17HMR vs 204 ruger

Originally Posted By: DDJI hope you didn't confuse the 17HMR with some of the 17 cal centerfires. Although I don't have any experience with them I do find them kind of tempting. Gotta be cheap to reload getting a lot of mileage out of a pound of powder with those little cases.

Dave, you are truly missing some great times!

I started shooting a 17AH about 6 years ago and since that time have added another. With Lil Gun I start 20gr. V-Maxes down the road at 3500fps. Yup, I get 700 loads from a 1# can!

Sold both of my 17HMR rifles. I can shoot the 17AH cheaper.

Last year I started a 17FB, it is fun too!
 
Originally Posted By: claimbusterOriginally Posted By: ssgt walshOriginally Posted By: claimbusterOriginally Posted By: skb2706I don't own any "weapons" but I have both in rifles. Hands down the .204 is a better "gun" for anything bigger than a prairie dog.

"This is my weapon, this is my gun. One is for killing, and one is for fun"....or something like that!

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To really answer the initial question, tell us what you intend to use it for? What is adequate for ground squirrels at 75 yds. is a whole lot different than mountain lions at 200 yds. Bot examples have their places but are truly like comparing a Kenworth to a Ford Ranger.

just looking for a good weapon to take coyotes with out here in the desert. have a mossberg 935 ultimag and a CZ 550 varmit in .308 but was looking for a smaller round for yotes and the occasional fox. the longest shot i am looking at taking is 300 yds. i am not looking to keep the furs, just want to go out and bust some yotes. dont need it for rabbits or prarie dogs.

One more question that I forgot earlier. Do you reload or intend to start reloading?

I know I'll get a lot of underwear all knotted up around here again, but your answer rules out the 17HMR, IMHO.

However, if you are just starting out, and particularly if you don't roll your own, be sure to keep the 223 in the running. It may not be as "cool" as some calibers; however, it is pretty hard to beat for a lot of reasons.

i would like to start reloading, but living in military housing does not permit me to do so (housing has a thing about storing black powder in our house) so for right now that is off of the table. i am keeping the 223 in the running without a doubt. i carry a 5.56 in combat (M4) and i have shot 5.56 and i know that it is an indeed accurate round out to 800 yds. thats right, 800 yds (more if you get a floated match grade chromed barrel). you can hit a man sized target at 800 yds effectively with a 5.56 (223). i know about the load ratios being diffrent for NATO ammo and civilian sector, so dont everyone start trying to beat me up about that. i also know that at that range the kinetic energy lost makes it less than ideal. i am a fan of the 223 because i know what it can do and i think it would be a good choice for what i am looking for. just trying to get some insight on diffrent (new to me) rounds such as the 204. i have been reading about it and from what i can tell there are alot of people who like it, but i would rather hear that from people that i can talk with (such as this website). thanks for the info claim buster. i appreciate the help.
 
Hey ya'll this is a bro of mine, give him a break, new to pred hunting!!! Gotta say he's a stand up guy and we are going out this weekend to smoke some pups. all i'm gonna do is call and let him shoot, should be fun and give me a break from the pressure of shooting. as you all well know the 17HMR has it's place in predator hunting, fox, bobs, and a well executed shot on a dog, also bunnies and jacks. i have one and use it on the above animals. thank you all for basically answering his question and for all of those who are the internet experts on calibers, well prudence precludes me from saying what i think. there are way too many threads on this to continue discussion. thanx again, and feel free to PM me if you have issues on my post. thanx! RK out.
 
Sarge, if you don't reload, you'll typically find 223 ammo cheaper, and more available. I own and shoot both - givn only one, the 223 would win out - hands down!
Mark
 
Ssgt, I've owned, or currently own, all three that are being discussed... I originally owned a .17 HMR, before the .204 came out commercially and used to be able to pick up ammo fairly cheap when Midway Arms would put it on sale, once in a while...

When the .204 arrived on the scene, the properties of the cartridge far outweighed the HMR and I had just built a .17M2 out of a Ruger 10/22 that provided me almost as much rimfire shooting fun as the HMR... The .204 was just a better graduation for shooting Prairie Dogs (my real love), at much longer ranges (125yd - 300+yd)...My .223 would reach them, but I liked to see the impacts with the .204 ...The .17 HMR was quickly sold...

At that time, .223 ammo was pretty cheap ($53 per 200 HPs) and .204 was running $13 per 20, so I started to reload due to cost..

In your situation, I would stay with the .223 for having only one light caliber rifle and not being able to reload..

Some guys in the military rent a small storage locker and set up their loading in there to stay within base rules, but still be able to shoot their choice..Just a thought..
 
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Originally Posted By: OldTurtle

Some guys in the military rent a small storage locker and set up their loading in there to stay within base rules, but still be able to shoot their choice..Just a thought..

Good idea Turtle..
I read your post to say that you couldn't store "Black Powder" on base..
You may not be aware of it but the reloading of centerfire ammo requires "Smokeless Powder" which isn't nearly as volitile as black powder... Do the rules specify black powder, or is it all gun powder that's not allowed..
If it's only black powder, you might think about getting set up to reload with one of the starter kits out there.. That's when the fun really begins...
If reloading's out of the question for now,, then the 223 probably is the best way to go for now..
Luck
Charlie
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteOriginally Posted By: OldTurtle

Some guys in the military rent a small storage locker and set up their loading in there to stay within base rules, but still be able to shoot their choice..Just a thought..

Good idea Turtle..
I read your post to say that you couldn't store "Black Powder" on base..
You may not be aware of it but the reloading of centerfire ammo requires "Smokeless Powder" which isn't nearly as volitile as black powder... Do the rules specify black powder, or is it all gun powder that's not allowed..
If it's only black powder, you might think about getting set up to reload with one of the starter kits out there.. That's when the fun really begins...
If reloading's out of the question for now,, then the 223 probably is the best way to go for now..
Luck
Charlie

black powdr, smokeless, primers, explosives or any kind of combustible used to manufacture, reproduce, or enhance ammunition is forbidden in base housing. i have looked at the reload kits out there and was very interested in purchasing one, until i found out the guy across the street is in charge of the I&L on base who oversees housing and thought it may not be a good idea to have that stuff set up in the garage where he might see it. i am still looking and think i might pick up a 204 bolt if i can find one for a good price. then i am going to save up and get a black gun and that will cover my 223 needs.
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteOriginally Posted By: OldTurtle

Some guys in the military rent a small storage locker and set up their loading in there to stay within base rules, but still be able to shoot their choice..Just a thought..

Good idea Turtle..
I read your post to say that you couldn't store "Black Powder" on base..
You may not be aware of it but the reloading of centerfire ammo requires "Smokeless Powder" which isn't nearly as volitile as black powder... Do the rules specify black powder, or is it all gun powder that's not allowed..
If it's only black powder, you might think about getting set up to reload with one of the starter kits out there.. That's when the fun really begins...
If reloading's out of the question for now,, then the 223 probably is the best way to go for now..
Luck
Charlie

If you decide to go this route check the rental agreement very closely. I did this some years back in Orange County, CA and the storage place specifically banned the storage of any flammable materials. I did OK because I kept powder and primers in an ice chest in the back of my covered pickup.
 
I have the .204 in a number of firearms. I also went a little overboard on 17 HMRs as well. The .17 is a perfect ground squirrel gun. Beyond that it has its limits. I managed to take a coyote this weekend with a .17 but it wasn't pretty. I shot twice and missed because of a cross wind. The yote was at about 75 yards with a direct crosswind of some 15 knots. I had to hold about 10 inches left and finally made contact. I would have pulled out a more suitable firearm but the .17 was the only thing in the truck. I don't think the .204 would have given me the same issues.

My brother lives in coyote country and his truck gun is a Marlin .17. He gets yotes fairly often when he feeds his cows. I think he keeps the yardage under 100 yrds.

Thge .204 is a much better choice for coyotes but factory ammo is not cheap. If you are going to .204, you pretty much have to reload.
 
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