I bought a marlin semi in a 17mach2 and I am simply amazed by this little rifle. I am not sure why people just don't seem to make this rifle/round combo more popular. I shot gophers at 125 yards with no problems and they didn't move when hit. The 22lr can't do that. The heavy 22 bullet just doesn't gain enough speed for an explosive effect like the 17 bullet. The quick shock and stingers still don't seem to kill as effectively and I hate it when a gopher is hit hard but is still able to get down his hole.
I don't have a 17hmr simply because the new loadings for the 22mag make the 2 guns so close in performance and because of that I feel the 22mag is more then adequate for some explosive action.

I don't have a 17hmr simply because the new loadings for the 22mag make the 2 guns so close in performance and because of that I feel the 22mag is more then adequate for some explosive action.
