Best 17 hmr that won't tear-up small game meat

[therussman]

OK I have rounded out my Arsenal for Freedom adding 2 CCI FMJ's and A17 (black poly tip) to my inventory.



I had a hard time finding the FMJ's at a reasonable price and the cheapest I found was Shyda's Outdoor Center at $13.99 a box ( everyone else who had then in stock was ~$16-$17 a box)

I am very curious what I can drill thru with these FMJ's. From what I've seen on youtube is pretty impressive passing thru a 4x4 but all those guys were using hollow point or poly rounds not FMJ's.

[nhw]

Almost off topic but I have to comment. I was reading this thread and came across a reference to Glens Outdoors. I had purchased 300 rounds of the CCI 17hmr fmj many months ago. They were the only seller I could find that had any in stock. Great shopping experience. So today selected the link and did a search for some centerfire ammunition that I had been unable to find at a reasonable price. Got one variety at $15/box cheaper than I could find it any where else. Then got another variety at $10/box cheaper. Sure am glad I read Rimfire Central forums today.
Still haven't shot the 17 hmr fmj, my CZ 455 is so accurate with 22lr using Federal Auto Match I don't think I will ever touch the setup. At 35 yards 5 shots make a hole just slightly bigger than bullet diameter. I will buy another rifle before I swap barrels.

[William Harper]

Dear therussman:
I hit a grey squirrel in the shoulders with a round of Hornady 17 gr red point and lost that meat. I love squirrel! After more practice with which I got the best sight settings to 100 yards, I bought a fresh box of the same ammo which shot into 1.0" at point of aim at 100 yards and was very little above line of sight 25 yards through 75 yards.
Before saying more I should tell you that I began shooting with iron sights in 1949 and got my first squirrel before that year ended. I was hand-loading and shooting center-fires by 1954. Many years of competitive shooting of most kinds have elapsed until I gave it up 1990-2003.
I am shooting a Savage Stevens Favorite model 30R17 .17HMR with iron sights that weighs 4.25 lbs with a 21" octagonal barrel. It makes a light and lovely woods squirrel rifle for an old man who began shooting with it after open heart valve replacement in 2003 wanting a little fun, which it most certainly has been.
Out of my second box of Hornady 17gr red spitzers I got 48 squirrels in 50 shots. All were patiently head-shot from a supported position at ranges from 20-100 yards. The two misses were my own fault trying to shoot the mark from unsupported offhand in a blasting wind at only 25 yards and missing! That is pretty humiliating if you are me.
I have found that if I stick to my shooting methods carefully, it really doesn't matter what .17 HMR load I am using or what it costs given the average of one shot one kill. Squirrel has proven healthy food. I practice marksmanship with a .22 LR version of the same rifle which has been good on squirrels, and with a CZ Ultra Lux- all from supported positions with the utmost concentration. My eyesight is still good at 75+ and the ferocious degree of perception that once won me the nickname "Squirrel Dog" is still with me. I have no dislike of scopes, just don't need them yet. I use a 12X monocular for aiding search sometimes.
Russman, study marksmanship with joy and zest until you can nail a target paster at 100 yards every shot from a supported position. When you can do that, you will be at home hunting small game with the .17 HMR. I wish you the best of luck in this quest.
Respectfully Yours,
William Harper






'

[Njanear]

If anyone is looking for Gamepoints, check out the deal at www.reedssports.com. I just saw that they were listed there for $5.49 a box (and free Shipping at $100) so I now have 20 boxes on order.

https://www.reedssports.com/shop/cci...20gr-50rd-4018

[nhw]

I recently got a CZ 457 American in 17hmr. I tried the CCI gamepoints on gray squirrels. Some were fine and some were a little blown up. Grouped 6 different types of ammunition. The gamepoints were very accurate. CCI fmj were also very accurate. Tried the fmj the next day on squirrels. Much better results. Although a body hit could be ugly it was much less than the gamepoints. Shot 6 squirrels both mornings. Could have shot more but after 6 cleaning them stops being fun. Did notice some tiny fragments in the wound area from the gamepoints. I will be hunting with the fmj's in the future. The 17hmr is quite powerful for squirrels but the added range relative to a 22lr is great.

[Arrowhead]

Academy Sports has CCI 20 gr. FMJ 17 HMR for $12.99. Buy two boxes and they will deliver them to your door with free shipping. I bought two boxes to test for accuracy. Accuracy was not up to snuff compared to the lighter weight bullets in my two rifles.

[Fenring]

The Gamepoint and XTP will also do a fair bit of damage to small game at closer ranges with chest shots. I've shot a few hares and rabbits with it.

I haven't tried the FMJ load but I think that will be your best bet unless you're head shooting.