I just bought a Ruger American in 17HMR. Not because I wanted one but because there seems to be plenty of ammo available for it and none for my 22WMR. It shoots well but I was wondering on it's effectiveness on game.

It works well on ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Some guys swear by it for larger game, but I've not used it on anything bigger than a jack rabbit. A friend shot a badger with one, posed with it and everything. They left it and came back the next day and it had come back to life and crawled about 50 yards before dying. Yikes! He was sure glad it hadn;t "resurrected" while posing with it. It was shot in the neck.

The .17 HMR shoots flatter and (usually) more accurately than the .22 mag, but I think the .22 mag has more punch.

My CZ-452 Varmint .17 HMR shoots the 20 gr bullets under an inch at 100 yards, but the 17 gr bullets don't do better than 2 or 3 inches for some reason.

quote:

Calif. Hunter

Calif. Hunter, Mine too.

Thanks guys. I hope mine shoots the 17 grains a little better than that as that is what is available. Mostly I just want to shoot rabbits and groundhogs out of my garden at fairly short range.

In Zimbabwe in August, my Cooper 17 HMR accounted for a civet, a genet, 2 impala, and several guinea fowl. Yes, they are very effective on game!

Some folks brush their teeth with a toothpick. Does not mean a toothpick is the most effective tool for the job. I suppose you could down an elephant with a rimfire round but it is not the preferred cartridge. 'Use enough gun'.

My 17 HMR has accounted for several coyotes out past 200 yards. Guess I'll just keep using that toothpick.

And it has probably accounted for many more wounded animals you never recovered. I am always surprised at those hunters who don't understand the concept of 'humane harvest'.

quote:

Originally posted by Shootshellz:
And it has probably accounted for many more wounded animals you never recovered. I am always surprised at those hunters who don't understand the concept of 'humane harvest'.

I personally consider head shots at less than 50 yards on impala sized game and smaller in the "humane harvest" category......and for what it's worth, I use a 470NE or .475 No.2 Jeffery NE for buffalo and elephant.

Admiral

My impala in save took

3 470
3 30/06

and had to be stabbed in the skull to finally kill it.



I am taking my cz452 17 hmr with me next time I am in the Save.

Dallas in week.

Mike

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Admiral

My impala in save took

3 470
3 30/06

and had to be stabbed in the skull to finally kill it.

Dallas in week.

Mike - all I can say is "no guru" for Leon and Mike. You will have a blast with your 17HMR in the Save. I look forward to seeing you in Dallas as well - the 21 year old Balvenie is already packed!

Admiral

I picked up some macallan 15 year for dallas - we will drink well.

Mike

You guys sure drink well! Good luck!