squirrels and 17 hmr

squirrel_buster · 01-28-2008, 04:38 PM

i plan to get a 17 hmr (marlin 17 v)
and i've been researching it a little and some say its perfect for squirrels and others say its overkill and wastes tons of meat i also hear it is fine if a head shot is made i just want to know if anybody has an opinion on that

jerry · 01-28-2008, 04:41 PM

Our upstanding member Webs has had great success. My guess is head shots would still be best.

Look at the small game forum and see Webs post. Good stuff indeed.

webs · 01-28-2008, 06:07 PM

If you can make all head shots in the Squirrel woods,a .17 HMR is an excellent long range rimfire rifle.Hits anywhere else will be wasteful and possibly result in the loss of meat.If you are like me and can't make every shot a head shot, then I would suggest the .17 Mach 2.It is somewhat destructive,but much less than the HMR.A lot of the gun manufactuers have cur-tailed or stopped production of the .17 Mach 2 and some feel ammo may be high priced or un-available in the future.I am not sure about this but this is something to keep in mind before buying one.I have hunted Squirrel with the HM2 since the fall of 2004 and as long as I can get ammo,it will be my 1st choice of Squirrel rifles.

squirrel_buster · 01-28-2008, 06:11 PM

thank u i will keep that in mind, but i havent seen any 17 mach 2(that i can recall) on the market if you no a good manufactuer please tell me

webs · 01-28-2008, 06:46 PM

Your right,a lot of people don't even know there are two .17 rimfires.Alot of gun makers made them, if you can find them.Cz,Savage Arms and Marlins are reasonably priced.

two-70 · 01-28-2008, 07:21 PM

ruger makes the 77/17 mkII

Long Gun · 02-02-2008, 04:35 PM

The HMR is great squirrel gun IMO. I don't kill many because I intentionally do try for the head shot because of the destructive nature of the HMR on such small game. But waiting for the head shot is part of the stalk for me. Is the HMR overkill? . . . in reality . . . probably so, but I thoroughly enjoy hunting with my HMR. I could have killed a sack full if all I wanted to do was kill. No - I wanted to make head shots. The added bonus is easier cleaning when preparing them for the table - no broken bones or blood shot meat, or shot and hair to dig out. Making the head shot requires patience and a little scheming to set up. Just more fun as far as I am concerned.
v/r
LG

01-28-2008, 04:38 PM	#1
squirrel_buster Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LOUISIANA Posts: 24	squirrels and 17 hmr i plan to get a 17 hmr (marlin 17 v) and i've been researching it a little and some say its perfect for squirrels and others say its overkill and wastes tons of meat i also hear it is fine if a head shot is made i just want to know if anybody has an opinion on that

01-28-2008, 04:41 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Our upstanding member Webs has had great success. My guess is head shots would still be best. Look at the small game forum and see Webs post. Good stuff indeed. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

01-28-2008, 07:21 PM	#6
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	ruger makes the 77/17 mkII __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-28-2008, 06:07 PM	#3
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 255 Images: 3	If you can make all head shots in the Squirrel woods,a .17 HMR is an excellent long range rimfire rifle.Hits anywhere else will be wasteful and possibly result in the loss of meat.If you are like me and can't make every shot a head shot, then I would suggest the .17 Mach 2.It is somewhat destructive,but much less than the HMR.A lot of the gun manufactuers have cur-tailed or stopped production of the .17 Mach 2 and some feel ammo may be high priced or un-available in the future.I am not sure about this but this is something to keep in mind before buying one.I have hunted Squirrel with the HM2 since the fall of 2004 and as long as I can get ammo,it will be my 1st choice of Squirrel rifles.

01-28-2008, 06:11 PM	#4
squirrel_buster Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LOUISIANA Posts: 24	thank u i will keep that in mind, but i havent seen any 17 mach 2(that i can recall) on the market if you no a good manufactuer please tell me

01-28-2008, 06:46 PM	#5
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 255 Images: 3	Your right,a lot of people don't even know there are two .17 rimfires.Alot of gun makers made them, if you can find them.Cz,Savage Arms and Marlins are reasonably priced.

02-02-2008, 04:35 PM	#7
Long Gun Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 19	The HMR is great squirrel gun IMO. I don't kill many because I intentionally do try for the head shot because of the destructive nature of the HMR on such small game. But waiting for the head shot is part of the stalk for me. Is the HMR overkill? . . . in reality . . . probably so, but I thoroughly enjoy hunting with my HMR. I could have killed a sack full if all I wanted to do was kill. No - I wanted to make head shots. The added bonus is easier cleaning when preparing them for the table - no broken bones or blood shot meat, or shot and hair to dig out. Making the head shot requires patience and a little scheming to set up. Just more fun as far as I am concerned. v/r LG