For those who might be range shooting their 17HMRs, just curious as to the routine you shoot ( types of targets, ranges, etc. ). Just trying to get some ideas for variety. I`m going to start trying a 2" gong at 200 yards for a new challenge. The 4" gong is not that great of a challenge at 200 once the scope is on. I guess I could move it to 300 and hardly ever hit it!
As Kind Of A Follow Up On An Earlier 17HMR Post....
- Thread starter Turkeytider
- Start date
When I was shooting my 17HMR alot I used golf balls as targets. My best was 7 for 7 at 200 yds. I drilled holes in a 2x4 and put golf tee's in the holes to tee up the balls. Cheap fun.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
+1
Past 280 some funny things can happen, but 250 and in the 17 HMR doesn't need excuses.
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
Agreed!! I shot a PD at 300 with my 17 HMR and it crawled off reaching a hole before I could hit it again. After that, I kept mine at 200 or under, but it sure is fun. Depending on the terrain, I like to take some shooting sticks and slip around with the HMR and plink some closer ones.
Don`t have prairie dogs in Georgia, unfortunately.
That
That`s not a bad idea.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Probably not a valid response, but the primary target of my Anschutz 17HMR is the noggin of a rockchuck. I shoot some small ranches here that all have substantial chuck populations, and with homes nearby, the use of CF's is discouraged, so the little HMR is perfectly suited for this environment.
Ranges are from about 125 to 260 yards, and even with a Leupold VX-2 4-12X scope, hits in the noggin results in zero crawl-off's as long as I pay attention to the wind.
So when I can't use either my 221FB or 20VT, the little 17HMR seems like the perfect choice and still gets the job done. Besides, our 'local range' is over 20 miles away, and these small ranches are all within 15 minutes of the house. Easy decision.
No rockchucks in Georgia, either ( at least none that I am aware of ).Probably not a valid response, but the primary target of my Anschutz 17HMR is the noggin of a rockchuck. I shoot some small ranches here that all have substantial chuck populations, and with homes nearby, the use of CF's is discouraged, so the little HMR is perfectly suited for this environment.
Ranges are from about 125 to 260 yards, and even with a Leupold VX-2 4-12X scope, hits in the noggin results in zero crawl-off's as long as I pay attention to the wind.
So when I can't use either my 221FB or 20VT, the little 17HMR seems like the perfect choice and still gets the job done. Besides, our 'local range' is over 20 miles away, and these small ranches are all within 15 minutes of the house. Easy decision.
Kittitas George
Gold $$ Contributor
In my experience, I've had 5 or 6 different 17 HMR rifles from inexpensive to very expensive. All the brands are pretty accurate, for shooting tight groups, like a 22 LR, each gun will be selective. But for shooting sage rats any ammo will do, unless really stretching the distance. I shot a new CZ 457 17 HMR, American, w/ fixed 12X Leupold with fine duplex, yesterday, using Federal 17 grain. Fives shots were were well under an inch @ 100 yards off the bench. The trigger is at 2 1/2 lbs. I'd like it a little lower and I had maybe 10mph wind quartering from behind.
As has been pointed out, there are only two companies manufacturing 17HMR ammo, CCI and Winchester.
In my particular gun, CCI 17grain TNT ( JHP ) is all I shoot. YMMV.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
In both my CZ and Anschutz, all I use for my varmints of choice here is the Hornady 17gr Varmint Express. Great accuracy out to 200-250 or so, and the only complaints are from the chucks and squirrels.
Nice rifle! I recently bought a couple of guns from an online estate auction. The guy had some really nice stuff. He had the whole set of Annies like yours, the 22LR, 22 Mag and 17 HMR, all unfired condition. I wanted the set but had to settle for the 22 Mag and an unfired cz452 American 22LR. Others wanted them more, I guess. Can't wait to play with them a bit. Not much play time of late but I did change out the trigger spring in both, getting both triggers to a decent and clean 1lb pull, much better than they started(didn't check what they started at but guessing 5lb range). May or may not leave them alone from where they are. Certainly not BR trigger pulls but not bad at all for what they are either.Probably not a valid response, but the primary target of my Anschutz 17HMR is the noggin of a rockchuck. I shoot some small ranches here that all have substantial chuck populations, and with homes nearby, the use of CF's is discouraged, so the little HMR is perfectly suited for this environment.
Ranges are from about 125 to 260 yards, and even with a Leupold VX-2 4-12X scope, hits in the noggin results in zero crawl-off's as long as I pay attention to the wind.
So when I can't use either my 221FB or 20VT, the little 17HMR seems like the perfect choice and still gets the job done. Besides, our 'local range' is over 20 miles away, and these small ranches are all within 15 minutes of the house. Easy decision.
I've had a Savage 17 hmr hb for several years. That thing shoots pretty dang good and much, much better than you'd think if you saw the crown. It's very clearly cut at an angle, plain as day with the naked eye. Go figure! I'd re-crown it but I don't think it can shoot much better, really. Lol!
17VLD
Gold $$ Contributor
Probably the best money I ever spent was on a new cz452 varmint in 17HMR followed closely by the trigger spring update. Boy do I wish CZ would build a 17WSM too. Turkeytider I sure miss shooting pd’s and rockchucks out west but thankfully I’ve started seeing groundhogs in the upstate and crows are very abundant.Perfect victims for a 17 HMR.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Since you asked.... my take is buyer beware.... the cheap ones can be pretty unreliable.
The ones that come to mind are the low end ones from Bushnell and BSA that are marketed for 17 HMR or 22 Rimfire.
Nothing wrong with their drop reticles, but their turrets are cheap and unreliable. These scopes will work if you don't mind running by holdover and not working the turrets too much. I tend to recommend holdover anyway since playing with turrets takes more time.
You typically only shoot a 17 HMR out to 280 or so, but, the targets are small and wind is a factor. A good 17 HMR is worth a better quality first focal plane scope so that the reticle is always true no matter where the zoom is, and if the turrets do get run they are good.
With the popularity of rimfire trainers, there are now more good quality scopes with applicable drop reticles in first focal plane that run well with 17 HMR and don't let you down if you run the turrets.
On many trips, we put complete rookies on these rigs. We need to be able to drop the zoom down since beginners tend to have trouble finding their target in the scope at high mag. In the First Focal Plane, we are always coordinated on the drop reticle and when they zoom in it still works at any mag. In a cheap second focal plane scope, the drop reticle is only true at one magnification, typically the max. Many rookies take too long to get on the target playing with the zoom or turrets and the reticle isn't coordinated for zoom.
You don't need really high magnification for 280 yards, but the targets are small so you have to decide how much mag you want at the top and how low you need to be fast when letting rookies shoot.
So, I don't have a strong opinion, but a good 17 HMR is worth a good scope that can take you out to the sonic limit or more. Cheap scopes are just that, cheap scopes. Those can work, but you have to baby them. YMMV
The ones that come to mind are the low end ones from Bushnell and BSA that are marketed for 17 HMR or 22 Rimfire.
Nothing wrong with their drop reticles, but their turrets are cheap and unreliable. These scopes will work if you don't mind running by holdover and not working the turrets too much. I tend to recommend holdover anyway since playing with turrets takes more time.
You typically only shoot a 17 HMR out to 280 or so, but, the targets are small and wind is a factor. A good 17 HMR is worth a better quality first focal plane scope so that the reticle is always true no matter where the zoom is, and if the turrets do get run they are good.
With the popularity of rimfire trainers, there are now more good quality scopes with applicable drop reticles in first focal plane that run well with 17 HMR and don't let you down if you run the turrets.
On many trips, we put complete rookies on these rigs. We need to be able to drop the zoom down since beginners tend to have trouble finding their target in the scope at high mag. In the First Focal Plane, we are always coordinated on the drop reticle and when they zoom in it still works at any mag. In a cheap second focal plane scope, the drop reticle is only true at one magnification, typically the max. Many rookies take too long to get on the target playing with the zoom or turrets and the reticle isn't coordinated for zoom.
You don't need really high magnification for 280 yards, but the targets are small so you have to decide how much mag you want at the top and how low you need to be fast when letting rookies shoot.
So, I don't have a strong opinion, but a good 17 HMR is worth a good scope that can take you out to the sonic limit or more. Cheap scopes are just that, cheap scopes. Those can work, but you have to baby them. YMMV
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