Thegogg Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Well the time's come to give up my Anschutz 1517 17HMR which I've loved using for daytime rabbiting to around 180 yards but is now redundant due to my recent purchase of a new .204 so is there a calibre out there that would sit somewhere between a .22LR and .204? Is the .22 WMR a sub 150 yard round and are the .17 / .22 hornets too close to the .204? I'd like the replacement rifle for medium range (sub 200 yards) rabbiting and possibly foxing, ideally not too expensive to feed as I don't reload yet. So what do you think? Edited July 24, 2016 by Thegogg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 If we are to assume your .22lr is a dedicated sub sonic calibre at the moment then I see the WMR as the calibre to go for, certainly capable of rabbit and fox to 150 yards and generally 300ft lb plus. Ammo cost similar, or even slightly less than HMR, which will be considerably below 17/22 Hornet factory ammo! Just the same, if you want something between .22lr and .204, why sell the HMR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Why not use the .204 for both jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thegogg Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Why not use the .204 for both jobs? That would mean giving up a slot.... If we are to assume your .22lr is a dedicated sub sonic calibre at the moment then I see the WMR as the calibre to go for, certainly capable of rabbit and fox to 150 yards and generally 300ft lb plus. Ammo cost similar, or even slightly less than HMR, which will be considerably below 17/22 Hornet factory ammo! Just the same, if you want something between .22lr and .204, why sell the HMR? They don't allow 17HMR for fox in North Wales and it can get rather windy and it's just not the round to use in wind. Edited July 24, 2016 by Thegogg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) That would mean giving up a slot.... They don't allow 17HMR for fox in North Wales and it can get rather windy and it's just not the round to use in wind. Marginally tricky but ask them WHY, the latest Home Office guide lists HMR as suitable for Fox, so that's a bit like a regional office ignoring Head Office. If you find that awkward, talk to the BASC etc and get them to sort out N. Wales Do you have AOLQ or are you restricted? HMR is LESS wind effected than a .22LR, I know fully well it catches the wind (every calibre does) but you never hear people complain how bad the .22lr is in the wind and the HMR is better! Edited July 24, 2016 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe soapy Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Just be patient and wait for a decent WSM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 17 remmington :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I was just about to suggest the same ...17 Rem. I've just sold my 17HMR because the 17 Rem will do what it does and more. 30 years experience with the calibre. A good excuse to start reloading as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 If you reload build two loads for the 204", 32gr Blitzkings for close work out to 250-300 and 39's for fox and longer work due to higher BC, or as said keep the HMR and the 204", I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 17 remmington :-)You're biased mate!Still you have a cracking example, beautifully finished. I would be afraid to take that gun of yours out in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbietherimmer Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Another John Rambo clearly in the making...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Another John Rambo clearly in the making...... What ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 If you're going to reload anyway, 17 hornet replaces the hmr, excellent on fox and rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Another good calibre is the .22 Hornet. Easier to get new cases for and reload. Excellent for Fox, up to 150 yards, and hard hitting on closer quarry, such as ground feeding Corvids. I have a CZ 527 which is a nice rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I was just about to suggest the same ...17 Rem. I've just sold my 17HMR because the 17 Rem will do what it does and more. 30 years experience with the calibre. A good excuse to start reloading as well. This is the way i would go, the .17 rem is an awesome round its a big case for the bore size and is a versatile varmint round, Use heavier bullets should you feel the need and as mentioned in the quote its a whole new world with reloading compared to the .17 hmr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 If he has a 204, then a 17 Rem would basically duplicate it. No point in having both. If you want something in between then the 17 or 22 hornet are what the OP has described. The 22 WMR could also do it. rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thegogg Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Another John Rambo clearly in the making...... Who do you mean.....me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thegogg Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 If he has a 204, then a 17 Rem would basically duplicate it. No point in having both. If you want something in between then the 17 or 22 hornet are what the OP has described. The 22 WMR could also do it. rick Your suggestions sound about right to me Rick but I'm not going to rush in to it. I've started buying reloading gear but I'm not finished yet so I'll probably start reloading for the 204 as suggested by maxwell and take it from there. I might replace the hummer with an FAC Air rifle as I haven't had one for a few years now and I could start bashing the old tree rats again Thanks for all the suggestions and advise lads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robyray Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) well just my thoughts, .22 >>> what could go here ? >>>204. the 17 was built for this use, and to replace the 22 wmr. its performance in the early days (known as hype) was outstanding, now the problems with the ammo and these so called problems in the wind have taken its toll and the rifle/calibre has taken a dive in popularity. I have never been a fan of the wmr. and I dislike the 22 hornet with a passion, but I did love the hmr until I got my 20 cal, now to slot a calibre into the space left is a hard thing to do with respect to the following (and others as well) cost of a new rifle cost of the ammo do you reload for it cost of the reloading gear and component's (not as cheap as they where) and can you find the reloading bits you need close to home adding all this together made my best pal just keep the hmr in the cabinet, I have done likewise and now have a small cz style and a handful of ammo just in case.? I wish you well, on the replacement but better still, enjoy the 204. been knocking down crows out past 470 yards running a 40 gr or a 39 gr pill. Roby Edited July 25, 2016 by Robyray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 You're biased mate! Still you have a cracking example, beautifully finished. I would be afraid to take that gun of yours out in the field. I suppose I am now I've shot it, a lovely round to shoot, only on paper though yet. I expect it's like all the 17 cals really. Once I saw it all complete last Wednesday at the proof house I couldn't wait to put some bullets through it. It's ranking as one of me best looking rifles at the moment, once it's shooting how I want it may push my Sako 75 into 2nd place. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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