I'll just start by saying I do not own a 17 HMR, and don't shoot rimfires often. I've shot plenty of rabbits and squirrels with 22 long rifle, pellet guns, even blow guns. Recently a couple family members ended up with rifes in 17 HMR. One I had been shooting at the range with, and it was surprisingly accurate. The thing that spooked me was when retreiving the 100 yard targets, the berm was pock marked with divots. The bullets had obviously came apart violently, and only penetrated 2-3". Today we had some rabbits eating in the garden, so I decided to try it out. I was given CCI 17 grain V-max's. I ended up shooting two. The first was a lucky head shot, the second was a chest shot, but it didn't kill it! The poor thing had actually dragged itself, guts and all about 20 yards on one lung, and was still kicking. The head shot left a bloody mess too. I can't say I've ever seen anything so pathetic as this. Even the old pump BB gun will go through a rabbit. Needless to say, we didn't eat the body shot one.
The gun was bought with the intention of shooting varmints as big as fox. Surely there is a bullet for 17 HMR capable of at least that. What do you guys use? Bonus points for a round that leaves something to eat.