Question for the shooters out there having a 17 HM2 in their collection. Do you still shoot them or are they safe queens? Do you shoot them as much as your 17 HMR or your 22 lr? Buddies of mine that I regularly shoot Richardson Ground Squirrels with have recently acquired 17 HM2 rifles and I am feeling left out. I have several 22 lr guns as well as a 22 mag gun and 17 HMR. Looking for the nudge to push me into adding a 17 HM2 to my collection.
17 HM2 - do you shoot them
- Thread starter Kellyvanb
- Start date
Well, sometimes you just have to get something out of your system. In my case, I'm trying to get 17M2 out of my system for about the fourth or fifth time. Started when I learned Marlin had made a semi (model 717M2?) but after about 2 minutes of Googling I figured that wouldn't be the one to start with. Got a Savage and had a great time ridding a barn of some pests one summer. More power than req. for any of that, but plenty of authority. Fought the urge to expand on that. lol
I couple of Marlin 917M2s came/went (should have kept the first one and just stopped there) and then promised myself I'd never get another. Now I'm on the last/best one I hope...but I've only had one quick range trip with it. I tried for years to find a CZ 452 in 17M2 and had to call that one off.
There are some guys on here who were fortunate to have cleaned-out all the Eley 17M2 that was once available (think it was Eley?) but the rest of us kinda buy/try what we can get. If I could sum-up 17M2, I might say to manage your expectations. My perspective might be allot different if I had gophers to aim at. In fact, how could it not be? lol Between the price of the stuff these days and what I've experienced accuracy-wise, I mostly enjoy shooting reactive targets with it. 22LR is a better target round.
If noise is a concern where you're shooting or you don't want the report of something like 17HMR, 17M2 could be a great compromise. I haven't checked prices recently but last time I did, I thought M2 was creeping closer to HMR..which won't help it's prospects. I'd really love to try 17M2 in a gopher patch, or at least see it being used. What I've never seen is a side-by-side comparison of 17M2 and something like CCI Velocitor? I have a hard time imagining 17M2 would give the more exciting results on a reactive target. Velocitor seems more like 17HMR in my very unscientific testing.
OP-if you have a reliable source for 17M2 ammo and a nice rifle in mind, join the fun!
I couple of Marlin 917M2s came/went (should have kept the first one and just stopped there) and then promised myself I'd never get another. Now I'm on the last/best one I hope...but I've only had one quick range trip with it. I tried for years to find a CZ 452 in 17M2 and had to call that one off.
There are some guys on here who were fortunate to have cleaned-out all the Eley 17M2 that was once available (think it was Eley?) but the rest of us kinda buy/try what we can get. If I could sum-up 17M2, I might say to manage your expectations. My perspective might be allot different if I had gophers to aim at. In fact, how could it not be? lol Between the price of the stuff these days and what I've experienced accuracy-wise, I mostly enjoy shooting reactive targets with it. 22LR is a better target round.
If noise is a concern where you're shooting or you don't want the report of something like 17HMR, 17M2 could be a great compromise. I haven't checked prices recently but last time I did, I thought M2 was creeping closer to HMR..which won't help it's prospects. I'd really love to try 17M2 in a gopher patch, or at least see it being used. What I've never seen is a side-by-side comparison of 17M2 and something like CCI Velocitor? I have a hard time imagining 17M2 would give the more exciting results on a reactive target. Velocitor seems more like 17HMR in my very unscientific testing.
OP-if you have a reliable source for 17M2 ammo and a nice rifle in mind, join the fun!
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
I don't own one, but the truth is, only you can know if it scratches that itch for you. I've owned lots of great firearms, but sometimes they won't grow on you and you go sell it. Not the end of the world to try a platform and find out it doesn't check all the boxes.
I built a 17m2 rifle from a 22lr started platform (Ruger Precision Rimfire). I bought a bunch of 17m2 ammo.
I only used it on one or two gophering trips since then due to life reasons and lack of gopher density. It seemed good. Similar to 17hmr but a little less explosive and quite a bit quieter.
I only used it on one or two gophering trips since then due to life reasons and lack of gopher density. It seemed good. Similar to 17hmr but a little less explosive and quite a bit quieter.
I think I still have 3 Marlins,1 Kimber,1 Sako Quad,1 10/22 conversion with a gorgeous stock, and a recently acquired Volquartsen Summit ALL IN 17HM2… need I say more?
A joy to shoot gophers with in Saskatchewan. Milder report than the 17HMR and back here in southern Ontario deadly on squirrels!! Ammo is available, but I’d suggest order a few(10) cases of it and lay in a good supply, great gopher medicine. Most of all it adds variety and excitement to what you’re doing and playing with. Sort of like an extra girlfriend on the side….
A joy to shoot gophers with in Saskatchewan. Milder report than the 17HMR and back here in southern Ontario deadly on squirrels!! Ammo is available, but I’d suggest order a few(10) cases of it and lay in a good supply, great gopher medicine. Most of all it adds variety and excitement to what you’re doing and playing with. Sort of like an extra girlfriend on the side….
I think I still have 3 Marlins,1 Kimber,1 Sako Quad,1 10/22 conversion with a gorgeous stock, and a recently acquired Volquartsen Summit ALL IN 17HM2… need I say more?
A joy to shoot gophers with in Saskatchewan. Milder report than the 17HMR and back here in southern Ontario deadly on squirrels!! Ammo is available, but I’d suggest order a few(10) cases of it and lay in a good supply, great gopher medicine. Most of all it adds variety and excitement to what you’re doing and playing with. Sort of like an extra girlfriend on the side….
I have been half heartly looking for a Sako Quad with wood stock or a CZ 457 with HM2 barrel. May end up buying Lilja barrel for the 457.
I owned a Marlin, a Ruger 77, a converted 10/22, and a Cooper. I sold my last 17m2 rifle, the Cooper, and 16,000 rounds of Eley loads about 5 years ago. I sold the Cooper for a few hundred more than I paid for it, and I sold the ammunition for $10/ box, after averaging under $7/box to buy it, to the same person as a package deal. I actually bought 25,000 rounds of the Eley loads, when the retailers were dumping it at $6.50-$7.00 per box.
- Location
- the prairies
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
I use mine and ammo is available. Hb marlin ss laminate. Good shooter. Neat little round.
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
The 17 Hornady Mach 2 caliber is an amazing rimfire cartridge. Kills gophers like the "Hammer of Thor", is extremely accurate, and can be fired without ear protection. In saying this, ear protection is always a good idea.
My wife and I use this caliber, it's less expensive than 17 HMR or 22 WMR. Kills gophers and marmots out to 150 yards with ease. Past that, she drops off a fair bit.
Once you get bit by the 17 HM2 bug, you will absolutely love it!......
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
You folks on the prairies are very fortunate to have gophers up in January or February. Shooting them in the snow must be epic!.....
We have seen them on January 26th in 2022, near Airdre, Alberta. Running on top of the snow.......
They normally come up here in the East Kootenays around April 10th - 15th, depending on the spring.
Marmots in the Okanagan can be seen around March 11th to the 15th, again depending on the spring weather.
I’m a big fan of the 17HM2. I tried a number of different rifles (including Cooper, Kimber, Sako, Volquartsen, CZ, TC and a custom Ruger). Accuracy of the guns, although very good was somewhat stifled due to limited ammo choice. The best 22LR rifles with match ammo would probably outshoot the 17HM2. Likely because “match grade” ammo was never available for the mach2.
That said, Eley ammo shot consistently better than either Hornady or CCI. Unfortunately, Eley ammo is no longer available. The last time I checked, there were only 3 ammo offerings available (2 by Hornady 17gr and 15.5gr and 1 from CCI). I heard the Aquila was producing 17HM2 ammo but never found any in stores to test.
The 17HM2 is my favourite small varmint caliber (gophers, squirrels, muskrats, magpies, etc). Head shots on gophers to 100yds on calm days are common. When you hit small game, the effect is pretty dramatic. Put it this way, gophers don’t make it back down the holes! The 17HM2 is reasonably cheap to shoot, relative to the 17HMR.
Only downside is limited ammo selection and availability.
Oh yes, one warning. I had two semiauto 17HM2’s that kind of f****-up in my hands. One was a re-barrelled 10/22 and the other was a TC R-55. Both fired out of battery with Hornady ammo. The TC sort of violently “blew up” and broke the laminate stock, and magazine. Bits and pieces went all over the place. The 10/22 just forcibly ejected the magazine and the ruptured cartridge casing out the mag well. Not as violent, but still a serious concern. So, I certainly wouldn’t recommend a semi-auto rifle in 17HM2. Stick to a bolt action (or toggle action like the VQ summit).
That said, Eley ammo shot consistently better than either Hornady or CCI. Unfortunately, Eley ammo is no longer available. The last time I checked, there were only 3 ammo offerings available (2 by Hornady 17gr and 15.5gr and 1 from CCI). I heard the Aquila was producing 17HM2 ammo but never found any in stores to test.
The 17HM2 is my favourite small varmint caliber (gophers, squirrels, muskrats, magpies, etc). Head shots on gophers to 100yds on calm days are common. When you hit small game, the effect is pretty dramatic. Put it this way, gophers don’t make it back down the holes! The 17HM2 is reasonably cheap to shoot, relative to the 17HMR.
Only downside is limited ammo selection and availability.
Oh yes, one warning. I had two semiauto 17HM2’s that kind of f****-up in my hands. One was a re-barrelled 10/22 and the other was a TC R-55. Both fired out of battery with Hornady ammo. The TC sort of violently “blew up” and broke the laminate stock, and magazine. Bits and pieces went all over the place. The 10/22 just forcibly ejected the magazine and the ruptured cartridge casing out the mag well. Not as violent, but still a serious concern. So, I certainly wouldn’t recommend a semi-auto rifle in 17HM2. Stick to a bolt action (or toggle action like the VQ summit).
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I've got a Sako Quad (4 barrel set) and a Remington 504. Bought as much ammo as could be found (Thanks again TJCote). Lots of fun from a bench on the little ground squirrels. Not as dramatic as I was expecting but definitely gets the job done.
I've got all the 17 rimfire variants, HM2, HMR and WSM. I think of them as golf clubs, it all comes down to expected range that I plan on shooting, and what I'm shooting at. It's a fun cartridge, I love them all, I've got a couple 5mm Rem Mag rifles and 1K rounds that I shoot once a year.
I lucked out and imported a CZ 452 Varmint from the US, and bugged a buddy enough that he sold me his 452 American. I've got a Marlin bolt as well, can't recall the number. Also in the stable is a 455 Varmint with a stainless Lilja barrel. I played around with a 10/22, but the bulging cases made me stop. I'll pick up a Summit straight pull for that barrel.
I lucked out and imported a CZ 452 Varmint from the US, and bugged a buddy enough that he sold me his 452 American. I've got a Marlin bolt as well, can't recall the number. Also in the stable is a 455 Varmint with a stainless Lilja barrel. I played around with a 10/22, but the bulging cases made me stop. I'll pick up a Summit straight pull for that barrel.
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Like PGW Steve, I have all the 17 rimfire. My bull-barreled 17 HM2 bolt gun is very accurate with CCI ammo and very fun to shoot. 17 HMR bolt is good, but not a huge fan of my 17 HMR lever Henry (my lever phase is over now). 17 WSM is, for me, not the most accurate in my Savage.
For me, they are used to put holes in pieces of paper at 100 yards, and I have fun with them all. Unfortunately, not many groundhogs in SSW Ontario and few critters to hunt so just range toys for me. I have lots of ammo in all calibers. Bought them when on sale at local places (including CanTire 17 WSM when they were getting rid of them all).
YMMV
