please help me decide hmr or mach2?

[tsuga]

Hello Folks,

First, just let me say thank you.  I have visiting this forum for several weeks.  I appreciate all your answers and opinions.  I have learned a lot!  My research has lead me to believe that either a sportster 17 hmr or mach2 is the answer to my problem(s).

I have a large vegetable garden.  I look forward all year to fresh cantaloupe, strawberries, sugar snaps...  I know, you have already guessed my problem: groundhogs.
 
Carl Splackler said it best, "and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. "  :lol:

The distance from my second floor bedroom window to the back of the garden is probably 70yards.  The only thing on that side of the house is our horse riding ring and a large field.  It is a safe shot.  I have read that ricochets are not a problem with either round.  I would prefer quiet, single shot kills.  We have neighbors on the other side that prefer havahart traps.

I know both rounds will probably do the job.  I just can't decide which one.  I would appreciate your opinions please.  

Thanks,
Dave

[hellacatcher]

M2 less noise

[ScatterGunner]

for small pest control, i would look at a 22 caliber rimfire sportster.

the 17's are good rounds but if you are looking to dispatch pests, the 22 rim fire would work just fine at 50 cents to a buck per box of ammo.

but if pressed to answer the 17 question, i would say get the 17 hmr. i have one and it is the nutz !

just another one of my opinions !!  

sg

[tsuga]

Thanks for your opinion sg.  

I was close to buying a 22 when I started reading about the 17's.  I liked the idea of a fragile bullet with almost no chance of richocet.  

Is there a 22 bullet that is designed to do that as well?

Dave

[mitchell]

the is for the 22 mag but if your looking for less noise the 22mag and the 17hrm are the same . i say get the 17 mag  its not that loud and if what your doing is legal (i think it is) then pardon the saying but screw your peta neighbors . be nice and kind but stand your ground if its on your land and eating your food shoot it , if they complain next time use a 300 win mag ( the groundhog will die quicker (you be having more of a heart)

[jack19512]

Myself, I would choose the 17HMR over the Mach2.

[tsuga]

yes, I am definitely learning toward the 17hmr over the mach2. but what is the 22 mag round that mitchell refers to?

the gun shop that has the 17 hmr also has a 22 wmr with a laminate stock.
it is kinda nice-looking.

Dave

[quickdtoo]

The 22 WMR is the parent cartridge for the 17 HMR.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3138381

http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=4&subcat=21

[tsuga]

sorry, my question was not clear.  I do realize that the 17 hmr is a  necked-down 22 mag.  

I want a round that has little chance of ricochet.  I thought that mitchell was referring to a 22 wmr round that was similar to a fragile .17 bullet.  :?  I was wondering if anyone could give me information on that round.

Dave

[quickdtoo]

The 22mag is available in a Vmax round which is less lkely to ricochet, but whether it will be accurate is another question. The 22mag doesn't share the inherent accuracy of the 17hmr in all rifles, some are, a lot aren't. Most, if not all, 17hmrs are very accurate....just depends on your needs.

[mitchell]

sorry i didn't fallow this . the bullet i was talking about is this one. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=215355

as for the 22mag not being accurate i don't know of anybody that has complained about a NEF in a 22mag that hasn't shot good . i've lobed mine out a long ways shooting P-dogs wes shot them even farther(like 250yards).

[GatCat]

It's quiet, little chance of ricochet, deadly accurate. Plenty powerful enough for your application. I used one on a large B.C. Marmot, it just gave a quiver and rolled over. Have fun!!!!

[GatCat]

My answer was put by mistake in the forum topic box. It reads (hard to find) 17M2!!!

[lostsniper308]

even though .22 is enough, think this way should you ever feel like goin for the longer distance somewheres else or a rifle range you'll have the rifle/caliber to do so. I got a .17HMR cause it's a bit faster for a bit farther shooting.
Think outside the box dude, sure the primary use for it is close range pest control but just means you got more places to use it.

i think i typed that last bit right :-)

[tcman]

So far I have shot 16 prairie dogs with my 17 Mach2. It truly is about the neatest little gun I have had the opportunity to shoot in a long time.

It is quiet, fast and accurate. Great little PD gun for 100 yards and closer.

[cwlongshot]

Out of all my rimfire rifles I have owned or shot, my NEF 17M2 is the most accurate!
 I was just out with it yesterday, at 100 yrds with sand bags front and back it consistantly shoots 3/8" groups. This is no bull and has been done by multipule/ multipule shooters, @ 50 its a 25-30 cal hole!!! It chronographs at just over 2000fps.  I can think of nothing better for your intended use.

FYI, I have the 22lr, 22 mag and 17hmr all in handi's. All shoot well, the 22mag Ultra is the worst of the lot at about 1.5" average groups. The LR will hover at one inch. But both 17's are the best. My Hmr ultra will easily stay under one inch at 100 yrds. All are shot from sand bags, all have Leupold adj obj scopes. I am a firm believer in adj obj scopes on a rimfire.

 CW

[Couger]

Get the .17 HMR and shoot CB Caps in a .22 LR for close-range work.



Of course if you live a Class II state and are willing to pay the $200 transfer tax, Gem-Tech out of Boise, Idaho offers a .17 caliber silencer called  ................ the 'HMR!'

[mangulator]

tsuga, I would go with the 17HMR, 11 jackrabbits and two fox are pushing tulips up..... :lol: I have no complaints with the 17HMR..

[DWARREN123]

I would go with the 17HMR instead of the 17Mach2. Actually I would go with a 22mag for the distances you would be firing at, using hollow points.
I believe the 22lr and 17Mach2 to be a little too lite and the 17HMR can injure without killing if not used by a accurate shot thru a accurate rifle.
I have all four calibers and have found the 22mag superior for ground hogs out to 100-125 yards.

Just my opinion.

[MSP Ret]

I have Sportsters in .22LR, .22 Mag, .17 HMR, and .17 Mach2. I use my .22 Mag for coyote hunting by limiting shots to 100 yards. I believe my .17 Mach2 is a hair more accurate than my .17 HMR (smaller groups by a TINY bit) but the .17 HMR is a bit more powerful, For your 70 yard distance I believe the .17 HMR would be enough gun and extremely accurate for smaller varmits, fox and down. If I knew the prey would be primarily coyote to fox size I would go with the .22 Mag. If the prey was smaller, fox and down, I would go with the .17 HMR. You will do fine with either one. For squirrels, crows, rats, etc., the .17 Mach2 would be just the ticket. For cheap shooting a .22 LR would lead the pack but would not be as accurate or powerful as the other cartridges mentioned. Accuracy, energy, noise, expense are the 4 variables I would think you have to evaluate. For the amount you will be shooting I think you can disregard expense (ammo cost) so I would remove the .22LR from the equation, especially at the distance of 70 yards. Good luck....<><.... :grin:

[Harold50]

Sorry for the late reply - been away.

My 22WMR sportster is very accurate with the Remington Premier V-Max 33 gr. Given the nature of the V-max bullet, ricochets are of little consequence as the bullet will fly apart if you hit a hard surface.

I do not know how this round works for coyotes but it does well on woodchucks. It is probably the perfect rimfire woodchuck bullet.

BTW - I do not have any rifles that are more accurate at 100 yards than the NEF 17HMR or the NEF 22WMR at 75 yards. Both will work equally well for your stated purpose shooting from above and with neighbors nearby.

When it comes to noise, I, too, have an appreciation for "staying under the radar".

Good hunting,
Harold

[georgeld]

Tsuga:
The way I read it. Your main goal is to keep the 'hogs out of the garden, right??

Ask the neighbors IF you'd use the havahart and catch a few.  "Then what???""

Can't turn 'em loose, or they'll be right back in the garden, or someone else's. Doubt those folks would think it was very funny, or considerate of you to dump them out in their place.

At least when shot, that's the end of that ONE eating the garden anywhere, no questions about that part, is there?

From up high like that, you shouldn't have any chance of any richochette.  IF you're not legal shooting at this problem pest. And can control your own family and anyone else's access to your garden. By fencing etc. AND the noise of the shot might create a problem.  Set back further in the room with the curtains half drawn to catch the noise of the shot. I know some friends out here in Pueblo West with prairie dog problems and they can't shoot in the area.  These people do it that way and never had anyone question the shooting.  House's are about 150' apart on 1/4 acre lots.

For me, IF I had your problem I'd go with the HMR because the velocity would be much more effective.  Set up a target at the extreme range and take a few shots at it to get zeroed. Then watch for the pests to come along challenging you for a meal.

Wish you well with it, please post your decisions and the results.
George

[quickdtoo]

I doubt he'll see your well written reply, he hasn't been here since last August! :?

Tim

[rangerruck]

rounds are half the cost,  it is quieter, you can fire 17pmc or 17 aguila's out of it,  they are even cheaper.  less noise,
NO recoil, balistics very close to the same . no brainer...mach 2.