What is the best varmint hunting round?

Question

Particularly squirel, rabbit, muskrat, groundhog.
I've heard .22 WMR damages more meat than it is worth and that the .17s are the most accurate. Which is better .17HM2 or .17HMR?

Answer 1

I have 2 .17 HMRs and i would advise this caliber for what you are hunting. Get a 20 grain CCI bullet, the .17 HMRs shoot very flat. They will be the best if you want to eat what your hunting. The best .17 HMR i have found is the Savage for the price. regards Josh

Answer 2

In this order, for your pusposes you should use;
.22lr
22magnum
.17HMR
.17HM2

It's a common mistake for people to just assume the .17's are more accurate than the 22's, this simply isn't true, a 22 is just as capable of the same accuracy as a 17 is, it depends on the quality of rifle, and of course the aim of the shooter. I have a 100 dollar Savage 22 rifle that can shoot circles around 500 dollar 17HMR's, not bragging, just stating a fact.The others have stated that head shots save meat, of course they're 100% correct on this, lot's of practice and you can take a 22lr rifle and shoot head shots all day long, and save a LOT of ammo costs at the same time. A brick of 500 22lr costs the same as 2 box's of 50 17hmr's, 22mag's and even high quality 17hm2's! That's 5 times the ammo for 22lr than the others per cost.

Answer 3

For what you are wonting I would advise a 22 LR so as not to damage meat.
Plus you save a bunch of money for the 22 LR is the cheapest to shoot.
All the others you listed are going to damage way too much meat.
I would never even consider any .17 for rabbits or squirrels, if your shot is just a touch off you just wasted ½ if not all the meat of that animal.
You wont a hunting round, not a varmint round rabbits or squirrels.
Varmint rounds are design to be over destructive, that’s not a good thing for meat hunting.

D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 4

when hunting squirrel i find it very challenging and fun to use a .22 rifle. it doesn't destroy the meat like a scatter gun. a head shot is a challenging shot and destroys no meat. for rabbit a 12 or 20 gauge is the best to use. you need to have something that scatters if you are taking a shot while the rabbit is on the move. because that is what will happen after you jump it.the .22 is perfect for squirrel, muskrat, and groundhogs. but a 20 gauge would be better for rabbit hunting. good luck!

Answer 5

A good .22 LR with high-velocity Hollow-points is mighty hard to beat for squirrel and rabbit. And I've never heard of a well hit muskrat or groundhog to go far either.

My favorite squirrel gun is my Marlin Golden Model 39-A lever-action.

Doc

Answer 6

All three are going to damage a lot of meat. All are as accurate as the shooter. If you want less meat damage try the .22 Mag. with solid ammo (if you can find it). Otherwise use a .22 Long Rifle with round nose ammo.

Best.

H

Answer 7

No matter what caliber you choose to use when you hit them in the head you do not have to be concerned with spoiling or ruining any meat*... I always hit them in the head*... Become a head hunter*...Just remember what you aim at you hit*... I recommend 22 LR, 22 Magnum, 22 Hornet, 218 Bee, 222, 22-250*... I use them all*... If you want to be an Expert Marksman and Hunter on Varmint always aim for the head*...Equip your Rifle with nothing less than a 10 power scope but I use a 20 power*...

Answer 8

I can't believe no one has mentioned the best varmint round ever - .50 BMG. I guarantee you will have fun. Now, I have a question for you. Why are you concerned with "meat" from rodents? Of the animals you mentioned, only a groundhog is really worth taking the time to cut up. My real recomendation for a varmint round would be the .204 Ruger. Check out the ballistics.

Answer 9

I am not sure because i usually hunt with a .22.... but i would go with the most accurate one

Answer 10

.22 LR is a good gun.

of the two you mention I'd say the .17HMR