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.17 HMR vs .17 Rem Fireball

Bman74
I would like to purchase either of these rifle but I cant quite make up my mind. I would like to know the difference in the following: accuracy, yardage, and power. I am planning on shooting rabbits, coyotes, fox and other medium size game, and I know rabbit is small game but it still makes good target practice and good eating. And is the Fireball too much gun for a rabbit within 100 yards.If someone could please help me with this I would greatly appreciate it.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    Bman74,

    Hello, and welcome to the forums here on Gunbroker.com.

    The two cartridges you list, will both DESTROY a rabbit within 100 yards, or even 200 yards if hit improperly. Head shots are a must, if you plan on eating them.

    The 17 HMR will launch a 20 grain bullet at 2300 FPS, where the Fireball lets it loose at 4000 FPS. I have and shoot both. The HMR is at the end of its road at 200 yards, where the Fireball is a 400 yard gun on a WINDLESS day. Both are capable of taking animals up to, and including the size of large Whitetail deer. I have seen it done with the 17 HMR, and done it with the Fireball. Once again shot placement is paramount.

    I know the cost of ammo can be a deciding factor too. The 17 HMR is nearing $15.00 per box of 50, and the 17 Fireball is on the upper side of $30.00 per box of 20. I reload, so it is not much of a problem.

    In all, the decision is yours, but in my minds eye, I have both.

    Best

    EDIT 1:

    Bman 74,

    How do I think a 17 grain bullet from a 17 HMR will hold up against a rabbit? Read the highlighted in red above. Does not matter much between a 17 grain or 20 grain. The 17 grain will most likely destroy more meat, that is why they came out with the controlled expansion 20 grain bullet for the 17 HMR. You are going to destroy a lot more edible meat id you do not head shoot them.

    Best
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  • MFI
    The .17 Fireball is a centerfire cartridge and the 17 HMR is a rim fire cartridge. Huge difference in the two. The .17HMR should be a much cheaper gun to buy and a way cheaper gun to shoot.
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  • zimmden
    The 17 Fireball (MachIV) can be loaded for $4.00 per 20 with far superior accuracy, much less drop and drift and a huge variety of bullets from 17 to 30 grains. The initial cost of the gun and reloading tools is the big consideration along with your desire (and satisfaction) to reload quality ammo. Head shots are a must since impact is devastating on small game. Penetration tests are amazing. I shot through the side of a 5 gal. water filled bucket with the HMR. A tiny entrance hole, no exit and 50 pieces of copper, lead and red BT plastic in the water. A shot on 4 1/2 inches of pine boards completely passed through with a clean .17" hole. The wood kept the bullet intact for total penetration. I love both calibers.
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  • Bman74
    Thanks a lot for your help tsr1965 and the rest of you. This info is defiantly going to be a factor in making my decision.
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  • Bman74
    And one more thing tsr1965. How do you think a 17 grain bullet from the HMR would do against a rabbit.
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  • zimmden
    I have shot 2 cottontails with 17 gr. HMR at 70 yds. Both were torn almost in half. OK if you like feet and ears for stew.
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