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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 28, 2008 22:31:54 GMT -5
I figure this might be my last chance to get some squirrel hunting in before Feb 15th. With 2" of rain yesterday, rabbit hunting wouldn't of been any good anyways. I'm sure Jimh will be all upset because I didn't call him ;D Kind of an impulse decision at noontime. Took out the 17hmr figuring I'd get some long shots - which I did - 3 of the squirrels were at about 60 yards. The other 3 were about 30. Limited out As you might be able to tell, the 17gr V max bullets did a number. If you don't hit them in the head (which blows about half it off), you're going to lose the entire front half (because it's going to be ripped off when skinning). I tell you what though - squirrels will flop around for a while with a 22lr. Sometimes you panic and want to rush over there before it gets away. This is a great advantage with the 17 --- you find you a blowdown (benchrest), you sit there, and you don't move. It's definatly a peace of mind / insurance policy I still want to try out those FMJs but right now I'm ok with these results. The back and hind legs are what you're after anyway. One other note - in the summer woods the 17hmr gives a VERY sharp crack and it scares squirrels. With no leaves to echo the sound, the 17cal is reasonably quiet in the winter. Squirrels were not very spooked at all.
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Post by dovehunter on Dec 29, 2008 8:28:03 GMT -5
Red:
If your .17 HMR is anything like the .22 WMR you'll do much better on squirrels using the solid point (non-expanding) bullets. They don't tear them up anything near as bad. I found this out early on with the .22 WMR.
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Post by jimiowa on Dec 29, 2008 9:41:46 GMT -5
Red thats a nice mess of squirrels. But I see a consistant pattern here. I've heard you complain about the trigger on that rifle and see your right for sure!! Obviously your pulling it about two inches to the right when you pull the trigger. Looks like you need to find someone who can lighten that up a bit? or aim two inches left for a head shot?
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Dec 29, 2008 10:01:52 GMT -5
Nice gun & scope red. It reminds me of one in my house.lol. Notice: only a guy that had to trade off his crappy Rugar, Would bitch about your shot placement. LOL. Oup's I had the wrong jim in mind . I was thinking jimh sooo sorry lol.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 29, 2008 10:10:30 GMT -5
Yeah Bounce, I think we've got the same setup. This rifle has a Rifle Basix trigger in it so it's set for about 2 pounds. I'm sure solids will not tear them up. Jimh has said in the past they basically leave a 17cal hole. Problem is they crawl off on me from time to time with a 22lr solid. So The ones shot in the shoulder were done so on purpose --- mainly because of the rest. Makes it even harder when the gun has been up for a few minutes and your arm is getting tired. Basically before I shoot, I figure out how much the crosshairs are moving. If I can't keep it on the head, I'll put it on the shoulder.
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Post by jimh on Dec 29, 2008 11:34:04 GMT -5
Red try the 20 gr game points. they are an expandable bullet but very tough. in my opinion it would be exactly what you're looking for. with the FMJ you're alright for head shots but if you hit the body it is going to pencil through. yea my .17 hmr is gone for now but i got a nice centerfire in return so i aint complaining. i'll get another down the road.
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Post by jimh on Dec 29, 2008 11:36:31 GMT -5
oh by the way Red i was free yesterday, today too. but i'm working tomorrow and wed this week. then fri mid morning i leave with my son to head up north of hanibal for the second youth hunt.
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Post by jimiowa on Dec 29, 2008 11:48:58 GMT -5
Well Red I stand corrected! If you have a 2lb Rifle Basix in that rifle it don't get much better than that. Must have been another rifle I was thinking of?
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 29, 2008 12:05:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I have a model 60 that's got the heavy trigger I wouldn't mind having a bolt action sporter barrel rifle in either a 17hm2 or a 17hmr. I've got that bull barrel, heavy wood stock and target scope (although I was shooting them at 12x) and that weights probably 9 pounds or better Get a sporter and cut a few ounces off that scope you're going to be looking at less than 7 pounds.
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Post by klsm54 on Dec 29, 2008 12:34:59 GMT -5
Damn! Those squirrels look like something shot by a guy who thinks a 243 won't kill a big whitetail buck. ;D ;D Holy crap! Talk about massive death and destruction.....along with extreme mutilation.... It's a nice mess of tree rats, but just a little to much gun for my tastes. To each his own, for sure, but I find 22LR hollow points way too destructive for squirrels. I'll stick with 22LR standard velocity solids.
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Post by jimh on Dec 29, 2008 12:36:32 GMT -5
scott give the boy credit though, i bet they didn't go anywhere after getting shot except where gravity played.
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Post by klsm54 on Dec 29, 2008 12:46:29 GMT -5
scott give the boy credit though, i bet they didn't go anywhere after getting shot except where gravity played. Oh yeah, they were definitely dead when they hit the ground... ;D
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Post by jmarriott on Dec 29, 2008 18:04:44 GMT -5
I have to remember that those are little gray's and not those big old fat fox we have in Northern Indiana. I think the shot placement is fine red the're half skinned for you. Those are nice big gray's red.
I just put a 4 power scope on my .22 ruger mark II pistol and will sight it in this week and get some red fox pictures on the line next week. I have been contimplating putting on a 4 power scope fr a while now but the old 2 power just was not enough for the paper I have been punching lately. I have several tree stand areas that need a bit or tree rat and coon removal and I like pistol hunting them.
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Post by jimiowa on Dec 29, 2008 19:15:55 GMT -5
Yeah we have almost all Fox Squrrel here too!
My son has exclusive hunting rights on a farm north of town. The Farmer made one provision in his hunting rights,"Shoot Every Coon You See"!
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Post by dovehunter on Jan 12, 2009 11:04:56 GMT -5
klsm54:
I am in total agreement with you about using either of the 17 rimfires or the .22 WMR, particularly with frangible bullets, on squirrels. I have been hunting (gray) squirrels now for about 50 yrs. with either standard or high velocity solid point .22 LRs and I'd bet I can count on the fingers of one hand (maybe two at worst) the number of squirrels I have lost.
Oh I tried .22 LR hollow points, .22 WMR hollow points, .22 WRF hollow points and found all to to make too big of a mess of the squirrels. The .22 WMR or .22 WRF solid points aren't too bad, but evem they get destructive when they hit a leg bone or something. OF course my philosophy may be flawed: all I want to do is kill them, not skin, gut, and puree them in the process.
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