SAVAGE HMR Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 As you can probably guess I attempted the 300 yard .17 HMR coke challenge today. It was a bit of a failure to be honest. When I set out on my way to my permission the weather was fantastic, the sun was shining the birds were singing and more importantly the wind was low. I got all my kit together, rifle, ammunition, kit bag, camera, camcorder, tripod tools, roll mat and a can of Coke. Got round to my permission and started my hike up the hill, got to my shooting position and dumped all my kit. Got the camera set up and then the can of Coke on a fence post 300 yards away. Then it dawned on me, I didnt bring my target backer to check my shot placement. Because I was going to be shooting in to long grass it would be impossible to tell if I missed the can, where my shot actually landed. I tried not to let it deter me and convinced myself I wouldnt need it. To make matters worse the wind had picked up quite a bit. At the top of the hill where I was the wind was blowing right to left at about 8 MPH and at the bottom of the hill where the target was it was blowing left to right at about 14 MPH I checked my range card and dialed in my 96 clicks of ⅛ elevation to account for the 35 inch drop I'd be dealing with. Had no idea what to do with regard to the wind. I fired 15 rounds at the can trying to account for the changable wind direction but didnt manage to hit the can, couldnt even tell if I was close. I walked down to the can to have a wee look and see if I'd managed to skiff it a bit. Not a mark on the bl00dy thing! But, there were two holes in the fence post about 9 inches below the center of the can. I tried to use this new found knowledge to my advantage by aiming above the can and trying to take shots when the long grass wasnt moving. It worked to a degree. I fired about another 53 shots then walked down to check my target again. Four more holes in the post, the closest being just over an inch away from the can. Back up the field again! I was getting tired and quite irritable now. Got myself a drink of tea and got back to the rifle. I'd been running patches through the barrel every ten shots or there abouts so I gave it a bit of a clean and started up again. The wind was pretty constant now from the left to right so I started dialing in the windage two clicks a shot and after about 20 shots gave up on the idea. Feeling disheartened I walked 100 yards closer and dialed my elevation down for 200 yards. Last round in the magazine, loaded in to the chamber, aimed, fired, hit the can! Typical! I didnt even holdover for the wind and I hit it. So, to summarize. Coke can at 300 yards, impossible with changing wind and no target backer. Coke can at 200 yards with changeble wind, possible. I was quite angry at myself for giving up the 300 yard challenge but it just wasnt going to happen. I packed up all my kit and started to walk back to the farm. As I got down to the old train tracks I noticed a rabbit sitting in the rutts about 130 yards from me. Just a wee one but I thought to make myself feel better I'd dispatch him with the highest degree of accuracy I could muster to make up for the lack of accuracy earlier on. I lay on the ground, took aim just behind his eye and squeezed the trigger, Crack, zip, thwack! Perfect shot I thought to myself, I checked him through the scope, not a twitch. Then, to my surprise. A fox! sly little beast trotted out of the bushes on the left of the track and started sniffing around my rabbit, not having this! Sent a 17 grain pill his way to the head, dropped like the proverbial sack! I was well chuffed now, I had redeemed myself. Then as if things couldnt get any better, as I got up off the ground, the sibling of the first fox trotts out of the same bush to the left and starts sniffing at my rabbit. Standing this time, squeezed the trigger and hit him but he ran a few meters before he dropped. Upon closer inspection I'd hit him in the gut but after he dropped he was gone so I didnt feel to bad. I thought I'd have to chase him all over the place when he didnt drop straight aweay. Anyway, I will try the 300 yard Coke can challenge again, on a better day and I'll remember my target backer so I know where to aim if there is any wind. But till then you'll have to enjoy these two photos of todays bag. With any luck I'll have a video to post up here soon. Thanks for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1985 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 great read, great shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyrapid177mk2 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 great bit of shooting there mate. ive got a cz455 .17hmr great guns for the long range rabbits loads of fun great pics to mate atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku4399 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 great write up and well done for the foxes Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Good thread, I look forward to the next installment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 good shooting mate Wouldn't have thought a HMR would do that much damage to a fox though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Hat off to you for doing the challenge, 200 yards is angood shot, 2 easy foxes there both in the bag! Well done mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeedoodlepigeon Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Well done for giving it a go..and telling the truth. Better luck with the wind next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Great read,and a bit of good shooting to end the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conor Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 nice one, also didnt think hmr would open one up like that at 130yds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian1225 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Thanks for posting, really enjoyed reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yds Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 keep up the good work, i will have a go my self when i have time and NO wind, not sure when that might be though?? :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 (edited) Fair play to you for trying the 300 yard coke can! You might not have "completed" the challenge but you certainly spoiled that rabbit's and those foxes day, well done! Just out of interest what ammunition were you using to open up that fox like that mate? Edited July 23, 2011 by Frenchieboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon_snIPer Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Wow that fox is split wide open - good shooting mate. /S/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Good read. As you have said you either need a decent backing board or some sand behind your target preferably with a spotter calling the shots for you. So the 17 isn't good for everything with no holdover out to 1000 yards after all, you learn something new everyday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVAGE HMR Posted July 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 good shooting mate Wouldn't have thought a HMR would do that much damage to a fox though nice one, also didnt think hmr would open one up like that at 130yds Not all of the damage to the fox's gut was done with the shot. When ever I've shot foxes in the past I always pick them up and dump them on a patch of waste ground near where the farmer keeps haylage bales. When I'd picked this one up by the scruff of the neck and began walking with him the bobbing motion slowly exposed more and more of his gut. By the time I got to the bales 'about 500 yards' they were dragging off the ground. I didnt really want to prod them back in for the sake of a clean photo. Fair play to you for trying the 300 yard coke can! You might not have "completed" the challenge but you certainly spoiled that rabbot's and those foxes day, well done! Just out of interest what ammunition were you using to open up that fox like that mate? I was using the Remington branded ammunition. The ones with the gold tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Nice shooting The fox on the right must have had a curry from the same place I did the other week, that would definitely give it a stomach upset Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sully7s Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 good work and hope works out on the 300yrds 17 and mixed wind dont go well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 I don't even have an hmr and that made a cracking informative read, has anyone tried this with the 22 WMR? And 22lr and say 243? I remember someone doing a good write up with pictures and a few PW members shooting an hmr at range and it was a really good pointer at the limits of a round as some people get a rifle and go all "Tom beringer" Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yds Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Even can end on would be nothing startling with a good .243 and handloads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Even can end on would be nothing startling with a good .243 and handloads. That would depend on the range it was set at .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yds Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 That would depend on the range it was set at .... that is very true, but in continuing with the O.P. I thought you meant 300yd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Even can end on would be nothing startling with a good .243 and handloads. That would still be a fair old challenge at 300 yards! Might be worth a try (With an independant witness)! Anyone up for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 That would still be a fair old challenge at 300 yards! Might be worth a try (With an independant witness)! Anyone up for it? I'd agree franchie, but then I'm not all that great a shot as I rarely shoot anything at that range. Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 I'd agree franchie, but then I'm not all that great a shot as I rarely shoot anything at that range. Regards, Gixer Like you mate I do not class myself as a "great shot" and I do not (Normally) shoot at anything at that range but it would still be a reasonable challenge as I believe in constantly pushing myself beyond my "normal" comfort zone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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