.17 HMR best vermin rifle ever.?

Question

Just started shooting with .17HMR it`s awesome for vermin control, not very sporting but an exellent tool that does a good job.anyone else used this rifle and what do you think.

John G the .17HMR is a FAC rim fire rifle not an air rifle,it is flat to 200yds It`s range is 2mls extreem caution is needed when using this rifle, but very good vermin controller.

wheres m your right I like to shoot for sportand to shoot rats its a most satisfing feeling,

I also shoot with BSA Ultra in .22, HW97K in .22both air rifles both under 12lbs,both very accurate and efficient.

Jason s I also have a spot on my ticket for a 22-250 but the ammo is so dear, the 223 is a more popular ropund and cheaper but not as fast as the 22-250.

Answer 1

It all depends on what you consider to be "best ever". It's hard to compare a .22lr to a .17HMR to a .223 to a 22-250. Fact of the matter is that it depends on what type of shooting you're going to do. If you're going out to grandpa's barn to shoot rats then dust off an old pellet gun... taking groundhogs at 400 yards then a 22-250 might be a good choice.

Answer 2

Here goes with my opinion. It is hard to call any caliber perfect these days. To many choices, and too many applications to consider

.17 HMR is a great round. I ahve a rifle and a revolver in this caliber and love to shoot them both. I have young sons that are getting interested in guns, and these are good guns to practice with. They Inexpensive to buy and shoot. Accurate as can be. And not loud or heavy on recoil. It is probably limited to 200 yards and under which is a long shot for most sportsman.

If you need to reach out a little more, or need something with more punch, you might want to step up to the .22-250. I have read many articles over the years that extoll this as the perfect varmint caliber. I have two of these as well, and boy o boy are they shooters!! I have never been disapointed with them. They are accurate for 200 and even 300 yards (It is usually me that is the limiting factor). In the same family would be the .223, .222 Rem (kind of rare), .243, or even the .25-06. There is a new caliber that is getting some positive press. I think it s a Ruger caliber called .204 Ruger. I am not lucky enough to have this one yet. :((

There are some other wildcat cartridges out there with Extraordinary ballistics and performance. But, I would not refer to them as perfect as they are limited in the sources for the guns as well as the ammo. Like .257 Roberts or Ackley. People that shoot them swear by them and won't shoot anything else. They are typically handloaded to reach perfection. The casual sportsman may not have the funds or spare time to do this.

Thanks for asking and reading my opinion. Hope it was helpful in some way. Best regards.

Answer 3

I guess I'm an old hand at this 'cos I still believe that you would have difficulty beating the Airsporter or failing that, a Tracker. These are well proven and if pushed, I'd say the shorter barelled Tracker with its side lever is best in a tight corner. I'd go for a .22 or .25 as the heavier pellet, although slower, carries the heavier punch for vermin. A big rat needs a wallop or a very accurate shot.

Answer 4

Great gun that shoots well, the onley thing that i can fault aboute it is the waght of the shells, Becaus the bullet is so small it will trave at such a great speed (3000ft per sec, 16 grain balistic tip) though in a strong wind the acuracy is affected due to its waght.
Apart from this i have had some great fun with the .17.
(i own an anchutze)

Answer 5

It very well may be the best small varmint gun ever. I wouldn't shoot anything bigger than a coyote with it, though. I still like the old .22 Magnum (on which the .17 HMR is based on) because it shoots a slightly wider, heavier bullet.

Best.

H

Answer 6

Yes and it works great! I have a 10/22 that I've converted to .17HM2 in the standard barrel so the jack-rabbits run scared!
I'm currently looking for a 10/22 in the 22magnum so I can convert it to the 17HMR.
Semi-auto varmint shooting is sweet!

Answer 7

I prefer the 22-250 Caliber {Best Choice}

Answer 8

Ive never used one but i use a 30lb/ft modified Diana .22 air rifle for shooting pigeons. i retro fitted a lazer sight from a soft air sports pistol very accurate up to 50 yards. but hey even if you use a catapult for vermin control its all fun.

Answer 9

it is okay just a notch better than a 22. a 223 works a lot better, longer range, and does a better job on clean kills

Answer 10

We may never know about best ever, but, in terms of ease of accurate shot placement, it sure beats the .22lr I grew up with.