Thread: 17HMR SEMI

Gee, hasn't taken long, been offered a Tikka, Savage bolt and semi.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Is there a 17 HMR semi worth buying or stay with a bolt. Have a very large hare problem to sort, centrefire too noisy.

Have you considered sticking to 22LR? I've had major hare issues with young trees too, 10/22 using the "keep pulling the trigger until they stop moving" technique is what I ended up with. Cheap ammo, not too loud, handy little carbine. I am mainly at fairly short range, although it's amazing how far out you can kill a hare at with 22LR with a good shot. There is a degree of satisfaction shooting a hare at a range where you're aiming 3-400mm high and have fired the 5th round before the first one even gets there.

I've seen hares do over $2000 worth of damage to tree plantings in a single night, no expense is excessive to get the right tool for the job.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

Have you considered sticking to 22LR? I've had major hare issues with young trees too, 10/22 using the "keep pulling the trigger until they stop moving" technique is what I ended up with. Cheap ammo, not too loud, handy little carbine. I am mainly at fairly short range, although it's amazing how far out you can kill a hare at with 22LR with a good shot. There is a degree of satisfaction shooting a hare at a range where you're aiming 3-400mm high and have fired the 5th round before the first one even gets there.

I've seen hares do over $2000 worth of damage to tree plantings in a single night, no expense is excessive to get the right tool for the job.

Will start with the .22 but want a bit more range when they get a bit more "wised up" plus I need another rifle.

For a semi apart from the 22 LR the 22 mag is the only real option. The Rossi cheapie is surprisingly good its got a cam locked delayed blowback operation and with the hornady vmax should give you a150 yard point blank range on a 4 inch target.
You want the rifle as a tool to do a specific job and it will it's plastic, Parkerised steel and alloy, certainly not a rifle that will be a heirloom.
Ammunition cost is comparable to 223 but shopping around may get you a better deal.
There is a review in the guns and hunting magazine on it, and I had the opportunity to use it duri g that trial so can vouch that it's not marketing hype.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Is there a 17 HMR semi worth buying or stay with a bolt. Have a very large hare problem to sort, centrefire too noisy.

If you are looking to have a semi to solve your problem, "too noisy" wouldn't be the problem at the top of the list for a centrefire, would it?

@tetawa, surprised it’s not a goat problem.
I would say stick with the bolt, if you can get it suppressed than great.
Decent glass on her (yes her) and reach out and touch from a distance.
I’ve yet to test my 4-16x42 but with a drop chart picking off would be fun.

Originally Posted by Survy

@tetawa, surprised it’s not a goat problem.
I would say stick with the bolt, if you can get it suppressed than great.
Decent glass on her (yes her) and reach out and touch from a distance.
I’ve yet to test my 4-16x42 but with a drop chart picking off would be fun.

No goats, problem isn't local, 200 km away, will be suppressed for sure, will head north tomorrow and see what's on offer.

Do any of you own a .17 HMR Tikka, looked at one today.

Another one for the knowledgeable, difference in noise 22 Hornet against 17 HMR both suppressed.

having used both at night spotlighting wallabies I would say the .223 with good suppressor isnt a HUGE deal louder than the 17hmr and with varmit projectiles is every bit as safe as far as ricochets is concerned

Not owned one but sighted in a few for customers . Little short in the stock for me but putting a std tikka recoil pad on would sort that out.
Rifles were silly accurate ... Its a tikka.

Originally Posted by Clint Ruin

Not owned one but sighted in a few for customers . Little short in the stock for me but putting a std tikka recoil pad on would sort that out.
Rifles were silly accurate ... Its a tikka.

This one had a std Tikka pad fitted, thing I wasn't keen on was the 3/8 dovetail, was tapped so maybe Weaver type base is made for them, retailer didn't know.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

having used both at night spotlighting wallabies I would say the .223 with good suppressor isnt a HUGE deal louder than the 17hmr and with varmit projectiles is every bit as safe as far as ricochets is concerned

Have a little Walther 22 Hornet that is exceptionally accurate, thought of threading it, 1/2 the powder of the .223. The retailer I spoke with today stated the 17 hmr had a crack to it so maybe little difference between the two with a centrefire DPT on them.

Originally Posted by tetawa

This one had a std Tikka pad fitted, thing I wasn't keen on was the 3/8 dovetail, was tapped so maybe Weaver type base is made for them, retailer didn't know.

Tally make rings to fit the T1 receiver .
I have used warne dovetail rings on all sorts of rimfires for years . As long as they are fitted correctly they are fine

Originally Posted by Mauser308

The .17 definitely has a characteristic bark to it. It does travel so from my point the .223 is nowhere near as loud from a distance. It's the speed that the little pill is cracking along at that causes the bark, not the powder volume...

Its slower than a 223 though, only fast for a rimfire!

I agree that they have a remarkably sharp crack to them for such a small round though.