Author Topic: .17 best bet for rabbit (Read 2716 times)

Bob W. · « **on:** September 26, 2004, 01:25:28 PM »

just my .02 but I've hunted rabbit with my beagle and .17hmr last year and there is no question that an argument about it being too destructive for these critters but if you hit them up front its not too bad. My point is that no one seems to talk about the rickochet factor. I've had .22s bounce around so much I stopped using them for fear on an accident. Although I'm still carefull of the direction I'm shooting, the .17 ( especially with the polymer tips ) just seem to explode when hitting the ground much much safer

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2004, 01:16:40 PM »

Bob W.,

You best hit them squirrels in the head if you plan on eating them. Even the new 20 gr. loads for the .17 HMR are still way to destructive. Personally I prefer a adult air rifle for the taking of tree squirrels. Deadly out to 60 or so yards(depending on how much you practice) and you dont have to worry about the pellet traveling a mile and hurting someone. Lawdog

Bob W. · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2004, 01:31:07 PM »

no doubt the air rifle will work Lawdog, done it myself a few times however a chest or shoulder hit on a squirrel still leaves the back legs and loins, at least on the ones I've shot but my point was the richochet factor for rabbits, even air rifle pellets bounce off hard ground.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2004, 09:31:14 AM »

The only thing about the air rifle, Lawdog, is the fact that here in PA, you can't use any air or CO2 powered weapon to take any game. So...I use my ol' trusty 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge with Express #4's. Despite myth that a 12 gauge will tear a squirrel to pieces, it actually doesn't do too bad.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2004, 10:54:57 AM »

Fishman029,

You need to lobby the powers to be in Pa. and get that law changed. Out here we use adult pellet rifles to take turkeys(minimum .20). Lawdog

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2004, 12:10:10 PM »

Wow. Really? That's awesome :eek: . Sounds like you gotta be one dead-eye dingle to get a bead on a turkey. I'm sure they don't make a whole lot of noise...must be pretty powerful to knock out a turkey. Well, in PA they figger there must be too many lil ones runnin around who would do almost anything to kill anything (sparrows and whatnot).

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2004, 07:32:09 AM »

Fishman029,

One of today's adult 'magnum' powered air rifles are quite capable of taking turkeys out to 60 or so yards. My favorite shot on them is to aim for where their wings join the body in the back. A pellet there and a turkey doesn't move. Forget head shots, head moves way to much to make for a steady target. Between the wife and I we took 5 nice toms this year with our pellet rifles. Lawdog

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2004, 05:33:07 AM »

Sounds great Lawdog. Yea...might just have to get ahold of some Rep's (good thing Feinstein ain't my state senator

) and work out sumtin. Then again...I asked someone in the GC why we couldn't have .22 semi-auto's (as they are allowed in Michigan and some other states I'm sure). Some stupid reason as usual. Oh well. Good hunting to ya all!

Bob W. · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2004, 01:49:23 PM »

Lets see, the observation was about the safety (no richochet) of the .17hmr as when used for rabbit hunting. there have been 7 responses so far - about pellet guns for squirrels and turkeys!? Is there something here that I'm missing? or do you all not think too much of my observation? If I ask about bow fishing for carp, maybe I'll might find out how to shoot a deer with a muzzleloader!

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2004, 01:36:26 AM »

Hmm...lemme see...to shoot a deer with a muzzleloader.... :-D

:-D .Nah... I was just askin Lawdog about pellet guns and that was that. The original topic is still of course at hand. Now what about that carp?

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2004, 07:35:59 AM »

Bob W.,

Quote

My point is that no one seems to talk about the rickochet factor.

I believe I did comment about the .17 HMR being way to destructive for cottontail size bunny's. Hitting them in the front half sounds great but haven't you ever shot one that was running away from you while the dogs were chasing it? How much then are you going to have left to eat? seeing you want to talk about the ricochet factor I will agree that the .17 HMR doesnt seem to ricochet as much as most of the older .22 WMR ammo but the newer ammo coming out has the same polymer tips and they ricochet about as often and are less destructive. I tried both the .17 HMR and the .22 WMR in a side by side comparison and the only point in favor of the .17 HMR was it was a bit flatter shooting. It doesnt handle larger game as well as the .22 WMR. The .17 HMR is affected by the wind more than the .22 WMR. My comparison was done with rifles of the same make, model and barrel lengths. Sorry but I dont agree with you, mainly due to the destructiveness of the .17 HMR on small game. Lawdog

Bob W. · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2004, 01:54:44 PM »

true, the .17 can ( is ) very destructive. And, I will agree a .17 in the rabbits' behind would not leave me much dinner but most of my rabbits behind the dog are comming twords me as I like to let the dog circle them of course the same thing can happen with a shotgun if you let them get too close. I just feel the lack of richochet ofsets the potential loss of meat. Interesting that you claim the .17 is more affected by the wind as I believe it was advertised by Hornady and stated on the varmint Als web page to be less affected by the wind ( faster, and less diameter for the air to push) however I think this would be no factor at typical cottontail or squirrel ranges. I don't have any experiance with the .22 mag. but if what you say is true about lack of richochet with them that would be a good thing. I do know .22longrifle bullets can be scarry the way they can bounce around. BTW you know I was just teasing you about the pellet guns don't you ? Actually I would like to know what pellet gun has the power to cleanly take a turkey ( assuming your not taking a head shot)

Lawdog · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2004, 09:27:53 AM »

Bob W.,

Quote

Interesting that you claim the .17 is more affected by the wind as I believe it was advertised by Hornady and stated on the varmint Als web page to be less affected by the wind ( faster, and less diameter for the air to push)

I have no idea what Hornady had to say in their ads and I have never even been to Varmint Al's web site. All I know is what happened when I took two Ruger bolt actions(77/17, 77/22M) to the range and a cross wind was blowing at 30 - 35 mph.. The 17 gr. .17 HMR bullets were drifting around an 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" where the 40 gr. .22 WMR were drifting around 3/4' to 1" at 100 yards. I just dont agree about destroying meat when other options are available. Lawdog

44 Phanatic · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2004, 02:46:39 AM »

Went out Saturday morning with the .17 HMR
Got 8 squirrels within 3 hours. Yes this round is a little destructive but
you have to pick your shot. This round is so accurate, you can just about hit them exactly where you want if you are patient.
If you hit them in the gut, this little bullet will gut them for you. Leaves your game bag quite messy.
In my opinion, this is so much more fun that a shotgun.
Bunnies in the head are incredible. They drop and do not even kick.
The .17 does what every hunter is out there for, take game as quickly and humainly as possible.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2004, 12:52:44 PM »

I was looking to get a rimfire revolver (since semi's are illegal in PA) in .17HMR. I believe someone (EAA maybe :? ) makes a rimfire revolver in 17HMR with a convertible cylinder for the new .17M2 (Mach 2). Sounds good to me!

Lawdog · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2004, 01:01:33 PM »

44 Phanatic,

Quote

The .17 does what every hunter is out there for, take game as quickly and humainly as possible.

It may kill quickly but NOT CLEANLY and that, to me, is a big part of humanly taking your game. Not blowing them to bits. Lawdog

THE#1hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2004, 08:30:21 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

44 Phanatic,

Quote
The .17 does what every hunter is out there for, take game as quickly and humainly as possible.

It may kill quickly but NOT CLEANLY and that, to me, is a big part of humanly taking your game. Not blowing them to bits. Lawdog

I agree..

Bob W. · « **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2004, 11:02:39 AM »

I would be hard pressed to say the .17 blows them to bits, but it does put a 50 cent size hole in small game. I shot 4 squirrels and 4 rabbits with it last year and maybe had to through out the front shoulders on 2 of them. Also, as noted they just drop dead, no movement, no trail to follow just immediately drop dead - I would say that thats as clean and humane of a kill as you could get. Has anyone that has used this round feel they have wasted many animals because they were blown to bits? Have you noticed the lack of richochet?

Lawdog · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2004, 12:04:17 PM »

Bob W.,

Quote

Has anyone that has used this round feel they have wasted many animals because they were blown to bits?

YES. Lawdog

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2004, 03:50:56 PM »

Quote from: THE#1hunter

Quote from: Lawdog
44 Phanatic,

Quote
The .17 does what every hunter is out there for, take game as quickly and humainly as possible.

It may kill quickly but NOT CLEANLY and that, to me, is a big part of humanly taking your game. Not blowing them to bits. Lawdog

I agree..

How bout some elaboration?

Lawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2004, 08:52:28 AM »

Fishman029,

Quote

How bout some elaboration?

When we tried the .17 HMR on Ground Squirrels(tree squirrel season wasnt open at the time) any kind of a hit turned them into more jelly than usable meat. On Brush Bunnys(about the same size as Cottontails back East) any hit in the chest area lost you everything but the hind legs and sometimes the straps. Personally that is not cleanly taking wild game when you end up throwing away a big part of what you kill. Would you settle for a cartridge that when you shot a deer you had to throw away the front portion just because it was bloodshot or chewed up? Lawdog

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #21 on:** October 24, 2004, 12:26:25 PM »

I actually meant more on #1's part...but thanx. The simple statement "I agree" is very broad. Details usually help and are nice.

Flash · « **Reply #22 on:** October 29, 2004, 02:14:21 PM »

I used my 17 on gray squirrels the other evening and it is far too destructive for saving edible meat. It is good for long range shots but still too destructive. I won't go into details but it won't go with me again on a game hunt.

daddywpb · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2004, 11:48:46 AM »

As much as I'd love an excuse to buy a new rifle, I haven't jumped on the .17 band wagon yet. My .22 has been taking rabbits quickly and cleanly for the last 25 years. And the meat is still edible!

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #24 on:** November 14, 2004, 02:44:34 PM »

I have yet to test one on animals...or to have one in my possesion or shot one period...so I'd get one to have one (another reason to buy another gun...sounds good to me!)

jon164 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 19, 2005, 10:27:59 AM »

I just like to shoot squirrels with the HMR and pop em open and leave em.

I treat squirrels like prairie dogs.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #26 on:** September 19, 2005, 11:13:07 AM »

Quote from: jon164

I just like to shoot squirrels with the HMR and pop em open and leave em.

I treat squirrels like prairie dogs.

Please[/i] tell me you are joking?!

Lawdog · « **Reply #27 on:** September 19, 2005, 12:59:43 PM »

Quote from: JPSaxMan

Quote from: jon164
I just like to shoot squirrels with the HMR and pop em open and leave em.

I treat squirrels like prairie dogs.

Please[/i] tell me you are joking?!

DITTO. Lawdog

jon164 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 20, 2005, 09:10:17 AM »

Quote from: Lawdog

Quote from: JPSaxMan
Quote from: jon164
I just like to shoot squirrels with the HMR and pop em open and leave em.

I treat squirrels like prairie dogs.

Please[/i] tell me you are joking?!

DITTO. Lawdog

pop em and leave thats what I said

Lawdog · « **Reply #29 on:** September 20, 2005, 10:07:27 AM »

Quote from: jon164

Quote from: Lawdog
Quote from: JPSaxMan
Quote from: jon164
I just like to shoot squirrels with the HMR and pop em open and leave em.

I treat squirrels like prairie dogs.

Please[/i] tell me you are joking?!

DITTO. Lawdog

pop em and leave thats what I said

Too bad as you are missing out on some great eating. Of course not after turning them to jelly with that .17 HMR. Personally if I ever shot small game and just left them where they lay my Grandfather would climb out of his grave and blister my butt with a switch. :eek: Lawdog