New CCI .17 HMR Ammo

S

SteveM

Moderator - Deceased
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CCI's new 20 gr Hollow Point load. It should be out on shelves shortly.
 
Yep, it penetrates quite a bit better. On a recent trip to the CCI plant we shot some of the Game Points and some V-max loads into gelatin. I've circled the bullets in the attached photo. Top is the Game point. Bottom is the V-Max.

17GamePoint.jpg
 
Both the 20gr. XTP Hornady and the 20gr. TNT bullets were designed to give better penetration but I worry about the velocity loss with the heavier bullets. They are getting down around .22 mag velocity with much heavier bullets. However, the .17 HMR has the accuracy advantage because of superior bullet design. I still don't consider the .17 HMR a predator round and am afraid this attempt to make it better will result in its use alot more with bad results. We shall see.
 
I've never had any doubts about the HMR's abilities on foxes, coons and such... coyotes have fallen to the HMR before and if this new bullet offers that much more penetration there will be a few more hitting the ground after a lil' dose of HMR. Shot selection is key.
 
Rusty;
Distance was rougly ten feet. It wasn't a strictly controlled test. They just pulled some gelatin blocks out of the cooler and let us play around with some new loads.

Steve M;
I agree, it still won't make it a coyote round. I belive the idea is to reduce meat damage on small game.
 
I'm just looking into a fur-friendly caliber for these small grays we have out here in W. Texas. The effects of both of those bullets in gelatin look that they would blow pieces of bone, lung, muscle and fur a good 10 ft. past the fox if it was hit right behing the shoulder. Guess the .22 WMR would be a better choice.

Thanks again,

Rusty
 
I don't think you'd have near the problem you described Rusty. I've shot a lot of small game with the HMR and have found that decent shot placement doesn't make a mess at all. I've caught coons quartering away and made a mess of their skulls but that wasn't something I was trying to save anyways... for the most part you'll have clean ethical kills without fur damage.
 
Rusty, I have killed a bunch of those grays around your area with a .17 HMR and did not have any trouble with the 17gr loads. Neck and lung shots put them down but I was not shooting at them any further than 50 or 60 yards. I would think these 20gr bullets would punch all the way through your fox's.
 
Steve, some people will argue whether the .22 Hornet is a coyote cartridge. Many others argue about the .17Remington and so on. Heck, there are those that think anything less a .243 is too small for 'yotes.
Here's the way I look at it. The .17HMR IS GOING TO BE USED FOR COYOTES---regardless of whether or not it should just as the .22 Mag is. The .22 Mag is more consistent on coyotes but is still marginal. If the ammo makers can IMPROVE coyote performance by any substantial measure, they will have done us a favor. Lower velocity means nothing as far as I'm concerned so long as the bullet PERFORMANCE is there. After all, NO rim-fire should even be contemplated for over 100 yards on coyotes (and that includes the .22Mag). Alot of states that offer nighttime calling allow only rim-fires and shotguns. If a .17 user can get sufficient performance (.22Mag type performance) out of his Hummer due to better bullet performance, he'll have a more versatile rifle. The fact that it will be easier on small game is also a real plus!
One more thing, it would only make sense that the ammo makers would field test their new offering on the real thing or at the very least medium test if against the better .22Mag loads.
There would be no excuse for not doing so IMHO. ---- Mike
 
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