.17 HMR advice sought

[Youngjm]

Hello.

I have a .17HRM slot on my ticket. I asked for it to deal with a pest problem on the farm at home. Before anyone suggests another calibre - I have to deal with TVP so making a variation or doing anything with them is a nightmare. I will stick with .17HMR for now! I probably won't be shooting over 80m (due to back stops and angles).

Any advice on brands and specifically barrel length would be gratefully recieved. I have 2 x .308s and a .30-06 AI but no idea really about .17 HMR.

Of course I would like a short barrel, but have no idea if this is appropriate.

Thank you in advance.

 

[JMikeyH]

I've got a 16 inch barrel on mine, never had any issues with velocity/lethality at extended ranges. Definitely gonna do the job inside of 80 yards, don't need to over think it too much

 

[DVS1]

Have a CZ455 with 20" barrel, using 20gr pills, as above out to 80yds point and shoot with no issues

 

[huntsman81]

Have a CZ455 with 16" varmint barrel. Zeroed for 100yds and no issues hitting beyond that using 17gr v-max. You will be fine

 

[FISH BOY]

As above, the HMR is an awesome pokey calibre which I believe gets up to speed in 14 inches.

It had problems in its hay day, but recent quality of ammunition is much better and have put nearly 1k through mine ive never had a problem.

Personally I think its the safest and most accurate and devastating small pest rimfire round there is and once zeroed is laser flat taking any element of pitch dark calculations out of the equation. Literally point and shoot.

Lots of quality makes depending on budget including Anschults and CZ and come up regularly on SD.

Par it with a Sidewinder or other reasonably priced parallax scope and add it with a Pard 007 you really cant go wrong.

 

[Youngjm]

Wow. Thanks guys for the swift replies!

 

[Musketeer]

I have a Tikka TX1 for day time use and another one for night time using night vision.

Both are 16" barrels and are zeroed at 100 yards.

Highly recommend this rifle.

 

[Erik Hamburger]

My CZ 453, varmint barrel, 16", does the job just fine on fox and rabbits up to around 80 Yards. Some people who are better shots and with better eyes than I have say on this forum that they will take rabbits up to 200 Yards. Just have a think about bullet choice: 17Gr, 20Gr, varmint, HP... some choices to be made depending on if you want to harvest the meat -use a HP or SP bullet- or just cull rabbits, in which case a varmint Ballistic Tip is fine.

 

[Jamie1980]

i use the Browning T-bolt 16inch barrel. i use winchester v max 17gr rounds and comfortably shoot rabbits at 100yds all day long - often in excess of 150yds and on sticks or bi pod headshooting is easily achievable. 50 - 170 yds its still point and shoot.


sshoot.

 

[Neil/carprover]

+1 for cz cant fault mine and wouldn't change it, good from 50 to 150+ yards.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Normal rules apply, try for fit and trigger weight. I didn't like the tbolt trigger or the way the bolt could open and eject a round. I did like its weight and the 10 shot mag in the butt.
I replaced it with a CZ. Bit agricultural but accurate enough. Best shot was 158 yards. Plenty accurate. Don't know about other makes.

16 inch barrel with an over barrel mod and it is a fine truck gun.

 

[Youngjm]

Thank you all.

 

[FISH BOY]

Cluny has just put a complete CZ set up for sale.

 

[timbrayford]

Just another mention for the cz 452, very flat & accurate at 100m (zero) with 17grn bullets, the only issue was having to fit a rimfire magic trigger kit (cost around £ 20)

 

[Pedro]

The .17HMR has developed into a pretty good rimfire tool since the ammo problems have receded. Plenty accurate up to 80m and indeed well over twice that distance if needed. They are ideal for vermin control where you need a bit longer range than a .22LR. The main advantage being that at longer distances the trajectory is flatter, so you don't have to practice all the hours God sends to get the holdover right. There are disadvantages though. It's a light projectile so wind is often a factor and, really can be as loud as a centrefire. So you get one rabbit and then the rest scarper! Mine is a Sako Quad and is a jolly fine rifle.

 

[Musketeer]

The .17HMR has developed into a pretty good rimfire tool since the ammo problems have receded. Plenty accurate up to 80m and indeed well over twice that distance if needed. They are ideal for vermin control where you need a bit longer range than a .22LR. The main advantage being that at longer distances the trajectory is flatter, so you don't have to practice all the hours God sends to get the holdover right. There are disadvantages though. It's a light projectile so wind is often a factor and, really can be as loud as a centrefire. So you get one rabbit and then the rest scarper! Mine is a Sako Quad and is a jolly fine rifle.

Out to 100 yards, not really found wind to be an issue to be honest., and I often get two or three in a group before the rest run. However, to the shooter it is loud.

 

[NOTSHARP]

I can recommend the Weihrauch. Lovely quality, and a pleasure to use.








Steve.

 

[Brittany boy]

Got the CZ 455 16 " barrel use the 20 grain hollow point from CCI they are loud but if used at a distance the bunnies don't know where the shot came from so usually get a couple before they get the idea. It is accurate used it a lot through the winter with a photon night vision for rabbits and fox. Shot placement important with the foxes. Only issue with the rifle is the trigger it really needs a replacement / upgrade.

 

[6points]

Just check your ammo when you buy it winchester and remmington especially the cases are so fin that a lot lately are actually slightly split where the bullet sits in it

 

[Musketeer]

Always best to check, although i have never found one using Hornady.