How could you not like the HMR

I use my Anschutz 17HMR a great deal and have done so since the 17HMR first appeared. I've found it the perfect rabbit control calibre for both day and night use. I've also had a 17Hornet, now gone and a 22Hornet which I will never part with. All are Anschutz 17 series.
As far as performance is concerned, at night I limit ranges to around the 75-yard mark and don't have a problem with wind affecting accuracy. In any case, when driving around I have no idea what the wind direction is anyway!
As far as the ammo is concerned. I stick to 17grain Hornady and always have, it works well in my rifle. I had one (almost) bad experience but that's been it in many thousands of rounds. As far as split cases are concerned, I sort them out and use them in daylight, when shooting is far more under control than at night. I have to say the split cases at reasonable distances work well for me. I do keep the ammo in dry conditions and again in thousands of rounds have only had a couple of squibs.
I think the latest ammunition has improved slightly, but in truth, there really shouldn't be any issues with modern-day ammo.
 
You mad it sound like the destination was just the USA. I imagined them all looking at each other confused in the US sorting office. 😉
Ha, now I understand….no, no confusion, I had then air dropped ubiquitously (Do you like that word? I did a stint with the R.E. before going airbourne) over the States to elevate the great 17x 17 famine of ‘22/‘23. 👍🤔
Ken.
 
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I love my CZ455 HMR was out last night zapping rabbits from sticks past 100 yards….

Only took it with me as I was about to zero some new copper in the 270 and thought I would have a pop with the 17HMR first to “get my eye in” and save £3 a cartridge SAKO Powerblades. The HMR is set 1.5” high at a hundred metres. First shot gave me the visual and I could hold under with the mill dots for two and three.


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No joy looking for foxes so shot a few rabbits instead.

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I love my CZ455 HMR was out last night zapping rabbits from sticks past 100 yards….

Only took it with me as I was about to zero some new copper in the 270 and thought I would have a pop with the 17HMR first to “get my eye in” and save £3 a cartridge SAKO Powerblades. The HMR is set 1.5” high at a hundred metres. First shot gave me the visual and I could hold under with the mill dots for two and three.


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No joy looking for foxes so shot a few rabbits instead.

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How did the 270 do?
 
How did the 270 do?
Terribly!

I am possibly the worst person to zero a full bore. I accept that I am not a good shot but even still, I do not know how I mess it up so badly every time. The first group of three was poor, so I was worried about the ammunition not being right. I need it for next week and have no time to get out and buy more or re test. I frugally bought one box a few weeks ago but haven’t had chance to test until yesterday. I must have clicked the turrets twice as I had been faffing about waiting for the barrel to cool and restless: thinking about ‘nipping to find different coppers’, questioning if they are ‘stabilising in such a short barrel’, ‘is the barrel spent’, ‘am I awful at shooting’, ‘does this stock suddenly not fit me’, has the ‘scope broken’, ‘are the mounts loose’, ‘have I developed a flinch’ etc…. Ok, I’ll video myself to see what the problem is and concentrate on follow through. Next two shots were ok for tightness but clearly I had massively overdid the adjustments so was just as far from the bull but on the opposite side 😭

I brought them right back for the next two, then slowly walked onto just high of the bull whilst worrying equally about the failing light and using up my dwindling supply. I was hoping for 1.5” high but settled where I was as I need some rounds left for the fallow! I was so angry with myself… in an ideal world I would zero when I have all the time in the world, plenty of paper and plenty of rounds. In reality there is always pressure, dusk waits for no man.

Never again. 🤣

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Yo
Terribly!

I am possibly the worst person to zero a full bore. I accept that I am not a good shot but even still, I do not know how I mess it up so badly every time. The first group of three was poor, so I was worried about the ammunition not being right. I need it for next week and have no time to get out and buy more or re test. I frugally bought one box a few weeks ago but haven’t had chance to test until yesterday. I must have clicked the turrets twice as I had been faffing about waiting for the barrel to cool and restless: thinking about ‘nipping to find different coppers’, questioning if they are ‘stabilising in such a short barrel’, ‘is the barrel spent’, ‘am I awful at shooting’, ‘does this stock suddenly not fit me’, has the ‘scope broken’, ‘are the mounts loose’, ‘have I developed a flinch’ etc…. Ok, I’ll video myself to see what the problem is and concentrate on follow through. Next two shots were ok for tightness but clearly I had massively overdid the adjustments so was just as far from the bull but on the opposite side 😭

I brought them right back for the next two, then slowly walked onto just high of the bull whilst worrying equally about the failing light and using up my dwindling supply. I was hoping for 1.5” high but settled where I was as I need some rounds left for the fallow! I was so angry with myself… in an ideal world I would zero when I have all the time in the world, plenty of paper and plenty of rounds. In reality there is always pressure, dusk waits for no man.

Never again. 🤣

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You'll be ok when there is a beast in front of you.
Shooting in that position may be giving you a flinch. Your shoulder is taking all the recoil.
Try sitting or standing off sticks.
A car with the elbow on the dash and an old jumper over the door glass.
Then your back can dampen some of the recoil.
 
Terribly!

I am possibly the worst person to zero a full bore. I accept that I am not a good shot but even still, I do not know how I mess it up so badly every time. The first group of three was poor, so I was worried about the ammunition not being right. I need it for next week and have no time to get out and buy more or re test. I frugally bought one box a few weeks ago but haven’t had chance to test until yesterday. I must have clicked the turrets twice as I had been faffing about waiting for the barrel to cool and restless: thinking about ‘nipping to find different coppers’, questioning if they are ‘stabilising in such a short barrel’, ‘is the barrel spent’, ‘am I awful at shooting’, ‘does this stock suddenly not fit me’, has the ‘scope broken’, ‘are the mounts loose’, ‘have I developed a flinch’ etc…. Ok, I’ll video myself to see what the problem is and concentrate on follow through. Next two shots were ok for tightness but clearly I had massively overdid the adjustments so was just as far from the bull but on the opposite side 😭

I brought them right back for the next two, then slowly walked onto just high of the bull whilst worrying equally about the failing light and using up my dwindling supply. I was hoping for 1.5” high but settled where I was as I need some rounds left for the fallow! I was so angry with myself… in an ideal world I would zero when I have all the time in the world, plenty of paper and plenty of rounds. In reality there is always pressure, dusk waits for no man.

Never again. 🤣

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In the spirit of SD friendship - from the foto your cheek weld isn’t great - maybe consider a suitable comb raiser which would help you naturally align your eye with the crosshairs thus improving your shooting?
🦊🦊
 
Yo
You'll be ok when there is a beast in front of you.
Shooting in that position may be giving you a flinch. Your shoulder is taking all the recoil.
Try sitting or standing off sticks.
A car with the elbow on the dash and an old jumper over the door glass.
Then your back can dampen some of the recoil.
It is an awkward position but feels very solid, sat on a robust chair with a table rest would be better. I may try to zero from sticks too, as I slowly get competent with them.
 
In the spirit of SD friendship - from the foto your cheek weld isn’t great - maybe consider a suitable comb raiser which would help you naturally align your eye with the crosshairs thus improving your shooting?
🦊🦊
Yes, I would agree. It is more of a jaw weld than cheek weld. The 56mm scope is set very high on these mounts and the stock is low profile. It is a very pretty stock so I’d be minded to lower the mounts and look out for an aftermarket stocked rifle as the workhorse and put a smaller scope on lower mounts on her. I have just put in for a variation.
 
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