yrds I could take a hog or coyote easily.

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17 hmr too much for squirrels
The 17 hm2 is where it's at.


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Has anyone found any ammo for the 17HMR that doesn't blow them up? I bought a box of CCI FMJ to try but haven't been out yet.

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I don't see the practical advantage over the .22lr. There is just too much price difference.

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