Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 17 Mach 2 on squirrells?

Anybody shoot any tree squirrells yet with the new 17 Mach 2?

Too much kapow?
Just enough?

Haven't shot the mach2 yet but just had a session at the prariedog town with the 17hmr. I've been putting off gitting one cause I thought it was kinda a joke. Well let me tell you it pretty awesome when you understand the limits. Shots like a lazerbeam out to about 100-115 yds. I shot a couple of dogs at around 135-140 yds. just needed alittle bit more winddage. It killed those dogs pretty quick with no fuss. Not quitem as spectacular as the 22-250 and 50g varminators/vmax loads I shoot though. I am waiting on ruger to get the problems with their 10/22 feeding them fixed and I will get a barrel to try the mach2.

YES!!!! I have a Kimber Classic varmint in 17 Mach 2 that has replaced my 22lr as my tree squirrel gun. I have used it several times this year with great success. The Mach 2 does not expolde on body shots like the 17 HMR, yet still shoots flatter than the 22lr. Head shots are still best, but not a lot more damage to the body than 22. I sold my 17 HMR & have replaced it with the Mach 2. ENJOY

THAT is information I really wanted to hear.

Thought about getting 17h2 for my Contender and squirrel hunting!

Because the .22 Long Rifle is just...what? Too time proven, effective, or economical for you? Because you're just too tired of being able to pick up 500 rounds for $8? Whatever makes your wheels go round...

RF- As I stated in a related thread, I've had problems with squirrels running off with body shots from a .22lr. I'm thinking the higher speeds and poly-tipped bullets of the HM2 will change that. Plus, its FUN!

I've shot several squirrels with my hm2 and it's a great late season squirrel round when the shots tend to be longer. I have also used the 17 aguila in my hm2 rifle and they work great also. The 17 aguila does no damage at all to a squirrel and the ammo is cheaper, but I have found that they are not quite as accurate in the hm2 chambering.

What 22lr are you using? I use the cheap hp bulk 22lr and have no problems.

Yeah. That's weird. I've shot lots of saber-toothed timber tigers with bulk packed JHPs from Federal, American Eagle, and Remington and never had problems. The all lead roundnoses or FMJs aren't going to do much for you, but the hollowpoints should take the steam out of pretty much any tree squirrel on the planet.

remfan-

yep right on all accounts, 22lr is just too boring, they don't make any more new exciting rifles, and ammo is too cheap, must not be any good.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

some of us just gotta try something new once and a while

Mine were shot with the Rem bulk pack stuff, Lightening I think. They didn't go far, but far enough to get to a den. Most dropped, but I had a few get away. Not saying the .22lr is bad, just looking for something possibly better. Plus, it's pretty cheap to rebarrel a 10-22.

Pointer, go with the Winchester Power Pointed Hollow points in 40gr or the Remington golden bullet. They are Awesome in performance on squirrels, they don't go far at all when hit with them. Even marginal shots slow them down considerably for a follow up. For me they are Bang floooooopp, bounce. (as they fall out of tree.)

You don't need to explain anything to me. By all means, have at er. I just personally never said, "Gee, my .22 is too big. It has too much frontal diameter and bullet mass. Let's neck it down."

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Won't be seeing a .17 or .204 anything in my possession anytime soon though.

remfan- your a good guy from what I can see and you posted a good one, just had to pick at you a bit, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> no harm done.

See you around! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

RM ... you said it all right there. Let the boyz have their fun and stop pizzing on their parade. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> While the HMR is interesting to me, its not interesting enough to give up on my .22 WMR, although everytime I see one at wally's for $180 it gets me to thinking <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Why don't they ( the ammo manufacturers ) load some of those pointy little plastic bullets in .22 long rifle so we can all get along?

Wouldn't that be nice?

crow- I agree!

the hp bulk packs in .22lr work well but if you want impresive results try the cci stingers or velocitors.... their a step above the rest IMHO

RemFan;

An old crusty fellow at work got the mach 2 and swears it is bug hole accurate. In fact he was kinda worked up about it, and he doesn't get too worked up about much, heh heh heh.

But in any case from what I am hearing in the gun stores and in the gun mags and from my friends these little guns are real shooters, right out of the box.

I traded off a closet rifle for two marlins today! Got the hummer and the mach 2...

Gonna wring em out asap.

It was like a fever, had the shakes, you know the usual, then went out and got em. arggg. It IS a disease I tell you!

Everyone needs to know the proper answer. Why a 17 Mach 2?

Because , It fills the gap below the .22lr.Just like a 17HMR fills the gap between it and the .22lr.