Author Topic: WILL THE MAG 17 AND MACH 2 LAST LONG? (Read 2482 times)

msorenso · « **on:** February 08, 2005, 04:07:38 AM »

BEEN LOOKING INTO OWNING BOTH OF THESE. THEY LOOK LIKE A TON OF FUN TO SHOOT. .. I WONDER IF AMMO WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE. ALSO IF YO0 WANT TO SUGGEST A RIFLE OR EXPERIENCE FEEL FREE. THANK YOU

armory414 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2005, 04:47:44 AM »

This same topic has been brought up before. IMO, 17HMR will be around a while, the 17M2 won't.

ice · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2005, 05:01:07 AM »

The HMR is here to stay. Not sure about the HM2.
These are .17 rimfire rifles I would recommend to my friends: Savage 93R17-BVSS, Savage with wood stock, Marlin 917 VSF, Marlin 917VS, Marlin 917V, CZ 452 Varmint and American.

bgjohn · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2005, 06:22:16 AM »

If you're worried about it buy a case of ammo. 5000 rounds will last quite awhile.
JM :-)

TeePee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2005, 06:02:44 PM »

HMR is here to stay. I think the 17 HMR has established it's self and still growing. Whats not to like about the HM2. I have both and will certainly support both.

msorenso · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:45:43 AM »

bgjohn,
Good thinking, I think when I purchase the mach 2 that is what I am going to do. I do hunt quite a bit but once sighted in I am not one to blow a bunch of rounds off at the range for fun so I am sure 5000 will last a life time I am sure. When you made that comment I was thinking when I hunt deer with my 270 I usually shoot 2-3 shots to make sure it is still sighted in, which it always is, and another 1-3 shot to shoot my deer. For the 8 deer I have shot with it, I know I am under 5 boxes of ammo.

Doc T · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2005, 06:10:11 AM »

I think the Mach 2 will eventually surpass the HMR. It has a lot more uses as far as I am concerned. It is by far the better small game round. Anything you would shoot with a 22LR you can shoot about twice as far with the Mach 2 but not have the destruction you would have with the HMR or a 22mag.

Wynn · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:31:30 PM »

I carry a rifle in my work truck as a routine part of my employment caretaking 2500 acres of cattle pasture, citrus groves, swamps and woodlands. I have used my scoped 917vs Marlin to take down bobcat, feral dogs & cats and 1 coyote. It is my rifle of choice for accuracy, noise and safety reasons. The Hornady 20 gr XTP's will do the job nicely with well placed shots. I use a 12 gauge on heavier stuff like problem gators and wild hogs.

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2005, 02:41:52 PM »

The main drawback to either of these is COST. I have seen a few potential buyers back off due to the cost of the ammo. They may very well stick around but until the cost of the ammo comes down they will never rival the .22 lr or mag.. On top of that they aren't as good for small game for the pot due to meat loss from fragile bullets and because of this are not suitable for game much over 12 - 15 pounds. Lawdog

TeePee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2005, 06:04:11 PM »

Price is comming down some. I"ve seen 17HMR at $7.97 at Academy and today I bought CCI 17M2 for $4.99 at Gander Mtn. Maybe these will drop a little more. For distance and accuracy both are not to bad for money spent. The rifles themselves such as MARLIN and SAVAGE are priced in the cheap range but are very well made and most are tack drivers with out the cost of new barrel and stock and,well you get the picture. I know the triggers are not that good but could be helped . OK I'll just SHUT UP!

Bullseye · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2005, 06:57:06 AM »

I had a 17HMR and sold it. It is too expensive to use much for target shooting. Guess it is good for killing crows or something small, but so is my 22lr or 22 Hornet and the Hornet cost less to shoot since I reload. The accuracy of the 17 HMR impressed me, but that soon wore off (my Hornet is just as accurate). I see the HM2 as being even less useful than the HMR. They are nice toys though.

S.S. · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2005, 08:00:38 AM »

I have as yet to even see a Mach 2 Rifle in any local stores!
I now see the 17 HMR pretty regularly though.
How long will it last? Who Knows!
One of the best designed rimfire cartridges ever developed
only lasted a few years. It was the 5mm Remington Mag.
I wish I would have stockpiled those. There is a centerfire
modification for those, But I can't really see changing the rifle.
I now buy a couple of boxes of 17 HMR every time I see them
just in case. Don't want to get nailed again by not being prepared
for a company to discontinue a cartridge.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2005, 08:24:20 AM »

Hmm, the NEF Sportster 17M2 is common here, the Marlin 917M2 and the Savage MkII are also available, although not as common. 17M2 ammo is $6 a box at several places...Most everyone carries at least 2 or 3 loadings of the 17hmr ammo. Cabelas even sells all brands of 17hmr ammo except the new Winchester ammo in bulk, 500 rounds for $80.

Cabelas 17hmr ammo

TeePee · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2005, 03:58:22 PM »

The reason for the 5mm Rem demise is obvious.The 17 in HMR and HM2 being a different story. So many companies have invested. They will servive. The 5mm in say 2 years or so from now could make a come back with an aliment of companies to support it. But only after the 17 HM2 has made it's stay. Yes I would own the 5mm if it were readly available with a choice of make and model and ammunitions which it did not . Another rimfire, oh yes I could. :-) :grin:

Oldtimer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2005, 04:19:10 PM »

I sitll get depressed thinking about the three boxes of 5mm Remington I left on the top of my car at the end of a squirrel hunt. Buy 5.000 rounds of the poison of your choice. If it becomes a collectors item, you will make a mint, and, if not, you're set for a whole lot of shooting. As I recall, the 5mm was only chambered for a couple of Remingtons and TC had a Contender barrel. Also, there was only one loading and it was a pure varmint round. The situation is totally different with the HMR, at least.

jh45gun · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:56:41 PM »

Variety is the spice of life and look at all the centerfires we have so I really cannot comdemn either cartridge. I just feel I can do anything with my 22 mag either one of these cartridges can do and better in a lot of cases. just by switching ammo from FMJ for shooting squrrels to something like a Polimer tipped bullet or a hollow point or soft point for any thing else. Same with the 22 Lr. Yea the other 17's may be good for punching small groups in paper at longer distances. If I want to do that though I have plenty of centerfires that do not get shot enough that with reloads and shooting cast bullets I can shoot as cheap and have more fun doing it.

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2005, 11:11:04 PM »

I have three 17 HMRs and one 17Mach 2 and they are all boringly accurate. Ther is no thrill waiting to see where they shoot. The HMRs are like shooting a laser: flat out as far as I want to shoot. The Mach 2 matches the accuracy of my highly modified 10/22 to 60 yards, then beats the pants off it out to 100. At a lot less money (and cheaper ammo than the target stuff for the .22). I guess that I think they will stick around.

JohnClif · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2005, 06:57:10 PM »

Both .17s have one advantage over the traditional .22 LR... they are far more accurate because they are of modern design.

The .22 LR uses a bullet that is the same diameter as the cartridge case, and the base of the bullet has a rebated heel that the case crimps to. It is much harder to make accurate .22 ammo.

The .17 Mach II (and HMR) are designed to use centerfire-type jacketed bullets with a friction fit between the case and bullet. Bullet pull is nearly identical within a lot, and this makes for a far more accurate round.

I think the .22 LR will always be around as a plinking and small game round. The .17 Mach II will become the premier small game and small varmint shooting round, and the .17 HMR will remain the favorite small to midsize varmint round. The .22 WMR will remain the choice for larger varmints and for larger edible game (turkeys, javalina).

We rimfire shooters are indeed blessed. This IS the Golden Age of Rimfires.

Double D · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:15:48 PM »

Both 17 will be around for a long time.

Get a BSA Martini 12/15 in 17HM2 it shoots bug holes

NimrodRx · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:37:03 PM »

I've done my part. Just ordered a Marlin 917VSF and 400 rounds of ammo (Hornady and Federal). :grin:

S.S. · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:14:07 AM »

I hope they are around for a while,
I am going to buy my Mach2 tonight.
Stock Up Though!!!!!
We all know what happened to the
5mm Rimfire Magnum !!!
A great cartridge that went the way of
the dinosaur very quickly!!!

DannoBoone · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2005, 05:34:49 PM »

Hornady did a lot better job of marketing the HMR than Remington did the
5mm. The main complaint is cost of ammo, which is ever-so-slowly (or at
least it seems) coming down. It will probably never get down to the cost
of most .22 ammo, but the only real comparison is that it is rimfire. While
the parent case may be the same, it has practically been "wildcatted". The
HMR has already found its "nich", and is here to stay. Mach2? Dunno.......
only time will tell.

steve · « **Reply #22 on:** April 21, 2005, 04:02:49 AM »

That is one caliber I won't have in my collection. What is the 17 cal good for other than plinking. Ammo is high. I can shoot my 22 Hornet cheaper and I can use it for deer hunting in Wis. Another fad by the gun makers just like the short mags to get your money. This is my opinion

victorcharlie · « **Reply #23 on:** April 21, 2005, 05:17:33 AM »

What's the 17 HMR good for? With the very explosive v-max bullet and a lowered chance of ricochette, I find it useful for shots where I'd worry about a .22 getting away.........

I find the 17 to be extremely accurate but no more so than a hornet with good handloads......I'd like to have one of the hornets too!

Lots of people like the hummer......I'm one of them......each unto his own.....

ba_50 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2005, 06:12:47 AM »

I am getting interested in the .17M2 as it would be a lot safer than a .22 RF, longer shooting distance, and accurate. Even at $5 a box it would take a lot less shooting to hit something vs a .22 RF. I do hope the price comes down of course.

jh45gun · « **Reply #25 on:** July 12, 2005, 08:54:59 PM »

Quote from: steve

That is one caliber I won't have in my collection. What is the 17 cal good for other than plinking. Ammo is high. I can shoot my 22 Hornet cheaper and I can use it for deer hunting in Wis. Another fad by the gun makers just like the short mags to get your money. This is my opinion

Just because it is Legal does not mean it is a deer cartrige! yea I know guys use 223's too and poachers used to use 22lr and 22 mag. I would think you could find a better caliber to use. I know deer are not hard to kill I have killed my share and then some, But I just think the Hornet is not a good choice. I am sure you could kill one with a close shot and the bullet put in the right place but even so there are better options. Jim

tuck2 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2005, 05:52:04 PM »

Last year I shot about 1500 prairie dogs(PD )s with a Cooper LVT 17 HMR rifle. This year shot about 500 PDs with a CZ Varmint 17 HM2 rifle . I dont know how long the 17 rimfire ammo will be sold ,but at long as I can get ammo I,ll have fun.