Advice from .17 hmr owners needed

[30-6]

I'm about to buy my first .17 hmr and have read everything I can find on this calibre. But would like to ask shooters who use this calibre for their personal experience.

 

It will probably be a CZ Style in 16" ( I have the same in .22 lr ).

 

I was granted it on the basis of (a) longer range shooting and (B) safer shooting - no ricochetts.

 

Q1 - There are some fields I shoot which are very stony, and I do not use the .22 lr here for fear of ricochetts, ( buildings other side of hedge ), would the .17 be ok here ? Is the calibre really that "safe" ?

 

Q2 - On the same basis as Q1, there are some shots say where cattle are around in grass fields, not too close, but I refrain from the shot with the .22, would the .17 be an acceptable shot here ?

 

Q3 - Are ear defenders needed, how loud is the report to the shooter with moderator fitted, or is the report "down wind" ?

 

Q4 - How far away would someone be able to hear the report on a still day, 100yds, 200 yds or what ?

 

Q5 - Do the 17gr and the 20gr ammo both avoid ricochetts, or is one better than the other ?

 

Thanks in advance, if anybody could offer any other advice it will be much appreciated.

Edited December 28, 2010 by 30-6

[mickanles]

i have a cz in .22 and .17 , still get an odd zinger of the .17 , i dont shoot either if any livestock around, just not worth the risk.

[V8 90]

Hi

 

Q1. .17Hmr "can" still produce a ricochet BUT rarely.

 

Q2. How close ?? See Q1 above

 

Q3. Yes you need hearing protection.

 

Q4. Depends on the landscape really.

 

Q5. I only use 17gr ammo (Remmington) I have fired "lots" and only had 1 ricochet BUT the lead in the round does carry - be aware of that.

 

Hope my answers help you.

 

I use a CZ452 Varmint & love it !! I shoot on open land & dont have to worry about ricochet's but I'm always aware of them.

[kent]

I'm about to buy my first .17 hmr and have read everything I can find on this calibre. But would like to ask shooters who use this calibre for their personal experience.

 

It will probably be a CZ Style in 16" ( I have the same in .22 lr ).

 

I was granted it on the basis of (a) longer range shooting and (B) safer shooting - no ricochetts.

 

Q1 - There are some fields I shoot which are very stony, and I do not use the .22 lr here for fear of ricochetts, ( buildings other side of hedge ), would the .17 be ok here ? Is the calibre really that "safe" ?

 

Q2 - On the same basis as Q1, there are some shots say where cattle are around in grass fields, not too close, but I refrain from the shot with the .22, would the .17 be an acceptable shot here ?

 

Q3 - Are ear defenders needed, how loud is the report to the shooter with moderator fitted, or is the report "down wind" ?

 

Q4 - How far away would someone be able to hear the report on a still day, 100yds, 200 yds or what ?

 

Q5 - Do the 17gr and the 20gr ammo both avoid ricochetts, or is one better than the other ?

 

Thanks in advance, if anybody could offer any other advice it will be much appreciated.

 

 

No,No,No do not trust the HMR not to ricochet. Yeah i use one quite a lot, stoney ground, expensive stock not a chance. In truth the .22 lr will on ocasions ricochet off a rabits head struck at certain angles and the HMR is significantly better but NEVER treat it any different. With a moderator i shouldn't use muffs not even in zeroing being supersonic you are dealing with the sonic crack and this will reflect off solid objects as the bullrt passes so distance heard depends on terrain.

If you want a lower ricochet risk buy a 30ft lb air rifle, even that can ricochet but at least it aint carrying 10 times the energy with a range potential to match.

Seriously it only takes one mistake don't risk it

[30-6]

Hi Kent, hear you loud and clear.I have got an AA S410 FAC air putting out 32ft/lbs, but as you know sometimes a target is available and you have the "wrong" gun with you for that situation. It all boils down to common sense I guess.

 

PS Don't know where that icon came from in sunglasses, supposed to be a (B)

[30-6]

Think the gremlins are in my computer, everytime I try to do a "b" in brackets, an icon in sunglasses appears.

[njc110381]

It's very hard to answer your questions without seeing the ground. I would be happier on that sort of land with the HMR than with the .22 but still you shouldn't take chances. You can't be 100% certain that little pill is going to break up so if there's something that matters close in the background then I'd leave it or try to get a better angle on it.

 

As for hearing protection I never bothered. I don't with any of my modded guns if I'm out in the open.

[foggy011983]

I'm about to buy my first .17 hmr and have read everything I can find on this calibre. But would like to ask shooters who use this calibre for their personal experience.

 

It will probably be a CZ Style in 16" ( I have the same in .22 lr ).

 

I was granted it on the basis of (a) longer range shooting and (B) safer shooting - no ricochetts.

 

Q1 - There are some fields I shoot which are very stony, and I do not use the .22 lr here for fear of ricochetts, ( buildings other side of hedge ), would the .17 be ok here ? Is the calibre really that "safe" ?

 

Q2 - On the same basis as Q1, there are some shots say where cattle are around in grass fields, not too close, but I refrain from the shot with the .22, would the .17 be an acceptable shot here ?

 

Q3 - Are ear defenders needed, how loud is the report to the shooter with moderator fitted, or is the report "down wind" ?

 

Q4 - How far away would someone be able to hear the report on a still day, 100yds, 200 yds or what ?

 

Q5 - Do the 17gr and the 20gr ammo both avoid ricochetts, or is one better than the other ?

 

Thanks in advance, if anybody could offer any other advice it will be much appreciated.

 

Q1 i use hornandy .17 ammo. The land i shoot on is flinty and I have had 3 riquochets. Treat every shot as a possible. Personaly I wouldnt shoot towards houses even if there is a hedge.

 

Q2 same a Q1 treat every shot as a possable and if in doubt dont take the shot.

 

Q3 noise from a .17 is similar to that of high volocity in a .22 I dont wear ear protection, but shooting at night near houses will cause a problem.

 

Q4 at a guess someone could hear it a mile away outside. In a double glazed house maybe only 400 yards away.

 

Q5 i only use the 17 grain.

 

Potentially any round can ricochet even a bomb from a harrier jump jet. It just needs the right angle and to hit the right part of the bullet.

 

By the sounds of things your thinking a .17 will elliminate the need to worry about ricochet so you can shoot closer to people or livestock. I personaly wouldnt take the risk, and would treat it like any other round.

 

Having said that they are great guns and very accurate.

 

Hope this helps

steve