Which .17HMR Rifle should I buy?

[harpo_the_bad]

Hello folks,

 

I live in Norfolk, England and I'm looking at getting my FAC soon for targets and pest control (corvids, rabbits, rats, pigeons, maybe foxes now and again).

 

.17HMR sounds like a really good calibre from the research I've done so far. But can anyone tell me:

 

1 - What manufacturers are there that make this type of rifle? And which are the ones that I should consider buying?

 

2 - What sort of scope should I put on these things?

 

3 - I would like to buy second hand to save some money as my gunsmith (yes he fixes and mods guns as well as selling them) is pretty trustworthy and I know that he does sell things like this. Now what are the things I need to look for on a second hand .17HMR?

 

4 - When it comes to applying for my FAC; if I put a gun club as my primary location, will that limit me to shooting there? Am I best off putting a farm as my primary and the gunclub as my secondary to ensure that I will be allowed to shoot vermin and buy expanding ammo?

 

5 - Do you know of any gun clubs in Norfolk that will let me use .17HMR on the range?

 

That's about all for now,

Many thanks!

Shane

Edited May 8, 2008 by harpo_the_bad

[mosa]

Hello folks,

 

I live in Norfolk, England and I'm looking at getting my FAC soon for targets and pest control (corvids, rabbits, rats, pigeons, maybe foxes now and again).

 

.17HMR sounds like a really good calibre from the research I've done so far. But can anyone tell me:

 

1 - What manufacturers are there that make this type of rifle? And which are the ones that I should consider buying?

 

2 - What sort of scope should I put on these things?

 

3 - I would like to buy second hand to save some money as my gunsmith (yes he fixes and mods guns as well as selling them) is pretty trustworthy and I know that he does sell things like this. Now what are the things I need to look for on a second hand .17HMR?

 

4 - When it comes to applying for my FAC; if I put a gun club as my primary location, will that limit me to shooting there? Am I best off putting a farm as my primary and the gunclub as my secondary to ensure that I will be allowed to shoot vermin and buy expanding ammo?

 

That's about all for now,

Many thanks!

Shane

 

1, i had a anschutz but now have a cz 452 16" varmint

2, i have a 3.5 x 10x50 simmons wtc on mine but anything will do say 6x42 etc so much choice

3, condition, barrel, firing mech etc

4, i believe if you put a gun club you must attend so often and they may check, i would prefer farm land. You used to have to ask for expanding ammo but now it just comes back with ammo suitable for the destruction of vermin or words to that effect.

i sure there wil be a few more additions here so i hope my small imput helps :look:

[bob300w]

Choosing a gun is like choosing a woman, we all have different tastes. With guns, as with women, all you will probably get in response to your questions is what others like.

A large part of gun ownership is pride in your chosen gun, as in every time that you pick it up, you think "that's nice".

 

So, in answer to your questions,

1/ Most of the big names make a .17HMR. Google them to see the catalogues.

2/ Scope is a matter of what you prefer, variables are practical, but cheap ones may change their point of impact with changes of magnification, if you are on a budget, 6x would be my choice as a fixed power on a 17.

3/ Yep, second-hand is fine, but get it checked or have a play with it before buying, don't take the claims of 5 bullets consistently in one hole at 100 yards too seriously, it's on a par with the car salesman's; "one lady owner, only used it to go to church on Sundays". The only thing that you need to look for is accuracy. Pretty does not mean a lot if it produces 4" groups at 100.

4/ Yep, you have it sussed, get your ticket for sporting use, approved ranges will be included for zeroing in the conditions. You will of course need written permission from the farm, and the police will visit it to confirm that the land is suitable for the class of firearm that you intend to use.

5/ I would imagine that any range would let you use a 17, check before you join a club what the main interest of the members is, if it is serious target shooting, it's probably not for you.

Edited May 8, 2008 by bob300w

[InGen]

1. Sako quad.

2. Nikko Stirling Nighteater

4. The club you put down you have to be a full member of but once you have your gun and FAC you can shoot at any club but must attend the club you put on your FAC at least 12 times a year.

[harpo_the_bad]

Hello Mosa!

 

That's very helpful.

 

If I get approved for the FAC then I will have a look at what my gunsmith has to offer.

 

Do you know if I would be likely to be approved to shoot .17HMR on a 40 acre farm? Mostly consisting of marshland with a few bits of it used for crops. I know it's not enormous but on the plus side, all of the surrounding land is also marshes so any strays / ricochets are unlikely to do too much damage.

 

The reason I ask is because it's my grandparents farm. It's either that or I use a gun club or I try my luck with the gamekeeper where I live and I KNOW that he's been reluctant to sign for someone else so he may cause trouble for me too :look:

 

What do you think?

 

If I did risk it by putting the 40 acre farm as my primary and got rejected... would it make it harder for me to get accepted the second time? I'm worried about that.

 

Shane

[InGen]

hi 40 acre is plenty big enough there are people round here shooting on 15 acres. If you do get rejected then yes it will be a little harder to get accepted the second time but i see no reason from what you have told use why you would not get it. (quick note i would say fill out your profile some people here get a little annoyed if you dont and dont reply)

Edited May 8, 2008 by InGen

[steyrman]

i have the sako quad and had night eye scope but have nv on now i used to have the c z american its like bob 300w said its a matter of personal choice :look:

[harpo_the_bad]

Thanks for the tip InGen! Profile and signature added.

 

Would it not even matter that the marshland is flat? I was told by someone a couple of years ago (who possibly didn't know what he was talking about but who owned a .22LR) that I'd be lucky to get anything more than a FAC air rifle unless the land was bigger or had banks to stop stray shots. Tell me he's talking rubbish and I'll be your friend for life :look: haha!

 

Shane

[InGen]

lol if you were using something like a .308 then yes what he says would apply but for a 17HMR and 40 aces you will be fine.

[Dave-G]

I don't want to wet your chips but forty acres of FLAT or near flat land will almost certainly be rejected as suitable for rimfire use. The best you are likely to get is FAC air.

 

You might do better looking towards a shotty to accompany it.

[harpo_the_bad]

Hello Dave,

 

Argh! Wet chips indeed!

 

I really don't know what to do now...

 

I already have a shotgun certificate though. I've got two: A Rottweill over & under 12ga. and a '2+1' 12ga with 3.5" chamber Sold my little folding .410 a few months ago.

 

Maybe I should just look for more suitable land... maybe try the gamekeeper.

 

The problem is that a few months ago when I decided I wanted a rifle, my dad suddenly decided that he wanted one as well and set about getting one before I did (don't ask, he's a bit of a loon).

 

Anyway... my dad, who has known the Gamekeeper for longer, asked for permission to shoot on the estate and the Gamekeeper said that he didn't really want to say yes because he already has 5 people with the estate as their primary.

 

What makes it even more annoying is that I know that one of the people certified to shoot on the estate has been diagnosed with a mental illness that makes him panicky and irrational around people... one of the others also has an extensive criminal record... which annoys me, but that's beside the point!.

 

So... after refusing my dad, I think he's unlikely to say yes to me Even though I've been helping him by shooting corvids, bunnies, pigeons and foxes, etc on his estate for a couple of years now with my shotguns!

 

I've even borrowed the Gamekeeper's CZ .22LR before so it's not even like I'm not trusted!

 

Anyone got any tips on finding landowners with a rabbit problem?!

 

Shane

[Axe]

Dave/Harpo, it will depend greatly on the county and FEO as to what gets cleared for what. For instance and in total contrast, I have a 6 acre back garden totally flat, with a foot path on one edge, cleared for .17HMR! I don't shoot it with the HMR but it does demonstrate the contrast.

[ferretman]

now i have my slot i am after a hmr with do you lot think is the best as i am going to have a look later. i ant nicking this thred just after info like he is.thanks

Edited May 9, 2008 by ferretman

[bob300w]

Dave/Harpo, it will depend greatly on the county and FEO as to what gets cleared for what. For instance and in total contrast, I have a 6 acre back garden totally flat, with a foot path on one edge, cleared for .17HMR! I don't shoot it with the HMR but it does demonstrate the contrast.

As Axe says, there are no hard and fast rules, speak to your FEO and ask his opinion before you apply. Even if he does not agree that the land is suitable, you can then contact your HQ. Ask the land owner if others have permission to use rifles on the land also, if they do, you are home and dry.

I find it highly improbable that 40 acres would be rejected as unsuitable on the grounds of being flat, unless it is in the middle of a housing estate. Many people have been granted FAC's on less ground than this, but untill you try....

[pavman]

I have the Sako quad cause I am a fan of plastic

 

Fantastic, rabbits at 120 and a quick rub down with a damp sponge

[dazza]

I don't want to wet your chips but forty acres of FLAT or near flat land will almost certainly be rejected as suitable for rimfire use. The best you are likely to get is FAC air.

 

You might do better looking towards a shotty to accompany it.

 

 

A friend of mine has recently been refused an HMR on 80 acres of flat land.

[Dave-G]

I agree entirely with Axe.

 

With this being out in the sticks and surrounded by other land it MAY get cleared... but it would be a very brave FEO that sticks his neck out for a NEW FAC holder to shoot rimmie there when we consider the bullet should not leave the boundary of the permission. That would be quite difficult to ensure on flat land, though it's more likely to be passed for HMR than LR, and marsh land usually has some soft ground to minimise rickies.

 

It's helpfull to note that any land cleared for the partially experienced applicant will automatically also be then deemed suitable for Mr. First Day Shooter to use a rifle on. But ask the feo to see what he say's on an advisory basis. The fact that you have a shotgun certifcate will act in your favour. Just be prepared to accept the knockback without protesting too strongly.

 

All the best with it.

[harpo_the_bad]

Morning folks,

 

Apologies for bumping this old old thread... I've just heard back from the rifle club that I was hoping to join and got exactly what I was expecting: a big fat refusal for using .17HMR on their grounds. Even on the 100 yard prone range.

 

They had a meeting with their committee and discussed the issue with the NRA and NSRA and decided that they could up their restrictions to 2000 f/s and 350 ft.lbs to cater for some of their members who wanted .22WMR but .17HMR is still out of the question.

 

I'm a bit miffed to be honest. In my amateur opinion it seems a lot like they've disallowed .17HMR on a technicality. Surely a round that disintegrates instead of bouncing and is 2/3 of the allowed Muzzle Energy but slightly over the Muzzle Velocity (which makes a difference to what exactly?) is safer than a .22 WMR which is right on the limit of MV and will probably have as much energy on a ricochet as .17 HMR has when it hits the target? Still.. rules is rules and ours is not to reason why!

 

This club was my last chance, I've tried all of the others in a two county area! So this really concludes that there are no ranges at all within a 150 mile round trip of me that will allow .17HMR! Sucks huh?

 

Oh well!

Edited May 30, 2008 by harpo_the_bad

[Wookie]

That's a really bad bit of news Harpo. That seems to be the trouble with gun clubs though, they only cater to people with .22s.

 

Have you had any more luck with trying to get land? I think that is your best option (only option now) for getting an HMR.

 

Wookie

[harpo_the_bad]

Hi Wookie!

 

I'd kinda put the land on hold while I waited to see if any gunclubs would accept .17 HMR. We really wanted it as a 50:50 target and vermin rifle so this is a big disappointment.

 

The gunclub is still trying to get me to come over to the .22LR Dark Side... but I don't want to go down that road as explained before.

 

I got in touch with BASC regarding the 40 acre patch of land that my family owns and they said that it looked a bit too small, a bit too flat and a bit too close to a road to get a .17 HMR Disappointments all round really! I spose I could apply anyway and risk making things harder in the future if I totally run out of options...

 

I still have another couple of irons in the fire before that though. Here goes!

[Browning GTS]

I`m a bit late on this thread but now i am applying for a FAC the guns i am looking at are either the sako quad for .22 and .17 or the one i really like the look of is the Savage 93R17-BTVS a bit of a mouth full i know but it looks great

[rec-baller]

I am sorry to REALY wet youre chips, but what is the problem with small peices of flat land !!! i have a 15 acre golf course that has a railway line on one side and a main road on the other that is passed for .22/17 HMR, as the F.E.O said there should be no ricochets from the HMR he had no problems passing the land , i also got 30 acres of farm land passed 2 weeks ago for up to a .223 and that is pretty flat and only had hedges seperating it !!

go and ask youre F.E.O to have a look at it and see what he says

if you are a competant shot and can convince him of that there should,nt be a problem

shaun

Edited June 2, 2008 by rec-baller

[Teal]

I've got a CZ, as does everyone and their dog. It's an awesome rifle, superb value for money and ridiculously accurate. It's a joke, you can shoot match heads at 100 yards.

 

Very effective on vermin, although not for the squeamish. The stock on mine was also a cut above what I expected, a sort of "tigers eye" stone look to it, but I guess that is the luck of the draw.

[lurcherboy]

Whatever your choice checkout Sam F for a very good price

 

 

 

 

LB