Where to hunt Gophers in AB?

mattgoulding said:
Just had to revive this old post. Shot a few today with my new to me 17 Mach 2 I bought here from another cgn member View attachment 1199786
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Both my wife and I shoot Savage Custom Mark II rifles in 17 HM2. They are extremely accurate, very low noise, and we can shoot to 150 yards if necessary.

Ear protection is normally not needed as they are not very loud.

We use Hornady V-Max 17 grain factory ammo. Box shows 2100 fps, however our guns chronograph between 2150 and 2200 fps. Accuracy is one small hole out to 50 yards, very little chance of ricochet, and kills like the "Hammer of Thor"!........:ROFLMAO:

You will love this caliber if you have not had one before Matt......:)

Both our guns have Savage factory installed tactical bolt handles, and the BNS Laminate Minimalist Savage stocks. Both guns are in that cool looking mint light green laminate color.....:)

My wife named them Timber and Greenwing Teal!........:)
 
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Thunderhog said:
Both my wife and I shoot Savage Custom Mark II rifles in 17 HM2. They are extremely accurate, very low noise, and we can shoot to 150 yards if necessary.

Ear protection is normally not needed as they are not very loud.

We use Hornady V-Max 17 grain factory ammo. Box shows 2100 fps, however our guns chronograph between 2150 and 2200 fps. Accuracy is one small hole out to 50 yards, very little chance of ricochet, and kills like the "Hammer of Thor"!........:ROFLMAO:

You will love this caliber if you have not had one before Matt......:)

Both our guns have Savage factory installed tactical bolt handles, and the laminate minimalist Savage stocks. Both our guns are in that cool looking mint light green laminate color.....:)
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I had an H&R single shot years ago. Never did much with it. Don’t even think I bought it hunting once. Just shot it at paper.
I need some more trigger time behind this one and a better scope I just threw on a cheap one I had kicking around for now, I don’t think it will take the place of my favourite 22 for shooting gophers but I do like the lower noise comparied to the HMR I always make my boys wear hearing pro when they are with me but I still don’t like shooting the HMR with them on the quad with me. They are still young so I ride with one in front of me and one behind me, on what they call the big quad (can am outlander two up) so a lot of time the rife is close to them and that HMR definitely has a louder report compared to the HM2 and the 22.
Out of the few I have killed with the HM2 I definitely can tell the difference from the 22
 
mattgoulding said:
I had an H&R single shot years ago. Never did much with it. Don’t even think I bought it hunting once. Just shot it at paper.
I need some more trigger time behind this one and a better scope I just threw on a cheap one I had kicking around for now, I don’t think it will take the place of my favourite 22 for shooting gophers but I do like the lower noise comparied to the HMR I always make my boys wear hearing pro when they are with me but I still don’t like shooting the HMR with them on the quad with me. They are still young so I ride with one in front of me and one behind me, on what they call the big quad (can am outlander two up) so a lot of time the rife is close to them and that HMR definitely has a louder report compared to the HM2 and the 22.
Out of the few I have killed with the HM2 I definitely can tell the difference from the 22
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That's very cool Matt, that you can hunt with your boy's. I don't have that option anymore........:(

Yes, hearing protection is always a good idea, for the young, and the older deafer ones like me........:ROFLMAO:

We too have several 17 HMR rifles, they are amazing. However this 17 HM2 is going to get under your skin, and you may not shoot the 17 HMR that often if this happens......:) LOL

The 22 LR caliber does kill gophers with the correct ammo, however you will never have a gopher run down a hole after being hit with the 17 HM2. Unless you gut shoot them........:oops:

Enjoy your 17 HM2 and hunting with your boys.

Cheers my friend!.....:)

John (TH)
 
It’s only Sept 2026 and my little group is already juiced up about buying tickets to fly out to Sask for 3 weeks of gopher popping May/June of 2027 !!!! We BAD??

Ahhh…the 17HM2… the secret is out. Best little fun calibre for pests. Volquartsen Summits in 17HM2 are the perfect toys and calibres that bridge the gap between 22LR and 17HMR. If I had a magic lamp I’d be wishing to be in Sask May 24 weekend with a case or two of ammo…right now!!!
 
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