What is .17 HMR good for?

Question

I won the gun at an NRA banquet and I recently took it hunting for the first time. I shot a squirrel only there wasn't much left of it. The caliber is too small for deer and apparently too fast for squirrel, so what is it good for?

I think it would be illegal to use for Turkeys in Wisconsin. I thought it would be good for squirrels but the one I shot there was only half the squirrel left. Maybe I will have to be sure of a head shot next time.

My setup is a Savage .17HMR with Stainless Steel barrel and thumbhole stock with a Cabela's tacticle 3-9 x 40 scope. I estimate it's value at around 4 hundred $.

Answer 1

It's "alright" for squirrels. I always figured there wasn't a lot of meat on the front legs anyway so if it helps prevent one from crawling away that you would otherwise not got, it makes up for it.
The drawback is it is very loud and scares them.
I believe cci makes a fmj for the 17 and it is suppost to poke right through the animal leaving no damage. The drawback to that is that it's like using a 22 solid (which I don't like to do).

As far as what else it's good for.
It's really a long range gun (meaning 75-150 yards); that's what it was built for - to beat the 22mag in trajectory and accuracy.
I think the round is best for varmints and target of other opportunity.
Crows, groundhogs, raccoons, opossums, foxes, ground squirrels, and other similar sized animals.

Answer 2

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I'd put it this way: If you want to shoot a lot of ammo...Go with .22 LR. It's inexpensive, available, and works well for most small game hunting. It doesn't destroy as much meat as the others. If you want performance...Go with .17 HMR. It doubles most .22 LR's velocity. Much flatter shooting than .22 LR. Bullet performance is awesome on small game, but it mutilates more meat. The price is very expensive for rimfire, to put it politely. .17 HM2 is the odd duck out. It has neither the performance of .17 HMR or the wallet friendliness of . 22 LR. In fact, I think .17 HM2 is a round that shouldn't have happened. As far as accuracy, my Savage BTVS in .22 LR shoots smaller groups with its preferred ammo than my Savage 93R17 .17 HMR could shoot at 50 yards. The .22 just doesn't shoot as flat at longer range as the .17. Also, all .17 HMR is premium, well made rimfire. Much of the .22 LR is cheapo, inconsistent plinker ammo that may or may not be accurate in a given rifle. If you use good quality .22 LR (more expensive), it will help level the playing field, on average, against .17 HMR in regards to accuracy. Did I mention that Savage makes very good bolt action rimfire rifles?

Answer 3

A head shot with the 17 is effective on foxes, coyotes, coons, dogs, ground hogs, squirrels, and much more. I enjoy crow hunting and calling which is a perfect use for the 17. Of course the American mentality is bigger is better when it comes to guns but I use the 17 for everything I can and I find switching bullets to suit the prey is all it takes in most case. I am a 3 rifle owner. I have a 17hmr Marlin in stainless for all things small, a AR-15 with a few uppers for most everything else( 223, 204, and 450 bushmaster), my 30-06 is a bolt action based on a mauser 98 with a hart barrel and sitting in a syn. stock with iron sights and a scope both sighted in at 200 yards, just in case.

Head shot your squirrels with the 17 use FMJ bullets and no squirrel within 50 yards is getting away or going to be to torn up to skin and eat.

Answer 4

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RE:
What is .17 HMR good for?
I won the gun at an NRA banquet and I recently took it hunting for the first time. I shot a squirrel only there wasn't much left of it. The caliber is too small for deer and apparently too fast for squirrel, so what is it good for?

Answer 5

The .17 HMR is a flat shooting little rifle. The round itself is inherently accurate. I find it very good for squirrels. Head shots are a must, and the gun is capable of giving head shots.

This time of year, with full foliage and a lot of short range shots on the squirrels, I find a very low mounted, low profile scope makes the most out of the flat trajectory.

Answer 6

Just about anything between squirrel and smaller than deer.

For sure, for the little critters you need to take head shots at close range.

I was at my range yesterday late afternoon, which is out in the desert next to a mountain, and a couple of guys had gotten bored with targets and noticed the jackrabbits coming out to feed on the hills behind the range. They missed a few but finally nailed one at well over 200 yards, probably more like 250. He was dead. Can't do that with a .22 and it'd be tough with a .22Mag.

I may get one soon, it's on my list (but then, what ISN'T on my list)

What did you get? How's it setup?

Answer 7

Indeed the thing to do with the .17 is to go for head shots.
You say there is nothing leaft of squirrlels when you shoot them, and that suprises you dose it.
I expect your using a 17grn polimer tipped bullet (balistic tip)
caperbal of over 2550 ft per sec and at deformation second to non at impact, dilivering all maximum stoping power.
Or you could go for the 20 grn jacketed hollow point.
The .17 is in a leage of its own when it comes to rimfire and
will bring down most vermin up to the size of a fox.
Since purchasing mine 4 month ago i have had a veriaty of kills including foxs of up to 150yrds sadly shooting foxs in the uk with the .17 is fround upon.

if you have a look through youtube
and typ in .17hmr i think there is a few videos of the 17 in action
www.youtube.com

Answer 8

The 17HMR is an incredibly flat shooting rifle round. It leaves the 22 WMR in the dust, as far as muzzle energy and accuracy. It also is a perfectly capable "extended" range bullet with a good scope mounted rifle. You can shoot anything Coyote size or less, and it's highly effective. It works for Squirrels too but Head Shots are required, unless you want more experiences searching for Squirrel "Halves"...lol have (2) 17HMR Rifles that I use regularly on Prairie Dogs,Ground Squirrels and Coyote's..You will get some "flak" from some who think that the 17HMR should not be used for Coyote's.But the proof lies in what an accurate shot can do.This caliber was designed with this in mind. You'll also hear grief from those who say the 17HMR ammunition is expensive..It is to a point but it still gets the job done regardless and it's a lot cheaper to shoot than any center fire cartridge. Deer NO.Coyote or smaller HE** YES!

Answer 9

It is designed for small game. It is a great gun for squirrels, just shoot them in the head and you won't mess up any meat. They are also good for small varmints like woodchucks, prarie dogs, foxes, coyotes, etc. You're right about them not being suited for something as large as a deer. They are also a very accurate round and that makes them good for target shooting and plinking.

Answer 10

You are right, the .17 HMR is almost too small for anything but punching paper. It comes into its own shooting small varmint you don't intend to harvest for food such as: Crows, ground hogs & other small pests.

Best.

H