Phil9 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Hi guys just a quicki,, what are ur views on shot placement when shooting a fox with a 17hmr (HEAD) (ENGINE ROOM) what are ur thoughts??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) always a head shot IMO, have had a few with .17hmr and all dropped like sack of spuds this subject comes up quite frequently on this forum and the same things are repeated, have a search and you will see all the opinions covering this subject and whether or not its a suitable round for fox, and also that some areas say yes and others say no. my area is fine with it for fox and ive had no complaints from the foxes ive shot with it, happy shooting Edited March 15, 2015 by belly47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Hi guys just a quicki,, what are ur views on shot placement when shooting a fox with a 17hmr (HEAD) (ENGINE ROOM) what are ur thoughts??? hmr is a tiny bullet so head shot only in my opinion.get summit bigger if ya want the second option. 22-250 fan on fox meself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Have yet to shoot one in the heed with the 17 and everything has been engine room.Just dont expect everything to drop on the spot but it doesnt make it an inhumane shot. Edited March 15, 2015 by sako751sg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pork chop Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 i was never a fan of the 17 hmr for fox but the few i did shoot were head shots and i still lost one ( had to be a poorly placed shot).better tools for the job than the hmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 .17hmr is now not allowed for fox in North Wales! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil9 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 .17hmr is now not allowed for fox in North Wales! I'm not in North Wales mate in greater manchester but thanks anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil9 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 always a head shot IMO, have had a few with .17hmr and all dropped like sack of spuds cheers for that mate a head shot it will be then, 80 yards max tho I want to make sure it's clean and instant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I'm not in North Wales mate in greater manchester but thanks anyway Sorry mate referring to myself - I live in North Wales. Just sold my 17hmr due to not being allowed on fox, might go for a hornet instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Sorry mate referring to myself - I live in North Wales. Just sold my 17hmr due to not being allowed on fox, might go for a hornet instead. Frowned on my neck of the woods also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Depending on the distance, a fox's head is a small target, and if it made the slightest move just as you pulled the trigger, some very nasty wounds could be caused. Personally, I would not head shoot a fox, even with my 243. I would either wait until I could get a heart/lung shot, or leave it. This is just my opinion of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I would rather use a .22lr at 50 -60 yrds with a CCI stinger H/L shot got rid of my .17 HMR . just my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I have found it a good tool with heart shots at sensible distances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 cheers for that mate a head shot it will be then, 80 yards max tho I want to make sure it's clean and instant Head shoot at your zero range which is 100 yards in my case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pork chop Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Sorry mate referring to myself - I live in North Wales. Just sold my 17hmr due to not being allowed on fox, might go for a hornet instead. that's what i did ,got rid and got a 22 hornet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I'm not convinced the hmr is anything other than a great bunny gun. I have shot foxes with it at under 80 yards but its a very wind affected round (even at 80 yards) and if you run any amount over a chrono you'll see just how much the fps can vary. Given the small target a head presents, plus it's the most mobile part of any animal, I'd say your choice is not a go-to foxing calibre in all but the most extreme circumstances. Better to look at something centrefire based if you want reliable kills. Just my humble opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I'm not convinced the hmr is anything other than a great bunny gun. I have shot foxes with it at under 80 yards but its a very wind affected round (even at 80 yards) and if you run any amount over a chrono you'll see just how much the fps can vary. Given the small target a head presents, plus it's the most mobile part of any animal, I'd say your choice is not a go-to foxing calibre in all but the most extreme circumstances. Better to look at something centrefire based if you want reliable kills. Just my humble opinion. I agree, the HMR for me is a bunny gun but it can do more, conditions allowing. 243 is my first choice as I have nothing between the HMR and the 243. In a perfect world, I'd like a .222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I have a .223 and a .17 Hornet (not used on fox's yet), I prefer ranges about 200+yds absolute maximum, and always try to shoot a lot closer. I have never used a .17HMR and wouldnt for personal preference, nor a .22 RF, except in traps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I have found it a good tool with heart shots at sensible distances. Indeed. Just as with any caliber, it will kill efficiently when used within its capabilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeadWasp Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Indeed. Just as with any caliber, it will kill efficiently when used within its capabilities. I agree too. Be conservative and be humane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Pretty much agree with the general run of this topic that if you want a foxing tool then the HMR doesn't really cut it, My force will no longer allow the HMR for fox but there is always the long running vermin debate on that one but I originally had it down for fox before their change of policy. If your shot placement is bang on out to 100yds then you will kill a fox stone dead but all the great claims of same hole groups have no relevance to shooting out in the field with all the variables of wind, unpredictable target and pilot error. I shot a few with mine until I shot one and it just starting running in circles and wouldn't go down, another round in the head killed it, on inspection the tiny bullet didn't expand leaving a small exit wound. The fox would have died from blood loss in the lungs but a .22 centrefire would have killed it pretty much on the spot. I now only use the 243 and have never had one do much after being hit with a 87gr v max. The hmr is best saved for the bunnies giving the advantage of a flatter trajectory over the .22rimmy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) .17hmr is now not allowed for fox in North Wales!They not allowed in south Yorkshire eitherAnd before any one wants to have a pop, if one was to come out in front and a clear shot was on with HMR I would take it Edited March 16, 2015 by bullet1747 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I have found it a good tool with heart shots at sensible distances. Same here no issues other than with the 20 grain bull try's that just went straight through. Dead foxes but ran a way, personally a pulled shot on heart lung area you have far more leeway for error. Head shot you have far more chance of injuring one in a way that will cause a lingering death. I've found it a surprisingly capable caliber under 100 yards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy bingo Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Depending on the distance, a fox's head is a small target, and if it made the slightest move just as you pulled the trigger, some very nasty wounds could be caused. Personally, I would not head shoot a fox, even with my 243. I would either wait until I could get a heart/lung shot, or leave it. This is just my opinion of course. +1 very sound advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Pretty good advice thus far and the usual differing opinions. I have a dedicated NV rifle in .243 that is my "go to gun" for foxes (or I use the .270 during daylight hours). However I also have 2 .17 hmr rifles and have shot a number of foxes generally opting for a head shot at sensible ranges (up to 70-80 yards or so). As usual it is just making 100% sure you are confident of a good, clean and quick kill. If you are not leave them for another day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.