.17 Hmr

[BoatBuoy]

Re: .17 Hmr

Interested in an excuse or rationale to get a Browning '78 single shot in .45-70. No moose or bison on The Hideout.

I've never hunted with a 45-70 but I know they'll stop a raging milk jug right in it's tracks, pie plate also. From what I read it'll also do the same for hogs. If you want to have some fun, get one. It leaves a bigger hole going in than most smaller calibers do coming out. Yea, it's stout but it doesn't have to be, and it sure is fun. It can also be loaded down to where a even a spouse can shoot it. I have several and here's my latest, just day before yesterday:

 

[chiefalen]

Re: .17 Hmr

100 yards. But i know cause my dad made stew outta them rabbits, and had to get like five before he would cook them.

And my sister with a ruger single shot 22lr pistol shot a running rabbit at about 50 yards and that ain't no bull.

Shes was a deadly shot.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: .17 Hmr

Look at the Marlin 917 for 17HMR. It is a good bang for the buck. I have basically the same rifle in 22 mag.

I have a TC Contender with quite a few barrels...... 45-70 and 223. The 45-70 is very close to abuse when fired ...... the 223 has 0 recoil but wear a headset AND a set of ear plugs...... they are both super loud.

 

[JB]

Re: .17 Hmr

I had a Marlin '95 in .45-70. Never thought of it as a cannon with factory loads (.45-70-405).

Hand loaded some of the original .45-70-500 loads and experimented with plinking loads as small as 250 grain. Difficulty getting it to load non-standard length loads so I sold it.

The reason I would like the big Browning single shot is its ability to take a wide range of handloads, including 250 grain plinkers and hot 500 grain FMJ loads equivalent to the .458 Magnum.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: .17 Hmr

I have the 45-70 in a marlin lever too My friend had the Ruger #1 single shot in 45-70 and we loaded that right up to near 458 power....... it was just to say we did it. The marlin and the TC I have would probably blow apart with those re-loads but they are stronger than antique rifles. Most books have 3 seperate sections for the 45-70 load data. I am partial to pushing a 300 gr bullet at 2100 fps or the 405 gr at 1800 fps...... both kind of warm.

We did a bunch of loading down experiments too but the accuracy suffered so we stuck with factory or hotter in the re-loads.

The guy who was the 1000 yard 45-70 champion recently passed away. He used to use black powder and tang sights. I read that the 500 gr bullet retains 52% of its energy at 500 yards.

 

[mthieme]

Re: .17 Hmr

I'm glad i386 started this thread. My grandson's 10th birthday is in March. I have been contemplating getting him a .22 rifle. I was 10 when I got my first rifle (.22). I've seen the 17 hmr available on pretty much the same class of rifles (if not the same models) as the .22. While I will most likely opt for .22 - the 17 has intrigued me.
The disintigration factor seems like the only plus for a plinker.
What's the Marlin 917 going for?

45-70 is great for heavy brush. I have a '94 trapdoor I use every once in a while.
I've been shopping for a 45-90 - mainly as an investment. Also been keeping an eye for older 45-70 levers.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: .17 Hmr

You can usually pick up the marlin for about $200-$219 sometimes cheaper. I have seen them on sale for $179+

 

[mthieme]

Re: .17 Hmr

Perfect, I was looking to stay under $200 - er, for the grandson's .22 that is.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: .17 Hmr

See i would get him a 20 gauge first.

Single shot break open, with the exposed hammer.

So he has to pull the hammer back. The modern one has a tang that blocks the hammer from striking the shell if the hammer is not pulled all the way back and the trigger is not pulled.

Thats what i did, got them used to hitting what they are aiming at.

The 10/22 ruger can be had used for under 100 bucks and the shotgun as well.

Just my 2 cents and i teach this stuff at Boy Scout camp every year.

This past year i bought my 16 year old a 1187 2 barrel setup.

One barrel has the 2 beads for small game and ducks, and the other barrel has the rifle sights and a little shorter for deer.

And we both shoot 3" OO buck.

Me out of all the guns i have i still use a rifle sighted, old sears 12 gauge pump. I think 26-28 barrel got to look to see.

 

[JustJason]

Re: .17 Hmr

Ughhhhhhh..........

Hate to make this quazi-political.....

But 10 year olds and a real gun???

I took marksmanship in the boyscouts. But we had BB and pellet air rifles. We weren't allowed to touch .22's until we were 16.

When I was 14 my parent's caught me with a 38 super automatic that I bought for 75 bucks on the street. I was litterally grounded for months, and made to see a child physcologist because of that. At the time.... I thought I was cool..... man.
It's now 17 years later.... and i'm 31. I have merit badges in gun safety and marksmanship through the boy scouts. When I was 17 I took the Hunter safety class to obtain a long gun lisence (in massachusettes). Then at 22 I took a pistol permit class to get a concealed carry lisence. Then at 27 I took a different one (NRA approved class) because the laws in Mass changed, and I needed to to continue on my permits.

All I have to say is that i'm almost glad I was stupid, and got caught. It really opened my eyes. I've been carrying for almost 10 years now. (not that I every really carry.... just once in a blue moon). But I do have to say.... 10 years old, IMHO, is not a good age to give a firearm as a gift.
It would be a slighty different story if you bought the gun for yourself and let the 10yo shoot it under your direct supervision.
But seriously.... as much as I believe that a gun is a tool, and only a tool. And that mishaps and tragedys happen because of the tool behind the gun, and not the gun itself.... I still wouldn't give a 10 year old a table saw and tell him to have at it either.
If your going to give a 10 year old a gift.... give him something that inspires him and if possible... inspires him to help people. Not a tool that can potentially be a weapon to hurt people.
I look at it this way.... if you feel a 10 year old is responisble to have a firearm.... then give him an oxy-acetylene torch instead... and teach him the skill of hand welding.
What you say.... you don't trust a 10 year old with a set of torches???

 

[mthieme]

Re: .17 Hmr

While I respect you opinion, I whole heartedly disagree. It's not like I'm going to hand over a loaded weapon with a brick of ammo and tell him to go have a blast.
Well, my grandson sampled the tablesaw at about 5 years old....along with every other piece of machinery in the woodshop through the years. He understands and respects the equipment as a result of this.
He is afraid of the Oxy/acetylene rig at the other end of the shop. I would have no problem teaching him though. We're working on swing an axe at the moment (wood splitting season you know...got him his own axe!).
I have friends who have started their youngsters out with firearms younger.
I can only say that having learned -properly- at a young age gave me the respect firearms deserve.
In junior high, we had a rifle team that met and fired each Thursday...ages 11/12 on up.
Of course this all happens under close adult supervision.
Of course this all happens under close adult supervision.
Of course this all happens under close adult supervision.
Of course this all happens under close adult supervision.
Of course this all happens under close adult supervision.
My choice of rifle will be a bolt action - not a semi-auto 10/22. Don't want the blast of a shotgun to be a turnoff either. Gun Safety course is planned for March.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: .17 Hmr

I was started on a bb gun.(Daisy No. 25 pump BB gun) .... it was a pump model and it took all my body weight to work the pump action. My Dad then promoted me to a 22 bolt action with 22 longs. When he first took me hunting I was 8 and my Dad made me keep an empty shell in the chamber and the safety on. I learned to rules at an early age.

Jason it depends on where and how you were brought up.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: .17 Hmr

I was started on a bb gun.(Daisy No. 25 pump BB gun) .... it was a pump model and it took all my body weight to work the pump action.

That's exactly what I had. Had to put the butt on the ground and grab the pump handle with both hands and hang on it to pump it. Shot myself in the index finger putting the magazine back in one time - lifelong lesson. Matter of fact, I still have it. BB's just roll out the barrel when it's shot though.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: .17 Hmr

They are worth some big bucks now! Do a search to buy an original and it will shock you. Rusted ones are going for $175

I wish I still had mine!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: .17 Hmr

All due respect, to all i will go thru what i did. You all can do with your kids and grandkids the way you want.

Oldest boy at 10 i took out to the firing range just to see people shoot.

He went to Boy Scout camp where they have nra instructors and most are Merit badge instructors as well.

I am the merit Badge counselor for The rifle and shotgun merit badges.

However i did not give my son the merit badge i had him go to the master range, person in charge of the local pistol and rifle club here in nj. I don't want to give out the name here in open forum, however a youth would be well served to attend this range and club because they have national awards for youth firearms, target, and skeet.

They had him sit thru 2 classes before they even let him touch a gun.

Then he shot what they had.

Then he started shooting our stuff.

The instructor then gave my son the merit badge.

And went with us to the safety class and received his hunting lic. At 11.

At 13 he got his first deer.

It's what i did, i was with him every step, and the single shot, shotgun he says he wants to give his kid.

My kid i always made wear earmuffs when shooting.

And the 22 we just use for plinking at cans and stuff.

I've guided sheech i lost count how many boys into the late teens when we lose them to boy scouting, how to shoot, been hunting with one or 2 and they bag out.

Heres one last thing, the guns are locked up, i have the only key and my wife knows where it is hidden.

The ammo is hidden away from the firearms.

And thats the way it stays.

When it's time to go hunting the night before i clean them, when we come back in i check them. I clean them again or just run a rag thru them. Wipe them down, and locked up.

If they are not with me, in the truck, being carried by me, or my son, they are locked up period.

 

[Pole Dragger]

Re: .17 Hmr

To get back on topic .17Hmr, I got a Marlin stainless with composite stock. I think it was about $170 I have a 3x9 BSA Sweet 17 scope $70.
You zero this scope in at 100 yrds. and you can dial it up to 300 yrds. I have shot it at 25 yrds and guesed at what the 100 yrd zero would be.
I have still been able to drop 5 coyotes between 75 and 250 yrds with 1 shot. As soon as I reset my shooting bench in the barn and really zero it in I think it will be great out to 300 yds. Out to 600 yds I use my 25-06.
I heard that the .17HMR is to replace the .22Magnum and around here .22Mag ammo is getting very hard to find.
If you get one spend a few $ more for one with a bull or target barrell and no iron sights, you will be putting a scope on anyways.

 

[i386]

Re: .17 Hmr

I'm glad i386 started this thread. My grandson's 10th birthday is in March. I have been contemplating getting him a .22 rifle. I was 10 when I got my first rifle (.22). I've seen the 17 hmr available on pretty much the same class of rifles (if not the same models) as the .22. While I will most likely opt for .22 - the 17 has intrigued me.
The disintigration factor seems like the only plus for a plinker.
What's the Marlin 917 going for?

45-70 is great for heavy brush. I have a '94 trapdoor I use every once in a while.
I've been shopping for a 45-90 - mainly as an investment. Also been keeping an eye for older 45-70 levers.

While you're looking at .17 hmr rifles, check out the Savage too. With their new Accutrigger, they found a way to have light/adjustable trigger pull but not go off if you bump/drop it. Marlin's got some new kind of trigger too but I haven't been able to find out what it is or what it does yet.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: .17 Hmr

Marlin's got some new kind of trigger too but I haven't been able to find out what it is or what it does yet.

From the Marlin website "The innovative Pro?Fire? trigger system is user adjustable, virtually creep free and can be set to break at a crisp 2 1/2 lbs. An in?house Marlin design, the Pro?Fire? trigger release prevents movement of the trigger until it is depressed."

Only available in the new X series bolt actions.

 

[mthieme]

Re: .17 Hmr

While you're looking at .17 hmr rifles, check out the Savage too. With their new Accutrigger, they found a way to have light/adjustable trigger pull but not go off if you bump/drop it. Marlin's got some new kind of trigger too but I haven't been able to find out what it is or what it does yet.

While still intrigued with this little round, reality has set in. I'm afraid it's not a practical round for me. There's really nowhere close I could enjoy it.
I could get away with popping off 22 CBs in the back yard with the grandson.
There are also other things ahead on the wish list.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: .17 Hmr

I was started on a bb gun.(Daisy No. 25 pump BB gun) .... it was a pump model and it took all my body weight to work the pump action. My Dad then promoted me to a 22 bolt action with 22 longs. When he first took me hunting I was 8 and my Dad made me keep an empty shell in the chamber and the safety on. I learned to rules at an early age.

Jason it depends on where and how you were brought up.

Bob_VT..
I have my Fathers Daisy No. 25! He used to **** it and hand it to me..He must have done that a thousand times before I was big enough to do it myself. My Grandfather bought it for him, some 60 + years ago..I still have it and it works perfectly..Thanks for the happy memory jolt..