17 HMR effective range?
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Re: 17 HMR effective range?
All depends on weather conditions. Small Bore Sniper is a excellent resource for 17HMR info around here!
All depends on weather conditions. Small Bore Sniper is a excellent resource for 17HMR info around here!
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I think this topic gets torn to bits all the time.
All I can say, is that it's up to you as to how effective it is, and at what range it can be effective. Personally, if I had a .17hmr, I would be fine using it on all size varmints to 400 yards as long as the wind wasn't bad. I say 400, because I am not worried at all about the quality of death of a varmint. I don't particularly care if I hit it in the arm instead of the chest. The next bullet will be down range in three seconds and I will be sure that it hits its mark. Call PITA.
That's just my .02.
-Travis
I think this topic gets torn to bits all the time.
All I can say, is that it's up to you as to how effective it is, and at what range it can be effective. Personally, if I had a .17hmr, I would be fine using it on all size varmints to 400 yards as long as the wind wasn't bad. I say 400, because I am not worried at all about the quality of death of a varmint. I don't particularly care if I hit it in the arm instead of the chest. The next bullet will be down range in three seconds and I will be sure that it hits its mark. Call PITA.
That's just my .02.
-Travis
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I've shot mine out to 300 several times. My best was a 3.8" 5 round group. This is certainly not the norm though. The conditions were absolutely perfect. However, under normal conditions I can usually peg a 12" shoot n c pretty consistantly. It's been a long time since I have fired out past 100 yards. With a 100 zero, I think I had to come up 8 clicks for 200, while often having to adjust for wind. 300 was pretty wild though. I think I had to come up like 40 clicks or something rediculous like that. That tiny 17 gr. bullet just doesn't really have any energy left after 200. I could only shoot at 300 when conditions were pretty much completely still, leaving elevation the only thing I had to deal with. Windage was just way too hard.
I would say about 400 yards would be the effective range. You've got to have a lot of skill just on order to peg a ground hog at that range. Also the bullet drops to a sub sonic speed at about 450 yards. Correcting for the turbulence created from dropping to a sub sonic speed, after even getting it out that far, would be insanely difficult. I've seen guys on you tube that can do it. But I've only been able to shoot to 300 because that was the max at the range, and I've never met anyone in person who has shot it farther.
I've shot mine out to 300 several times. My best was a 3.8" 5 round group. This is certainly not the norm though. The conditions were absolutely perfect. However, under normal conditions I can usually peg a 12" shoot n c pretty consistantly. It's been a long time since I have fired out past 100 yards. With a 100 zero, I think I had to come up 8 clicks for 200, while often having to adjust for wind. 300 was pretty wild though. I think I had to come up like 40 clicks or something rediculous like that. That tiny 17 gr. bullet just doesn't really have any energy left after 200. I could only shoot at 300 when conditions were pretty much completely still, leaving elevation the only thing I had to deal with. Windage was just way too hard.
I would say about 400 yards would be the effective range. You've got to have a lot of skill just on order to peg a ground hog at that range. Also the bullet drops to a sub sonic speed at about 450 yards. Correcting for the turbulence created from dropping to a sub sonic speed, after even getting it out that far, would be insanely difficult. I've seen guys on you tube that can do it. But I've only been able to shoot to 300 because that was the max at the range, and I've never met anyone in person who has shot it farther.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
Have shot a good number of coons and possums off bait piles at 150 and 200yds with the 17hmr. At 150, things go pretty good, past that, ya never know with the coons, the grinners go down just fine. Got a red and a grey fox a few years back, both just over 100yds, drt, the perfect fox round. Haven't got enough groundhogs to make any claims with them, would suspect it's about the same. All using 17vmax's, body shots, doesn't take much wind to make a head shot a gamble.
Just switched over to the 17tnt's this week, thicker jackets and more penetration, looking foward to see if they do any better.
Tried the 20's, they just seem really weak and many recovered bullets failed to expand at all, even really close up.
Have shot a good number of coons and possums off bait piles at 150 and 200yds with the 17hmr. At 150, things go pretty good, past that, ya never know with the coons, the grinners go down just fine. Got a red and a grey fox a few years back, both just over 100yds, drt, the perfect fox round. Haven't got enough groundhogs to make any claims with them, would suspect it's about the same. All using 17vmax's, body shots, doesn't take much wind to make a head shot a gamble.
Just switched over to the 17tnt's this week, thicker jackets and more penetration, looking foward to see if they do any better.
Tried the 20's, they just seem really weak and many recovered bullets failed to expand at all, even really close up.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
^ I'm currently using the tnt's. I like them a lot. They are great as far as accuracy goes, and also don't walk on me when the barrel heats up down here in FL like the vmax's do.
^ I'm currently using the tnt's. I like them a lot. They are great as far as accuracy goes, and also don't walk on me when the barrel heats up down here in FL like the vmax's do.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I have found it does well out to 200 yards.
I find the further out i go with it the more difficult it is, especially with multiple winds.
I have made hits out to 350 yards, however the accuracy is not up to what i consider a consistant standard.
I have found it does well out to 200 yards.
I find the further out i go with it the more difficult it is, especially with multiple winds.
I have made hits out to 350 yards, however the accuracy is not up to what i consider a consistant standard.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
200 is probably it, after that if there is any wind it just pushes so much. I tried the 20gr bullets, but they were not as accurate in any of the 3 17hmrs I have owned. I get a lot of wind push at 100-200 if the wind is gusting or a consistent crosswind over 10mph.
200 is probably it, after that if there is any wind it just pushes so much. I tried the 20gr bullets, but they were not as accurate in any of the 3 17hmrs I have owned. I get a lot of wind push at 100-200 if the wind is gusting or a consistent crosswind over 10mph.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
^ I'll agree. 200 yards is what you can really "count on". Where you're adjustments can be reliable. The .17 HMR was designed for 200 yard performance. Beyond that, it's really very difficult to sight in on. You're a good shot and the average Joe most likely cannot do it. I've had several nice groups at 300, but like I said before, I really only shoot at a 12" shoot n c. There are guys out there that can shoot out to 400 pretty well. So I will say the effective range is probably 400, but a centerfire is the way I'd go if this is the distance (or farther) you most often shoot at. If you're shooting at 100 - 200 yards, the 17 is the way to go. JMO.
^ I'll agree. 200 yards is what you can really "count on". Where you're adjustments can be reliable. The .17 HMR was designed for 200 yard performance. Beyond that, it's really very difficult to sight in on. You're a good shot and the average Joe most likely cannot do it. I've had several nice groups at 300, but like I said before, I really only shoot at a 12" shoot n c. There are guys out there that can shoot out to 400 pretty well. So I will say the effective range is probably 400, but a centerfire is the way I'd go if this is the distance (or farther) you most often shoot at. If you're shooting at 100 - 200 yards, the 17 is the way to go. JMO.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
For me it is about 200yds. The wind drift and drop is stupid after that....or makes me look stupid. After 200 i am picking up the centerfire.
For me it is about 200yds. The wind drift and drop is stupid after that....or makes me look stupid. After 200 i am picking up the centerfire.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
Went on a coon shoot at a local farmer's place this weekend. My friend brought a Savage .17HMR. The furthest bait pile at one point was beyond three hundred. He had an accurate ballistics table made up, and we picked one off during the evening. I paced it out to around 340. Right behind the front legs on the second shot. First one was low, and scared him off for a minute or two. So I guess it's more or less shooter ability and confidence. Most shots were taken well below 200 yards, but the wind was being nice, so I decided to go for it.
I will add that a .22LR with good shot placement beyond 80 and 100 yards is still an effective killer. I shot one of the coons with my Marlin from 130-ish yards in the chest, rolled it right over. Wasn't very big though.
-Travis
Went on a coon shoot at a local farmer's place this weekend. My friend brought a Savage .17HMR. The furthest bait pile at one point was beyond three hundred. He had an accurate ballistics table made up, and we picked one off during the evening. I paced it out to around 340. Right behind the front legs on the second shot. First one was low, and scared him off for a minute or two. So I guess it's more or less shooter ability and confidence. Most shots were taken well below 200 yards, but the wind was being nice, so I decided to go for it.
I will add that a .22LR with good shot placement beyond 80 and 100 yards is still an effective killer. I shot one of the coons with my Marlin from 130-ish yards in the chest, rolled it right over. Wasn't very big though.
-Travis
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I would also think 200 yards is about the max range....velocity stats to really fall off after 100. You also need keep in mind your not at a range and judging distance/wind will hurt after you get past 100. the 20gr really are all over @ 200 but they do work better that the 17gr if its really windy.
my 2 cents
I would also think 200 yards is about the max range....velocity stats to really fall off after 100. You also need keep in mind your not at a range and judging distance/wind will hurt after you get past 100. the 20gr really are all over @ 200 but they do work better that the 17gr if its really windy.
my 2 cents
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
max range?...no clue...the furthest i have killed a racoon with my 17hmr was right at 426 yards(drt).....i have made a lot of kills with mine at 345yards....which is how far my feeder is from my back porch....
bench
max range?...no clue...the furthest i have killed a racoon with my 17hmr was right at 426 yards(drt).....i have made a lot of kills with mine at 345yards....which is how far my feeder is from my back porch....
bench
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
Mine is subsonic at around 300. Although expansion ceases way before than. I have some recovered bullets that I can post photos of. Big changes in performance past 100 yards. More like expansion and less like fragmentation.
Mine is subsonic at around 300. Although expansion ceases way before than. I have some recovered bullets that I can post photos of. Big changes in performance past 100 yards. More like expansion and less like fragmentation.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I wouldnt shoot at anything over 200 with it personally, fun round, just runs out of uummpph.
I wouldnt shoot at anything over 200 with it personally, fun round, just runs out of uummpph.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlakeJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what's the max range a 17 is good for as far as being effective on varmits (up to racoon size)? </div></div>
How far will a good light shine? Ruger M77/17 with 22' barrel has been impressive with the CCI 17 gr bullets. Id shoot a coyote out as far as 200 yds with it without hesitation.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlakeJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what's the max range a 17 is good for as far as being effective on varmits (up to racoon size)? </div></div>
How far will a good light shine? Ruger M77/17 with 22' barrel has been impressive with the CCI 17 gr bullets. Id shoot a coyote out as far as 200 yds with it without hesitation.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I've killed groundhogs out to 180 yards with mine. The bullet did not fragment at that range though. Not that it matters much when you puncture both lungs...
I did testing on cantaloupes with 17 gr. VMAX and TNT bullets. Both fragmented at 100 yards, but only expanded at 150 yards.
I've killed groundhogs out to 180 yards with mine. The bullet did not fragment at that range though. Not that it matters much when you puncture both lungs...
I did testing on cantaloupes with 17 gr. VMAX and TNT bullets. Both fragmented at 100 yards, but only expanded at 150 yards.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
I have a 17HMR and 17M2.
There is a niche for these with ground squirrels.
I do not consider them adequate for prairie dogs.
Of course things are different if I can get close. I can take big marmots and big prairie dogs with 22LR Quickshock at 50 yards. They don't make it back to their hole.
These days I leave the 17HMR at home, and so do the other guys I know who bought them 5 years ago.
The .223 is what I like to shoot better at long range.
I have a 17HMR and 17M2.
There is a niche for these with ground squirrels.
I do not consider them adequate for prairie dogs.
Of course things are different if I can get close. I can take big marmots and big prairie dogs with 22LR Quickshock at 50 yards. They don't make it back to their hole.
These days I leave the 17HMR at home, and so do the other guys I know who bought them 5 years ago.
The .223 is what I like to shoot better at long range.
Re: 17 HMR effective range?
On the leathery skinned eastern groundhogs I shoot, about 180yds does it for me with the 20gr. CCI Gamepoints. Even at that distance they can turn into runners easily. The round isn't wind resistant at all. I've had headshots go DRT at 185yds and had a 5 shot runner all in the back between the shoulders at 110yds. Then again, I've seen a groundhog run with two hits with a 243 and 70gr. Noslers running 3063fps at the muzzle hit twice at 428yds and still go over 75yds and escape. I'd say on coon size game to be ethical, I personally would try to keep them at about 150 or less and go for big bones with a TNT or Gamepoint. The ballistic tips tend to splash from my experience. The problem with the 17HMR is that is will hit much farther than it will efficiently kill large varmints.
On the leathery skinned eastern groundhogs I shoot, about 180yds does it for me with the 20gr. CCI Gamepoints. Even at that distance they can turn into runners easily. The round isn't wind resistant at all. I've had headshots go DRT at 185yds and had a 5 shot runner all in the back between the shoulders at 110yds. Then again, I've seen a groundhog run with two hits with a 243 and 70gr. Noslers running 3063fps at the muzzle hit twice at 428yds and still go over 75yds and escape. I'd say on coon size game to be ethical, I personally would try to keep them at about 150 or less and go for big bones with a TNT or Gamepoint. The ballistic tips tend to splash from my experience. The problem with the 17HMR is that is will hit much farther than it will efficiently kill large varmints.
