.17HMR metal fragments?

[Ddraig 0]

Hi All

Considering applying for FAC for two rifles, for rabbits and corvids a .22LR for closer work and a .17HMR for distance. Quite like the HMR (accuracy etc) but have been told/read that the carcase (rabbit) is contaminated with the metal fragment of the projectile as I intend to eat my rabbits it is a bit off putting. Can anyone who has an HMR or experience of one enlighten me please.

I understand there are pros and cons for both rifles, cost of ammo, range etc, and noise.

Any advice would be appreciated

[dave123 12]

Hi All

Considering applying for FAC for two rifles, for rabbits and corvids a .22LR for closer work and a .17HMR for distance. Quite like the HMR (accuracy etc) but have been told/read that the carcase (rabbit) is contaminated with the metal fragment of the projectile as I intend to eat my rabbits it is a bit off putting. Can anyone who has an HMR or experience of one enlighten me please.

I understand there are pros and cons for both rifles, cost of ammo, range etc, and noise.

Any advice would be appreciated

HI ,iuse the 17 hmr good little gun ,try using the 20 grain bullet instead of the 17 gn .

if u set the 17 up with a good scope ,head shots from 50 t 150 yrds no problem.

the 17 is badly afected by the wind, the noise level is loud even when fitted with silencer, the ammo is expencive, apart from this its a great alround weapon.

GOOD HUNTING

[theinvisiblescarecrow 0]

You might find fragments but if head shot what's the problem ?

If chest shots just eat the saddle area.

[dave123 12]

GOT TO AGREE WITH U THEIR ,

[sussexrick 0]

Also, you could use full metal jacket ammo - it'll go right through and leave nothing behind.

[welshdragon 6]

Also, you could use full metal jacket ammo - it'll go right through and leave nothing behind.

 

i could be wrong i don,t think you can use full metal jacket ammo . like i said i could be wrong

 

 

W.D

[cyclonebri1 8]

Hi mate, if you want rabbits for the table there is no issue. Shoot up to 100yds with the .22 using subsonic stuff, eley by far the most accurate in all my guns. No dissintegration and good mushrooming.

 

Winchester better in that respect but less consistant.

 

If you need to shoot bunnies as a pest control measure only use the hmr, hit 'em anywhere important and discard them

[bobndog 0]

Also, you could use full metal jacket ammo - it'll go right through and leave nothing behind.

 

i could be wrong i don,t think you can use full metal jacket ammo . like i said i could be wrong

 

 

W.D

CCI make FMJ, http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_in...oducts_id=73748

I would not recommend them, they ricochet worse than 22r/f. As has been said shoot them in the front end and throw the rest away if it's a problem, there is little meat forward of the saddle anyway. Any metal in a rabbit will not be a problem, most rabbits are shot with shotguns and will have 6-20 lead pellets in them, eating them is not harmful.

[SportingShooter 0]

I wouldn't worry about the fragments of metal.

 

If you shoot them in the chest, the fragments will be in the chest area only. The saddle and legs will be unaffected. Head shots are neither here nor there.

 

.22LR as has been said, Mushrooms rather than fragments.

[venator 0]

Hi mate, if you want rabbits for the table there is no issue. Shoot up to 100yds with the .22 using subsonic stuff, eley by far the most accurate in all my guns. No dissintegration and good mushrooming.

 

Winchester better in that respect but less consistant.

 

If you need to shoot bunnies as a pest control measure only use the hmr, hit 'em anywhere important and discard them

 

I agree with everything cyclonebri1 says but would add that any headshot with the hummer are fine to eat too!

[Deker 3,478]

Depending where you hit bunny the fragments will often go right through too...I had two in the sights yesterday, one up, and the other behind with his head just out of the hole...TWO dead bunnies with one shot...happens sometimes but this is the first time the circumstances have come together to do it with the 17g HMR.

 

No problem shooting bunny with a SOLID or FMJ round, perfectly legal and likely to do less damage.

 

As has also been said, 17g HMR do tend to do a lot of carcase damage, so if you are looking at the table you are still best to consider the head shot!!