17hmr

[burbinsky]

Where have you been hiding all my life? I can't believe I didn't own one of these little devils sooner, I've never had so much fun shooting gophers!:sHa_shakeshout:

[Roughneck12]

Best rifle round ever, for what it is. Laser accurate, explosive rimfire fun.:sHa_shakeshout:

[live4therut]

Definitely a must have for any collection

[timsesink]

I just got mine a few weeks back and love it! I don't even touch my 22LR any more except to let the kids shoot.

[elkhunter11]

I do enjoy shooting my 17HMR, but I do shoot my 22lr and my 17Mach2 much more due to the cost of ammunition.

[jeff5316]

Where have you been hiding all my life? I can't believe I didn't own one of these little devils sooner, I've never had so much fun shooting gophers!:sHa_shakeshout:

My thoughts exactly when a bought mine a few years ago. They are so much fun for gophers. I love how accurate they are. I do find though on a very windy day the wind does throw the bullets around quite a bit. Best gun I have ever owned for gophers:)

[NUK SOO KOW]

I took my nephew out yesterday to whack some gophers with the 17 hmr. He'd only ever used a 22. The look on his face was Pricless as he was smiling ear to ear with the damage done compared to the 22. And he was pullin off some good long shots too! All his dad has heard the Last 24 hours... Dad we need a 17!!!!

[North of 53]

Great fun if you have a ton of money. When we go on a good gopher shoot some days are 1200 rounds of 22LR. Not many people can afford that in 17hmr. If you reload you can reload 223 for the same price and have better performance. I love the round but the price is out to lunch for what I want so no place for them in my book.

[nick0danger]

You don't shoot half as many 17 rounds as 22 cause you don't miss. I can usually do 5 gophers in 5 shots vs 2 to 10 with my 22. I'm talking 100 yard plus shoots you set up on the shooting sticks and you just pick em off.

[North of 53]

You don't shoot half as many 17 rounds as 22 cause you don't miss. I can usually do 5 gophers in 5 shots vs 2 to 10 with my 22. I'm talking 100 yard plus shoots you set up on the shooting sticks and you just pick em off.

Actually I shoot out to 200 with 22lr best shoot at 200 was 16 hits in a row on a 6 inch plate.. Maybe not as well as with a 17hmr but with a good mildot scope there is no trouble hitting a gopher at over 150 yards.
Not five for five for sure but bang for your buck way more fun.
Now if a good gopher shoot for you is 200 or 300 rounds then fine use the 17 hmr if you like, but if you Go for a weekend shoot in south western SK and shoot a few thousand rounds nothing is as good as a good 22LR.
And again if you reload a few grains of blue dot under a 36gr VG will out do any 17HMR for the same price.
The price of 17HMR ammunition is a rip off and I just won't play their game.

[nick0danger]

could be the cheap 22lr ammo i use (probably is) but i find it will under and over shoot with each shoot, and i do that prone off a bipod. That said i know cci stingers shoot more consistently but for the price of those 17 hmr bullets are not much of a stretch more.

[elkhunter11]

Great fun if you have a ton of money. When we go on a good gopher shoot some days are 1200 rounds of 22LR. Not many people can afford that in 17hmr. If you reload you can reload 223 for the same price and have better performance. I love the round but the price is out to lunch for what I want so no place for them in my book.

One option to consider is the 17mach2. It's just as effective on gophers to around 125 yards, with ammunition costing 1/2 as much.

[Ditchdoc]

Ya the cost is up but the damage is worth every cent smile on my face every time

[sunsetrider2011]

Im pretty sure the Hmr Ammo will come down in time,, for a rim fire it sure is a quick lil load at over 2600fps over twice hat the long rifle rimfire is, Give it a few years and the hmr stuff will come down in price, I like my 22 hornet for gophers and cheap to load ,,i did the math on it and im less than 17 cents a round to reload,,but the 17 is definately alot of fun with some amazing impacts at some long distance gophers

[Lefty-Canuck]

Im pretty sure the Hmr Ammo will come down in time,, for a rim fire it sure is a quick lil load at over 2600fps over twice hat the long rifle rimfire is, Give it a few years and the hmr stuff will come down in price, I like my 22 hornet for gophers and cheap to load ,,i did the math on it and im less than 17 cents a round to reload,,but the 17 is definately alot of fun with some amazing impacts at some long distance gophers

Sad part is its done nothing but go up....when they first came out I could get ammo for between $9-$12........now its $14-$18.....unless you find a sale or a really good deal.

That being said I still own a couple and bought one just recently :)

LC

[sunsetrider2011]

Sad part is its done nothing but go up....when they first came out I could get ammo for between $9-$12........now its $14-$18.....unless you find a sale or a really good deal.

That being said I still own a couple and bought one just recently :)

LC

sometimes it depends where i go but i usually buy 4 or 5 bricks at a time and the guy i deal with gives me some pretty good deals when i buy quantity

[elkamaholic]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

[Lefty-Canuck]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

I mostly use the 20gr ammo for these applications but....coyotes inside 150 yards fold like a cheap tent, beavers are equally crushed.

LC

[bobalong]

ya the cost is up but the damage is worth every cent smile on my face every time

x2 :):):)

[IR_mike]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

Magpies, crows.

[Hagalaz]

Where have you been hiding all my life? I can't believe I didn't own one of these little devils sooner, I've never had so much fun shooting gophers!:sHa_shakeshout:

I have a Marlin model 925M in .22 WMR, is the .17 HMR a better (more accurate) cartridge?

[Jamie Black R/T]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

you want one....there...justified! go buy it!

They are fun around the yard too...coyotes, foxes, badgers, crows/ravens, magpies, neighbors cats etc etc

[Bull's-Eye]

I have a Marlin model 925M in .22 WMR, is the .17 HMR a better (more accurate) cartridge?

No question, hands down more accurate.

[NCC]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

My daughter whacked a beaver in the side of the head with one the other day. DRT

[Marko]

Me and grey bush went out fri night, and whacked 2 beavers with the savage .17hmr's, shot to the head, and they are down for the count! The one was close to 55-60 lbs-er!

[Alberta Bigbore]

just wish we had the 17hmr when I started shooting gophers as a kid.

[elkhunter11]

just wish we had the 17hmr when I started shooting gophers as a kid.


How many of us would have been able to afford to shoot them?

Compare the cost of 17mach2 ammunition to the cost of 17HMR ammunition, and try and justify why the manufacturers charge double for the HMR. Both use the same bullet which is the largest cost, and the only real difference is a bit more powder and brass.The manufacturers still make some profit selling the 17mach2 ammunition, so they are making a huge profit on 17HMR ammunition.

[roger]

the cost of accuracy is $14.00 a box.
it seems the caliber is inheritly accurate, and the type of gun doesnt seem to change the POI.

i got one of the first ones to touch down in alberta from bashaw sports in 2001 ish (i'll check my registration!:))
and was tipping coyotes within hours...havent used it on yotes since but slaying 'hay hamsters' is a seasonal pastime.
id like to try the 15 grs ammo.

[elkhunter11]

the cost of accuracy is $14.00 a box.
it seems the caliber is inheritly accurate, and the type of gun doesnt seem to change the POI.




The 17HMR seems to be quite accurate in most rifles, but there are other cartridges that can offer as much accuracy with less expensive ammunition. The 17mach2, and even a 22lr can be just as accurate with cheaper ammunition, but they don't have as flat of a trajectory.

[Twobucks]

My cheap Marlin 917V with its garbage trigger will punch groups at 150yds you could cover with a twonie. I don't think any $270 .22lr will do that.

It's centerfire range and accuracy at a pretty reasonable price.

[elkhunter11]

My cheap Marlin 917V with its garbage trigger will punch groups at 150yds you could cover with a twonie. I don't think any $270 .22lr will do that.

I never said anything about a $270 22lr, just the fact that the 17HMR is not necessarily more accurate than either a 17mach2, or some 22lr rifles with ammunition costing less than $14 per 50.

It's centerfire range and accuracy at a pretty reasonable price.

Not really centerfire range , when a 223 about doubles the range. Even my 22 Hornet offers superior ballistics, and it can be loaded for the same price.

The 17HMR does offer some good ballistics, but they don't match up to centerfire ballistics, and the price of ammunition is quite high.

[Hagalaz]

No question, hands down more accurate.

I may have to think about picking one up then.

[Twobucks]

Hey Elkhunter - sorry, my post was not really meant to be directed at you. My point was that the accuracy and range of those guns are almost impossible to beat for the money - my Marlin was about $270 for the bare rifle. To get that kind of performance out of a .22lr you are into a lot more money for the gun and most likely premium ammo. The extra cash you lay out up front will take a long time to earn back with the savings over feeding a HMR.

The .223 does double the range, but unless you are handloading .22 hornet or something similar I don't know how you can beat the HMR for performance on small stuff out to 200yds. Even then, your time must be worth something.

All things considered (including deflections and noise) I still think it's tough to beat the HMR.

2B

PS: The hornet is a great cartridge too - I popped a lot of groundhogs as a kid with a .22 k-hornet built on a single shot cooey shotgun - the bull barrel was welded inside the original shotgun barrel. Ugly ugly ugly, but shot like a laser!

[elkhunter11]

The .223 does double the range, but unless you are handloading .22 hornet or something similar I don't know how you can beat the HMR for performance on small stuff out to 200yds.

I do use a 17HMR on occasion, but generally I use the 17mach2 out to 125 yards or so, and the 17HMR out to about 175 yards. For the longer shots, or if there is much wind, I switch to the 22Hornet, as it is far superior in the wind, and at longer distances. I do handload my 22Hornet,and the cost is actually comparable to purchasing 17HMR loads.

All things considered (including deflections and noise) I still think it's tough to beat the HMR.


The 22 Hornet is comparable noise wise, and the 17mach2 is quieter.



The 17HMR has it's place, but it would be a much better choice if the ammunition manufacturers weren't gouging us so much for their ammunition. If they dropped the price to even $9 per box, I likely would shoot the HMR a lot more instead of the 17mach2.

[Jims71duster]

Actually I shoot out to 200 with 22lr best shoot at 200 was 16 hits in a row on a 6 inch plate.. Maybe not as well as with a 17hmr but with a good mildot scope there is no trouble hitting a gopher at over 150 yards.
Not five for five for sure but bang for your buck way more fun.
Now if a good gopher shoot for you is 200 or 300 rounds then fine use the 17 hmr if you like, but if you Go for a weekend shoot in south western SK and shoot a few thousand rounds nothing is as good as a good 22LR.
And again if you reload a few grains of blue dot under a 36gr VG will out do any 17HMR for the same price.
The price of 17HMR ammunition is a rip off and I just won't play their game.

I'm sorry but there's lots of people can't hit a 6 in plate with a center fire 5 times in a row at that distance,if you don't like the caliber that's fine but let's keep it real ok

[Jims71duster]

My cheap Marlin 917V with its garbage trigger will punch groups at 150yds you could cover with a twonie. I don't think any $270 .22lr will do that.

It's centerfire range and accuracy at a pretty reasonable price.

If you don't like the trigger I did the bic pen spring trick in mine and it really helped it out

[Twobucks]

If you don't like the trigger I did the bic pen spring trick in mine and it really helped it out

Thanks for the suggestion - I did that mod as well. It helped a lot, but still had too much creep. I probably could have played around more with it and made it better, but I broke down and got the Rifle Basix replacement trigger - just installed it a couple of days ago. Have't shot it yet, but it feels way better now!

For a cheap gun the Marlins are a great frame to improve on and the finished product is still a pretty reasonable price.

Do you have the heavy barrel on yours? Any other mods?

[timsesink]

I'm running a Savage Laminate with stainless heavy barrel and a Bushnell 4-12 AO scope and find it FAR more accurate then any 22LR I've shot. I think we're really comparing apples and oranges:
17hmr: great for 100yd-200yd shots, low-mid volume shooting.
22LR: great for 10-100yd shots , high volume shooting.
22 hornet: gret for 100-250yd shots, great for the reloader.
223: great or 100-400yd shots, awesome for the rich or the reloader.

pick your poison

[Twobucks]

I'm running a Savage Laminate with stainless heavy barrel and a Bushnell 4-12 AO scope and find it FAR more accurate then any 22LR I've shot. I think we're really comparing apples and oranges:
17hmr: great for 100yd-200yd shots, low-mid volume shooting.
22LR: great for 10-100yd shots , high volume shooting.
22 hornet: gret for 100-250yd shots, great for the reloader.
223: great or 100-400yd shots, awesome for the rich or the reloader.

pick your poison

Keep making that much sense and we won't have anything left to argue about!

[elkhunter11]

I'm running a Savage Laminate with stainless heavy barrel and a Bushnell 4-12 AO scope and find it FAR more accurate then any 22LR I've shot. I think we're really comparing apples and oranges:


Have you ever fired a quality 22lr with match ammunition? Many people have only used lower end rifles in 22lr, using low priced ammunition, and they have no idea as to just how accurate a 22lr can be.

The big advantage with the 17HMR is trajectory, as it greatly reduces holdover at 100 yards and more.

As to effective range, the 22Hornet adds at least another 100 yards, and the 223 at least 200 yards over the 17HMR.

[Bobby B.]

Have you ever fired a quality 22lr with match ammunition? Many people have only used lower end rifles in 22lr, using low priced ammunition, and they have no idea as to just how accurate a 22lr can be.

The big advantage with the 17HMR is trajectory, as it greatly reduces holdover at 100 yards and more.

As to effective range, the 22Hornet adds at least another 100 yards, and the 223 at least 200 yards over the 17HMR.

Most 17 HMR's will print 5 shot 1" groups at 100 yds. I question how many 22 Hornets will print 1" groups at 200 yds and I doubt many .223 will print 1" groups at 300 yds.

Bobby B.

[timsesink]

Have you ever fired a quality 22lr with match ammunition? Many people have only used lower end rifles in 22lr, using low priced ammunition, and they have no idea as to just how accurate a 22lr can be.

The big advantage with the 17HMR is trajectory, as it greatly reduces holdover at 100 yards and more.

As to effective range, the 22Hornet adds at least another 100 yards, and the 223 at least 200 yards over the 17HMR.

I was shooting a Savage BVSS 22lr with Win PP, so I would say yes I was, I would say groups at 100yards were on average 2x larger with the 22lr. Now at 50 yards exactly the same. The 22lr from what I have found tends to open up a little quicker, also due to the rainbow trajectory don't tend to be a first shot=hit past 100yards on gopher sized targets.

There's a reason most rim-fire competitions in the US are creating a separate 17hmr class, the 22's just don't stand a chance. I'll have to dig up the link for you, give me a sec.


ok got it. about 1/3 the way down. A great link for all things .17

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11
Have you ever fired a quality 22lr with match ammunition?

I was shooting a Savage BVSS 22lr with Win PP

Theres your apple to his orange.

Savage doesnt build a "high end" rimfire and Win PP is not match ammo.

[elkhunter11]

Most 17 HMR's will print 5 shot 1" groups at 100 yds. I question how many 22 Hornets will print 1" groups at 200 yds and I doubt many .223 will print 1" groups at 300 yds.



I can only speak for my own 22Hornet, a 1730 Anschutz heavy barrel, and five shot groups under 1" at 200 yards is easy to do with my 40gr v-max handloads.

I was shooting a Savage BVSS 22lr with Win PP, so I would say yes I was,

A high end 22lr with match loads will shoot sub .2" at 50 yards and sub.5" at 100 yards for five shots . Using my own Anschutz 54 rifles, I have shot many sub.3" groups at 50 yards(some sub .2") and several sub .75" groups at 100 yards(some sub .5") using 22lr loads costing around $5 per 50. With match loads, they do even better.
My Cooper 17HMR does quite well, but it will not consistently match what my Anschutz rifles in 22lr. will do with match amminition.

Theres your apple to his orange.

Savage doesnt build a "high end" rimfire and Win PP is not match ammo.


Exactly.

[sunsetrider2011]

Most 17 HMR's will print 5 shot 1" groups at 100 yds. I question how many 22 Hornets will print 1" groups at 200 yds and I doubt many .223 will print 1" groups at 300 yds.

Bobby B.

Id take that bet

[timsesink]

Wow, I stand corrected, those are some mighty accurate 22lr's!

[addictedfisherman]

22's can be very very accurate. I started shooting with an Anschultz 22 and target rounds. with Lots of practice I could shoot as well as my buddy with his .17HMR (out to 100 yards).

However, for the average shooter the .17HMR reigns supreme for long range rim fire accuracy.

I own a .17HMR and a .22. I bring both gopher hunting, usually the .22 ends up sitting in the truck all day.

As always, to each their own. :)

[Faststeel]

I have been eyeing up a .17 for some time now but since the gopher population is a little "thin" in the peace country, I have been unable to justify it. Anyone want to help me out? What other uses have you found for this caliber?

They make magpies fall out of trees very nicely at a great distance, crows too.

[Bobby B.]

Id take that bet

You're on.

Bobby B.

[sunsetrider2011]

You're on.

Bobby B.

Come on up to the nose hill Range We can test your theory, for a g-note a piece. to make it intersting,.

[Loki610]

They make magpies fall out of trees very nicely at a great distance, crows too.

Pigeons from the tops of graineries at 150 yards are fun too.

[Bobby B.]

Come on up to the nose hill Range We can test your theory, for a g-note a piece. to make it intersting,.

Where's the nose hill range? Are you proposing $1000.00 cdn on each 5 shot group at 300 yds?

Bobby B.

[timsesink]

Holy smokes, this is getting SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[sunsetrider2011]

Where's the nose hill range? Are you proposing $1000.00 cdn on each 5 shot group at 300 yds?

Bobby B.

Im proposing a 1000 bucks for each range out to 300 yrds

100, 200 300 400 500 and beyond if you would like to go there, our range goes to 1200 yrds,

And the range is North of consort ab,,Ive already posted results on this forum on what the 22 hornet will do, what you said it cant be done. So A 1000 bucks for each range to 300 yrd if your that confident to make it happen, But id definately take it further if needed. So bring your hornet and your 223 for shot for shot, 3000 bucks ,, that should be pocket change for some one as good as you right.

Also i couldnt shoot my way out of a wet paper bag,,So it would be gravy for you. But the one that acheive the desired result takes the Pocket change home

[sunsetrider2011]

Pigeons from the tops of graineries at 150 yards are fun too.

Definatley pigeons at that range. are alot of fun

[Bobby B.]

Im proposing a 1000 bucks for each range out to 300 yrds

100, 200 300 400 500 and beyond if you would like to go there, our range goes to 1200 yrds,

And the range is North of consort ab,,Ive already posted results on this forum on what the 22 hornet will do, what you said it cant be done. So A 1000 bucks for each range to 300 yrd if your that confident to make it happen, But id definately take it further if needed. So bring your hornet and your 223 for shot for shot, 3000 bucks ,, that should be pocket change for some one as good as you right.

Also i couldnt shoot my way out of a wet paper bag,,So it would be gravy for you. But the one that acheive the desired result takes the Pocket change home

You need to reread my initial post, I do believe you're misunderstood what I wrote. English is your first language, right? Let me know if you require assistance.

Bobby B.

[sunsetrider2011]

You need to reread my initial post, I do believe you're misunderstood what I wrote. English is your first language, right? Let me know if you require assistance.

Bobby B.

No assitance required, Engrish is fine,

[Rocky7]

You need to reread my initial post, I do believe you're misunderstood what I wrote. English is your first language, right? Let me know if you require assistance.

Bobby B.

:shark:

[Bobby B.]

Most 17 HMR's will print 5 shot 1" groups at 100 yds. I question how many 22 Hornets will print 1" groups at 200 yds and I doubt many .223 will print 1" groups at 300 yds.

Bobby B.

Sunset, I know you claim your English to be fine but I do not believe you. I will break down my post in an effort to clear any confusion.

1.I've observed many 17HMR's printing 5 shot 1" groups at the range.

2.I've seen few .22 Hornets print 1" 5 shot groups at 200 yds. Not saying that there isn't any but saying I've not seen many.

3.I've yet to see a .223 shoot a 5 shot 1" group at 300 yds. Not saying it can't be done, just saying I haven't seen it.

4.If you want to bet $1000.00 cdn that the average .22 Hornet can print 5 shot 1" groups at 200 yds, or that the average .223 can group 5 shots into 1" at 300 yds., you're on.

Let me know if you require further clarification.

Bobby B.

[timsesink]

i.b.t.l

[sunsetrider2011]

Sunset, I know you claim your English to be fine but I do not believe you. I will break down my post in an effort to clear any confusion.

1.I've observed many 17HMR's printing 5 shot 1" groups at the range.

2.I've seen few .22 Hornets print 1" 5 shot groups at 200 yds. Not saying that there isn't any but saying I've not seen many.

3.I've yet to see a .223 shoot a 5 shot 1" group at 300 yds. Not saying it can't be done, just saying I haven't seen it.

4.If you want to bet $1000.00 cdn that the average .22 Hornet can print 5 shot 1" groups at 200 yds, or that the average .223 can group 5 shots into 1" at 300 yds., you're on.

Let me know if you require further clarification.

Bobby B.

Oh Its now average 22 hornets or 223, I see well maybe you need to spell it out for Such layman and poor ingrish folks Like me, I was under the impression that it couldnt be done, thats the way it came across from you, However I understand now,,, thanks for clatrifying that, us dumb Hicks dont know no better. Im pretty sure that there would be many Folks on this forum that shoot the 223 or the hornet with precision consitencey at 2 and 300 yards And get above average groups at each sitting. heck i dont know if i could classify my hornet or 223 average in most peoples eyes , im sure they are below thier standards. However do not Discount the regular Joe with a beat up 22 hornet or a beat up 223, that know how to shoot them with Precision accuracy.

[elkhunter11]

In all honesty, I find it much easier to put five rounds into 1" at 200 yards with my 22Hornet, than to put five rounds into 1" at 300 rounds with my .223rem.
The big advantage that my 223 has over the 22Hornet, is that I can shoot much higher B.C. bullets out of the 223, which does far better in the wind at longer distances.
That being said, anything that the 17HMR can do in the wind at 100 yards, my 223 with 69gr matchkings will do at 200 yards. Having close to triple the B.C. and an extra 450 to 500fps is a huge advantage in that respect. Even my handload for the 22Hornet offers a much higher B.C. , and an extra 400fps over the 17HMR.

[Bobby B.]

Oh Its now average 22 hornets or 223, I see well maybe you need to spell it out for Such layman and poor ingrish folks Like me, I was under the impression that it couldnt be done, thats the way it came across from you, However I understand now,,, thanks for clatrifying that, us dumb Hicks dont know no better. Im pretty sure that there would be many Folks on this forum that shoot the 223 or the hornet with precision consitencey at 2 and 300 yards And get above average groups at each sitting. heck i dont know if i could classify my hornet or 223 average in most peoples eyes , im sure they are below thier standards. However do not Discount the regular Joe with a beat up 22 hornet or a beat up 223, that know how to shoot them with Precision accuracy.

The meaning of my words never changed. The only difference is the assistance I provided to allow comprehension on your part. If possible, do point out my change in meaning from my initial post to my latter post.

Bobby B.

[Bobby B.]

In all honesty, I find it much easier to put five rounds into 1" at 200 yards with my 22Hornet, than to put five rounds into 1" at 300 rounds with my .223rem.
The big advantage that my 223 has over the 22Hornet, is that I can shoot much higher B.C. bullets out of the 223, which does far better in the wind at longer distances.
That being said, anything that the 17HMR can do in the wind at 100 yards, my 223 with 69gr matchkings will do at 200 yards. Having close to triple the B.C. and an extra 450 to 500fps is a huge advantage in that respect. Even my handload for the 22Hornet offers a much higher B.C. , and an extra 400fps over the 17HMR.

I agree, particularly with the first of your sentences. It's preceisely what I observe at the range.

Bobby B.

[Twobucks]

In all honesty, I find it much easier to put five rounds into 1" at 200 yards with my 22Hornet, than to put five rounds into 1" at 300 rounds with my .223rem.
The big advantage that my 223 has over the 22Hornet, is that I can shoot much higher B.C. bullets out of the 223, which does far better in the wind at longer distances.
That being said, anything that the 17HMR can do in the wind at 100 yards, my 223 with 69gr matchkings will do at 200 yards. Having close to triple the B.C. and an extra 450 to 500fps is a huge advantage in that respect. Even my handload for the 22Hornet offers a much higher B.C. , and an extra 400fps over the 17HMR.

I'm not a serious enough shooter to argue with any of that - but I'll say it seems you can almost divide the .223 Rem into two calibers - follow me here. . . My .223 with a 1:12 twist won't shoot anything much bigger than 55grs accurately. Feed it 45gr Win whitebox and it's MOA at 100yds. If you have a faster twist barrel you can shoot those heavier, higher b/c bullets that will make a real difference at greater ranges.

I still love my HMR, but you've given me some things to think about Elkhunter - and maybe put a couple things on my long-term shopping list!:thinking-006::thinking-006:

[Jims71duster]

Thanks for the suggestion - I did that mod as well. It helped a lot, but still had too much creep. I probably could have played around more with it and made it better, but I broke down and got the Rifle Basix replacement trigger - just installed it a couple of days ago. Have't shot it yet, but it feels way better now!

For a cheap gun the Marlins are a great frame to improve on and the finished product is still a pretty reasonable price.

Do you have the heavy barrel on yours? Any other mods?

I have a thumb hole heavy barrel with a 6x18 on it, great gun