spandit Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 One of my permissions is a couple of equestrian places, about 8 acres. I've had a good few many rabbits there but there are some in one of the fields that are not ideal to shoot with the .22LR as with this weather there's a real risk of ricochet which could travel over a nearby road and it's difficult getting close to them to guarantee an easy kill. Took the HMR this evening instead and took 3 of them at between 100 and 130 yards. The first was gut hit and very dead. The second had had the front of his face blown off which wasn't pleasant but the third started squeaking when I approached despite a massive head wound. I dispatched it the best I could but didn't take another shot that evening and came home. Hoping it won't put me off for good and going to check the zero tomorrow to minimise the risk of wounding. Am I alone in feeling this bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 (edited) Where you attempting to head shoot them ? If so then this happens and you either live with it or don't take head shots ... the same applies with the 'fashion' these days to head shoot deer under pressure from butchers and to make money out of what is shot. The 17HMR is more than capable of hitting body shots at 100 - 130 -150yrds even. I admire your safety thinking as the good old 22RF is the most dangerous rifle in the world. Edited June 19, 2017 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donegalcharlie Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Your definitely not alone when you have a bad shot or shot placement and you walk up on your quarry an it's still alive it isn't a nice feeling! It's not the intention but it sometimes happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d foxxer Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 no mate you are not alone all country folk I know detest wounding any critter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Where you attempting to head shoot them ? If so then this happens and you either live with it or don't take head shots ... the same applies with the 'fashion' these days to head shoot deer under pressure from butchers and to make money out of what is shot. The 17HMR is more than capable of hitting body shots at 100 - 130 -150yrds even. I admire your safety thinking as the good old 22RF is the most dangerous rifle in the world. Why is 22rf the most dangerous. A genuine question you understand. As for the topic, your not alone anything but a stone dead shot on anything is never going to sit well. But I suppose it has to be accepted as going with territory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 If it's too dangerous to shoot the 22, it's too dangerous to shoot the 17. If I'm reading what you've written correctly, you're shooting the 17 because you think it won't ricochet. Truly reckless shooting if this is the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 HMR are not seriously accurate given the cartridges are machine filled. I'd say you can expect 40mm drift at 120 yards as an occasional flier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Why is 22rf the most dangerous. A genuine question you understand. small powder large bullet makes sense it will bounce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 If it's too dangerous to shoot the 22, it's too dangerous to shoot the 17. If I'm reading what you've written correctly, you're shooting the 17 because you think it won't ricochet. Truly reckless shooting if this is the case. I could have written it better. The main reason for the hmr was the extended range over the 22lr. The lower chance of ricochet was a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Go for the engine room shot, every time at that distance. More chance of a kill every time. If you respect the critter that is the way to go. Never use any gun to kill something if you have the slightest doubt about its accuracy or your ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Don't like wasting the carcass though but you're right. I've confidence in the gun but haven't used it in a while and think I need to practice more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 small powder large bullet makes sense it will bounce Thanks for explanation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 You get used to the squealing after a while, it does put some off it can sound like babies crying. Just put it out of your mind and do the best you can to dispatch humanly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) Having shot thousands of 22RF over the past 60 plus years, I have experienced the tendency for particularly sub sonic 22 rim fire to bounce away into the wild blue wonder frequently, particularly on hard summer stubbles. I also have shot the 17HMR since it appeared here, I purchased probably one of the first CZs imported, I also shoot a 17 Remington and have done for the last 30yrs. The fragile 17 cal bullets have less tendency to bounce and the muzzle velocity helps here as well. If you have ever played 'ducky stones' as a kid, throwing suitably shaped stones onto water to make them bounce, you will know that throwing one as hard as you can will not work, but a more gentle throw at the right angle will get the stone to bounce. BUT, the most dangerous aspect of the 22RF is the fact it looks so small and harmless and therefor users think it is safe to shoot anywhere at any angle with little or no thought on back stop. WRONG. Way back when I happened to stand in for our Coroners Officer, I was talking with another, and he related how a lady had been killed by a 22RF bullet a good mile away from where it had been fired at a crow sat in the top of a tree. The bullet hit her in the neck. I have also carelessly fired a 177 air rifle, back 65yrs ago I shot at a sparrow on the hedge along our stack yard and heard a cry of pain 70yrds away in the lane running past our farm. I ran across to see one of my pals holding the side of his head behind the ear. Implanted in the skin was my 177 pellet which I flicked out. Serious lesson learned there and then about backstops and just how potentially dangerous even small calibres can be. You can take it from me , after over 60yrs of witnessing people shooting 22RFs, they are the most dangerous. Edited June 20, 2017 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Having shot thousands of 22RF over the past 60 plus years, I have experienced the tendency for particularly sub sonic 22 rim fire to bounce away into the wild blue wonder frequently, particularly on hard summer stubbles. I also have shot the 17HMR since it appeared here, I purchased probably one of the first CZs imported, I also shoot a 17 Remington and have done for the last 30yrs. The fragile 17 cal bullets have less tendency to bounce and the muzzle velocity helps here as well. If you have ever played 'ducky stones' as a kid, throwing suitably shaped stones onto water to make them bounce, you will know that throwing one as hard as you can will not work, but a more gentle throw at the right angle will get the stone to bounce. BUT, the most dangerous aspect of the 22RF is the fact it looks so small and harmless and therefor users think it is safe to shoot anywhere at any angle with little or no thought on back stop. WRONG. Way back when I happened to stand in for our Coroners Officer, I was talking with another, and he related how a lady had been killed by a 22RF bullet a good mile away from where it had been fired at a crow sat in the top of a tree. The bullet hit her in the neck. I have also carelessly fired a 177 air rifle, back 65yrs ago I shot at a sparrow on the hedge along our stack yard and heard a cry of pain 70yrds away in the lane running past our farm. I ran across to see one of my pals holding the side of his head behind the ear. Implanted in the skin was my 177 pellet which I flicked out. Serious lesson learned there and then about backstops and just how potentially dangerous even small calibres can be. You can take it from me , after over 60yrs of witnessing people shooting 22RFs, they are the most dangerous. great answer to the thread could not agree more my .22 went years ago although a very capable round just hated that noise of the bullet coming off even with a good backstop obviously. i also read a story at the club i used to shoot small bore many years ago of a similar outcome of a 22 and a fatality a mile away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 You get used to the squealing after a while, it does put some off it can sound like babies crying. Just put it out of your mind and do the best you can to dispatch humanly. I'll never get used to the noise that hares make when shot and not immediately dispatched! Dont shoot them now with a shotgun at all, might change my view if I ever get a rifle again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeadWasp Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 great answer to the thread could not agree more my .22 went years ago although a very capable round just hated that noise of the bullet coming off even with a good backstop obviously. i also read a story at the club i used to shoot small bore many years ago of a similar outcome of a 22 and a fatality a mile away .22LR used to have a danger distance printed on the packs (either 1.2 or 2km from memory) which, if nothing else, might at least have opened people's eyes to the potential lethality of the cartridge. 1 joule is all it takes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 I've a had a 22 lr out today with a load more rifles and ammo I sat them all there and even the 22lr didn't get up and hurt anyone. Rifles aren't dangerous it's the users all rounds will richotet just look at tracer fired at night. We even did a demo once firing 17 HMR at hard packed soil with a paper screen 15 yards back most bullets did not break up bounced when fired at a low angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 This isn't an attack on you, just my personal opinion. So long as you dispatched the animal quickly and efficiently without dithering, then you did the best you could; If on the other hand the animal suffered whilst you plucked up the courage to do something, then maybe you should be shooting with a buddy that can dispatch without a second thought. I've taken people shooting in the hide and seen them get in a fluster when it comes to dispatch, I would never let them shoot alone for that reason alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Sounds as though your zero or yourself is off the mark, its unfortunately a chance you take when you pull the trigger, but more practice generally makes for less wounding or accidents. As for people not wanting to dispatch wounded quarry fast, then you shouldn't be shooting live quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Carry an HW45 for close up dispatch shots, well worth having one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 .22LR used to have a danger distance printed on the packs (either 1.2 or 2km from memory) which, if nothing else, might at least have opened people's eyes to the potential lethality of the cartridge. 1 joule is all it takes. Dangerous within 1 mile it used to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 So long as you dispatched the animal quickly and efficiently without dithering, then you did the best you could; If on the other hand the animal suffered whilst you plucked up the courage to do something, then maybe you should be shooting with a buddy that can dispatch without a second thought. As for people not wanting to dispatch wounded quarry fast, then you shouldn't be shooting live quarry. Carry an HW45 for close up dispatch shots, well worth having one I have got an air pistol which would probably do the job but it's easier doing it by hand and I'd feel a bit of a walt carrying it. I did kill the rabbit as quickly as I could by breaking its neck which wasn't pleasant as that's where the wound was. It's a difficult pastime sometimes when it doesn't go exactly to plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Don't beat your self up to much about it. Unfortunately things that are alive do tend to move sometimes. Know how to despatch a wounded animal quickly, wether by hand knife or air pistol. Learn all you can from the experience, every day's a school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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