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Okay, we went yesterday and I got a chance to shoot the Hornady 17HMR NTX ammunition again. Unfortunately, the weather was still on the cool side so ground squirrels were not up. However, we were there to remove ground squirrels, rabbits and any predator varmints that cause damage to the trees or the irrigation system.
We were surveying a new property that we received permission to hunt an hour earlier. As we drove along the top edge of the property, we came across a small dirt ditch or catch basin. Along the edge were piles of discarded tree stakes that was a perfect place for ground squirrels and rabbits. For those who don't know, rabbits can be as devastating as ground squirrels to orchards. They eat the bark off the bottom of trees, killing them. This can add up fast and newly planted trees are especially susceptible.
After I got my Ruger 77/17 in 17HMR loaded, I grabbed my bi-pod and crawled to the top of the catch basin. When I got to the top, my buddy Tom shot at a ground squirrel that was directly across from us. I heard the sound of the hit; when I spotted a cottontail rabbit sitting perfectly still over by the huge pile of tree stakes. I adjusted my bi-pod to make the shot. I first aimed at the head, trying to put it down with no damage to the body. Unfortunately, my bullet missed by just a bit and the shot hit high. The rabbit adjusted so that he was facing slightly away from me and up on its haunches. I steadied my rifle and dropped the cross-hairs down to the shoulder area. I held the bi-pod with my left hand, wrapping my index finger over the top of the rifle barrel, as I squeezed the trigger. When the trigger released, the "pop" of the hit was immediately heard and I watched the rabbit drop. Good hit!
The rabbit was shot at about 75 yards while facing slightly away from me. The The Hornady 15.5 grain bullet entered the right shoulder hitting and exited from the left back area, immediately killing the rabbit. As you can see, the bullet exit hole was quite large and showed alot of damage. When we first approached the rabbit, I thought that the face of the rabbit was blown off by the exiting bullet, but after further investigation, we found that the shock-wave had blown blood and lung matter out the mouth and nose of the rabbit. The eyes were completely intact, so the pressure was relieved by the exit wound, mouth and nose**.
***Warning - Graphics Pictures are Linked Below***
Exit Hole on Cottontail Rabbit - #1
Exit Hole on Cottontail Rabbit - #2
Entrance aimpoint, with rabbit facing away (sample picture):
I will follow this post up with updates as spring arrives and varmint opportunities rise!
**I am a firm believer in "hydrostatic shock" (simply put, when small animals get hit with light bullets going very fast, there is a pressure wave from these bullets that push out from the hit causing extreme damage. I know there are different schools of thought on this, but after seeing numerous ground squirrels, rabbit, rock chuck, etc, lifted into the air and blown into pieces, I feel it is real.
Eric A. Mayer
We were surveying a new property that we received permission to hunt an hour earlier. As we drove along the top edge of the property, we came across a small dirt ditch or catch basin. Along the edge were piles of discarded tree stakes that was a perfect place for ground squirrels and rabbits. For those who don't know, rabbits can be as devastating as ground squirrels to orchards. They eat the bark off the bottom of trees, killing them. This can add up fast and newly planted trees are especially susceptible.
After I got my Ruger 77/17 in 17HMR loaded, I grabbed my bi-pod and crawled to the top of the catch basin. When I got to the top, my buddy Tom shot at a ground squirrel that was directly across from us. I heard the sound of the hit; when I spotted a cottontail rabbit sitting perfectly still over by the huge pile of tree stakes. I adjusted my bi-pod to make the shot. I first aimed at the head, trying to put it down with no damage to the body. Unfortunately, my bullet missed by just a bit and the shot hit high. The rabbit adjusted so that he was facing slightly away from me and up on its haunches. I steadied my rifle and dropped the cross-hairs down to the shoulder area. I held the bi-pod with my left hand, wrapping my index finger over the top of the rifle barrel, as I squeezed the trigger. When the trigger released, the "pop" of the hit was immediately heard and I watched the rabbit drop. Good hit!
The rabbit was shot at about 75 yards while facing slightly away from me. The The Hornady 15.5 grain bullet entered the right shoulder hitting and exited from the left back area, immediately killing the rabbit. As you can see, the bullet exit hole was quite large and showed alot of damage. When we first approached the rabbit, I thought that the face of the rabbit was blown off by the exiting bullet, but after further investigation, we found that the shock-wave had blown blood and lung matter out the mouth and nose of the rabbit. The eyes were completely intact, so the pressure was relieved by the exit wound, mouth and nose**.
***Warning - Graphics Pictures are Linked Below***
Exit Hole on Cottontail Rabbit - #1
Exit Hole on Cottontail Rabbit - #2
Entrance aimpoint, with rabbit facing away (sample picture):
I will follow this post up with updates as spring arrives and varmint opportunities rise!
**I am a firm believer in "hydrostatic shock" (simply put, when small animals get hit with light bullets going very fast, there is a pressure wave from these bullets that push out from the hit causing extreme damage. I know there are different schools of thought on this, but after seeing numerous ground squirrels, rabbit, rock chuck, etc, lifted into the air and blown into pieces, I feel it is real.
Eric A. Mayer
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