Sage rats with the 17HMR

jspencer

jspencer

Member
I just picked up a 17HMR and went out to sight it in and shoot some rats. Ended up shooting almost 100 rounds and can't believe I waited this long to pick one up. I shot fewer rounds than I would have with the 10/22 and my hit percentage was way better.

Took my 7 yr old as my spotter. She kept me on them the whole time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Didn't get any pictures, but it was a blast.
 
Good job. IMO the 17hmr is by far more accurate than a 22lr. Its faster flatter shooting and more destructive on the other end. I have turned Prairie dogs inside out with the Hornady vmax at 50 yards.


John
 
Quote:
I have turned Prairie dogs inside out with the Hornady vmax at 50 yards.



I had a few of those. My daughter thought that was pretty cool, especially when they launch into the air a foot or two.
 
I picked up one the day before the P-Dog shoot last year and stuck a 4x scope I had on it and called it my "back up" gun. My 223 never left it's case all weekend long and it was a blast.

I'd sit down with my stix and pick on targets 100 - 200 yards out and with so little noise the prairie dogs would let you shoot a lot before they got wise and when they did I just move a couple of hundred yards and repete.

Was able to do doubles, more than once, got a couple of jack rabbits and 228 yards was my longest recorded kill. This year I've stepped up the glass power and I'm looking forward to a bunch more fun.


ELJ
 
The .17 HMR is probably the best all-around sage rat cartridge going in terms of accuracy, trajectory and report/recoil--I just wish the ammo had stayed at the price it started. Even at sale prices of $10/50 at our local Bi-Mart stores, I can shoot $30 - $40 worth of ammo in a couple hours of hot 'rat shooting. At full price I can reload my .204 for the same money. So, I shoot the .17 and .204 in the early season while the alfalfa is short then switch to my .22 lr when the 'rats get so thick that I hate use up my .17 stash and I can shoot all I want within .22 range. But, I agree, the .17 HMR is almost ideal for the game. Just wish I had as much money as time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
The ammo is a little pricey. I'm going to take the 10/22 as well for the close in ones. It definitely doesn't take long to go through a box. I need to get a couple more 7 rd clips so I can spend more time shooting and less reloading. Anyone have a decent price on the 17 ammo? $13 a 50 rd box is the best I can find locally.
 
I love my .17HMR for PD shootin.Me and a buddy of mine always try to see how many we can kill out of a box of 50 rounds without missin a single prairie dog.Whoever wins gets braggin rights which makes it a little more fun I think.The best I've done was 46 PD's out of 50 bullets if I remember correctly.Its no record but its a pretty good average....for me anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think $13 for 50 rounds is the normal price here too.Which is a good reason to try and not miss very many PD's too I guess.
 
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Hey jspencer, bi-mart has them quite often for $9.95/50



I looked it up on the net and it showed a Bi-Mart in Ontario and one in Weiser, is there another one that might be a little closer? Can always take a trip out that way, it's not like they don't have any rats out that way. No sales tax in Oregon as well.
 
Guess there's not one in Boise, I just checked the phone book, nothing listed. I do all the shopping I can in Ontario to save sales tax.
 
yep i just found the wonders of squeeky shootin with the 17 as well. Got my stepdad one for his birthday and my dad bought one(ya they were jealous of mine) and we been hammering them

here is my pops' first blood.
002.jpg
 
I'll run over that way this weekend and see if I can't find some. Need to pick up some 22LR ammo too. Maybe do some exploring as well to find a couple more good places to shoot some rats.
 
Bi-Mart got bulk .22 long rifles in this morning and they were gone within a half hour from the time they came off the truck. You need their card to get in but, it's free. Just ask at the door and they'll sign you up. They have the .17's on sale pretty often.
 
Not surprised about the 22lr being gone that fast. Stopped by Cabelas and they had nothing at all. Shelves were totally empty. You'd think that they'd have plenty of 22, but I guess when you can get it you'd better stock up with the way things are looking right now. Hopefully once the supply gets caught up and the demand drops off the price will get back down to where it should be and they'll be tons of it on the shelves. One can only hope...
 
Hardcore,

Spring Creek, huh? I've got friends who live up Hilltop Rd. if you know where that is. So the squirrels are out now, huh? Time to make a trip over I guess.
 
Quote:
Hardcore,

Spring Creek, huh? I've got friends who live up Hilltop Rd. if you know where that is. So the squirrels are out now, huh? Time to make a trip over I guess.



Actually i do know where that is. couple of good callin spots right off the road there. good for jack rabbits in the fall too.
Dont come over just yet, we just got like 10in of snow.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif and its still comin down.... pretty sure the squirrels will be down for a little bit, any of em make it.
 


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