17 mach 2
- Thread starter Capten
- Start date
BigDMT
I never saw the advantage of the 17 M2 caliber over the 22lr so I never tried it. I have achieved 1" groups with my bolt action 22lr rifle at 100 yards using cheapo American Eagle 38gr copper HP bullets.
I did have very good luck with accuracy using the 17 HMR. For fun, I used to shoot 12 gauge shotgun shell filled with water at 135 yards using my Savage factory rifle. I say "used to" because I sold the rifle after the price of 17 HMR ammo went up from $7 per 50 rounds to $$14-$15+ per 50 rounds.
I did have very good luck with accuracy using the 17 HMR. For fun, I used to shoot 12 gauge shotgun shell filled with water at 135 yards using my Savage factory rifle. I say "used to" because I sold the rifle after the price of 17 HMR ammo went up from $7 per 50 rounds to $$14-$15+ per 50 rounds.
My savage bolt action shoots the lights out with anything I feed it. It is unfortunately getting hard to find ammo. I bought 5000 rounds of eley at 1.67 a box from J & G before I bought the rifle. Many squirls have fallen prey to its awsomeness. I would have to say my best shot was a bumble bee on a flower at 135 yards. Even at 7 bux a box it is a real bargain over the hmr. I have pushed her out to 297 although it took 10 shots to hit a squirl.
We started allowing the 17s to shoot in our unsanctioned club BR matches so I built a couple of HM2s. I also ordered an HMR reamer for future use which was a mistake.
For curiosity's sake I made a couple of bushings so I could measure the distance from the base to the shoulder for comparative purposes. It was eye opening. Unfired cartridges will have a wide variation and even more surprising is that the shoulders blow forward upon firing.
The HM2's blow forward a consistent .020". The HMR's are a QUANDRY !!! Some shoulders end up farther back after firing. Some have no change. Others will blow forward up to .050". This is measuring a cartridge, firing it and then measuring the fired case [ not an average ].
I have no real idea what is going on.
SteveB has been messing with the 17's and found the same thing. He ordered some custom reamers and made tools for ammo sorting and got good results. His article was in a Precision Shooting.
In our matches the 17's will do better than the 22's at 100 yards if there is much wind. If the wind is mild they are pretty even [ there is no such thing as calm conditions at our range ].
At 50 yards the 17's and the lower end 22's are pretty even [ 235 to 241 ] but the higher end 22's will score 5 or 6 points better per target.
For curiosity's sake I made a couple of bushings so I could measure the distance from the base to the shoulder for comparative purposes. It was eye opening. Unfired cartridges will have a wide variation and even more surprising is that the shoulders blow forward upon firing.
The HM2's blow forward a consistent .020". The HMR's are a QUANDRY !!! Some shoulders end up farther back after firing. Some have no change. Others will blow forward up to .050". This is measuring a cartridge, firing it and then measuring the fired case [ not an average ].
I have no real idea what is going on.
SteveB has been messing with the 17's and found the same thing. He ordered some custom reamers and made tools for ammo sorting and got good results. His article was in a Precision Shooting.
In our matches the 17's will do better than the 22's at 100 yards if there is much wind. If the wind is mild they are pretty even [ there is no such thing as calm conditions at our range ].
At 50 yards the 17's and the lower end 22's are pretty even [ 235 to 241 ] but the higher end 22's will score 5 or 6 points better per target.
bowfisher
Silver $$ Contributor
The Mach2 is the PERFECT tree rat round. I was slow to the party and kick myself now. Unbelievably universal, I have 2 CZ's and a Savage and they all shoot ragged holes at 50 yds.
Mine all prefer Ely, it's pure magic ! Shot GH's. PD's feral cats, etc with mine, it's the first thing I reach for around the farm.
Mine all prefer Ely, it's pure magic ! Shot GH's. PD's feral cats, etc with mine, it's the first thing I reach for around the farm.
I run Eley in my CZ 452 Varmint. 1 MOA at 100 yards so long as a gust don't get ya! I bought 17K rounds when I bought the gun for $3.75/box which includes shipping. No, not hoarding I was just concerned it would end up like the 5mm and I could afford it. Chucks require headshots to anchor them but a boiler room hit will kill them however not give me the required photo for confirmation. They seem to make it about 10 meters before expiring with this type of hit as several were further than that from their burrows! Longest shot for me to date is 120 yards and was DRT with a frontal head shot! I believe a 10 MPH full value wind will cost you 4" at 100 yards so you want to be up on your wind reading skills! Love the gun and caliber! 
I hope this shortage of ammo goes away soon. I too have a lot of 17hm2 ammo sitting on the shelf I do not think I have as much as you. I love the 17hm2. I have a cooper in a lvt it will shoot itty bitty holes if I do my part. I will buy more ammo if the price is not ridiculous but who knows when that will be!
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