17HMR CCI 20gr recovered from rabbit

[crieffy]

I found this bullet sitting on the sand about 6" behind where I had shot a rabbit head-on at 86yards. It entered just below the chin, breaking the front right leg then carried on the full length of the body and exited just in front of the tail.

You could nearly use it again.

[Frank]

Thats impresive. Looks like the CCI 20gr, would be better for close range fox.

[crieffy]

Certainly seems to penetrate plenty (no foxes up here for me though) it was a big rabbit so the bullet probably travelled 10". I usually use the 17gr stuff, which occasionally won't exit a chest-shot rabbit at the same ranges. I've only ever found tiny fragments of those bullets.

[Axe]

Makes me think that sticking with the 17gr V-Max is the right choice. That 20gr HP obviously doesnt transfer much of its energy. What impact dammage did this particular shot cause compared to what you know of the V-Max?

[Frank]

Id say it would be good for chest shots on foxes up to 120 yds and under with a good backstop.

[crieffy]

Makes me think that sticking with the 17gr V-Max is the right choice. That 20gr HP obviously doesnt transfer much of its energy. What impact dammage did this particular shot cause compared to what you know of the V-Max?

 

This particular rabbit hardly moved - actually thought I'd missed 'til he rolled over. Apart from the broken leg you would hardly have known it had been hit. The V-Max stuff is certainly far better for rabbits. Initially I thought the 20gr HPs were ok but have found that unless it's a headshot they can be quite ineffective, even with chest and neck hits.

[al4x]

it does show impressive penetration and the yanks use them for when they shoot squirrels as it doesn't damage the meat as much. But Penetration leaves only a small hole behind whereas the Vmax's seem to cause a lot of damage and often don't exit. i've had V-max's go through 4" of plywood at 200 yards which says to me they don't have any problem going in far enough and once the polymer tip breaks off they are like a big hollow point and transfer of energy is pretty damned good

[henry d]

Remember that this bullet went through the soft organs and not much bone or muscle.I would agree it looks like it would do the biz on a short range fox,perhaps someone could,after shooting one try a chest shot at 70-80 yds and see what shape the bullet was when it came out the other sidre,if indeed it did.

Just a thought

[Axe]

Remember that this bullet went through the soft organs and not much bone or muscle.I would agree it looks like it would do the biz on a short range fox,perhaps someone could,after shooting one try a chest shot at 70-80 yds and see what shape the bullet was when it came out the other sidre,if indeed it did.

Just a thought

 

 

What concerns me about the 20gr HP as demonstrated, if a front chest shot is taken on a Fox, you could well miss the vitals as it doesnt appear to transfer much energy on soft tissue. This then would carry on the length of the internal organs causing a painful death. This is after all a tiny .17 calibre bullet.

 

Knowing the results I have had from the V-Max I cant see me ever switching to HP for any reason at all. The massive energy transfer that the V-Max provides, for me, is a much more humane tool. It provides a greater tolerance to accuracy and is much safer.

 

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I would have thought the properties provided by the V-Max would make it a better round to use at longer distances, especially on a Fox. Please note however, I mean head or front on chest shots only.