Thought I would do a post just on the .17 caliber varmint rounds. The latest entry into this field is the NEW .17 Hornet. This round kicks a 20 grain Hornady V-Max bullet out of the barrel at 3650 fps. It is definitely a very fast very hot round. It has recoil about equal to a .22 mag which for all practical purposes is non-existent in my book. The earliest range tests I have read about with the .17 Hornet are recording groups in the 1/2 to 3/4 inch range at 100 yards.
Compare that to the popular .17 HMR which kicks a 17 grain HP bullet out the bbl at around 2550 fps, and ME of 245 ft-lbs. The .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rim fire) I believe is still the most popular and most readily available in both rifles and ammunition. The strong point for the .17 HMR is ACCURACY with many articles showing 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.
My own varmint experience has been limited to primarily woodchucks, crows and an occasional fox using a Sako .222 (which as mentioned elsewhere I regrettably sold a few years ago), a Marlin bolt action .22 Win Mag and a Savage .243 with 75 grain V-Max factory loads.
There are other variations of the .17 caliber out there, however it seems that for pure fun and smaller varmints (NOT coyotes etc.) that the .17 HMR is and has been a winner. The .17 HMR can handle woodchucks but NOT at long range and I think there are BETTER choices for chuck hunting. It is however a TERRIFIC ground squirrel rifle if you happen to live where they are available. The .17 Hornet will likely give the .17 HMR some competition, however time will tell, if it will make a dent in the popularity of the .17 HMR.
I am going to post a link for "Varmint Al's Field Test on the .17 HMR and the .17 HM2 (Hornady Mach 2). Al's vote goes to the .17 HMR.
This range and field test was excellent and will answer many if not all of your questions about the .17 HMR. Dan
http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm
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