nderfel Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Quick question. I and two friends shoot together and I am tempted to go for a 17 hmr over the good old 22 lr that they use. They are raising grumpy concerns that whilst they plink away with subsonic ammo as soon as I let rip with the 17 it's going to scare all the bunnies away. Do they have a valid gripe or will the bunnies hang about and let us carry on picking them off? Cheers Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA-airgunner Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 17 does make more noise for sure but you will be able the shoot out to 150 yards with out to much trouble...22 is great at what it does and to be honest if you shooting out to 100 yards 22 will do plus almost silent and ammunition is half the price...will the bunnies spook once they get the idea that the super sonic crack is bad for them they will be off...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I've never had a problem past @80yrds I think the crack does not make a lot of difference to ground game, several times I have shot 4 rabbits out of a group sitting in a 10yrd area. I think if the bullet placement is right they just sit there thinking oh what's up with me mate, very little thrashing about just whack roll over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Recently I shot a squirrel and 2 rabbits all sat next to each other at 70 yards all within 1 minute without any running off . They don't notice to much and after 100 yards it doesn't bother them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 If you shoot an area too hard the rabbits will learn to identify the threat and be become gun-shy whatever calibre you're using. The best approach is to have all the tools in the chest at your disposal and use them wisely. Don't get predictable. Rabbits are much smarter than they're given credit for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telf Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 as has been said,no matter what calibre you use they will get wise after a while,if your shooting out to 100 - 120yds stick with the .22,any further get an hmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I can't say I've noticed too much difference between the two and I use both. Quite often the thud of the 22 hitting a rabbit is enough to send the others off, but equally I've had it where they all sit still whilst I pick them off with the hmr. Best advice is above- get both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nderfel Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 thanks all for your responses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffo223 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I have less problems with my 17hmr than I did with my 22lr. They just seem to be confused with my 17hmr noise. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I've got both and take out the 22 far more than the HMR. It's lighter, I've got a great little scope on it and I know what it (and I) can do. At the ranges I shoot (usually less than 150yds) I prefer it. And as people have said the ammo is a lot cheaper. Just a personal preference but I don't personally believe the HMR is the panacea it was once purported to be. But I respect those for whom it's the no. 1 tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Stick with .22 subs then switch up to a Small centrefire in my opinion. The HMR is very windy, getting more and more expensive to feed each year and now gaining something of a history of faulty ammo. The terminals I found very unpredictable two seemingly identical shots one might be spectacular another disappointing. .22 if nothing else is very predictable. Mine was a tack driver and I hate selling such guns but I don't miss it one bit and its been gone a few years now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I love my .17HMR and tbh it's my most used rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenj Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 I use both .22lr and HMR. The .22 is dead quiet and often get two, or three rabbits at a sitting before they spook, another day, "thump" and the rest scatter. Same with the HMR. The crack often makes the others sit up ready for another shot. Maybe nderfel's mates don't want to be out gunned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Funny isn't it? I often empty a five round magazine at five stationary rabbits (this is with the 22) and kill them all, then the oddest thing will spook them. I read somewhere about a 'scout' rabbit, which is the one not to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nderfel Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 my mates are always outgunned ken we tend to take it in turns to shoot and they are worried when its my turn i will scare everything away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobSpadger Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Its not your shooting that will scare them ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nderfel Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 i wondered if you'd turn up there goes the neighbourhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Its not your shooting that will scare them ;-) Exactly--It's 'shooting buddies!' What ******* nonsense! Three men with rifles--whatever sort--shooting rabbits? Is there no chat? Do they not make a noise? If you want to shoot anything, go out on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Gosh I have often shot rifles in company, not very practical moving about willy nilly on safety and noise of movement grounds. However when "moving" a wood or covering allotted areas its very effective Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nderfel Posted March 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 quite Kent - it depends on the ground and how its covered. In this case it makes sense as its a long valley, not that I'm explaining myself to uppity strangers on the interweb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 I had both and loved everything about the .22lr (Hard hitting, cheap, quiet) But hated the ricochetts and the loopy trajectory ! So I used the HMR which was lovely and flat shooting even if it was a bit noisey but I never had ricochett that I herd of, so I felt more confident and safe using it. the HMR also did a far better job I felt at close range fox. I wouldnt worry about the HMR noise wise ! Have what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 I have less problems with my 17hmr than I did with my 22lr. They just seem to be confused with my 17hmr noise. Paul I've got both and agree with this, only my observations but in the places I shoot the thump of a 22 hitting a bunny bothers the others loads more than the crack of the hmr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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