17M2 Info...

[Racr350]

Hi Everybody. I know there's probably not too many of you, but I was just looking for some info on 17M2's. Especially how they perform out to 200 yds. Oh and one more thing...if I were to buy a rifle chambered for this caliber, would it be equivalent or cheaper then a rifle in 17HMR? I'd like just a basic synthetic stocked Savage. Because if it's around the same price I might as well just get a 17HMR. If anyone has any info or personal experience with this caliber that'd be great. Thanks!

[Glen]

The M2 & the HMR are worlds apart. I've been shooting the HMR since it came out & unless you are shooting p-dogs, squirrels & rabbits it's not consistently effective enough IMHO past 135yds on groundhog & coon size game. Of course this is just my opinion. The M2 is lethal out to 80 yds on groundhogs if it's not windy & the critter doesn't move. It takes a precise shot to kill them. On pdogs,squirrels,& rabbits I wouldn't hesitate to pop em out to 125yds with it tho.

What are you planning on chasing with these calibers & where? That has a lot to do with the one you buy. But from what I've seen at 100yd targets the holdover on a M2 is huge & that's not factoring in the wind.

[Racr350]

I actually probably wont use it for anything but reactive targets and the occasional crow. So you dont think it'll kill past 100yds huh? How much more would the same rifle cost but in 17HMR? I do have a 22WMR but I feel it doesnt have a flat enough trajectory to reach out to 200 yds. So I was thinking of getting a new rimfire that shot flatter. If you think the 22WMR shoots well enough I could just invest in new optics for it. Thanks for the help!

[Glen]

The M2 will kill out at 200yds IF you can hit the target. Even a breeze is gonna ruin your shot. The 22WMR would be flatter than the M2 also. Personally I would upgrade what I have & try some of the newer 30gr V-Max ammo. Then if I wasn't satisfied I would look into the HMR. But even tho the HMR shoots considerably flatter you will still have to dial in a lot of UP to reach out to 200yds & the wind is gonna kill you.

JMHO

[Racr350]

Alright...sounds like ill stick with the WMR for now and start looking around for an HMR at a good price.

[Rick in Oregon]

In regard to the 17M2, there is an extensive article in this months Precision Shooting Magazine that tells about everything there possibly is to know about this cartridge as far as performance and useages are concerned.

In rimfire, I shoot the 22LR, the 22WMR, and the 17HMR, and for me at least, the 17M2 just doesn't cut it. I shot a writers Anchutz chambered for the round during a multi-day ground squirrel shoot, and even on those little critters, anything much past 100 yards was still in danger, but the terminal effect just was not there. Wind sensitive, and no where near as effective or fun to shoot as the bigger brother, the 17HMR.

I'll say one thing positive though, it's a very accurate little round, but doubtful there will ever be one in my rimfire varmint battery.

[sniper model 12]

Skip both 17's and get a .204

It'll do the 100yd dash and light a candle at 300+ witha steady hand and good scope.

Report and recoil with most 17's I've shot are a little less than the 204, but ya get more punch with the larger caliber at longer range.

IMHO

My nephew has a 17HMR in a Savage and he has a large number of crow feet in his 100yd+ collection.

[Sidewinderwa]

There is a much bigger selection of 17HMR ammo out there to choose from. I work at a sporting goods store and we do not normally carry a 17M2 rifle and only have 2 brands / types to choose from. The 17HMR will be more accurate than the 22WMR as they have a better BC. I never go ground squirreling without a HMR.

[Va varminter]

Get the HMR. Mine will shoot under, WELL under MOA at 100yds. Mine is a Marlin that I got for right at $200. I've never had a 22mag, but the HMR is a real eye opener as far as rimfires go. BTW, a squirrel head shot at 20 yds is a "blast".

[Jim White]

The downside to a 17 HMR is the cost of ammo compared to a 22 (not sure what 17M2 runs) but it sure does reach out there and its a hoot to shoot. Last year I took my S&W Model 41 22 LR pistol out and I was hitting squirrels at 100-125 yards with them. It didn't always kill them at that distance so I started keeping the distance closer. But what a blast.

With any rimfire in general, if you find a lot# of ammunition that shoots good, try and buy as much of that lot as possible because the next lot may not do to well.

Jim

[Rick in Oregon]

Jim: Ahh....another Model 41 afficianado eh? I've got one too, have both the 7-3/8" and 5" heavy barrel, along with the muzzle brake for the seven incher...what great pistols they are! It is by far the most accurate .22LR pistol I've ever shot, even more so than my old Colt Woodsman or my Ruger MK-I 5" bull barrel target. Mine was a former Oregon State Police target pistol, and is so marked.

Have you seen what they sell for these days? Glad I got mine back when they were still within the average mans means. Yikes, you could buy a small car for what they want for those things now! As it's a match pistol, doubtful they'll ever offer this one in .17M2. By the way, the price of .17M2 is about eight bucks a box around here.



This is one rimfire that Skippy really hates!

[Jim White]

Rick,

1st of all, I'm going to have to subscribe to "Photo Bucket" so I can post pictures. Mine too has two barrels, just like yours. My 5" has a dot on it but I can install and extend the front sight.

I'd hate buy one today. I got mine in a 4-gun trade years ago and it was tough getting the previous owner to let it go. It came in one of those Dark Blue heavy card board boxes. Definitely a keeper.

Jim

[Rick in Oregon]

Jim: I traded a Smith 4" Model 24 .44 Spl for mine, and it too came in the dark blue cardboard box like yours. When selling these guns, that box adds from $50 up to $100 to the price. Years ago, who ever thought a silly original cardboard box would bring such sums?

Like you said: "keeper".

[Jim White]

Rick,
There is a custom gunsmith in Bremerton, WA named Ed Lapour. I bought my 1st firearm from him some 25 years ago. He told me then to always save the box, which I do. I have what seems to be a garage full of boxes that my Navy Trophy Rifles came in just in case I ever decide to unload them. I also save the boxes for the scopes I get as well.

Jim

[Rick in Oregon]

Jim: Funny, and great minds must think alike....just last week wifey asked me "why do we need all these old gun and scope boxes?" Hmmmm, go figure.

By the way, I'm very familiar with LaPour....he's quite a specialist in the craft.