17mach 2 vs 17hmr

The difference between .22 and .17 is SPEED.

The difference between the HMR and the Mach 2 - the HMR is a necked down.22mag, and the Mach 2 is simply a necked down .22LR.

The .17HMR has about 2 - 2.5 times the 'effective' range of a .22LR. Flat trajectory, and good fragmentation (with the right bullets).

I do a LOT of gopher shooting with my 10/22, but bought it before .17HMR was released. If I had to do it over, I'd get an HMR.
 
Good Question

I am looking to upgrade my .22LR 10/22 and am looking at a new .22LR or a new .17 HMR Mach 2. I can see from the ballistics that you basically get twice the effective range with the increase in speed. The bullets for the Mach 2 are I beleive 17gr so I don't know what kind of shooting you could do with it other than gophers and chickens.
 
Sakoman said:
I am looking to upgrade my .22LR 10/22 and am looking at a new .22LR or a new .17 HMR Mach 2. I can see from the ballistics that you basically get twice the effective range with the increase in speed. The bullets for the Mach 2 are I beleive 17gr so I don't know what kind of shooting you could do with it other than gophers and chickens.
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You shoot chickens? :confused:

Anyway.... the .17HMR is used by most people as a rodent gun and not a varmint gun (I know some people use them on bobcats and coyotes, but the general consensus is that a larger caliber would be more humane). The HMR bullets are very frangible so they do a great job at killing rodents with little risk of richochetting, but if you're into eating gophers and squirrels then you'll want to stick to using the .22 so you won't have to eat bullet fragments.

There are conversion kits (barrel and properly weighted bolt handle) for the Ruger 10/22 to convert them to .17HM2. I'm still trying to find a Canadian source for them though. The conversion will cost $300 roughly so you could just buy a Savage/Marlin HMR or HM2 rifle for the same money.

As for choosing between the HMR and the HM2... They're pretty much identical out to 125 yards, after that the HM2 start running out of gas and starts to drop quicker. Wind is a factor on these lightweight bullets though so if you live in a windy area, 125 yards is probably about as far as you'll want to shoot anyway. Ammo cost for the HM2 is quite a bit less than the HMR, but there is always the danger that the HM2 (being less popular) will eventually be discontinued.
 
I would not limit the hmr to rodents only, within reasonable ranges 125 ish jackrabbits and foxes would be on the hit list I have shot enough of those with 22's in years past that it should be in the hmr's capabilities. Though the biggest I have shot with mine was a procupine (which was DRT).

For me I am torn between my HMR bolt gun and my 10/22 as to which is my fav gopher gun. Marlin's semi 17m2 could be the one gun that replaces them both I will likly give one a try some time this year.
 
aulrich said:
Marlin's semi 17m2 could be the one gun that replaces them both I will likly give one a try some time this year.
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I was hoping that Ruger would make a factory 10/17hm2. I like the rotary mag system of the 10/22 (it works and it sits flush to the stock) plus you have all those aftermarket options for 10/22 triggers, stocks, and magazines. I'm puzzled by why Ruger hasn't since it's just a barrel and bolt handle change.
 
CanFire said:
I was hoping that Ruger would make a factory 10/17hm2. I like the rotary mag system of the 10/22 (it works and it sits flush to the stock) plus you have all those aftermarket options for 10/22 triggers, stocks, and magazines. I'm puzzled by why Ruger hasn't since it's just a barrel and bolt handle change.
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Maybe because it is much less popular than the .17HMR

Just my $0.02
 
I have shot both in side by side comparsions and can honestly say that both perform close to the same out to 100-125 yds. I found that the HM2 needed a little more hold over as the HMR is really flat. Past 125 yds the HM2 drops like a rock though, where the HMR holds out to about 250 yds then peters out. At 250 yds it is FAIRLY accurate but starts to drift a little.
The HMR also seems to hit with more of a impact too.
 
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