Marlin Model 917 17 Mach 2

W

WLONG

New member
I am just starting to think about getting into predator hunting. In my part of West Virginia, the coyotes are still rather scarce and we have more foxes. I don't have the money that most would have to spend on a rifle. I only have a .22, a 30:30 and a shotgun with a sabot barrel.


I don' tthink I want to try the 12 ga sabot or 30:30 if I want to sell any fur. I think the .22 is too light if I happen to call in a coyote.

Gander Mt has the Marlin 917 17 Mach 2 on sale right now for 149.95. I do not know anything about the gun ...whether it is too light for coyotes or not. I am sure it is not the quality of gun many of you would want, but is it adequate?

Thanks ahead of time,
Bill
 
Bill, you will have better results with your .22LR and some "hyper" loads like the CCI Velocitor, than you will have with the Mach2.

If you are planning on spending $150, I honestly would suggest that you save a few more coins and buy a Marlin or other rifle in .22Magnum. You'll have better success...if you are dead set on a rimfire weapon.
 
I've always considered any of the rimfires to small for coyotes, but some places won't allow you to hunt with centerfires.

That said they will kill if your careful with shot placement and ranges. I sure suggest getting a scope to aid in that shot placement thing. Cabela's makes a dandy little one, the Pine ridge 2 by 7 for $70.00. It's a lot of optics for the money. I've put a dozen on my and friends rifles.

A 12 gauge with a tight choke will work on foxes and coyotes with the right loads out to 50 yards. By sabot barrel do you mean a rifled barrel? Some of those can work well to 75 yards with the right slugs and they kill very well.
 
Thanks.

Yes, the sabot is a rifled barrel. Considering what it does to the deer I have killed with it, I know I don't want to take any fur with it.

How would the scope you mentioned do on my .22? I may just have to begin with it. I really want to be able to shoot a little further than 50 yards .

I lost the magazine rod to the .22. It is winchester model 190. Is it possible to get replacements somewhere?

Thanks,
Bill
 
a 17 HM2 is rather light for anything over about 8 pounds in weight, they do well on young groundhogs but unless headshot about all the adult ones get back to the den, I would again recommend at least a 22 mag with a 50 gr bullet.
RR
 
With the 17 Mach2 I would try to keep shots under 75 yards. I've put a bunch of these little Cabela's pine ridge scopes on 22's They make a couple of different 2 by 7's. The one I recommend for 22's is the shotgun/black powder model. It's hyperfocal distance is set for 50 yards which means it's in focus at the ideal rimfire and shotgun ranges. The other 2 by seven they sell has the hyperfocal distance set at a hundred yards for big game rifles.

Here's a link to a place you may be able to get parts for your winchester at.

www.e-gunparts.com/dept.asp

If you can save up a little I'd sure get a centerfire such as a 223, 222, 204 Ruger, 17 Rem or such. You will be better served in the long run.

I'd check out the Stevens bolt rifles. Often you can get a package with a scope for really good prices. If your local Wallmart still sells guns they may have a lay-away program. I've bought several from them using that program.
 
THANKS GUYS. Maybe I will wait and save up to get a better gun. Fur season is almost gone anyway this year.

I appreciate all the advice offered by all.

I hope to get a calling system before next season as well.

I think I can gain more varmint permission than deer permission .
OUR WALmart does sell guns . I was there today but did not see any varmint size guns. They do not offer lay away though.

Thanks again!
Bill
 
The mach2 isn't rather light, it is absolutely slapass too light. I tried one for fox this year. It took about three nights and every single fox I called in and hit with it running away to cause me to abort that idea. It is just plain too small of a bullet to get the job done. Would make a nice squirrel or chipmunk rifle but that about lets it out. I also have a 17 HRM and it seems to get the job done. I only had one hit that ran off from it. However, I got a new Volquartsen 10-22 magnum the other day and it drops 'em flat. I think I will sell the 17 HRM barrel and replace it with a 22 magnum also so they are both the same. When trying to anchor game with one shot there is nothing like a heavier bullet. I believe predator hunting, more so than others, warrants dropping the animal in his tracks. They are hard enough to find when they drop. Heavy furred animals dont start to drip blood for a while after they have been hit...I want him in a pile where I last saw him. 40 grains of 22 magnum hollow points usually works.
 


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