Anyone own a 17M2 rifle? (opinions)

[brickboy240]

Yesterday, while at Gander Mtn., I saw an H&R Handi-Rifle in 17M2 caliber.

This little rifle had a full bull barrel and a Weaver rail on top and no open sights. It also was flat black with a black composite stock. They want 130 dollars for it.

Are these rifles any good? I have shot a 17HMR Taurus pump rifle and liked it, but have no experience with the 17M2 round at all.

How do you 17M2 shooters like your rifles? Is this round as accurate as the 17HMR? Would it be good for small varmints, like skunks, raccoons, feral cats and maybe squirrels?

How about ammo availability? Can you buy 17M2 ammo at Wal Mart, like you can 17HMR? Do you think it will be as readily avaialble or is this a special niche round?

I have a 4x12 Bushnell that would go dandy on top of that littel Handi-rifle...if I hear enough good feedback, I might go back and pick this little bugger up.

Thanks!

Brickboy240

 

[George S.]

You can finde some good information over at Rimfire Central
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/ where they have entire sections devoted to rifle brands and rimfire calibers. I have a Marlin 917V in .17HMR and it's a lot of fun to shoot, dime-sized groups at 100 yards if I do my part but the ammo is pretty pricey compared to .22WMR ( usually 50% more than .22WMR ).

I've shot .22's for so long that I really don't see where I need the Mach 2 caliber. My 10/22 is too much fun either as a plinker or bench rifle and after all the mods I've done to it, it is nearly as accurate at 50yds as my 917 is at 100.

I would look closely at what the Mach 2 bullet can do compared to a .22LR round. At least with a .22LR you can shoot all day long for $10 or less.

 

[jrobb45]

I can't see where the Mach2 fits in the big scheme of things. Unless you just want another rimfire variation.

jrobb

 

[Tinker]

That sounds like the same rifle my brother has. His has a scope. It's an accurate little sucker, but , as stated above, the shells are not cheap. The thing puches such tiny holes in paper that we'd have to walk up to check the target.

Saw some guys on the tube flipping prairie dogs with thier .17's out to (what they said was) 300 yards. I can believe that seeing what we novices could do with one at 100.

 

[George S.]

I saw something like that on a shooting show on the OLN but it was some guys shooting the .204 Ruger. They were shooting prairie dogs at around 300 yards and they were being hit and tossed around like a juggler tosses balls!