Messages

The .17 HMR is an amazing cartridge.  I shot a "feral" cat last week with the 20 grain .17 HMR and it took the back side of it's head off.  This cat weighed 11 lbs 12 oz. and was 32 inches from front to back paws.  That being said I would be real leary of shooting a coyote unless it was less than 75 yards away and I had a solid head or heart/lung shot and I would definately use the 20 grain load.  Fox at less than 100 yards or less.  Any other smaller animal 150 yards or less.  The .17 HMR looses punch power after 150 yards.  I hit a 12" steel target at 400 yards with the .17 HMR but it didn't even dent the metal - just knocked the paint off!
 
Too bad you can't use a center fire rifle - than the .204 would be perfect.  I'm getting 1.5 inch groups at 400 yards with my Ruger M77 with the grey stainless target barrel, and I'm not stretching that at all.  The only thing I don't like about my .204 is it makes shooting anything else a let down!

When my cellphone rings it sounds like a coyote call.  Actually it's the friendly "who's out there call".  Needless to say this has gotten quite a few strange looks and comments.....

I'm shooting the Hornady 32 gr.Vmax, Remington 34 gr.JHP, and yes.....the Winchester too - but I haven't Chrony'd it yet.  Hopefully this weekend and I'll let you know what all of them are actually running at.  None of them are terribly slow! But unless it was my imagination the barrel on my Ruger M77 Mark II seemed to get hotter faster with the Winchesters!

How about that!  I just bought some 20gr. 17 HMR bullets at Gander Mountain.  Only problem is ... the only thing I've killed with them is the "Shoot & See" targets I shot at and I killed one and critically wounded another! :D

I agree the Trijicon is a great "dot" type scope, but the reason I got the Burris is because I'm using the rifle for predators and prairie dogs and at the ranges of 200 yards plus, the "dot" covers up the kill zone or in the case of prairie dogs... the whole "dog"! The Burris scope I picked up also has the Mil-dot reticle which makes real fast work of shooting a coyote running into the call or decoy at a rapidly changing yardage and still being able to put that bullet where I want it. The one thing I was wondering though, is the Trijicon better in low light? And also - does a night or varmint light affect the Trijicon?
 
Have a great day!
 
Phil

OUCH!  ....   I was kinda feeling sorry for myself for having to pay these "high" prices for ammo ..... until I see what some of you other guys are shelling out ! !  I really had no idea that ammo, guns, etc. were that restricted in Australia.  I know that there are severe limitations on gun use and what types of ammo you can use in the European countries.  My friend from Greece told me when you want to go bird hunting with your shotgun (which is registered and locked with a special key....) you have to go to the local police department to get your allotment of shells (3-5 shells) and you then have to account for any shots you take by returning the empties!!!  Well.... I guess I really have nothing to complain about! :o

[hands down]

I just bought a Burris Ballistic Plex Fullfield II for $197.00 and I've put it side by side against a Weaver, Simmons, Redfield, and Tasco (sorry - no Leupold yet...but I'd love to have one to compare with) and the Burris hands down is the clearer, sharper and more light enhancing scope.  Guys that look through the Burris after using their scope can't believe the difference.  In fact, I've sold three more of those scopes for Snowball Mountain Guns......I'll have to talk to Dale about a "finder's fee"!

You probably can't go wrong with either one and I think both have a lifetime warranty, at least the Burris does.
 
Phil

I'm just curious as to what everyone else is paying for their ammo across the country. I know there's a fair discrepency even in a local area, but it would be interesting to see what prices are across the country.
 
On second thought this would probably work better in a "Poll". I'll look into that when I get more time...
 
Phil
 
 
 
 
 
 
For instance:
 
Area/ Caliber / Load / Company / Price/Box
 
Northeastern Minnesota/ 17 HMR /17gr.vmx/ Hornady/ $9.98/50
" "                            / .204/ 32gr.vmx/ Hornady / $16.00/20
" "                            /.223 /55gr.ballistic-silver-tip /Win./ $17.50/20

Nice looking fox varmint hunter.  I understand what you were going through as you were trying to finish off the poor critter, and it's happened more than once to me also, and it's not a pleasant experience at all.  I think if watching an animal you've shot suffer doesn't bother you in the least..... probably indicates some kind of psychological malfunction....or worse!   Anyway, those things happen, although I mentioned in another message on this board, I've deliberatly not taken the shot if I feel uncomfortable with the shot. (Especially with the larger game such as deer, elk, bear, etc)

Phil

If I'm close enough for a head shot (within 125 yards) and I'm comfortable with the presentation (mine and the animal's), then I'll take the head shot (unless I plan on keeping the head).  If the animal is farther away I'll take the heart/lung shot.  The reason I like both these shots is that it usually kills the animal fairly quickly - and that, after all is my main priority.  I've let more than a few really nice animals (deer, bear, elk, and yes....even coyote!) go because I wasn't sure my shot was a definate kill shot.  I'd rather let the animal get away than take the chance of wounding it and having it suffer for hours or days or live crippled.
 
Phil

Thanks Kit!

That was a big help.  I should'a figured that out myself if I'd looked closer at the options, so thanks for opening my eyes for me!
 

 
PS .... I do indeed plan on sticking around!  Thanks for the invite!

I uploaded a profile picture and it shows up in my User Control Panel, but doesn't show up in my messages. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong or is some other setting incorrect?
 
Thanks!

I'm looking at buying a Ruger M77 VT in the new .204 caliber next week and was wondering if anyone has one of these rifles and how they like it (or don't!)
Have also looked at the Savage in the .204 caliber and that looks like a real nice gun also.... it's also about a $175.00 cheaper!:eek:
 
Thanks!
 
 
 
UPDATE:  I had the Ruger M77 VT put on lay-by yesterday (6/11/05) so I apparently made my decision!  
 
Whew!  That gun is almost too pretty to take into the swamps of NW Minnesota,   but.....of course....I will!  :D
 
Phil

Oh Yea..... and a combination GPS / Cellphone !!!

I always thought that if I was dropped into the middle of the woods with only one type of gun....it would be a no-brainer. Definatly a 12 gauge shotgun. Other than that if it had to be a rifle it would be a .308. I think the .308 is probably the most versatile rifle cartridge to take everything from rabbit (as long as you only hit the head!) to bear (yes I have...) At least that is my opinion.