Opinions on the .17 HMR

This fellow runs a large trap line in the North West Territory ... Here is his opinion ...

Love my savage .17 HMR , with 20 g Hornadys it will put three in a dime 100 yds. More fun than the .22 but ammo costs more too.

I have a savage and it’s fun and extremely accurate (on calm days, the wind really pushes it around). Clays on the berm at 200 are a good time.

As a 17hmr owner I would say buy a 17wsm instead,,,,just a better caliber. Buy a cheap Savage 17wsm and buy a Boyds stock for it and glass bed it.

I had one, a Savage I believe. It was really fussy with ammo and even when it was happy it wasn't as accurate as it should have been. I'm happy for you guys that are liking yours, but I sent mine down the road and have no regrets.

What are you looking to achieve with it? Range gun, hunting, both? 17hmr is great for small game up to fox. I have a CZ452 and it has been extremely accurate.

I don’t own a 17wsm, however I’ve read quite a bit about accuracy issues. Plus you’re pretty much limited to Savage or Ruger...

CZ452

I've heard nothing but good things, but then again, I like .22 mag as well so what do I know.

Apparently they rip small game to shreds and doesn't have the penetration that it's heavier older brother has though. If I could only have one or the other, I'd think .22 wmr would be more effective overall, even up until penetrating deer ribs and so on. I know a .22lr can do that too, but I just think .17hmr will be too explosive and maybe not score an ideal hit on vitals.

But were I interested strictly in varmint hunting, fox, even coyotes maybe, .17hmr is probably a good option due to the explosive effects on impact.

Okay yeah, apparently my guestimations were relatively on-point. Once again, our friend Brass Fetcher comes to the rescue! Both are pretty devastating considering their "weight class" in the gun world. But wow, that Hornady V-Max 40 grain Remington .22wmr soft point is REALLY impressive.

I e thought about one, but I have so many .22’s I just always said it’s not worth it due to the ammo cost. I’ve never shot one though so my opinion should not hold much weight.

I bought a Ruger 77/17 when they first came out. Stainless bull barrel, grey laminate stock, scoped and bi-pod. Most accurate rifle I have out to 100 yds.

I bought a marlin 17hmr a few years ago
I have shot numerous coyotes atthe dairy farm with it.
I have a Ruger 77/22mag, a marlin 22mag Nd N older Mossberg 22mag chuckster.
By far the 17hmr is more accurate than the three 22 magnums.
As far as price of ammo between the 17hmr and 22 magnum, they are about the same.

The 17hmr does a lot more damage than the 22 magnum.
For bigger stuff I'd use 22 magnum, but for small stuff i prefer the 17mhr.

Maybe next year I will buy a 17 mach2.
I just missed one at a pan shop earlier this year, it was a marlin with a stainless barrel.
You snooze, you lose.

I wouldn't want to get hit with one...

I know a guy out here that was elk hunting for a week in eastern Washington with a group of friends a couple of years ago.
It was getting towards dark, every one was back at the camp site bullshitting and drinking beers when a good size bull elk walked right into the camp. One of the guys had a 17HMR right by the door of his camper. He grabbed it and shot it right in the temple towards the back of the elks head.
He said it dumped like a ton of bricks.
I'd like to of seen that elks brains. I bet they were scrambled.

I have the Marlin 17 HMR 917vs , got it back in 02 I think when they first came out. It is a tack driver though I haven't shot it in quit awhile. For game I would not recommend it for anything bigger then Fox, definitely a good round for Woodchuck. For target shooting I stay with 22lr as it is cheaper and more selections of ammo (For now!)