Thread: 17 hornet

If I used on goats it would only ever be head shots just like the .22lr. but dont worry guys I doubt I will ever own a .17 Hornet in my life

Originally Posted by Toby

If I used on goats it would only ever be head shots just like the .22lr. but dont worry guys I doubt I will ever own a .17 Hornet in my life

I do a lot of hunting with the 17HMR. I've done some penetration tests with it so have a fair idea what it can and can't do.
It'd be pretty cruel to even try on a goat with the 17 grain jelly tips. The bullet probably couldn't even make it far through the thick hair of a billy. They basically weld themselves flat and distinigrate if you hit something, hard or soft. The 17 grain can't make it through thin check-plate steel at 100m, but the 20 grainers sail right through (that's the difference in bullet construction).

Given the huge amount they are effected by even a light breeze, headshots are a bad idea. The 20 grain hollow points will make it through the skull easily... but the old saying "Use enough gun" is always applicable. Did you say you had a 6.5? Perfect for goats!

Regarding the Howa's, I reckon they're a pretty good value buy. I've shot one. Very nearly bought one (but got talked into a Savage 14 American). Given they're already threaded... that saves you $100. Good value guns, nice and short and easy to handle, and they shoot pretty well too. I'm a bit of a fan of those Hogue stocks too. You could do a lot worse than a Howa