Hello everyone - I'm new to the forum but have been reading posts here for the last year or so. Great info!
I'm curious to know if others have had the same problems I have had with the 17HMR at short range. I just got back into shooting in the past year or so and picked up a 17HMR for gopher hunting. I am amazed by the accuracy and terminal performance out past 100 yards. What surprised me is the fragmentation that occurs at short distances (say under 35 yards). I found that I get big 'splashes' but the vitals aren't penetrated when I hit a shoulder, or even head on chest shot. I have walked up to numerous gophers that are still alive. Now they aren't going anywhere and they will certainly die in a short while, but I prefer instant death.
I have tried XTP's, VMAX's and TNT's. The XTP's were actually the worst. On one gopher, I could see where the bullet hit the shoulder, broke up and part of the bullet travelled straight down the body, just under the skin. I have concluded the 17HMR is going too fast at these distances and simply explodes too close to the surface.
I picked up a 22WMR in a Sako Quad. With the 32 VMAX's it solves the problem but I miss the accuracy of my CZ 17HMR at longer distances.
Anyone found a way to consistently get quick kills with the 17HMR at short range? Maybe I should be trying head shots? Or perhaps shoot below the shoulder and lower in the chest? I'd like to give the 17HMR one more chance in the spring.
I'm curious to know if others have had the same problems I have had with the 17HMR at short range. I just got back into shooting in the past year or so and picked up a 17HMR for gopher hunting. I am amazed by the accuracy and terminal performance out past 100 yards. What surprised me is the fragmentation that occurs at short distances (say under 35 yards). I found that I get big 'splashes' but the vitals aren't penetrated when I hit a shoulder, or even head on chest shot. I have walked up to numerous gophers that are still alive. Now they aren't going anywhere and they will certainly die in a short while, but I prefer instant death.
I have tried XTP's, VMAX's and TNT's. The XTP's were actually the worst. On one gopher, I could see where the bullet hit the shoulder, broke up and part of the bullet travelled straight down the body, just under the skin. I have concluded the 17HMR is going too fast at these distances and simply explodes too close to the surface.
I picked up a 22WMR in a Sako Quad. With the 32 VMAX's it solves the problem but I miss the accuracy of my CZ 17HMR at longer distances.
Anyone found a way to consistently get quick kills with the 17HMR at short range? Maybe I should be trying head shots? Or perhaps shoot below the shoulder and lower in the chest? I'd like to give the 17HMR one more chance in the spring.
