If anybody`s shooting 17HMR to 300 yards, how are you seeing misses for scope adjustments? I don`t live in an arid area for dust puffs. I have some Bushnell 15X 56 binocs that are good, but at 300 yards the 17 impacts are REAL hard to see. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
Seeing 17HMR Misses At 300 Yards?
- Thread starter Turkeytider
- Start date
Pretty limited solution wise here. Better glass or bigger bullets are things that come to mind first. Different target or backer material might help some but ultimately, small bullets make small holes.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
I am going to assume that this is shooting at varmints and not paper?
No, steel with a painted aiming spot. Pretty small mark from a .17 at 300.
Is that a suggestion only or do you have experience with actually seeing 17HMR hits on steel at 300 yards with a Vortex spotting scope? Thanks.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Keep in mind 17 HMR ammo is far from match grade and has huge amounts of variance in velocity that can have you chasing your tail when you're shooting these things at extended distances like 300yds. I've spent more time chronographing different 17 HMR ammo than I'm willing to admit. It's not uncommon to have 200 fps extreme spreads in velocity within the same 50cnt box of 17 HMR ammo.
Oh yeah, well aware of the vagaries of 17HMR ammo. In large measure because of this, the degree to which I take "seriously" the variability in precision is pretty small. Since to my knowledge few are hand loading 17HMR, claims, often without visual verification, of consistent accuracy at extended ranges ( beyond 200 yards in this case ) are more than a little amusing to me. It`s still a lot of fun to shoot, just have to do it in the right frame of mind, IMO.
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Don't miss. Problem solved.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
The word I get from most guys with 17 HMR's is that they never miss out to 300 yards.
I'm pretty sure that some of them have never even walked 300 yards, but that belongs in another thread.
jd
I'm pretty sure that some of them have never even walked 300 yards, but that belongs in another thread.
jd
J.D.Erwin
Gold $$ Contributor
Turkeytider
Put a witness board behind your steel plate painted it a solid color like white or yellow I use 1/4" plywood on two tee post my plates are different sizes so i use
a 4'x4' piece works great.
Jerry
Thanks everybody, I really do appreciate all of the suggestions. Today at the range, for whatever reason, my Bushnell 15X56 binocs were able to pick up the 17HMR round hits on the steel at 300. Maybe the light? As Cousin Eddy said in Christmas Vacation, " I don`t know." Maybe before I wasn`t focused right or something. Anyway, thanks again all!
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
Getting consistent performance at 300 is a tough deal with the .17 HMR. One way you can up the game a tad is to measure rim thickness and sort. The bullets themselves are capable of good accuracy. The detriment is the case they are put into. To spot your hits on metal, I'd suggest hanging a wooden frame and staple a "reactive" target like those made by Birchwood Casey "Shoot 'N See" to it which "magnifies" the bullet impact if that is feasible where you are shooting. That is what I use when checking zero and doing drop charts.
Just a suggestion. Any spotting scope to see some dust rise from the ground. Or one of those fancy Closed circuit cameras to your phone. I can see 17 holes at a hundred. I was thinking to see some puffs of dust at three hundred.
Thanks. A problem where I shoot is that dust puffs are non-existent. Shooting at hanging steel targets.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm thinking that the angle of the light, or perhaps the color or freshness of the paint on your steel might make a big difference. Doesn't sound like you're missing the steel, just can't see your hit??
I was wondering if you can hear your impact at 300 with those little pills? I've never messed with one of these little rifles before. jd
I was wondering if you can hear your impact at 300 with those little pills? I've never messed with one of these little rifles before. jd
I have shot more 17 HMR than most. It really isn't a 300y cartridge. If your shooting at cinder blocks maybe but nothing smaller. On a calm day with a good lot of ammo, yes you can do ok. I can be more repeatable and reliable with a accurate 22 LR at 300y.
That said I start with a very large target to give you some room for error and to learn whats what.
That said I start with a very large target to give you some room for error and to learn whats what.
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