The 17mach2 was my favorite cartridge for ground squirrels at one time, but lately, we are setting up benches and shooting them at ranges to 250 yards, so the 17mach2 wasn't seeing a lot of use. So today I delivered my Cooper 17mach2 and almost 16,000 rounds of ammunition to the new owner. He now has two higher end 17mach2 rifles and 29,000 rounds of ammunition.
I Am No Longer 17Mach2 Owner
- Thread starter stubblejumper
- Start date
I am using a Cooper in 17 hornet, good to well over 200 yards, yet it doesn't heat up like a 223rem.
Reloading 17 caliber bullets is a pain in webbing between my thumb and index finger. After seating about 40 and dropping 20 my thumb wants to stick to my index finger via severe cramp in the webbing. Only reason i havent bought a 17 centerfire for my self yet
I have loaded 200 in a session with no issues at all.
Nice, I am another who hates loading 17 cal bullets... I have sausage fingers. Love the Hornet case though... I have it in the .22 version. No gophers out this way, but I have whacked a pile of ground hogs over the past 40+ years, using Hornet rifles.
I would think that you could soft load a .223 to give you more than the .17 Hornet without unduly heating the barrel? I shoot 300-400 rounds at a sitting with .223's on range days, the POI does not drift significantly that I have noticed.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I sold my .17 mach 2 and the 3000-4000 round I had a couple years back. It was fun while I had it, but for what new ammo was costing, I didnt see it offering me anything that a .22lr couldn't do. Then I switched to a.17 fireball and .22 hornet for gophers. Those make a much larger "splat" and are way more fun to shoot!
I bought that ammunition for less than half the price that 17mach2 ammunition sells for now, so it was still relatively cheap to shoot. I also had a 22hornet , and a 17FB, but I like the 17hornet best for ground squirrels.
Over the years, I have often thought about .17 CF of some sort or another; tiny bullets, small casings make them unappealing to reload for me. I to found the .223 a bit more than I needed to carry around for ground-hogs (have an AR for a range toy), and was never impressed with the .22 mag. 17 HMR is a perfect fit for me and my current wants; impressively accurate too!
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I was born mostly blind in my right eye and forced to shoot left handed. It took me 5 years of searching to finally find a LH 22 Hornet, so I went with the fireball because it's easier find/barrel for in a LH set up. But if I was a righty, I'd order a couple CZ varmints in 17 hornet and be done with it!
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
I too love the Mach 2 but moved to where there aren't many (any) gophers. I told 22LRGUY a long time ago if I ever decided to sell it he has first right of refusal just because he too professes a love for it.
I have 222s and 223s (I swear they multiply over winter) , all I'll ever need but I'd like a 17FB again or maybe a 19 Calhoun or 20 tactical?
I have 222s and 223s (I swear they multiply over winter) , all I'll ever need but I'd like a 17FB again or maybe a 19 Calhoun or 20 tactical?
Last edited:
You're a good man for remembering Donny Fenn1!
THAT 17M2 would see me back in the 17M2 world for what it's worth, but I'd buy fully knowing how little I'd use it..and..having realistic accuracy expectations. Someone else said that they didn't see why it does that 22LR can't do. Well, yes and no. I think it's cool/odd...and has it's place. I've done some very fun pest work with 17M2. I have my reasons for wanting. My only other .17 rimfire is my Marlin 917, 17HMR with a heavy barrel. It would be impossible to speculate how many gophers that rifle has cut in half, but other than that purpose (every 2 years) it rarely sees the light of day. As for 17 Hornet-I bought my first a few years ago, and I think it might be the ultimate groundhog caliber. Definitely deadly out to 200 yards, possibly further. I haven't had the opportunity. One reason is that I'm rarely the guy behind the trigger. lol If I can share the sport with the next generation, that gives me as much..if not more satisfaction. Here is one my nephew's closest friends lining-up a varmint with my 17H. Oddly enough (like Donny Fenn1) I'd considered both of those oddball calibers and had almost gone down the .19/.20 lane...but opted to try .17H and see if it scratched the itch. It most definitely did. Again, maybe the perfect groundhog caliber for the ranges you're likely to encounter them on Ontario farms. Perfect combination of accuracy, power, report and of course..effectiveness.
Id like to build a 20tac. Being from ontario crows and coyotes are the most common vermin. I consider the 17 mach2 to light for targeting coyotes. Ive been playing with a 223 alot more recently. It may see the fields tomorow afternoon if a tom gets dropped in the am
