17M2 ammo in Calgary? **EDIT~hunting photos/update in post #21**

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys, just had an opportunity pop-up...some AB gopher shooting! New territory for this Ontario groundhog hunter, so I'm pretty pumped!! A buddy of mine in Calgary has a 17HMR for me to use if I'd like, but, I have a 17M2 here that has never been used for anything but punching paper. I'm contemplating taking it with me and using it instead of the HMR BUT...

1. Is 17M2 ammo easy to find in Calgary right now, and,
2. Is 17M2 anywhere near as fun to blast them with?

There will be a .223 and a shotgun at my disposal too I'm sure, but I like the .17 rimfire idea. Worth the expense of bringing the M2, or not worth it? Looking for some opinions... Based on what I'm told, we might each get into 100 or so a day...maybe more.

thanks!

 

[kolik1]

I would leave the 17M2 behind and use the 17HMR. 17M2 ammo is hard to find, seems like a bit of a risk to pay to bring your rifle along only to not have any ammo.

besides it's fun to watch the gophers do cart wheels when you hit them with a 17hmr.. or.. you know... just explode...

 

[.22LRGUY]

I would leave the 17M2 behind and use the 17HMR. 17M2 ammo is hard to find, seems like a bit of a risk to pay to bring your rifle along only to not have any ammo.

besides it's fun to watch the gophers do cart wheels when you hit them with a 17hmr.. or.. you know... just explode...

Thanks for the input. I'd love to get some trigger time with the M2, but from what I've seen in photos...and from what I've been told...there is plenty of fun to be had with the HMR for sure. Maybe I'll just go that route.

 

[hoytcanon]

Bring your M2... they are laser beams to 125 yards... there is ammo around if you look... plus I am betting your buddy would love to try it out also. I just bought two bricks of Hornady 17 VM at my LGS... didn't notice if there was more... if your interested shoot me a PM and I will check for you. ..

 

[scarred_preacher]

Last time I was at TSE they had some, that was on the weekend

 

[.22LRGUY]

You guys are making this tough on me! lol I have the option of bringing the rifle on WestJet for about another $100 each way (qualifies as extra baggage), shipping the rifle out there for about $40 each way, or simply dumping the money into HMR ammo to feed his Savage 93 TR. Hmmm.... I could always leave the rifle out there for the next visit.

 

[hoytcanon]

Oh... I thought you were driving... I would probably still ship the gun... it is just too perfect a purpose for an M2... I think it would be a special shoot for a guy that doesn't get to do it very often.

 

[6MT]

I would leave the 17M2 behind and use the 17HMR. 17M2 ammo is hard to find, seems like a bit of a risk to pay to bring your rifle along only to not have any ammo.

besides it's fun to watch the gophers do cart wheels when you hit them with a 17hmr.. or.. you know... just explode...

Richardson's ground squirrels.....17HMR......meat spray!

 

[stubblejumper]

Richardson's ground squirrels.....17HMR......meat spray!

And an even more dramatic spray, with the 20 Vartarg, loaded for the same cost as 17HMR ammunition. Also much better for longer shots if there is a breeze. For shots to around 125 yards, the 17mach2 is still my favorite.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Oh... I thought you were driving... I would probably still ship the gun... it is just too perfect a purpose for an M2... I think it would be a special shoot for a guy that doesn't get to do it very often.

Thanks for the input hoytcanon, I'm sure leaning that way. I bought the M2 when I was contemplating a career change and move to AB. In Ontario...it's been a bit of a dust collector.

And an even more dramatic spray, with the 20 Vartarg, loaded for the same cost as 17HMR ammunition. Also much better for longer shots if there is a breeze. For shots to around 125 yards, the 17mach2 is still my favorite.

No doubt! I reload .223 and .204R for varmint hunting here in Ontario and I'm a huge fan of it. My buddy in Calgary reloads .223 and has us set if centerfire strikes our fancy. Only hope there are enough targets. Is there a 1-800-GOPHERS line I could call out there if we run out? Have rifles, will travel.

 

[hoytcanon]

Thanks for the input hoytcanon, I'm sure leaning that way. I bought the M2 when I was contemplating a career change and move to AB. In Ontario...it's been a bit of a dust collector.

My M2's collect dust too... between the end of rabbit season and the start of squirrel season... maybe just a speck or two...

 

[.22LRGUY]

I think this thread calls for some 17M2'd gopher photos. I've seen the HMR effect....need 17M2 ones. If you're reluctant to post here, I'd be happy to PM you my email address. I'm honestly quite curious either way.

 

[Reddogcattle]

Leave yours at home and spend the shipping money on ammo. Lots of gophers around. The wife and I shot 146 yesterday and we were only out for a couple hours
We both shot 17hmr s by the way.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Leave yours at home and spend the shipping money on ammo. Lots of gophers around. The wife and I shot 146 yesterday and we were only out for a couple hours
We both shot 17hmr s by the way.

That's what the little...frugal voice in my head keeps saying! Thanks for chiming in. I've heard good things about the #s, only hope my buddy's spots are good once I get out there. He's not shooting them this weekend, holding off for reinforcements from Ontario.

 

[Reddogcattle]

Everyone is cutting hay this week. The little ba*stards are out in full force. Heading out again today, I've been keeping a on going gopher kill count this year and I'm over 600 so far.
With the 17hmr it's no prob to hit over 200 yards with some practice. You can really stretch that little round out. I haven't touched my 22s in forever

 

[Reddogcattle]

[/IMG]
This is what I use. A ice fishing bucket to sit on, and carry ammo,water,bug spray, and spits and a good locking tripod.
DON T FORGET SUN BLOCK

 

[Archer Sam]

I'd take the M2 just to get the time on it shooting something other than paper. I can't wait to finish mine so I can even shoot it. Been in pieces for a couple of months now.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I'd take the M2 just to get the time on it shooting something other than paper. I can't wait to finish mine so I can even shoot it. Been in pieces for a couple of months now.

Thanks for the input Archer Sam, and everyone else...but I was emailed the photo of my buddy's stockpile of HMR ammo and suffice to say, the bases are covered...the M2 stays at home. Would love to have used it, but look forward to some trigger time with an HMR again..and shooting something ideally suited to the HMR's power/reach.

Thanks again!

 

[TJCote]

Sorry this is probably off topic but I love both the M2 and the HMR. I find the HMR's need cleaning after about 50 rounds or accuracy starts to decline. I have a Ruger 77/17 target and a Voquartsen in 17HMR. I can go quite a bit longer with the M2 using a Kimber and a Sako Quad. So when I'm gopher hunting I take the M2's cuss I'm usually shooting quite a hit. Anybody else notice this?

 

[Reddogcattle]

I easily run a couple hundred rounds every time we go out. Never had any troubles. I'm shooting a savage with a laminate thumbhole stock. One of my favourite guns.