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Recommendations on a .17 HMR?

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JW_Halverson:
A young woman I know has decided she wants to thin down the prairie dogs in her horse pasture.  She tried another friend's .223, but decided she didn't want that much gun for that little a problem. I think the little .17 rimfire HMR would be perfect, so I got her to read up on the caliber. She likes it.

What are your recommendations for inexpensive guns in this caliber that would be reliable and effective?  I would lean toward the H&R/New England break action single shot, but I think she might want a bolt action. 

Because she is a "horse person", she is perpetually broke. Horse people will understand this.  I am thinking of chipping in a few bucks and a few boxes of lead free ammo in exchange for her saving some of those Buddha rats, a hawk's gotta eat ya know. LOL

lebhuntfish:
A 17HMR is a pretty good caliber for such a job.  You might consider the good ole 22 magnum as well.  You can get a little bigger bullet weight and its a little more forgiving on longer range than the 17. You could probably find either of the guns used.  I personally would compare the price of the ammo and the cost of the gun then go from there.  Remember that a good scope will be a bigger key to her success with prairy dogs than the caliber she is shooting. 

Patrick

mullet:
I have a Mossberg .17 HMR that I've had since they first came out. They are cheap and with BSA's also cheap, Sweet.17 scope, very accurate. It will blow a squirrel to heck and back with those ballistic tips they sell so I went to the 20 grain solid bullet and now it just punches a small hole. You have the dial the scope to 200 yards instead of 100 yards because of the extra 3 grains, though.

I've dropped everything from tree rats to Hogs with mine, no deer, but gators included. I have night vision on it now using the same scope.

lebhuntfish:
Hey Eddie,  I use to have one just about like that.  Your right about the balistic tips they can do some damage!  I used mine mainly for coyotes but I sold it and bought the center fire 17 remington fireball.  Man its flat shooting and it will absolutely distroy a yote at 400 yards. 

Patrick

JEB:
CZ 452 Varmint is a good one.  I know you asked about 17 hmr but I have a Ruger #3,  22 hornet center fire that is a nail driver.

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