My recent Mule Deer/Turkey/Varmint Hunt has now rendered another 17 HMR convert. My partner on that mini-Safari has now called me and is intent on adding a 17 HMR to his battery of Hunting arms.

He was wondering all the usual wonders about the 17 HMR as we talked: will it kill a Coyote, isn't that bullet awfully small, what is the range on Ground Squirrels for the 17 HMR etc etc.

I carefully answered all his questions with my two years full of experience now with the 17 HMR being my guide. And I reiterated how well the 17 HMR shoots as compared to other rimfires - accuracy wise!

My partner harvested his first Wild Turkey with my Ruger 77/17 V/T in the nifty little 17 HMR caliber last week on our combo Hunt.

I think I have now converted at least 5 hesitant 17 HMR types into full blown 17 HMR enthusiasts and owners in the last two years. I usually push them over the edge when I have them shoot some Ground Squirrels out near 200 yards with the 17 HMR!

Due to a catastrophic mange epidemic in my area I have as yet not harvested a Fox with my 17 HMR. They were all virtually wiped out here starting about 16 months ago. I still see them in my travels in the rest of the state but not within about 30 miles of me in any direction! Shame this! Normally I would see 6 to 10 of them in a long days outing. I sure miss the little graceful Hunters.

I hope to travel to the eastern half of Montana in January for Coyote and Fox Hunting and will use it then hopefully to harvest a Fox or two. It will be interesting to see how the 17 HMR performs on the Fox.

I have killed two Coyotes, a large Boar Badger, many Rock Chucks, several large Porcupines, a couple of feral cats, many Prairie Dogs, hundreds of Ground Squirrels (maybe going on 1,000 by now!), four Skunks and numerous flying Varmints and various other vermin with my 17 HMR to date.

I am really impressed with it and highly recommend one to any interested party.

I have a relatively large fixed power Weaver KT 15x on my 17 HMR Rifle and it has worked splendidly on everything from Wild Turkeys to Weasels!

I did want to have the wonderful Weaver KT 15 replaced though by now for one reason. And that reason is for night spotting/calling of Fox! I think the Weaver V-16 (variable 4 to 16x) would serve me better in that use and still perform in the Colony Varmint fields on the long shots that the 17 HMR can so adequately accomplish!

I think this may just be the proper/best time of year to start planning/thinking about a 17 HMR. Christmas and then Spring Varminting are just around the corner.

What a great Christmas present a 17 HMR would make!

Hold into the wind

VarmintGuy

VG,



I was rereading my post and my comment about "old fartz" was meant in jest. Actually, the friend of mine who is now a 17 HMR convert called himself an "old fart" in not wanting to try anything new. I hope you did not think I was calling you or anyone else on the forum such a name. If I did, I sincerely apologize. I did not mean any disresptect to anyone. It was actually the same person that got me into reloading and now building my first custom rifle.



Regards,

Kory

Kory: I am not at all miffed by your posting.
I have a close friend that embarasses me often by wearing his tattered baseball hat that identifies him as an "Old Fart"!
No problemo with your post.
Did I tell you I got in Schneels (or is it Scheels?) Sporting Goods in Billings a couple weeks ago?
Now that was a classy shop! They had some really great stuff for Varminters and I bought several cans of powder at great prices!
They had some Rifles I just drooled over!
I will get back when I have more time!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Hey Dale,

Scheel's is pretty nice with good people. Another place you have to check out is Shipton's on Gable Road. They have even more rifles and pistols than even Scheel's, although they don't carry the super high end stuff like Scheel's. Please let me know next time your in town -- I'll buy you a cup of your favortie beverage.

Regards,
Kory

Hey, I'm proud to be an old fart! And getting older every day, fortunetly!!