NOTE: Some deals may disappear at 11:59 PM EST on Monday 12/1/2025.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
Tomorrow, December 1, 2025, is officially “Cyber Monday” following Black Friday, a great time for gun gear discounts. Today we showcase notable Cyber Monday sales, and we spotlight 15 products — great deals that are available right now.
MidwayUSA is running a major Cyber Monday Week Sale, with significant discounts on a wide range of products including optics, gun parts, reloading equipment, hunting gear, ammunition, camping gear, and more. CLICK HERE for Midway USA Cyber Sale deals.
If you’re looking for a new handgun, rifle, or shotgun, definitely check out the Cyber Monday deals at Guns.com. This site has a vast selection of firearms from nearly all popular gun-makers. Some pistols and rifles are discounted $300 or more.
Cyber Monday is a huge event at Amazon, with big discounts on a vast selection of merchandise. Shooting sports enthusiasts can get big savings on optics, reloading tools, gun cases, gun vises, ultrasonic cleaners, priming tools and more. Shown above are notable Cyber Monday Deals now offered on Amazon, with discounts up to 41%.
CYBER MONDAY Specials — Fifteen Hot Bargains
For our previous Black Friday feature stories last week we listed multiple websites that offered a variety of discounts. For this 2025 Cyber Monday + Deals of the Week, we feature 15 select items — all great deals. Click on each to get the current deal on the seller’s site, and then you can shop other Cyber Monday bargains at that vendor.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors. As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
For centerfire ammo, you can choose from dozens of flip-top boxes, storage bins, or milsurp-style ammo cans. For rimfire ammo, there are not so many good choices. Our preferred rimfire ammo carrier is the MTM SB-200 Small-Bore Fitted Ammo Box. This flip-top plastic box holds 100 rimfire rounds in black grids on the left and right. Each side has five rows left to right, holding ten rounds per row front to back (for 50 rounds per side). In the center is a storage area that will hold another 100 rounds in factory boxes.
Versatility for ALL Types of Rimfire Ammo
MTM’s SB-200 box is not just for .22 LR ammunition. This handy carrier will hold .17 HMR rounds, as well as .17 Mach 2, .22 Short, .22 Win Mag Rimfire, and of course .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR). This box is a winner — it has a low profile, holds rounds securely, and the center storage feature is smart.
MTM Case-Gard 200 Round Smallbore Box
This is really the only product of its kind on the market. It allows you to conveniently and securely hold 200 rimfire rounds, and also segregate your ammo by brand or bullet type. These boxes fit all types of popular rimfire ammunition. The vertical clearance of the lid is sufficient to hold the longer .22 WMR Rounds, and 17 HMR (as well as .22 LR naturally). The lid fits securely so you don’t have to worry about your rimfire ammo spilling out on the way to the range.
If you don’t have one of these boxes yet, we recommend you order one or two. They cost less than $20.00 and are available in Blue or “Rust” (a brick color).
Varminting for Fun — With Rimfires and Centerfires
One of the most fun things you can do with a rifle is to shoot varmints such as ground squirrels, prairie dogs, rockchucks, and groundhogs. There’s great satisfaction making a perfect hit on a critter that sends the beastie spinning in the air. Varminting also affords a great excuse to acquire more rifles, because it really does make sense to own and use multiple varmint rifles in various calibers.
Having multiple rifles on a varmint safari lets you preserve barrel life, and shoot lesser-recoiling calibers at the shorter distances. For example, with California ground squirrels, we like a .17 HMR inside 125 yards, then switch to a 20 Practical (20-223 Rem). For prairie dogs, you may want that 20 Practical, plus a nice .22 BR for 250-400 yards, and a .243 Ackley (or 6XC or 6mm CM) for long shots.
Seven Varmint Rifles — Rimfire and Centerfire
With 980,000 subscribers, the Backfire YouTube Channel is highly popular. The capable hosts provide honest, candid reviews. This video covers seven different varmint rigs. First off is the Air Arms TX 200 (00:25). Then the excellent .22 LR CZ 457 is featured (01:33), followed by a .223 Rem AR15-platform rifle (02:30). Next up is the .22 LR Christensen Arms Ranger 22 (03:40), which proved to be “crazy accurate”. Then the video showcases a Bergara Premier in 22-250 (04:20), an “excellent coyote gun that you could use on varmints as well”. Last up is the Ruger American Predator (05:20) in .17 HMR.
6XC Rifle Featured in Gunwerks Rockchuck Adventures
This Gunwerks video showcases varmint hunting in the Western USA. In this video Aaron Davidson and the Gunwerks crew try out some new rifles on some rockchucks. Most of the the rifles were suppressed but the host said the rockchucks took cover after the first shot, so this required good coordination among shooters and spotters. A 6XC varminter is featured at 2:44 and there’s some nice drone footage starting at 2:00.
6mmBR for Longer Range Varmint Adventures
The video creator reports “I spent a great deal of time deciding what 6mm cartridge I would pick for my next varmint build. I was sure of certain things. First, it had to fit an action that I owned. Most importantly, it had to be highly accurate, with light recoil. Quality, highly frangible bullets had to be available in the 50 to 70 grain weight range (for smaller to larger varmint hunting). For flat shooting ballistics, I wanted velocity above 3300 fps. I decided that the 6mmBR, with a slow twist barrel, was what I was looking for.” Components for this rifles are: Borden Alpine Action, Krieger Barrel, Grayboe Ridgeback Stock, Bix’N Andy Trigger, Thunderbeast Ultra Suppressor.
.22-250 Nails Ground Squirrels and Rock Hyraxes in South Africa
Here’s an interesting video from South Africa. The video maker starts with shots on ground squirrels. His .22-250 blasts them into little pieces. They he switches to more distant targets, a furry ground-hog size animal called the Rock Hyrax, Cape Hyrax, or Dassie. Mature Rock Hyraxes weigh 4-5 kilograms and have short ears and tail. These Rock Hyraxes are found at higher elevations in habitats with rock crevices, allowing them to escape from predators (but not skilled varmint hunters).
20 Practical — Great Choice for AR-Platform Rifle
If you want to use an AR-platform rifle in the varmint fields, consider getting a 20-caliber barrel chambered for the efficient, low-recoil 20 Practical cartridge. The 20 Practical is simply a .223 Remington necked down to 20 caliber. The parent .223 Rem cartridge of course works great in an AR, but the 20 Practical offers some notable advantages for high-volume varmint shooters. The 20 Practical cartridge is simply the .223 Rem necked down to 20 caliber — you can use standard .223 brass and load with standard.223 Rem dies. Just swap in a smaller expander and use smaller neck bushings.
The 20 Practical delivers very high velocity with very low recoil while still providing outstanding accuracy. The 20 Practical is great option for folks who favor “fast and light” — smaller, lower-mass bullets traveling at very high velocities. This little cartridge can launch 40-grainers at over 3900 fps.
.17 WSM — The Most Powerful .17 Cal Rimfire
We think that every varmint hunter should own a nice .17 Cal rimfire rig. Out to 200 yards or so the .17 WSM or .17 HMR is very effective on small varmints. It’s nice to be able to shoot affordable ammo out of the box and not have to scrounge for hart-to-find powder and primers. This video features a superb .17 Cal varmint rig, the Primal Rights TS Custom chambered for the impressive .17 WSM cartridge.
Prairie Dog Hunting with .17 HMR Savage A17 Rifle
On varmint excursions, we like to have a .17 rimfire for the closer shots, inside 150 yards. This video shows a successful Prairie Dog hunt with a .17 HMR. Watch and you’ll see hits out to 160 yards (00:50), proving the effective range of the .17 HMR cartridge. The host is shooting a Savage A17 semi-auto 17 HMR rifle in a Boyds laminated stock.
Varminters now enjoy three .17-caliber rimfire options. The .17 Mach 2, .17 HMR, and .17 WSM are all good choices, with the 17 Mach 2 (17 HM2) being the cheapest and the .17 WSM the most powerful. With a 3000 fps MV, the .17 WSM has some really impressive ballistics, — with a much flatter trajectory than both the .17 HMR and .22 WMR:
This Gun Digest book has become a “go-to” resource for NRL22 and PRS Rimfire shooters. Key topics included in this 2021 Edition full-color Gun Digest book include: rimfire semi-autos and how they work; bolt-action accuracy; match shooting skills; DIY precision gunsmithing; hunting with rimfires; and the future of the rimfire market.
With the growth of rimfire tactical competition, the .22-Caliber rimfire rifle is more popular than ever. Every major gun manufacturer has brought at least one new .22 LR rimfire rifle to the market in the last two years. Gun Digest’s Rimfire Revolution has extensive coverage of new models from major manufacturers.
The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) is the planet’s most popular ammunition type and firearm chambering. The .22 LR is used in the Olympics by 3P marksmen, but it also serves benchrest competitors, NRL22 shooters, backyard plinkers, small-game hunters, and tactical trainers. With the expansion of NRL22 matches (and the PRS equivalent), the humble .22 LR is undergoing a major resurgence in the USA. And with centerfire reloading components being so costly and difficult to find, many folks are shooting less centerfire, but way more rimfire.
Plus Coverage of .17-Caliber Rimfire Rifles — 17 HM2, 17 HMR, 17 WSM
This 272-page book also covers .17-caliber rimfire cartridges: 17 HM2 (Mach 2), 17 HMR, and 17 WSM. These are all excellent varmint rounds, with the 17 WSM effective out to 250 yards. The 17 HM2 will run in a normal .22 LR action and feed from standard .22 LR magazines. So, for most rifles, all you need to do a .22 LR to 17 HM2 conversion is a barrel switch. That gives your rimfire rig twice the versatility. Shoot .22s and .17s with the same gun.
NRL22 — Challenging Practical Competition with .22 LR Rifles
The USA has seen a big growth in rimfire tactical matches over the last five years. Right now there are probably ten times as many rimfire tactical matches as sanctioned PRS and NRL centerfire matches. The reason is simple — rimfire ammo is much less costly, and clubs can run challenging rimfire tactical matches at nearly any outdoor gun range that allows shooting out to 200+ yards.
NRL22 Competition — Tactical Rimfire Matches
The NRL22 match format is a great shooting discipline. NRL22 offers a high fun factor at relatively low cost. You don’t have to reload match ammo. A couple of 50-round boxes of .22 LR ammo will get you through the match. While some people bring lots of gear to matches, that’s by choice and not by necessity. You can keep it simple and still be competitive (and win).
Tips for NRL22 Competitors by Jonathan Ocab
I am a match director at my gun club and run our local NRL22 matches. People often ask me for tips for competing in NRL22. First, I recommend getting the course of fire for the month in advance and practicing those stages at the range. Here are other specific tips that should help NRL22 competitors improve their gun-handling and match results.
1. Dry Fire Practice — If you are not able to do live fire practice at the range, I encourage shooters to practice their shooting positions at home via dry fire. Setup props or barricades with pasters or other faux targets on a wall in the garage or inside the house and run through each stage.
2. Scope Magnification Level — The most common issue I see with newer shooters in NRL22 is the tendency to maximize their scope magnification. The timer will start, and the shooter gets into position on a target, but the scope is set to 15x or higher and the shooter can’t find the target. The shooter lowers the magnification, locates the target, and then increases the magnification again, takes the shot, transitions to another target, and repeats the process of decreasing magnification, locating target, etc. Novice NRL22 shooters should try using the mid-range magnification. Try shooting 7x-12x and learn to balance field of view and target image.
Our AccurateShooter.com Forum has an active section for hunting and varminting. One of the notable varminting threads in recent weeks was an account of a varmint hunt in Eastern Oregon. Forum member “Rick in Oregon” spent a week this past April nailing small varmints — known as “Sage Rats”, aka Belding ground squirrels (Urocitellus beldingi). Rick did most of his shooting with his handsome Cooper M38 rifle chambered for the 20 VarTarg wildcat, which is basically a .221 Fireball case necked down to .20 caliber. Here is Rick’s report on his successful Sage Rat Safari.
Forum member Rick in Oregon with his 20 VarTarg Cooper M38 rifle.
We just returned from a week-long sage rat shoot in the Orygun outback. Decent weather this time, no blowing snow, just plenty of sunshine and our buddy “Skippy the Flying Squirrel” to enhance our shooting enjoyment. Our rancher host refuses to use poison, so he welcomes us with the ability to hook our trailers to power and water, and a nice place to park them while we rid him of his sage rat problem. A true win-win situation for all. Out of respect for the rancher, we did not drive out into the fields. Instead we parked on the perimeter two-tracks, placed our portable benches, set up our windflags, then had at it.
For shooting these small critters, you need accurate rifles that shoot less than 0.5 MOA. The sage rats are small and they may be partially concealed inside their relatively flat mounds. I took my custom M700 .204 Match 1:11-twist rifle, but there were no long range opportunities to justify burning over 25 grains of powder, as no elevated positions were available to take advantage of it. Shooting from the flat terrain gets much mirage, making any hits past 350 yards virtually impossible, so my 20 VarTarg got the most action out to 350 yards. Then inside of 200 yards I used my Anschutz 1715D HB in .17 HMR which did a very fine job of rat launching.
Rick is a definite 20 VarTarg devotee: “For years I thought my .223 AI was the ideal Prairie Dog cartridge. It may well be, but for sage rats, the 20 VarTarg has few equals when efficiency and performance is considered. This makes 15 years of 20 VT sage rat medicine for me, and I do not see any changes on the horizon. It also works quite well on rockchucks!”
As usual when the “Eastern Oregon Raptor Feeding Society” shows up, so do the raptors. In fact bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks, and ravens all feast on the generous sage rat meals we provide. The terminal effects of the .20-Cal 32-grain bullets can’t be overstated. It sure makes it easy for the birds to do their thing. CLICK HERE for dead critter “blood and guts” close-up photo.
Above is Rick’s Cooper M38 chambered for the 20 VarTarg wildcat on his rotating field bench. Rick tells us: “My Cooper M38 VR 20 VarTarg is basically a stock offering from Cooper Firearms of Montana with a Jard 10 oz. trigger added. The barrel is a 1:12-twist 24″ Wilson chambered by Cooper. The bedding was perfect so I have not touched it in that regard.”
Rick’s load with Nosler 32gr Varmageddon bullets runs 3680 FPS — wicked fast. He loads Alliant Reloder 7 in Lapua or Nosler brass with Rem 7½ primers. Rick says this rig is VERY accurate, delivering groups in the sub-quarter-MOA range.
The scope is a Leupold VX3 6.5-20x40mm LR, with Varmint Hunter Reticle, factory-installed M1 elevation turret, EGW scope level, carried in Leupold rings. Rick notes: “My come-up chart in the scope’s ocular cover was developed using Sierra Infinity ballistics software based on my actual load. The chart has proven to be deadly spot-on at all suitable ranges I encounter the rats and rockchucks.”
EDITOR: The 20 VarTarg cartridge is based on the .221 Fireball case, necked down to .204 and slightly modified for extra capacity. This very efficient cartridge offers low recoil and great accuracy. It’s one of our first choices for ground squirrels and P-dogs out to 300 yards.
Tailgate Cleaning Set-Up — Brush That Barrel Back at Camp
Rick notes: “When the winds get up, cleaning in the field is problematic, blowing patches about, so cleaning back at camp on the tailgate is the hot setup.”
Anschutz 1715D HB in .17 HMR
For shots inside 200 yards, the .17 HMR works well. Rick notes: “The little ones were out, so inside of 200 yards, my Anschutz .17 HMR was the perfect medicine for that work. It really thumps those guys [doing] a very fine job of rat-launching.”
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) was introduced in 2002 by Hornady as a high-velocity, rimfire cartridge derived from the .22 Magnum case necked down to .17-caliber. The .17 HMR gained popularity among varmint hunters and target shooters for its good accuracy and hitting power out to 200 yards or more — all with low recoil and relatively low cost (compared to centerfire ammo).
Most .17 HMR ammo runs 17-grain or 20-grain hollow-point or plastic-tipped bullets at speeds around 2375-2550 FPS (lower for 20-grainers). Though lightweight, these small projectiles do deliver a powerful impact on small game while maintaining low recoil. Compared to the .22 LR, the .17 HMR offers superior ballistic performance, with flatter trajectories and higher energy at extended distances. It’s good for shooting prairie dogs, ground squirrels, sage rats, and other small critters.
During his sage rat safari in Oregon, Rick stayed in his trailer (see above). Rick noted that one critter “was frolicking about my trailer, so he made a good subject for a 300mm telephoto lens, shot out my dinette window. I can never get that close to them when in the field.”
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) was introduced in 2002 by Hornady as a high-velocity, rimfire cartridge derived from the .22 Magnum case necked down to .17-caliber. Designed for precision and flat trajectory, the .17 HMR gained popularity among varmint hunters and target shooters for its good accuracy and hitting power out to 200 yards or more. Standard .17 HMR ammo typically fires a 17-grain V-MAX or TNT hollow point bullet at speeds around 2550 FPS, offering explosive impact on small game while maintaining low recoil.
Compared to other rimfire cartridges like the .22 LR or .22 WMR, the .17 HMR offers superior ballistic performance, including flatter trajectories and higher energy at extended distances. It’s good for shooting prairie dogs, ground squirrels, rabbits, and even coyotes under the right conditions. While not as powerful as some centerfire varmint rounds, its blend of affordability, velocity, and accuracy makes the .17 HMR an outstanding choice for precision-minded rimfire shooters. Popular manufacturers like CCI, Hornady, Winchester, and Federal produce a wide variety of loadings, from polymer-tipped hunting rounds to jacketed hollow points, making it easy to tailor your ammo choice to your specific shooting needs.
.17 HMR Ammo DEALS — CCI, Hornady, Remington, Winchester
Things to Know about .17 HMR Ammunition
Bullet Type & Weight: The standard bullet weight for .17 HMR is 17 grains, with options up to 20 grains for improved wind resistance and penetration. Polymer-tipped bullets expand rapidly on impact, while jacketed hollow points (JHP) offer deeper penetration.
Which is more powerful, .22 Mag or .17 HMR? While the .22 WMR (Magnum) may offer slightly more raw energy, .17 HMR delivers superior velocity and flatter trajectory, giving it better accuracy at long distances. For precision shooting, .17 HMR generally has the edge.
How does .17 HMR ammo compare to other rimfire cartridges? Compared to .22 LR or .22 WMR, .17 HMR shoots flatter, faster (typically 2500+ fps), and with greater accuracy at extended distances. It’s a top choice for rimfire shooters who demand high performance beyond 100 yards.
What is the effective range of .17 HMR? Good .17 HMR ammo is highly accurate up to 150–200 yards for small game and varmints. Some experienced shooters can push it beyond 200 yards with the right optics and wind conditions.
What is the best barrel length for .17 HMR rifles? A barrel length between 20–22 inches is optimal for .17 HMR, balancing velocity, maneuverability, and accuracy. Shorter barrels are lighter but may lose some velocity, while longer barrels offer slightly better ballistics at the cost of weight.
Is the .17 HMR good for beginners? Yes .17 HMR has low recoil, flat trajectory, and simple handling for new shooters. It’s an easy-shooting round that offers good performance with low recoil.
This custom war wagon hauls varmint hunters around the Longmeadow Game Resort in Colorado.
Will you be heading to the varmint fields this summer? Proper planning is key to a safe, satisfying, and productive varmint holiday. Of course you’ll be busy reloading, but you should make a check-list of all the gear and supplies you need. Bring a variety of rifles if possible — you’ll need to switch off as one barrel gets hot, and the chambering that works best for your close shots may not be ideal for those longer shots out past 400 yards. Here are some tips from our Forum members that can help you shoot more effectively, and avoid problems on your varmint hunt. Here’s one key tip: at your shooting station, put a strip of surveyor’s tape on a tall stake to show the wind direction. Then shoot in the direction the wind blows. This will minimize the effect of cross-winds.
Varmint Safari Planning, Equipment, and Shooting Advice
From PatchHound: “The gear you bring will make or break a trip out to Prairie Dog land. A lot has to do with where you going and how far you are from [civilization]. For starters, bring lots of water. It will be hot in Wyoming in a few more weeks but it don’t hurt to bring warm clothes in case it snows. It’s best to wear leather boots unless you’re real good at dodging cactus while walking around. Good sunscreen [and a wide-brimmed hat] will save the day too. [What you need to bring] really depends on whether you’re shooting on some friendly ranch or 100 miles in the middle of [a wilderness area]. Good survival gear is a good thing to have for the latter!”
This photo is from a Dan Eigen TV Show video featuring a P-Dog hunt.
From Stoner25mkiv: “I’d suggest an adjustable bipod if you are going to do any walking. A laser rangefinder is a huge asset. Have a fanny pack or backpack for extra ammo, water, bore-snake, etc. when you go on your walkabouts. We also take a couple pivoting benches, heavy movers’ pad/blanket, sandbags (Uncle Bud’s Bulls Bag) for shooting from near the vehicle. Boonie hat for blocking the sun, sun glasses, sunscreen. High leather boots.
Anyway, on to the rifles…consider bringing a 17 HMR, .223 Ackley bolt gun, .223 Ackley AR, and a 243 WSSM. Some years the 17 HMR isn’t removed from its case. We had a couple windless days and the 17 was lots of fun. I’d walk into the dogtown and then lay down and wait. After five minutes or so I’d have dogs within easy rimfire range, and out to as far as I’d care to stretch the rimfire. 275 yards was about it.”
From CTShooter: “The .204 [Ruger] is a laser beam and good to 400 yards easy. Forget the rimfire! Do you have a portable bench that pivots? Bring bipod, binocs. Bring a LOT of water. I have a milspec sniper shooter’s mat/drag bag with shoulder straps. It is good to carry everything when you want to wander off and shoot prone with bipod. Here’s a view through my 6BR in ND.”
From RJinTexas: “In most of the locations that we’ll be shooting we’ll usually set up a minimum of 200 yards from the edge of a major dog town. We’ll start by working over the close-in dogs and shooting our way out, some of these towns may run in excess of 500/600 yards deep. I believe that a rimfire will put you at a distinct disadvantage. The only rimfire that will somewhat work is the 17 HMR and you can reload for your 204s for close to the cost of HMR ammo and you’ll be less apt to be under-gunned. Your 204 will work well out to 300/400 yards unless the wind is blowing hard. We classify a 10-mph crosswind as a very calm day and what makes it a little more challenging is that it is usually also gusting.”
From Wes (P1ZombieKiller): “[For my first PD trip] there are so many things I was not ready for. The one thing that I did bring (that no one told me about) was a canopy. I’m glad I did. Even though the weather was [near perfect], I know that sun can humble you real fast. With my pop-up canopy, I could shoot all day without getting killed by the sun. You had to tie the canopy down real well or the wind would blow it across the pasture.
We sat on shooting benches that pivot 360°, and are fast and easy to set up. Most all shots were 175-250 yards. I just felt comfortable at that range. It was more fun for me to be able to film the hits, and the camcorder I was using just did not get good video past 350 yards. The digital zoom distorted the image too much. I knew I would only get this one chance to film my first P-dog outing, and I wanted to get it on film for [posterity].”
Bring Multiple Rifles on Your Varmint Adventures
On our P-Dog adventures, we like to have multiple rifles — a .17 HMR for close work, then maybe a .20 Practical AR for 150-250 yards, then a larger caliber such as 6BRA, 6 Dasher or 6XC for those long shots. The classic 22-250 is also a wickedly effective varmint cartridge.
.20 Practical (20-223 Rem) AR-Platform Varminter
Here is a .20 Practical built by Robert Whitley. Whitley’s Ultimate Prairie Dog Rifle (PDR) features a 24″ Bartlein 11-twist cut-rifled barrel, DPMS side-charging upper, and a Jewell trigger. It is chambered in 20 Practical, a cartridge popularized by Warren “Fireball” Brookman.
This .20 Practical cartridge is simply the .223 Remington necked down to .204. You can use your existing .223 Rem brass — no special case-forming required! The 20 Practical is accurate, flat-shooting, and has almost no recoil. The advantage over the standard .223 Remington is that, grain for grain, the bullets have a higher BC and travel at a higher velocity for more dramatic effect on a small varmint. The ultra-low recoil allows you to easily see your hits, even without a muzzle brake. The 20 Practical, launching 40-grainers at about 3750 fps, shoots flatter than a .223 Rem with 55gr hollowpoints.
.17 HMR Savage A17 Varmint Rifle
We also like to have a Rimfire for the closer shots, inside 150 yards. The .17 HMR or .17 WSM are good choices. With a rimfire you save on ammo costs and you don’t waste precious centerfire barrel life.
This video shows a successful Prairie Dog hunt with a .17 HMR. Watch and you’ll see hits out to 160 yards (00:50), proving the effective range of the .17 HMR cartridge. The host is shooting a Savage A17 semi-auto .17 HMR rifle in a Boyds laminated stock.
Planning a Prairie Dog hunting adventure this summer? Consider bringing a .17 HMR rimfire rifle. Of course, for long shots you’ll definitely want a centerfire. We like the 20 Practical in an AR and a 22 BR/BRA in a bolt-action. That will have you covered out to 700 yards. But for shorter shots on small critters — say inside 150 yards — it makes sense to have an accurate .17 HMR rimfire rig. Today’s 17 HMRs are capable of surprising accuracy, rivaling a good centerfire rig, but with less recoil and much lower cost per shot. And the .17 HMR offers more than double the velocity of a .22 LR — up to 2650 fps with a 17-grain bullet.
Top Shot former Champion Dustin Ellerman likes his Volquartsens, and we can see why. With one of his favorite .17 HMR rimfire varmint rigs, he’s seen some outstanding accuracy with CCI ammo. A few seasons back, on his Facebook page, Dustin reported: “Prepping for prairie dogs and I’m floored by this cold, sub-half-inch group shot with the Volquartsen Custom .17 HMR at 100 yards.” This thumbhole-stock rifle features a Bowers Group USS suppressor, and 3-12x56mm Meopta Scope. Dustin tried different types of CCI .17 HMR ammo. This small group was shot with CCI A17 ammo.
What’s the effective range of a .17 HMR on prairie dogs? You might be surprised. in 2015, Dustin took another Volquartsen .17 HMR on a Prairie Dog hunt in Wyoming. He was impressed with the rifle (shown below) and the little rimfire cartridge. Dustin says the effective range of the .17 HMR is farther than one might expect: “I made hits out to 300 yards. 200 yards was easy as long as the wind wasn’t too bad.”
Here’s the Volquartsen .17 HMR Dustin used in Wyoming in 2015:
After that 2015 P-Dog expedition, Dustin became a fan of the .17 HMR cartridge: “Never paid it much attention before now because the ammo is five times more expensive than .22 LR and I mostly target shoot. However, for prairie dogs, the .17 HMR is amazing!” Consider this — Hornady’s .17 HMR ammo pushes a 17gr V-Max bullet at 2550 fps, twice as fast as typical .22 LR rounds.
Prairie Dog Adventure with Savage A17
This video shows a successful Prairie Dog hunt. Watch and you’ll see hits out to 160 yards (00:50), proving the effective range of the .17 HMR cartridge. The host is shooting a Savage A17 semi-auto .17 HMR rifle in a Boyds laminated stock.
.17 HMR and .22 WMR Options Enhance Ruger Precision Rimfire for Varmint Work
Many readers may not know this, but the Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle is available in three rimfire chamberings: .22 LR, .17 HMR, and .22 WMR. While .22 LR ammo is considerably cheaper, .17 HMR and .22 WMR shoot flatter and deliver MUCH more energy. These .17 HMR and .22 WMR chamberings are way more suitable for varminting. In fact we think this .17 HMR transforms the Ruger Precision Rimfire into a very good “carry-around” varmint rifle. We really like the .17 HMR — it’s our favorite rimfire cartridge for small varmints out to 160 yards.
Both cartridge types, .17 HMR and .22 WMR, also offer higher velocities, less wind drift, and flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. This is a benefit when cross-training. You can shoot at more distant targets with considerably less elevation dialed in your scope. And the windage corrections will be less extreme.
Ruger says: “Faster, flatter and with high-performing bullets, .17 HMR and .22 WMR cartridges expand the capabilities of the Ruger Precision Rimfire platform. Like its .22 LR predecessor, these new magnum offerings maintain the same ergonomics, trigger and manual of arms as the larger centerfire Ruger Precision Rifle.”
Here’s an excellent video review of the .17 HMR Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle by YouTuber 22 Plinkster. The reviewer was impressed with the rifle’s accuracy with 17gr ammo.
Both Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles feature 18″ hammer-forged barrels threaded for muzzle devices, including the Ruger® Silent-SR®. The 15″ free-float handguard with Magpul M-LOK slots provides generous scope clearance and easy mounting of M-LOK-compatible rails and accessories.
Like its .22 LR version, the magnum Ruger Precision Rimfire models featured an adjustable bolt throw (that can emulate a centerfire action if desired), along with trigger that adjusts from 2.25 to 5 pounds. The .17 HMR and .22 WMR models ship with a 0 MOA Picatinny rail and one, 15-round BX-15 Magnum magazine or one, 9-round JMX-1 rotary magazine. The BX-15 Magnum mag works very well with the .17 HMR and .22 WMR chamberings.
The standard finish for the .17 HMR and .22 WMR Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles is Black hard-coat anodized. But there is also a Burnt Bronze Cerakote Special Edition available through Iron Valley Distributor.
This custom war wagon hauls varmint hunters around the Longmeadow Game Resort in Colorado.
Today is May Day, May 1st, so we are well into springtime. The woes of winter are behind us. For many shooters, Spring is a great season to head out to the varmint fields. Here are six items that can help ensure successful spring varmint adventures.
Six Great Products for Varmint Shooters
1. BarrelCool In-Action Fan
Busy Varmint shooters may expend hundreds of rounds in a day. That’s tough on barrels. One way to extend your round count is to use the ingenious BarrelCool device. This little yellow gadget fits in your action with a blower tube that goes into the chamber. A small electric fan blows cooling air through the barrel. It really works — folks who’ve purchased the $44.95 Barrel Cool and run temp strips on their barrel say the BarrelCool can significantly reduce the time it takes to cool down a hot barrel.
In the past, folks have tried various methods to cool barrels: water flushed through the bore, CO2 tanks, even battery-operated fish pumps. BarrelCool is a simpler, less costly, and much handier solution. Priced at $44.95, this small device can potentially can save you money by extending barrel life. To see how Barrelcool works, watch the video below:
2. Uncle Bud’s Bulls Bag Sandbag
On most varmint hunts we spend most of the time shooting from a portable bench with a pedestal-type rest (we like the SEB Mini). But it’s nice having a big, heavy X-Type sandbag rig also. These four-chamber designs, such as the Uncle Bud’s Bulls Bag, allow shooting from a truck hood or any flat surface. Some rifles with narrow fore-ends really benefit from the firm “hug” provided by these “butterfly” style sandbags. We like the 15″ Uncle Bud’s Bulls Bag, currently $80.00 at BullsBag.com (khaki/suede). Durable and well-made, it will provide years of service. There is also a 10″ version that is easier to carry, starting at $62.00. Forum member Stoner24mkiv likes a Bulls Bag for shooting from a vehicle. He also suggests: “[take] an adjustable bipod if you are going to do any walking. Have a fanny pack or backpack for extra ammo, water, bore-snake, etc. when you go on your walkabouts. Bring a Boonie hat for blocking the sun, sun glasses, sunscreen. High leather boots.”
3. Burris Scope with Built-In Laser Rangefinder
The Burris Eliminator is an impressive piece of electro-optical technology. With a push of a button, a built-in laser rangefinder senses the distance to your target and the Eliminator’s microprocessor instantly calculates the required hold-over based on your load’s ballistics. The calculated aiming point is then displayed in the reticle with an illuminated red dot on the vertical cross-hair. Just put the red dot on the target and make the shot. Easy as that. If you are working a large prairie dog field and constantly moving near to far and back again, this scope is really handy. We’ve used the Eliminator III out to 500 yards on small steel targets and it worked flawlessly.
Right now you can get the 5-20x50mm Burris Eliminator V model for $1183.99 on Amazon (#ad — you must add to cart to see this price). Or you can get the 4-16x50mm Burris Eliminator III model for $1167.40 on Amazon (#ad). Note: the Eliminator V has been replaced by the compact Eliminator 6, but that newer model costs $2499.99. The Eliminator III and V both offer better value for the price.
4. Hornady 17 HMR V-Max Loaded Ammo
For those distant prairie dog shots, you’ll want a centerfire round with some reach, such as a 22 BR or 22-250. However, for closer work, or for smaller varmints such as ground squirrels, the 17 HMR is hard to beat. There are many good factory rifles chambered for the 17 HMR, such as the Savage A17 (shown below). Right now Hornady 17 HMR ammo is on sale at AmmoASAP.com for $12.05 ($0.24 per round). That’s a good deal. This same ammo sells elsewhere for up to $18.00 per 50-round box. NOTE: Hornady also offers 17 HMR ammo with 20gr XTP hollow-point bullets. Both types work well.
5. Stick-On Temp Strips Monitor Barrel Heat
You never want your barrel to get too hot. Accuracy suffers when barrels over-heat, and excessive heat is not good for barrel life. So how do you monitor your barrel’s temperature? You can check if the barrel is “warm to the touch” — but that method is not particularly precise. There is a better way — using temperature-sensitive strips. McMaster.com (an industrial supply house) offers stick-on temp strips with values from 86° F to 140° F. A pack of ten (10) of these strips (item 59535K13) costs $12.66 — so figure it’ll cost you about $1.27 per barrel for strips. That’s cheap insurance for your precious barrels. For best barrel life, try to stay under 120 degrees F.
6. Low-Fouling Power for High-Volume Varmint Loads
For high-shot-count varmint safaris, you want a clean-burning powder that minimizes barrel fouling. While there are many great powders for the .223 Rem, we like Hodgdon CFE 223 for high-volume varmint loads. This powder really seems to keep barrels cleaner. Originally developed for U.S. rapid-fire military systems, CFE 223 incorporates a proprietary chemistry named “Copper Fouling Eraser”. Based on tests with extended shot strings, Hodgdon claims that, by using CFE™223 varmint hunters, match shooters, and AR shooters can maintain accuracy for longer periods, with less barrel-cleaning time.
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) was introduced in 2002 by Hornady as a high-velocity, rimfire cartridge derived from the .22 Magnum case necked down to .17-caliber. The .17 HMR gained popularity among varmint hunters and target shooters for its good accuracy and hitting power out to 200 yards or more — all with low recoil and relatively low cost (compared to centerfire ammo).
From Wes (P1ZombieKiller): “[For my first PD trip] there are so many things I was not ready for. The one thing that I did bring (that no one told me about) was a canopy. I’m glad I did. Even though the weather was [near perfect], I know that sun can humble you real fast. With my pop-up canopy, I could shoot all day without getting killed by the sun. You had to tie the canopy down real well or the wind would blow it across the pasture.
.17 HMR and .22 WMR Options Enhance
