My Topic: What's The Latest Take on the .17HRM

8-14-02 | bullseye1911

[bullseye1911]

Just asking. Since some time has passed and a few rifles in the new caliber .17HRM have become available. What do you think? Any experiences out there? I think I still want one, but am reluctant, if only because of ammo concerns and the fact that I can't reload it. Any input would be appreciated. Regards.....

[El Sordo]

*Ahem*

Anything smaller tham .30 has no rational purpose in human existance.

Just to start a fight....

[joesnuffy]

It is awesome... no recoil... on varmints you can see the bullet strike in your scope...
Everything you need to know in one convienent forum on the 17 "hummer"
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=a001fc28569c732305e0a1e00432a243&forumid=15

[Khurkris]

Like most wildcats, its sounds like a plausible paper-puncher. But questionable for much else. Just my .02 worth.

[Still Thinking]

I have no personal experience with the caliber, but it sounds like a fine pellet gun to me. BTW, did you hear about the .22 auto that was entered as evidence in the murder trial? The DEFENDANT was shot five times with same, before bludgeoning the victim with a shovel. (True story, or so I'm told).

[joesnuffy]

who loads rimfire anyway?...ammo is coming along nicely Hornady is trying to catch up...this is the hottest new cartrige/rifle caliber to come along in a long time and guys are eating them up ..wont be long before the ammo manufactures do to...this is NOT a Remmy 5mm

[dd5339]

This ought to be fun to watch!

By the way, anything bigger than 30 cal is not needed unless going to Alaska or Africa! Just my $0.02.

The new Remington 7 SAUM looks real interesting. Just need to save my pennies so I can get one.

Semper Fi!

[bullseye1911]

"who loads rimfire anyway?"

Exactly, thus the ammo concerns.

I just thought it would be more economical and fun on chucks out to 150yds. Thanks for the input.

[scooter2]

By the way, anything bigger than 30 cal is not needed unless going to Alaska or Africa! Just my $0.02.

Youv'e obviously never fired an Armalite AR50. Not exactly a big game rifle, in most states anyway, but damned fun to shoot and terrific for blowing up water-filled one gallon cans at 500 meters.

[DCBryan1]

Bullseye1911

I have four (4) .17 cal Hornady Rimfires Magnums (HRM) that I carry, NEF, Marlin, Ruger, and the soon to be out Taurus 9-shot revolver.

.17 HRM is a great long range squirrel gun, or other small rodent such as opossums, raccoons, etc. It has a velocity of 2,500 feet per second.

Here in Arkansas, we have sold mostly to customers who hunt Crow, varmints, and water birds (commerants, etc) on fish ponds.

I highly recommend the Ruger for its warranty, accuracy, and more gun for your money. Its magazine also accepts the 22 Magnum.

If you have any more questions, call Chris at 501-945-2324.

Take care:

DCBryan1

[Joe Brower]

A few months ago at the local range a fellow had one of the Ruger bolt actions for this new round and he was consistently printing 3/8" groups at 50 yards. A very nice rifle and the round would be a real hitter on yard-varmints. Of course, if I had close to $500 burning a hole in my pocket, I would probably opt for something like a Savage FP 10 in .223 or .308.

Ammo's kinda pricey -- I think it was about $9.50 for a box of 50.

[DCBryan1]

BTW:

Ruger M77 Mk2 .17 cal retails for $429.95.

NOTE : RUGER HAS A $40.00 MAIL IN REBATE GOING ON RIGHT NOW
IT is ON ALL MK2 M77 BOLT ACTION RIFLES, (except .375H&H, .416 Rigby, and .458 Lott), SUPER REDHAWKS, AND 77/44 RIFLES

MARLIN .17s are $199.99 and $299.95 for SS/Lam

NEF single shots retail around $129.95.

No price on the TAURUS 9-shot .17 cal. revolver....assuming from$299.95 to $379.95 and should be out by XMAS, if not, Spring 2003.

[DCBryan1]

RUGER HAS A $40.00 MAIL IN REBATE GOING ON RIGHT NOW on M77MkII

Rebate runs from 01 AUG 02 to 30 NOV 02.

[Charles Martel]

So far, mostly positive reviews. As long as it is used within bounds of reason, it performs pretty well. I fired a Marlin 17VS that a shooting buddy purchased - very impressive. The trigger is a bit rough, but there are instructions for smoothing it out on several websites.

The Ruger is more expensive, but if you already have a 77/22 Magnum, you can buy a .17 HMR barrel from Green Mountain and change it out with only an Allen wrench. The .17 uses the .22 WMR magazine. It's even possible to switch a .77/22 LR model to use either .22 Magnum or .17 HMR (it's the same action and bolt) - IF the rifle is an early model with a WOOD stock (requires a new trigger guard and magazine, along with new barrel). Instructions are in the forums at rimfirecentral.com.

Remington has a prototype of the Model 597 semi-auto rifle in .17 HMR. I figured they'd opt for the existing cartridge, rather than try to revive the 5mm (which, by the way, would surpass the .17 HMR with the same powder).

Anschutz and Cooper have begun production of .17 HRM rifles, which covers the "high-end". CZ is said to be readying a .17 HMR version of the Model 452 bolt-action.

I spoke with an Australian who reported seeing the new ammo on the shelves Down Under, but no rifles yet. I pointed him toward Green Mountain for a new barrel for his Ruger 77/22 Magnum.

Other ammo manufacturers will probably jump on the bandwagon soon. It was a smart move to have the new project headed up by an ammo manufacturer rather than a gunmaker - that put the various manufacturers more at ease about offering it - rather than looking at it as "the competition's product". Getting Marlin and Ruger on-board early was smart, too.

So far, the big question-mark is the Ruger 10/22 Magnum, and whether Ruger is going to offer a version in .17 HMR. Ruger had some problems with the initial run of .22 magnum 10/22s and made some bolt modifications, so maybe they're just being extra cautious. Once that rifle hits the shelves, the .17 caliber rimfire is definitely here to stay.

[bullseye1911]

Thanks to all on the input...Bullseye

[dd5339]

Actually after firing a Ma Duece nothing else compares, (the Mk 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher might come close though)!

If the .50's are muzzle braked properly and designed properly I hear they're pleasant to shoot.

Having shot a TC Contender in 45-70 with very hot loads and a Weatherby 460 Mag, I've decided to stay with .30 cal and below unless I get in an arguement with a Cape Buffalo.

Semper Fi

[Vic3O3]

I've decided to stay with .30 cal and below unless I get in an arguement with a Cape Buffalo

See, I'd be there with the Ma Deuce, backing him up...when he goes cow-tipping in Tanzania!