17 Mach 2 : Good for ?

I'm sure these new round have fans but I don't see how the .17HMR is a real step up from the old .22 Mag and the 17M2 is way behind. Quoting Remington's catalog, 100 yd residual energies are 17M2, 88 ft lbs; 17HMR, 136; .22 Mag 164 ft lbs. The 17HMR admittedly has a flatter trajectory but far less penetration. Couldn't see someone giving up a .22Mag for the 17HMR. Sorry if this offends someone.

If you want a predator gun, get something that performs better, a .223 or up. Just my 2 cents worth. Don
 
I don't think that was the type of answer he was looking for.

If I am thinking of the same round, isn't the 17 Mach 2 just a necked down .22lr? If that is the case I say it would be just another squirrel round. I can't see much advantage the Mach2 has over a .22LR myself.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I thought the 17 mach 2 was just an imitation of the 22 Long Rifle. The 17 Mach 2 biggest downfall, IMHO, is the lack of different bullet weights. 17 grain is not much at all. It would be great of they offered more variety in the .17 Mach 2. Guess it will be either the .223 , 223 WSSM , or 22-250

Thanks,
 
The 17 Mach 2 is actually a pretty interesting little round. Yes you are right in the fact that it is just a .22 stinger length case necked down to .17 but its effects on small critters is much different. It is much more devistating on prairie dogs than the .22lr at reasonable distances. This summer it dispatched several hundred prairie dogs and last winter several cottaintail rabbits, but it is definately a small game round.
 
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Will it work on Fox?



SURE!!!!!!! But only if it's a shot in the ear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

You definitely don't want to hunt anything bigger than a prairie dog with the Mach2. We have used (successfully) both the 22WMR and the 17HMR on coyotes.......out of necessity. Neither is my first choice, but both would be OK on foxes with good shot placement. No running shots, flanking shots, etc.
 
it's good for being a pain in the butt when it is time to clean after a day the range..the fouling is a nightmare even after only a short firing day!!!!
 
The 17 gr v-max is the same bullet that was first developed for the 17 HMR, slowing it down 400 fps in the mach 2 makes the bullet perform as it should instead of turning to dust it does penetrate a lil bit, but it shouldn't be used on animals over about 8 pounds, even the difference between a half grown groundhog and an adult is pusing its limits, shot in the sholders most adult groundhogs make it to they're burrows, while young ones almost never do. Head shots don't matter but when you have to use penetration and energy the mach 2 still is on the light side. But its probably the best squirrel round out there, all the accuracy you could ask for and a flat trajectory.
RR
 
I purchased a Remington 504 last winter in .17M2. I felt this would be the perfect replacement for the .22LR for Montana ground squirrels. Many of the squirrels shot with the .22LR are'nt stopped as I would like to see them stopped and they crawl elsewhere to die. The .17M2 cured that problem. It's like using my 22 K-Hornet on them, they don't go anywhere but down. Many of the ranchers won't let you shoot close to their buildings with centerfires but will allow the rimfires. Also you don't get the bullets singing all over the landscape like the 22Lr does. The .17M2 is great for this application. I also chose the .17M2 over the .17RFM because of cost for the ammo. The .17M2 is high but the 17HMR is ridiculous in my opinion.

Panhandlepr
 
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Man, I've seen this topic somewhere before.......LOL

I shoot both the .22 Mag and the .17HMR, and based on what I've seen with the .17HMR in comparison to the .22Mag, it creates a hell of a lot bigger impact reaction on my plate steel targets at 100yds.
Where you'll get a decent lead splash with the .22 Mag, the .17HMR round actually crater's the steel...try it.

Not doubting Remington's figures that Don mentioned, the results I've seen with it are far more convincing that it really performs quite well, but for different reasons.
The .22 Mag might show higher energy figures at 100yds. (I don't have that data in front of me), but velocity has a greater role, in corellation with the much lighter, smaller diameter bullet, to produce more explosive performance.

I've mentioned this before, but it's the old "slow & heavy" in comparison to the "light & fast" theories.
The light and fast round, depending on the situation, will surpass the slow and heavy loads only out to a given point. Trajectory is better, but the lighter/faster bullet, once it reaches that given point will shed it's velocity faster due to it's lack of mass.

Different weight bullets in the same cartridge perform the same way, but, with the necked down diameter of the .17HMR, and the large reduction in bullet weight, we're talking about a major variation between the two.

The end result is that the .17HMR has much more explosive performance only out to a given point. Beyond that the .22 Mag takes over and carries it's energy farther downrange. The other factor is the trajectory variation between the two, which the .17HMR has the edge.
Considering that they're both shortrange guns, this can be argued pro or con.

I like them both, honestly, but I can "visually" see a gainful advantage with the .17 if kept within it's realistic "useful range". Beyond that range, the .22 Mag might have a gainful edge on energy, but at the range where that occurs, the level is so low that it's almost a moot point.
I think alot of the same arguement can be carried over the the .22LR and .17M2 debate as well.

Either way, a lot of companies nowadays, in trying to strive to develop newer and better cartridges to enhance sales, really seem to be splitting hairs, and reinventing the wheel somewhat.

Just my 2.........

Take care,
Bob
 
Because of the explosiveness it will kill coyote, bobcat and fox out to 40 yards. I baught it for my 60 pound little girl. Its range is similar to a shotgun so decide which is for you. I dont recomend head shots, it might blow up on the skull. It dont replace anything but is fun to shoot. It depends on if you are up to the close range game requirements.
PS Best gun I ever owned for ferrel cats. Fairly quiet but will kill at 100 yards plus.
 
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Quote:
has this turned into another 22mag -vs 17 HMR debate?



almost. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

But looking back.......1/2 of the replies DID actually answer the original question about "What exactly is the .17Mach2" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
My 17 mach 2 is good for crows, rats, snakes in my buddy's lakes and squirrels. It is accrate and flat enough out to about 125 yards. Sighted 1 inch high at 75 yards it is .7 inches high at 100, .5 inches high at 125 and -2.5 at 150. It will kill a crow out to 125 - 135 yards without holdover which is better than my 22lr or my 22mag. If I have to use a rimfire for predators it is always the 22 mag with 50 grain Federal's.
 
I use my Cooper 57 M 17 HM2 rifle w/ Leo 4-12 X scope AO for spring prairie dog pup shooting out to about 80 Yds. At 80 yds the 17 gr V-max bullet still has about 103 ft/lb energy. Sited in at 100 Yds the bullet is 3/4 inch high at 75 yds and 3 inches low at 140 yds with 70 ft/lb energy. I switch to the 17 HMR rifle for shots past 80 Yds. The 17 HMR 17 Gr V-max bullet has about 99 ft/lb energy at 150 yds. Siteing the 17 HMR 17 Gr bullet at 125 Yds the bullet is about 1 inch high at 75 Yds 3/4 inch high at 100 Yds, 1 1/2 inches low at 150 Yds, and 4 inches low at 180 Yds. The 17 rimfires are flatter shooting than the 22 rimfires but the 22 rimfires have more ft/lb energy at extended yards. I have used the 17 HM2 for shooting cotton tail rabbits but hit them in the head ,body hits mess up a lot of meat.
 
Another difference in the HMR\HM2 vs. the 22lr and 22 mag is the accuracy potential. The 17 gr v-max bullets are a high quality jacketed bullet where as the 22's are just cast lead rounds. I have owned many 22's over the years and enjoy shooting them but none of them come close to my Savage HMR when it comes to accuracy.
 


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