re: .17 HMR 8-shot revolver for Self Defense?

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Stick to rounds we know work. No need to experiment with your life.

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BINGO!
The 17 HMR is a very fine round for non-edible small game, but I would only use it for self defense if there was absolutely nothing else available. Except for the FJM version, all 17 HMR bullets are highly frangible; they're made to fragment into many small pieces w/ minimal penetration. For a self defense round, I believe the FBI recommends a minimum of 12" penetration in ballistic gel. I found lots of Youtube videos of people shooting 17 HMR's into ballistic gel, but no one measuring the penetration. Nevertheless, the penetration was far less than 12". Here's a nice link where someone measured penetration into water soaked phone books. 17 HMR Penetration Test The bullets only penetrated a few inches. They'd penetrate a little deeper in the gel, but it'd still be far from the recommended minimum.

shite, I'm jealous... Sounds like a canon.