.17 HMR on beaver

[fishermann222]

Going to make the annual beaver trip here in a few weeks once our rivers break and i am looking for info from EXPERIENCED users of the .17HMR on beavers.

In the past i have used a .22 mag, but I want to have some fun with the .17 this year. Does anyone have experience head shooting beavers with the .17 HMR and if so how well does it work?

So, those of you who have shot beavers with the .17, what are your experiences as far as bullets to use, and quick deaths, and pelt damage.

Thanks guys

[HunterLee]

Don't use the 17gr vmax, the 20gr xp bullet is all i would use. Beavers can take quite a hit without any fur damage. If you are shooting them in the water i guess a head shot is it. I have shot some, they all are dead when shot, but you know as well as i do, that they tend to do alot of flipping, splashing and kickin around. If you guys shoot them only on land, I would use something bigger and go behind the shoulder. I shot one with my 204, and there was no movement with no fur damage.

If you can't or don't have the 20gr, I have used the vmax's they worked fine for the most part, but have had a few get away from poor bullet preformance. I think you would be best to use your 22mag as you have a good solid bullet, with a heavier bullet.

The two that i skun out last that were shot with the vmax, you couldn't tell they were shot, except when i got to the head the skull was crushed. No fur damage just skull damage.

[TroutYammer]

Where are you going on your annual beaver trip?

[fishermann222]

Up a little river in western alaska called the tulaksak. Looking at ice out on the 20th or so, headed out beavering end of the month or early june. LATE ice out here this year