CalHunter

For those who have these calibers, what gun and scope do you have, what is the max distance you reliably take varmints and what size varmints or small game do you shoot with? I know people shoot other calibers and feel free to list your favorite varmint caliber but I'm looking to learn more about these calibers.

1. .17 HM2

2. .17 HMR

3. .204Ruger

Crittergiter

I take prairie dogs out to and beyond 300 yards on a regular basis with my .223

Howler

I've got a 17hmr savage with a bushnell 3x12 scope on it, and with no wind, can reliably pick off prairie dogs at 150 yards, and I have shot a bunch out around 200 yards, although it takes more than one shot to hit them on occasion. Also have shot 2 snowshoe hare with it this winter. One was at about 20 yards, one shot DYT and the other was about 75 yards, and I actually ended up shooting it twice, although it was probably dead after the first shot, but it was still moving, so I gave it another.
I don't have either of the other two cals.

Retaks

I have a .204 Ruger and got a rabbit with it at 387 yards. I took 5 shots to get the windage right but it is more than capible of one shot kills on prarie dogs out past 500 yards.

lead poisoner

What I read about the 17HMR is that if zero@100yrds your 3 inches low at 150.Head shots on yotes at 150 and small varmits. Just from what I read on it.

I just checked the ballistics on that 204.That is pretty flat shooting round I might say.Only factory load that would do all around better for the same 40gr and even beat the 32gr out of the 204 was the 22-250 winchester 40gr ballistic tip.
At 30$ a box I might add.

The 204 uses 1/3rd less powder than the standard 22-250 all so. That would be a good match to see these 2 go head to head with hand loads at the least.

I am not sure if the 40gr woulddo the jobfor coyotes at long range though.

Impressive round though.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/204_022505/index.html

jake smith09

I have a Savage 10FP .223 Tactical and i consistintely kill groundhogs, prairie dogs and coyotes easily out at 400 yards.