.17 ? Do I or don't I?

[303British]

I have used a .22lr for a long time, the first rifle I ever had, still the same one actually, CZ452.
I have a slot for a .17 rimfire, have had for a while and have not got around to getting one, so my question is, should I bother?
What are the pro's and con's from people who actually use one?

 

[Mike1979]

I have a .17 HMR and wouldn't be without it.

Compared to the .22lr its flat as a pancake and punches above its weight. However its also a lot louder then the .22...but the rabbits etc don't seem to be overly bothered. The only thing I lack is the decent numbers of rabbits we used to have so it spends more time in the cabinet then it should.

 

[willsako243]

I had a lovely CZ American in .22 loverly little rifle. Used mainly on the local rabbit population. The only criticism was the ricochet. I had a few stomach-churning moments when the round whizzed off into the darkness. So got me an Anschutz in .17 cracking rifle, lovely trigger, but the mag only held five rounds, so I was constantly reloading.
Recently purchased a tikka tx1 bigger mag, great rifle, no ricochets, and the rabbits on the local golf course don't seem that bothered. Cheers Will

 

[PhilSN12]

Its a fantastic calibre and you will not regret getting one.

 

[W1LL]

Pros- it’s flat, fast and accurate
Cons- it’s loud, if it isn’t loud as the last round don’t squeeze the trigger again because it’ll be bloody loud next time

 

[303British]

Thanks for answers.
Loud I knew about, depends where you are I suppose, I am surprised to hear of ricochets though?
One reason it was on my mind again, it's rocky round me and stone walls so .22 can be an issue in some fields, I thought .17 pretty much would break up if it hit anything solid, is that common or is it the type of bullet?

 

[the prowler]

Excellent rimfire round. But noisy and really only a rabbit - hare - close fox gun.

 

[MarinePMI]

Thanks for answers.
Loud I knew about, depends where you are I suppose, I am surprised to hear of ricochets though?
One reason it was on my mind again, it's rocky round me and stone walls so .22 can be an issue in some fields, I thought .17 pretty much would break up if it hit anything solid, is that common or is it the type of bullet?

I think he's alluding to the rash of squib rounds that the HMR ammo had a few years back. Several left a round lodged in the barrel, and the shooter (unaware) let another round loose, resulting in a destroyed barrel.

I believe the problem has been corrected, but there are still oddball boxes of ammo floating around from that time period.

 

[Smellydog]

Just get one and be amazed.

The bullet is safer, not that a ricochet from a 22 is a worry unless you are using it in a supermarket or something.

Shot scores of foxes with it, the longest was 200yds.

 

[Storcky]

Go for it you will not be disappointed, ignore the ooh cracked cases, noise etc, it's a terrific little round.

 

[Andydorset]

Absolutely love mine, and just ordered a carbon barrel one.

 

[pete evans]

I’ve had one and they are good compared to .22 regarding holdover when using traditional non lrf scopes. A friend who swore by his hmr has started using his .22 much more now he has a lrf bc scope, it really extends the effective range of the .22.

 

[One on top of two]

I have some really nice rifles ( in my opinion )

But my HMR is the one i really do love using . Its a do it all close/med range little cracker of a round .

 

[7-08Ai]

+1 for the .17hmr

 

[Heym SR20]

17 HMR is good round for rabbiting out to longer distances. I also understand that it works well with non toxic ammo, and yes I know the law has a derogation for the smaller cartridges, but many land owners will insist on non toxic ammo to meet certification standards etc etc.

But I don't the the 17 HMR will ever replace the 22 LR as it does provide good cheap practice. However the cartridge is 150 years old now, and the design uses a heeled bullet with does rather limit performance and future developments. I can't help thinking that the 21 Sharp is somewhat onto a winner with the bullet fitting inside the cartridge, but not sure if it is really gaining any traction.

 

[Liveonce]

17 HMR is good round for rabbiting out to longer distances. I also understand that it works well with non toxic ammo, and yes I know the law has a derogation for the smaller cartridges, but many land owners will insist on non toxic ammo to meet certification standards etc etc.

Do you know in the decades I have been shooting not even one land owner has ever ask what type of ammunition i am using with regards to lead, be that rifle or shotgun, but have been told on some permissions not to use plastic wads, but then not a problem as I have never used plastic wads.

As for buying a .17hmr do so if you like, or better still put in for a free variation for a .17cf like a hornet.

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

If its about the flat shooting, why not buy faster ammunition??

 

[Smellydog]

Do you know in the decades I have been shooting not even one land owner has ever ask what type of ammunition i am using with regards to lead, be that rifle or shotgun, but have been told on some permissions not to use plastic wads, but then not a problem as I have never used plastic wads.

Soon will be an issue and then the vegans will attack again.

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

I tried some fast target ammo that I used in my target anschutz other to 100m and used it in my ruger...fantastic on the bunnies even with the moderator on there was the crack....save the cash lol

 

[MarinePMI]

But I don't the the 17 HMR will ever replace the 22 LR as it does provide good cheap practice. However the cartridge is 150 years old now, and the design uses a heeled bullet with does rather limit performance and future developments. I can't help thinking that the 21 Sharp is somewhat onto a winner with the bullet fitting inside the cartridge, but not sure if it is really gaining any traction.

So, precision, non-heeled, often times turned solid metalloid, bullets have been hand loaded in .22LR cases for many years now. It was one reason why some of the high end rimfire actions could switch the bolt throw between .22LR length and .22WMR length (along with fast twist barrels). This allowed the longer, pointed bullet, rounds to be loaded.

The challenge has always been obtaining virgin primed cases. Today, most just pull bullets from factory ammo, dump the powder (sometimes reloading the powder; ala "Mexican reloads" that were used with cheap factory American Eagle .224 Valkyrie FMJ ammo, but reloaded with premium long range bullets of the same weight), iron out the case mouth, charge, and then seat their bullet of choice. Years ago, primed cases were offered, but only for a short time. The few rimfire manufacturers that have responded to that demand, often require a minimum of 4M-10M order, and thus their availability is sporadic (having to rely on a major vendor to cover that large of an order).

<shrug> I've seen the 21 Sharp (which is essentially the same thing people were doing by hand). It hasn't really caught on IMHO. Mainly because the idiots at Olin/Winchester didn't listen to the community, which was asking for primed cases, not another limited variety of factory loaded ammunition. It was an answer looking for a question.