Tail_Gunner said:
I'm thinking about getting back into shooting as a hobby after dabbling in it about 30 years back. While in the Air Force, I got some shooting with .38 Special, M-16 and for obvious reasons,
.50 CAL IN A QUAD TURRET and
20MM CANNON.
While I've shot pretty much every known caliber of rifle, pistol, both civilian and military, available, I do not believe I've ever had the pleasure of squeezing off a 20MM or a 50cal. Some day, maybe...
Right now I'm thinking about a Mini-14 or maybe a .17 HMR.
Two pretty different and very distinct rounds with two very different uses. The 17 HMR is not a whole heck of a lot more than a BB gun, IMHO. It shoots a 40 grain round with 245 ft lbs of muzzle energy. I own an air rifle that puts out more oomph than that (seriously, I do...). They have a muzzle velocity around 2,560 fps, which is respectable, but temper that with the fact that a TINY 40 grain projectile loses it's energy so quickly that the FPS of the round drops precipitously after it clears the muzzle, and that the light round is easily buffeted by wind, etc. It is not a very accurate round, regardless of what anybody will try to tell you. My guess is that much past 100 yards, you're going to be lucky to nail a pizza sized target.
The .223, on the other hand, is a widely used military round, and in some states, guys use them for deer rifles. In WA, you cannot (24 caliber or bigger) but I have a buddy in idaho that has dropped a bunch of deer with a .223. The two most popular weights for these bullets are 55 grain and 77 grain. The 55 grainers go 3,315 ft/sec at the muzzle, with 1,345 ft lbs of energy. The 77 grainers go 3160/1375. The combination of the extra weight, extra velocity, etc, means that this puppy is good for 600 plus yards and hit a pizza sized target.
Also, by my experience, you can buy 50 rounds of 223 for about the same as 50 of 17 HMR. 8 bucks or so. The 223 is re-loadable, if you so desire, and it is also a lot more fun to shoot. It woun't make a wussy little "poot" sound like the 17 will. It will crack, and even put a little tap on your shoulder, give you the real experience.
I see there is also a .17 HM2 round available. I am wondering if there is any difference between the .17 HMR and .17 HM2 as far the weapon is concerned? Are they two different guns or one of the same.
Dunno about that, but i stand by my statement that 17 caliber rounds just suck. Anything under 50 grain is a waste of time. Think of it this way. Pick up a pebble. Throw it as hard as you possibly can. Can you break a car window with it? Can you even HIT a car window with it? Yeah, it's really hauling butt, but it has no energy, and no controllability, because the slightest wind, pressure, whatever is going to blow it off course. Now, pick up a rock the size of a marble. Throw IT as hard as you can. I'll bet you break that window, and I'll bet it is a lot easier to hit it, and it took the same amount of effort from you're throwing arm.....
leaning to the Mini-14 with future improvements/mods like a Bull barrel and such. The .223 round appeals to me for its affordabilty. Even though it's cheap, I don't want something as lame as a .22 either.
I'm confused at that last statement. A .22 long rifle is LESS lame than the 17 HMR, IMHO..... And cheaper, and easier to find, and.....
The rifle you want depends on what you're doing. Plinking, putting lots of rounds downrange, the mini 14 is great. Accuracy? Not so much. My Dad has a bolt action Tikka in .223 that he uses for coyote. It is a great rig. Do some research based on what you're interests are. If you like shooting far, hitting a small target, the mini may not be your huckleberry. If you like to put some serious raounds downrange, and don't mind if you lose a little accuracy at 600 yards, then the mini is it.
Lay some enlightenment on me guys.
The problem is it is mostly going to be opinion, just like everything else. I tired to temper all the personal opinion in here with a little bit of hard data and facts. However, opinion it is (and I think i made myself pretty clear on what I think your best shot is...)
