17hmr Penetration Testing

Now the XTP:

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The XTP was a complete pass thru. The hydrostatic shock fractured the water bottle impressively. The bullet was found against the plywood backing.
 
I theorize the 17HMR was never intended for medium sized animals. Can it kill them? Sure, I've shot coons with the Vmax, foxes and rabbits too. Our foxes are usually 10-12 pounds and most coons are 10-15 pounds. The larger 20 pound coons often require a second shot to anchor them with a body shot. Then again, coons have MUCH thicker skin than foxes, rabbits, or cats.

Obviously the HMR is good at destroying smaller varmints. Ground squirrels here have bodies the size of a 12-20 ounce beer can. That's ideal for the HMR.

I'd guess a reasonable limit for the 17HMR is around 15 pounds, after that you're pushing the limits with anything other than a perfect shot.
 
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGI don't. The only two foxes I shot with the 20gr XTP both ran off. Same stand about 2min apart. 90-100 yard shots both were knocked down but they got up and ran into thick brush. I followed both blood trails as far as I could but never recovered the foxes. The first shot was solid, from shooting sticks. The second shot was quartering away slightly but I got him. I have not used the 20gr XTP on foxes since then and don't plan to anymore in the future.

In my opinion, the Vmax works much better, something about the hydrostatic shock or whatever you want to call it when the frangible bullet explodesand dumps it's energy, vs the pin prick thru and thru of the XTP.

Sounds like that theory on the whole 20 gr thing, might no be so!?!?!?!? Anybody body shoot any fox w/ a Gamepoint to see if there was a notable difference vs the XTP?
 
Originally Posted By: Mike BAnybody body shoot any fox w/ a Gamepoint to see if there was a notable difference vs the XTP?

Mike, as far as I know the Gamepoint and the XTP are two names for the same bullet.
Hornady brands them XTP, and CCI brands them as Gamepoints.
Someone may correct me if I'm wrong....


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Originally Posted By: CrazyHorse66Originally Posted By: Mike BAnybody body shoot any fox w/ a Gamepoint to see if there was a notable difference vs the XTP?

Mike, as far as I know the Gamepoint and the XTP are two names for the same bullet.
Hornady brands them XTP, and CCI brands them as Gamepoints.
Someone may correct me if I'm wrong....


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Even [beeep] they're described differently in the sales ads, it sounds like you're right on that. PMC apparently has a 20 gr. "JSP" now too that may or may not be different.
 
Very nicely done. I was impressed with the penetration of the XTP. Thru bone and then 6 inches of meat for that little bullet is impressive. Now you have to go one step further and do that same test with the 22mag.
 
You want a bone test? Here you go. A fox from last year, Marlin 17V using a 17gr Hornady Vmax. I aimed right between the eyes at 51 yards (confirmed on Google Earth). He tipped right over. His head turned right as I shot. I found him with fluids leaking from his downward facing ear. Since I couldn't locate an entry on his front side, I figured I must have got him in the ear as he turned his head. I was wrong.

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At home I looked a little closer and found the entry right between the eyes. His head turning must have been from the impact. There was no exit at all, just fluid leaking from his ear.
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Here is the entry while skinning.
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His jaw was locked shut from the fractured skull. The skull cap appeared solid, but the lower portion was fractured bad. The inside of the roof of his mouth was caved in too. But zero damage to the fur other than the tiny entry.

 
I shot the 17HMR XTP and the 22 magnum 40gr. Game Point into wet paper at 50yds. and the 17HMR didnt even come close to penetrating as far as the CCIGame Point 22 magnum did! I don't think the 17HMR was ment to compete with the 22 magnum in that way though.
 
Great thread !!

I've taken a few groundhogs but only one fox with my 17HMR so far, used a 20gr XTP. She only ran about 30 feet.

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Did the 20gr pass all the way through? Congrats on the kill but I don't think it's acceptable for animals to run at all with a decently placed shot. Also where I hunt a 30 foot runner could be unrecoverable or very difficult in the thick brush especially at night.
 
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGDid the 20gr pass all the way through? Congrats on the kill but I don't think it's acceptable for animals to run at all with a decently placed shot. Also where I hunt a 30 foot runner could be unrecoverable or very difficult in the thick brush especially at night.

Deer run all the time after being shot.
 
Shovelheadave, was the impact in the ribs about half way back? If so that would likely explain the runner. Nice red fox.
 
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGDid the 20gr pass all the way through? Congrats on the kill but I don't think it's acceptable for animals to run at all with a decently placed shot. Also where I hunt a 30 foot runner could be unrecoverable or very difficult in the thick brush especially at night.

really? 30 feet? that's ten yards.

don't bow hunt do you.

this guy hasn't shot very many animals.
 


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