Re: Best or favorite .17HMR's?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xray9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of the first hurdles to overcome is the cost.......just forget that the 17 HMR costs like one round of .223, then you'll be OK.</div></div>
$9/50 for Hornady 17gr vmax if you look around-- or about 0.18/round.
Not as cheap as mid-range match .22lr at $4.25/50 for sure, but still less than decent .223.
Decent .223 varmint ammo, say Hornady 50gr Vmax .223 is about $16 for a box of 20 or about 0.85/round.
My .223 reloads, assuming free brass, run about 0.29/round given current component prices.
Unless I missed something big, the .17hmr is cheaper to shoot than .223 and as mentioned sometimes there are noise or safety concerns (houses or buildings too close) where a .223 or other centerfire is too big but the .17hmr is just right.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xray9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hardly any zero change from 50 to 100 yards, reduced ricochets are to my liking. </div></div>
With a 135Y zero on my Marlin 917 (1.0" high at 100Y) the POI is within +/- 1" of POA from 15Y to 155Y, -2.8" at 175Y, and -5.5" at 200Y. Makes for very quick and easy critter blasting out in the field as long as your wind calls are good.