Have any of you all tried out the new 17 caliber?

Even if the boy has a centerfire 17 caliber (unlikely), I really question the wisdom of teaching someone that it's OK to hunt large game with a round that was intended for varmints no bigger than woodchucks.

casey in SD

In terms of ballistic performance, the 17 HMR is inferior to just about every centerfire 22. And the ammo costs about the same as .223 Remington, which is a true long-range varmint round. If you handload, you can produce high-quality ammo far cheaper than you can buy 17 HMR.

That said, I can't argue with the sales of the 17 HMR. I suppose it has a place; if you're only doing short range shooting at small varmints and you're concerned about richochets, then 17 HMR makes sense. Otherwise, either .223 (for long range) or .22 Hornet (for short range) are a far better choice.

I'll admit to being biased; I've been handloading for over twenty years; once you've switched to handloads you'll never go back to factory ammo.

Well lets see , I recall right that was one of Parker Ackleys first loves 17 Bee (not that old but I guessing that was in the late 40's early50's). Now hope you can understand some of the wording at chester and relaoding books are at the farm so may have more than a few spelling errors.

17 cail. first small , cost of amo. , what are you going to kill with it. B/C would be ok out to where it would lose too much energy, and would lose its tarket mark. Guess just past 250 yds.. S/D would go throw just about any thing do to it size to lengh, so long as it had the energy. Off the top of my head, I would stay top of the line squirrel gun, ok for ground hogs (woodchucks), any other small anmials.

remember one of the best long range cail. is the 30. I see allot of people talking about 500 yds shot , I truly think they are measuring 500 ft. . That old 30-06 , can shot out to 300 yds. in most cases with no trouble. But if your a squirrel hunter, the small 17 would be a great gun, that small bullet falling to the ground, after missing that brushy trailed runner, would not have much left to hurt any one or anything.

If you have any loading questions or need a opinion : llmtvm@hotmail.com :

Be Safe !!

Teddy

p.s. started loading at 14, so have been around now for 23 yrs. boy time flys. A mountain of books and loading junk , boy if I only had time and the game where around like it was before.