Pros and Cons of 17hmr

[Stradawhovious]

I walk past them all of the time in the store, ammo isn't terribly expensive, rifles aren't terribly expensive, and I've heard decent things about the caliber. I've been thinking about the 17hmr because I hear that out to 100yds (+) it is a relatively flat shooting accurate squirrel rifle. Anyone want to give me some opinions on the subject?

[macphisto]

Before you go spending more money you don't have, let's think this through.

1. What need do you have for a rifle chambered in a non-reloadable, expensive (for rimfire) cartridge of such limited versatility?

2. Do you plan on hunting squirrels?

3. Are you trying to bridge the performance gap between .22LR and .223 (it's A LOT closer to .22LR)?

I guess I don't see the point aside from a possible novelty factor and will borrow cobb's favorite emoticon to sum up my feelings on the matter.



Disclaimer: In addition to not knowing what I'm talking about on a regular basis, I don't have any firsthand experience with this cartridge.

[Stradawhovious]

I guess I don't see the point aside from a possible novelty factor

Do I need another reason?

Yes I would consider hunting squirrels in the future, they are delicious.

And let me worry about how much money I do and don't have. Thanks Mom.

[infidel]

Strad, heavy and slow is the way to go. .22 over .17 any day. Real men like recoil.

[Squib Joe]

2. Do you plan on hunting squirrels?

Or rabbits, fox, groundhogs, prairie dogs, crows, and (according to some) coyotes.

[Stradawhovious]

Strad, heavy and slow is the way to go. .22 over .17 any day. Real men like recoil.

I have rifles in other calibers...... .30-06, .223, .22lr but I don't know anything about this caliber. They seem to sell a lot of them, and it doesn't seem to be going away so I figured that had to be some allure to it. In my preliminary research, this platform has a better chance of a reliable headshot on a rabbit or squirrel at 75 yards than many .22lr do just because of the ballistics and for hunting small, small game a .223 might be overkill in a lot of situations. Besides, right now, it's more of a curiosity than anything else.

[cobb]

I was leaning towards a .17 Mach 2 instead of the HMR. Cheaper ammo and would work well on little critters.

[Stradawhovious]

I was leaning towards a .17 Mach 2 instead of the HMR. Cheaper ammo and would work well on little critters.

I heard a rumor that the HM2 wasn't surviving well on the market due to lack of popularity. Is that true? If so, I would hate to have a rifle in a non-reloadable caliber with no mass produced ammo available.

[Ironbear]

One man's opinion
http://www.chuckhawks.com/17HMR.htm

[cobb]

I was leaning towards a .17 Mach 2 instead of the HMR. Cheaper ammo and would work well on little critters.

I heard a rumor that the HM2 wasn't surviving well on the market due to lack of popularity. Is that true? If so, I would hate to have a rifle in a non-reloadable caliber with no mass produced ammo available.

I think you are talking about two different calibers. There is the .17 Mach 2 and the .17 HMR, two different chamberings. I am not aware of the HM2, never heard of it before.

[Stradawhovious]

I am not aware of the HM2, never heard of it before.

.17 Hornady Mach 2

HM2. I was assuming that was what you were talking about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.17_HM2

[cobb]

I am not aware of the HM2, never heard of it before.

.17 Hornady Mach 2

HM2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.17_HM2

Officially never heard it called that. As far as wikipedia, anyone can post any information they want out there and I do not take it as the correct definition. In this case, this is a good example of it, no such thing.

Hornady's web site has no .17 HM2, they do have a .17 HMR and a .17 Mach2 though.
http://www.hornady.com/store/17-HMR/
http://www.hornady.com/store/17-Mach-2/

[westberg]

Strad, I have the Ruger bolt action w/ Burris scope and ammo if you want to try it on your next range trip. I don't remember if I have the scope sighted in with my glasses or without.

[EJSG19]

My brother in law has one, likes it. But he doesn't have a .223 already (much less 2 of them like you do.) You said it already, its flat shooting and the cartridge has a functional use. In my unnecessary opinion, the .22 LR and .223's you have leave no funtional gap in your personal collection that the .17 would fill. I don't see that the .17 provides any advantage that is substantial over using the .22 LR or your .223. Not to mention you can probably shoot your .223 reloads just as cheaply, and have a more versatile range of uses in .223.

I'd spend the money on .223 components and then go hunt with my .22 and .223 for a few days. Given the choice between what you have and buying a .17.

But, they are neat little rifles, and if the "neat factor" is why you want it, then I'd be the last one to say don't buy another gun.

You'd also be the first person I've met who seriously hunts squirrels at 75 yards. When I go, this can be done at ranges less than 50 feet all day long. So do you just want squirrel meat or do you want to see how far away you can shoot them? (not to say you can't shoot something from far away, that is fun in itself.)

Oh, lastly. If you do go. Make sure you shoot that little bastard who wouldn't shut the Eff up on deer opener. I was real close to checking my sights out on that little guy.

[Stradawhovious]

Strad, I have the Ruger bolt action w/ Burris scope and ammo if you want to try it on your next range trip. I don't remember if I have the scope sighted in with my glasses or without.

Thanks! I will more than likely take you up on that, and if you want, I can borrow your glasses and set up that scope for you.

Hornady's web site has no .17 HM2, they do have a .17 HMR and a .17 Mach2 though.

I picked up the lingo from the boys at GunStop, and only used Wiki as an example. I am aware of the fact that you can't trust everything you read on that sight. I assumed it was in accepted use, sorry!

You'd also be the first person I've met who seriously hunts squirrels at 75 yards.

1. When have you ever know me to do anything seriously. Ever. ???
2. If you are capable of hunting squirrels at 75 yards, why wouldn't you? Seems to me that it would add a fun factor to it.