Virginia Mike

Hey Guys,

This is my first post on this forum and I'm sure that you have probably hashed this out before, but I would like some opinions and/or stories of how a 17HMR will work for hunting foxes. I have an opportunity to hunt on Saturday and would like to use my 17 Hummer, but I always enjoy some input before I choose my weapon. Is it big enough? What grain bullets? Success, defeat or bitterness stories. Anything will help my decision. Thanks for the help.

devil dog

A buddy of mine uses a 17 on fox and bobcat, he uses the 17gr Hornaday V-Max with good results!.

Jim_IV

Just taking a shot in the dark here, but I think he is being sarcastic.

devil dog

Sarcastic! whos being sarcastic? Im just giveing the facts of what I seen, I beleive the 17 outdoes the 22mag as far as performance and accuracy. I'm fixing to put a 17 barrel liner in my 22mag right now instead of getting a new barrel for it!.

4 Buck

I would love to see the facts where the 17 outperforms the 22 mag....Dont think you'll find any. Ya the 17 is faster and probably more accurate out to 200 yds. but in no way does it pack more of a punch than the 22 mag!

But on another note, im with you stating that the 17 is powerful enough for a fox/bobcat/coyote.

devil dog

I didnt say punch, I said performance and accuracy! Out of pure curiosity, I looked up the ballistics of both rounds, Im a little shocked. The 22mag just does slight the 17hmr at 100yds. 2200fps/322ftlbs energy, 17; 2550/245, thats were it changes, 150yds 22mag 1421/134, 17 1901/136 and 200yds 22mag 1002/67 and 17 1376/72. So I guess even with the difference in the size of the bullit, out past 100yds the 17hmr does have more punch!.

Bullet Hole Bailey

well for foxes and coons i have used 22 shorts and head shots drop them cold in their tracks.......its all about shot placement.

coyote#68

I beleive the 17hmr will easily kill a fox,these animals usually weigh less than a big coon.There is a web page that compares the ballistics of the 17hmrto the 22mag and its big brother the 5mm rimfire magnum,which beats them both in down range energy,the web page is written by outdoor author Chuck Hawks check it out,I killed a 22lb bore coon the other night at 105yards with my 35year old rem. model 591m in 5mm rem. mag. wish you could still get rimfire ammo for it.CALL'EM IN CLOSE AND KILL'EM ALL!!!

Lanse couche couche

It doesn't take much to kill a fox,if you hit it good.So, with the smaller calibers it is all about shot placement. I'd give the advantage to the .17, sinceballistically, it hasthe obviousadvanatage of providingmore accuracy at a greater range. I knocked a crow out ofthe top of an oak tree at about 220 yards with my .17. I wouldn't have even tried that shot with a .22 magnum. But then again, you could move up to a .22 Hornet and remove all doubt.

Virginia Mike

Thanks for the discussion on this. I will let you know how I do and if I get any shots how the 17 Hummer holds up. I think the weather is going to cooperate and I know there are many foxes on this property. We see them every time out.