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is the .17 enough gun?

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Old 03-16-2009 | 07:22 PM
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From: seymour
Default is the .17 enough gun?

i am interested with the .17 hmr and wanted to get some second opinions, how effective will it be for smaller game such as rabbits, squirrel, and crows. but also will it be enough gun for fox, racoon, and yotes?
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Old 03-17-2009 | 05:47 PM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

If you look back in the archives, their are facts and opinions popping up every week, they should give you tons of info.
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Old 03-17-2009 | 07:17 PM
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Fork Horn
 
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

if rabbits and squirrels it will almost be too much gun under 100 yards unless you stick with head shots, crows, foxes, and raccoon it will be superb! as for yotes.....i have taken them under 100 yards, but you have to hold off for a perfect shot......shot placement is very vital
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Old 03-18-2009 | 06:00 AM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

I've taken several rabbits and squirrels at very close range with body shots when I couldnt get a head shot. I just aim behind the front leg and it makes a big hole, but you are just losing rib meat.
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Old 03-18-2009 | 05:19 PM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

My .177 pellet gun is gun enough for rabbits, squirrels, and crows. The .17 is certainly enough. As far as coyotes and foxes go, I don't know much about that. I would guess that you could use it as long as you pick your shots carefully.
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Old 04-08-2009 | 09:55 AM
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Spike
 
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

I've shot squirrels with my 17HMR drops them dead. I haven't yet lost any meat usually shoot them in the head.
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Old 04-10-2009 | 06:05 AM
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From: seymour
Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

also what kind of accuracy can i expect from the .17 at 100, 200, and 300 yards?
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Old 04-10-2009 | 06:50 AM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

Accuracy out to 100 will be very good from most rifles, as long as there's no wind. Beyond that, you will need to know the bullet drop, because past 100 yards, the bullet will begin to drop pretty quickly, and hope there is no wind, because it doesn't take much wind to blow the tiny bullet of course.
I shot two snowshoe hares with my hmr two winters ago, and never got an exit out of either of them. Both were frontal shots though. One was only about 35 yards and the other was just over 100 yards.
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Old 04-14-2009 | 05:37 PM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

Squirrel and rabbit fear my little bull barrel marlin. For good reason. Bullet of choice- cci tnt hollow point . Great little guns at close distances. I just wouldnt stretch it out very far unless you have a centerfire. Yet to get a coyote but have confidence as long as its within short range
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Old 04-29-2009 | 08:07 AM
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Default RE: is the .17 enough gun?

I am by no means nice to yotes, but as a rule i will not shoot them with a 17 outside 80 yards. the bullet is blown around too easily and its usually windy out here. however inside 80 and really having patience for optimum shot patience it does just fine, i had a three dog day last week to attest to that.
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