Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Any love for the .17 Mach 2?

I know a lot of people love the HMR, but I keep finding myself drifting to the .17 Mach 2. I don't own a .17 caliber rifle other than an air rifle, and just thinking I might change that. I know the easy button is the HMR it has more rifles and more ammunition available.

So what rifle should a guy look for in .17 HM2 in the used market? New, I see a Volqartsen Summit and a Savage MKII on Gunbroker in bolt actions. Is there anyone currently cataloging a HM2 with a price between these two options?

I always avoided the .17's until about a year ago and picked up a 17mach2. Great little gun, unbelievably accurate, and very quiet. Its a deadly squirrel gun.

I love mine. Greatest tree squirrel round ever made

Yep.

I like them.

They were great for squirrel hunting - but I don’t do it anymore.. still have mine though (sako quad)

Tree squirrels, schmee scmuirrels......

Serious vermin medicine. Grackles to wood chucks, it's a laser.
I've got an Anschutz that will be getting rebarrelled to Mach 2 from 22lr. I have to get my 10-22 here and up to snuff first.

Mornin, I don't think ya can argue against one with Huntsman???? GWP. 🐾👣🇨🇦

I just picked up a 10/22 that was rebarreled to Mach 2. All I have done so far is test fire for function and it cycles well so optimistic. I love my HMRs but the idea of a lightweight high frag bullet with .22 LR case capacity seems pretty nice for shooting ground squirrels closer to civilization.

Track down a Ruger 77/17 HM2 or a Ruger 77/22 long rifle with the v-block system, then contact PacNor, Lilja, or other for a drop-in aftermarket barrel. Converting a 10/22 would be another option .. I believe some of the internal parts must be changed as the action cycles at a different speed than .22 LR and it is not good to have it open before the pressure drops.

The 17 Mach 2 is my favorite cartridge to shoot. Many years ago, Ammotogo had a smoking hot deal on Eley 17M2 and i bought 2 cases (2000 rounds at 6 cents a round shipped) before I had a rifle. I bought a Savage and loved the caliber. Later found a used (3 rounds through it) CZ 452 for $300 and bought it. I kept buying the Eley ammo and ended with 13 or 14K rounds, I figured I had enough.

Like others have said, it’ like a laser in the woods and the best squirrel cartridge ever made. The CCI and Hornady ammo isn’t as accurate as the Eley but it’s still good stuff. That and the Eley is discontinued…

I’d read up on the problems with it in a semi auto action. Lots written about the problems with timing and such. Most seem to work but some struggle.

Largest animal I’ve killed with mine is woodchucks and I’ve never had the need for a quick follow up shot.

Taylorce1: I am a 17 Mach2 "lover"!
I currently own 4 heavy barrel Rifles in caliber 17 Mach2 - all of them are especially accurate.
These include a Kimber 17 SVT (Silhouette Varmint Target), an Anschutz 1502, a Marlin 917 and a N.E.F. Sportster.
I especially enjoyed buying the Marlin 917 as it was bargain priced and yet shoots so well.
I recommend one but not sure if they are still made.
Good luck and be sure and find one (a 17 Mach2) you WILL love it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I was looking at a barreled action with v-block on GB. I don't know enough about the Rugers to know which ones do and don't have the v-block if they're wearing furniture. However, for the price of a 77/22 and rebarrel the Volquartsen Summit straight pull is cheaper.


Took a young guy prairie dogging one time and he showed up with a .17 HM2 and Eley ammo. Once he figured the wind everything within 150 yards was smoked. He had a few kills out to 200 and a little further as well, and that is probably why I'm gravitating to the .17 HM2.

I have a decent .22 lr and .22 WMR, but the .17 HM2 seems to be between the two for price.

I don't know of any other regular production run firearms in 17HM2. Cooper used to make some but they were pricey. Now that Cooper has been sold to Nighthawk and is in the process of moving from MT to AR, it may be a while before they are back in production.

I think your best options may be to find a Ruger 77/22 and rebarrel it, or find someone like myself with a nice CZ 452 17HM2 and convince the owner to sell you their rifle. As for ammo, Hornady is consistently contracting with CCI to make 17HM2 ammo, and I don't see that changing. Then there are the folks like myself that bought a lifetime supply of the Eley 17HM2 ammo because it shot so great in their rifles. As you noted, it works great on burrowing rodents within 150 yards, although it doesn't have much of an explosive effect on the larger ones. I really enjoy shooting my 17HM2 CZ American although in all honesty when I go prairie dog shooting, my 17HMR T1x is my choice for close range work.

MT DD FAN: I have relayed these experiences I had, on this forum before, but they bear repeating here - I guess.
My Varminting partner and I were at our local range getting ready for Ground Squirrel season about 15 years ago.
My partner was sighting in his newish CZ heavy barrel Rifle in caliber 17 Mach2. I believe his scope was a 6x18 Leupold. And he was testing some new to him Eley 17 Mach2 ammo.
I saw him shoot a five shot group at 100 yards that day that measured right at .250" with that Eley ammo!
I used my steel rule (marked in 1/100th's of an inch) to measure it myself - we both were GREATLY impressed! Back then he ordered a case of the Eley 17 Mach2 ammo as it shoot noticeably better than the other ammo he had tried (Hornady and CCI).
Your observation on "not exploding" the larger Varmints is valid in my observances.
The largest Varmint I have kill't with my 17 Mach2's was a big Boar Badger that had just his head and neck above ground and was looking at me from right at 100 yards distant. I had my Kimber SVT in 17 Mach2 over sandbags already and put one shot into his "Adam's Apple" area. The big Badger never twitched it was DRT!
Not a drop of blood or an exit wound was to be found. I assume the shock of that bullet so near the brain/spinal cord did him in - instantly.
So "explosive effects" are not necessarily required for humane kills on moderate size Varmints.
Long live the 17 Mach2.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have a 14” contender and I think a 24” Contender barrel and a Anschutz 17hmr pistol that calfee converted to 17M2.
Also have a convertible FA 97.
I like that little round.

Most decisive squirrel rifle I've ever used.

Ruger 77/22 but only certain years have the v-block, is there a serial number range I need to look for? Is there another option for a .22 lr that's easy to rebarrel? Is anyone still selling conversions for the 10/22?

The more I look at those Volquartsen Summit rifles, the more I dislike the MagPul stock. It isn't a deal breaker, but I'd like to find something more eye pleasing to start with. I'm sure I'd be happy with the way they shoot though.

CZ 452 got me in to this round & when ammo was selling for eight cents per round, there was little to not like about the HM2 rimfire round. With current ammo prices I find little for new shooters to like about the round over the 17 HMR.

I am stocked up on the HM2 ammo so this will continue to satisfy my rimfire needs for a long time to come.

I bet that the cost of converting a 77/22 to a 17HM2 will easily be over $1,000 - maybe even up to $1,500 since nice 77/22 rifles are bringing $700-$900 now.
For that amount of money, you could find a nice CZ-452 in 17HM2, like this one with a scope:
CZ 452-2E Varmint .17 HM2 with Scope & Box
BTW, I have no $$ interest in this rifle and don't know the seller.

FWIW, in my local area, 17HM2 ammo is currently selling for approx. 16 cents per round, whereas 17HMR is selling for 32 to 40 cents per round. [Fixed my math error] But my main point is still valid, and that is 17HMR costs approximately twice that of 17HM2.

is my math wrong or are you saying $4.00 per 50 round box....send me all you got

…..and I’ll take all the 17HMR.

Excellent round. One of my favorites. I use a Sako Quad with the 17HM2 barrel. Very accurate and my rifle likes the Hornady ammo the best. It shoots the Ely well, but no better than the Hornady.
17 calibers a just plain fun, even the 17 Remington, a huge favorite of mine.

The 17 MachII is the most used barrel for my Sako Quad. As others have stated here, it is a fantastic squirrel cartridge. I probably have a lifetime supply of ammo for it.

Glad to see lots liking the round. Hopefully ammo continues to be made

This Ruger 77 is my current 17M2

Lilja barrel & Vortex 2-8 scope

Have had Savage...CZ also which all were very accurate

100's of p/dogs removed with it..quiet/accurate/fast

Have ample supply of Eley ammo for the rest of my days

.16 x 50=8

I'm a fan x11.

I started with a Savage Mark II in 2007 and have added and subtracted a few more since then.

I got a smoking deal on an Anschutz 1502 in 2018 and it is by far the easiest rifle to shoot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards that I've yet to own, but it isn't all that much more accurate than some of the Marlin 917M2s and Savage Mark IIs that I've owned. The only disappointing 17HM2 that I've yet to own is one of the non-cataloged run of Ruger Americans that SAS at Whittaker's had made.

The 17HM2 is the best tree squirrel cartridge that I've yet to use, just wish that Eley still made their match grade ammo for it.

How is it in the wind compared to, say, .22LR std vel?

It's very noticeably better

I've come close to buying one but eventually changed my mind. Between the 17HMR, 22lr and 22 mag, that's enough rimfires.

Heresy!!!!!

So funny to find this thread, because I saw17hmr rifles sitting in the Classifieds, wondered why, and came here to peruse this Rimfire forum.

Humble 17hm2 brag, I might be the current leader, having bought Eley at 4 cents per round. Current rifles include CZ452 - unfired, Ruger 77, Marlin 917 with HB, Savage, Thompson R55 or R22 (not sure that's been fired either). I have a beautiful 17hmr rifle that was built by its gunsmith/owner. I wish it were 17hm2 and always struggle when thinking of selling it. The right property, and that hmr could make for fun afternoons.

I have a Norinco copy of the CZ 452 22LR that had a reverse taper bore (tighter at chamber end) and poor accuracy as a 22. It is now a 17HM2 in the relined barrel cut to 17”. I used a Redman 1:9” twist liner. The original magazine did not feed well but a CZ magazine works great. It’s surprisingly accurate after about 50 rounds and a cleaning/polishing with JB ‘break in’.
This is my second liner in 17HM2, and both shoot better and better with use. The first was a Ruger 10/22 that shot well right at the start.
First groups with the Norinco were just over an inch at 50 yards, but quickly shrinking after a box of 50 and a patch of JB worked well.

There are one or two 1885s on GI right now in M2. The wood isn’t much though.

The V Max bullet starting out at 2100 fps makes all the difference over a 36 gr HP 22 LR

V Max makes a noticeable devastating 'smack' when hitting a p/dog sized varmint

Same here....
It's a great little round, oh, laff I forgot I had one. It was an NEF , great for shooting Idaho ground squirrels. With 3 CZ 22's, a 17hmr & 22mag I figured I had things covered well enough.

I have a NEF Handi Sportster heavy barrel in 17M2 that I have yet to fit to my existing Sportster receiver. Bought it to thread the muzzle for my rimfire suppressor being a larger diameter Varmint contour. It won’t quite close so I have some metal to remove from the pivot groove. I’m happy that it wasn’t a sloppy fit as I’d rather work a fit that is too tight than have to shim a too loose setup. I will leave the receiver as is so it’s OEM barrel in 22LR will remain a correct fit.
Should be fun with a suppressor hushing at least the muzzle report.

Anyone try it, or the .22 for that matter, in a Volquartsen Summit? That ought get the the best possible out of it.

Buddy of mine in Juneau bought one. It's freakishly accurate.

.22?

Is the summit still available? That is one sweet little rifle

I built 10/22 in .17m2. It's fun. Very loud though

My CZ452 .17HM2 is laser accurate on gophers. Leupold compact 2x7X is perfect size and power. Love shooting the rifle~~

I have not read all this crap about the .17 MKII.....but I reckon eveyone that responds likes the chambering.

I like it as it is fast, accurate and frigging deadly. My too heavy BBl in the 1700 series Anschutz is very accurate . 1 hole if I am sober.

I recently switched from 22lr to 17h2 on a suppressed, switch barrel Sako quad for squirrels behind treeing dogs. The 17 is louder but is a laser beam. Plus the 17gr pill falling from this sky is (somewhat) less worrisome than those slow moving 40’s 😬