what is the largest critter taht can be taken with the 17 HMR. i have seen pics of squirrels and rabbits that were destroyed by the 17 HMR. i have seen crows and yotes pictured next to the 17 HMR.

looking for experieinced input and pictures if availalbe.

Using the .17hmr for any animal larger than a ground hog is pushing its limits. Just because people do, doesn't make it right.

Using the .17hmr for any animal larger than a ground hog is pushing its limits. Just because people do, doesn't make it right.

Yep. And in my opinion, you need a good clean shot on a groundhog to make a quick clean kill. No sense in letting him crawl back into his burrow and die a slow death. Just my opinion of course.

Fullchoke and bsn are right on the money. Though folks kill foxes and coyotes with them their certianly not optimal for that duty. When I was a young fella I used to kill deer with a 22 long rifle, but that wasn't the right thing to do either.

I don't have one, but got to see the steam let out of a big feral tom cat. A buddy was about 35 yards away when taking the shot. The cat jumped about four foot in the air and made three leaps before it expired. Little hole in and out, I was disappointed it wasn't more spectacular.

If that tomcat had been hit by a velocitor or a stinger out of a 22lr, it would have fell where it stood. I think I am the only person in the free world that does not understand the popularity of the 17 hmr. I don't quite understand the niche that it's filling. What would be the purpose of trading in a 22 lr or wmr for a much lighter slightly faster (than the lr) cartridge? I just read an article in shooting times "17 HMR vs. 22 LR". Good article, but failed to come to a decent conclusion because of what I think is sponsor influence. The writers conclusion? No arsenal is complete without both.

Bunk.

The way I see it is that you get around 1900 fps from the muzzle with a 17gr bullet that pierced 1 water filled 2 liter bottle and disentegrated going into the second at 100 yards. The 32gr Stinger went through all 3 test bottles leaving a progressively larger hole and into the berm behind the test.

I'm sorry, but if I want a rimfire critter killer, I'll stick to the .22 in all it's variations!

In my opinion, the 17 was a mistake from the get-go. It" was and is" just a marketing tool, and will fade in popularity rather soon,but not in my lifetime.
A 17or 20 grain bullet, regardless of how pretty it is, falls short of first claims.
Yes, you will hear the stories of the 17 dropping a coyote in its tracks at distances far exceeding most expectations. But that is the exception rather than the rule.
Remember, David killed Goliath with a stone, but I bet you he wouldn't try that again. He would be looking for a large rock !

;) OldManSedgwick;)

Remember, David killed Goliath with a stone, but I bet you he wouldn't try that again. He would be looking for a large rock !

;) OldManSedgwick;)

I think David had better direction and more faith in his endeavor. Plus he understood the importance of shot placement. ;)

Dave

I don't have one, but got to see the steam let out of a big feral tom cat. A buddy was about 35 yards away when taking the shot. The cat jumped about four foot in the air and made three leaps before it expired. Little hole in and out, I was disappointed it wasn't more spectacular.
sure would like to know which bullet that 17hmr was shooting that day. they make a FMJ and a 20 gr gamepoint that is tougher and would pass through and not expand properly. i'm not trying to beat a 17hmr drum here but with the right bullet i don't see a tomcat stand any chance. my personal opinion on this round is i think it is a great accurate round out to 100 yrds on a calm day. i would limit game to fox & bobcat size critters (pushing it on a bobcat) and i would limit distance on those to 75 yrds. but back to the tomcat, again at that distance i think the .17hmr is more than enough rifle to ethicaly take the critters i mentioned. but you do need to research what bullet does what.

hey ive been shooting foxes with this round out to 125yards with no problems and no wounded animals all clean kills but bullet placement must be spot on the muzzle vol is 2556fps and my .17 has taken 22 foxes and over 1500 rabbits this year the round is flat shooting to 100yards.but watch wind drift will send photos to you just email me favor this round over my 22-250 and .220swift for any shot under 150yards on a fox but have head shot rabbits to 197yrds as checked with my range finder good luck hope this helps

here is one hit at 150yrds with hornady vmax ,gun was a custom cz 452