.17 caliber

[jonescreek]

I've just started paying any real attention to this with any thoughts of getting one. I know that it is available in a centerfire and rimfire model. I need a little education. How about chiming in with some thoughts, everybody?

[ClayDog]

Here is my opinion, its a great shooting gun under one circumstance the wind cant be blowin! The wind will knock it of 2-3 in. I dont have one because of that i had a friend that had one and he had no problem. So I think you would be better with a Marlin .22 caliber! :rolleyes:

[Multidigits]

.17 has been around for years in a centerfire. It's never been a big seller, because it is a specialized round. It's mainly a varmint caliber, but I do know it will cleanly kill deer and has many times. I've shot bullet weights from 16 grs. to 26 grs. in it and the lighter bullets are too fragile for high speed. You can actually burn them up within 50 yards at over 4200 fps.

The rim fire is a nice caliber. Does good on varmints, but it's nothing compared to the cf round. But it is a class of it's own. I've killed p-dogs out to 300 with it in high winds, and haven't noticed much wind drift problem.

[jonescreek]

Thanks for the info, both of you. Sounds as if the centerfire in the heavier slug is the way to go, if at all.

[Hardcase]

I have a problem with it on anything larger than small groundhogs. I want more bullet weight for anything bigger. That's just my opinion.

[Multidigits]

The .17 centerfire will turn groundhogs inside out, the rimfire won't, but it will make mush of the innerds. they tend to have a jello like feeling when it's over with.

If you get time, read a book by P.O. Ackley on the ,14 and the .17 caliber proformnance. They tested alot on wild horses on army bases and in the west. One shot kills every time.