ORIGINAL: nick_bleuer76
I use my 17 HMR mainly for smaller game like cats, squirrels, coons, rabbits, woodchucks, and/or pheasants. I have shot these with a 17 Gr. Hornady V-Max, it put a pretty nice whole in them. If I was you, I would proably upgrade to either a .22-.243 caliber or bigger.
Pretty sure in iowa you can't use rimfire/centerfire on pheasants......
If you do use your hmr keep in within 100-150 yds