Watch out gophers!!!.....Semi Auto .17 on the way!!!
- Thread starter Bull's-Eye
- Start date
I would love to get into centerfires but I have no place to shoot them (well at the range I guess but that is boring)
I will definatly do a post this summer compairing the semi and my bolt. Stay tuned.....
Center fire at the range is fun and the 17FB should do gophers at 300yds quite easily on a calm day. If I remember right @ 4000fps and 1.5" high at 100yds, it's 4" low at 400yds. It's been a long time since I checked the ballistics tables so I may be a bit off on my recollection, but 4000fps is on the low side for speed.
I shoot at smaller venues where a centerfire would be too much.
If a 17HMR isn't too much.a 22 Hornet should fit right in.They are each about as loud as the other,and the Hornet can be loaded down to 22 magnum velocities if you choose to.The 17Mach2 is even quieter than the 17HMR and ammunition is half the cost.
The .22 Hornet is something that I have always wanted but I want to load it because factory ammo is way to expensive. Didn't have any room to do so until lately, bought a house, so I can see a Hornet in the near future
I haven't had mine that long,but I am totally impressed with it.It easily does five shots into 1/2" at 100 yards,and around 1" to 1-1/4" at 200 yards.I am hoping to test it on coyotes this winter.Clay has several CZ527s coming in in 22 Hornet,and he still has an Anschutz 1730HB like mine in stock.
Takujualuk
CGN Regular
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
Big advantage of the 17 over the 22 Hornet is you don't have to reload. Reloading 500 rounds of 22 Hornet is a revolting amount of work. I sold mine as the 17 HMR is just as good on gophers to 150 yards.
At 150 yards or less,the 17Mach2 works just fine on gophers,for half the price spent in ammunition, compared to the 17HMR.The 17HMR has a significant advantage over the 17Mach2 from around 150 yards and further.Then again,the 22 Hornet has the advantage over the 17HMR from about 200 yards in calm weather,and even shorter distances when the wind comes up.
My new plan is to use the 17Mach2 out to 150 yards or so,then use the 22 hornet on the longer shots.If the wind comes up,I will use the 22 Hornet on all shots past 100 yards.Using the two gun system,I will save money on ammunition,over the 17HMR, and have better performance on the longer shots,or in windy conditions by using the 22Hornet.I likely won't use more than 100 rounds of 22 Hornet in an entire day,probably less, and it doesn't take that long to load that many rounds.
I agree with the ease and cost of reloading. It's a fun hobby and you can make match grade ammo for the smaller calibers for literally pennies. The 20gr V-Max bullets were around $0.22 each when I bought them, primers are maybe $0.03 and 18gr of powder is about $0.08 for a grand total of $0.33 per round including taxes which equals $16.50 per box of 50. WSS sells 17HMR for $14.99 per 50 (plus tax). Personally, I think the smaller caliber center fires are way under rated for cost and effectiveness. Gophers at 100 yards or Coyotes at 300 yards with the same rifle and they are not that loud, very low recoil and cheap to shoot. A win win situation.
- Location
- Peace River, Alberta
The Mach II is an underappreciated round when it comes to the gopher fields. IMO, it is so much better than the 22 except for cost comparison but it still is really affortable and takes you out to 130-150 yards. Comparing it to the HMR, I see no reason why to get an HMR because of doubling of ammo cost. Next step up is the centrefires.
As well, 17 cals are one of my favourites time in and time out.
Greg
As well, 17 cals are one of my favourites time in and time out.
Greg
If you actually bother to aim,a bolt isn't much slower.
And I have enough trouble with magazines being empty.
Just curious,what are they asking for the Volquartsen?
$1625, a nice standard model so there is no anoying compensator to clean.
WOW,that's about double the price of buying a standard 10/22,and adding a top quality barrel,stock,bolt adapter and trigger kit.They make a nice rifle,but that is steep for a 10/22 derivative.
My own 10/22 in 17Mach 2 is below.
- Location
- the prairies
$1600 is more then i have into 5 of my Mach 2 rifles.....one for every occasion-i save my .22 for the windy days when i don't mind adjusting for windage....and for those special days....the .223 when i feel rich.
