Will the .17 hmr last?

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cookekdjr

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I've heard alot of folks say the .17 hmr is just a passing fad and that it just won't last as a cartridge.
I paid little attention to these folks until I become interested in Ruger's Single Six in .17 hmr, as well as a few others. Then I heard Taurus is no longer making revolvers in .17 hmr (!) (can't access their website right now to confirm).
So what's the deal? Do you think .17 hmr will cease production soon or is it here to stay?
Thanks,

David
 
As a RIFLE cartridge, the .17 HMR is going great guns -- everyone makes a rifle chambered for it. It's performance exceeds all original expectations, and you can be sure that it's going to be around for a long while.

As for revolvers chambered in .17 HMR, well, I wouldn't knock your choice, but I've never thought that varmit cartridges in revolvers made a lot of sense. But if you buy a Ruger revolver in .17 HMR, your main concern is, will ammo still be available in years to come?

The answer to that is definitely, yes.
 
"Fun" is as good a reason as any to buy a new gun, so don't let me put you off. Buy your Ruger and enjoy -- they'll be making ammo for it for a looooong time to come.
 
I think it'd be neat to see a scaled down Five SeveN in .17.
Kind of like this Llama I have that's a scaled down 1911 in .22.
^_^
 
17 Mach 2

I bought a rifle in 17m2 (17HMR's little brother). I really luv this thing. It's not a tack driver. It's a finishing nail driver. It's not as powerful as the 17HMR and you can still kill small game without totally destroying the meat. I am anxiously awaiting the industry to come out with some 17m2 handguns. The only 2 I'm aware of are the Single Six which has a 17HMR and a 17m2 cyl. Kimber has a 1911 style rimfire 17m2.

I would guess, however, that a 17HMR handgun would be a great and accurate plinker and maybe not too destructive to meat given the short barrel. 17m2 ammo can be had for around $5/50 and the 17HMR around $7-$8/50. In a rifle, I'd probably go with a 223 before I'd get a 17HMR.
 
I have a tendency to be overcome with an irresistable urge NOT to run out and buy the latest, greatest development in firearms (I hunted with a flintlock until I was 50. :p )

Seriously, I have a wall full of .22s. With two Kimber M82s, one in .22 LR and one in .22 Hornet, plus a Ruger 77/22 in .22 Mag, I consider I have that hole in my battery pretty well plugged.
 
Fun? I'll say it's fun, especially after I reduced the SA trigger down to 2.25# from 3.75#. And the best part was talking my 83-year-old father into buying it. He wasn't too happy with the stainless, but it's otherwise very similar to his favorite long-barreled Model 17.

I bought the UltraDot Match Dot and he likes it so much he's threatening to put one on a Python. I use the 2-moa dot setting and he uses either the 2- or the 4-. The 6- and the 8-moa settings are a tad large for what we're doing.

They'd better keep making ammo for it.

236640.JPG
 
I bought a rifle in 17m2 (17HMR's little brother). I really luv this thing. It's not a tack driver. It's a finishing nail driver.
gbran,
Which rifle did you buy? I've heard the m2 is also a fun cartridge.
Thanks,
David
 
I have a Stainless Marlin in the 17 HMR. I think the rifle and round are a good combination. We shoot grapes and penut M&Ms with it at 80 yards. Absolutlely zero recoil, the rifle just shakes a little. It is a hoot to shoot the grape with. One minute the grape is there and then..it's gone.

I have shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards with it when the conditions were perfect(no wind). Now that the cost of ammo has come down some, I will take it out more often. That is after I get it back from my Dad who, is using it to protect his garden from invading possums. :D

I wish more people embrace this fun little round and stop considdering it a "passing fad".

Darkside
 
I think the general question I commonly hear is. "Will the 17HMR replace the .22?". I'm not sure the introduction of the 17HMR was meant to do that.

I have shot the 17 and that may very well be my next purchase, although I have .22 rifles in the gun cabinet. The 17 will stick around because it's fun and most makes are reliable. I have yet to hear a complaint from a 17HMR owner.
 
It might me just a passing fad in handguns. However, the number of manufacturers building guns chambered for the 17HMR is a good indication the cartridge itself is here to stay.

I read Kimber is going to start building conversion kits for their 1911s so a person can shoot that new 17 rimfire in them - I'm not sure what the new 17 rimfire is called, but it's the same length as a 22 Long Rifle. That may be an indication the 17HMR popularity in handguns is going to fade.
 
Yeah, I wasn't able to open the site again until today. I was very glad to see the .17hmr tracker alive and well.
-D
 
It is definitely here to stay.

I've got a little Marlin 17 HMR that is scary accurate.

These things are so accurate that my local gun range is seriously debating on whether or not to allow them in rimfire competition against the .22s. It seems that the average out of the box .17 will outshoot the majority of .22s out there.

Good Shooting
Red
 
I love my little 17. :D

DSCN0884crw.gif

$200 package, rifle and scope.

heres a couple 3 shot 100yd groups.

DSCN0921w.gif
 
cookekdjr

I bought the Marlin 917m2s. It's a stainless bolt action with a grey composite stock. I put a 4-16x50ao scope on it. The trigger is OK, but I'm going to buy a kit for it. Out of the box it shoots 3/8" groups all day at 50yds. I haven't shot too much at 100 yds, but have posted a few sub moa groups. The gun cost $315, but you can get a blue model for a bunch less.
 
This is just my opinion, and not based on anything other than my gut feel.

I think the 17HMR is here to stay--I'm not sure that the 17m2 will stick around.

One thing is certain--neither will ever replace the .22LR.
 
The .17 will be a continuing success. At my store, I sell more .17HMR than any caliber other than .22lr.
 
At my store, I sell more .17HMR than any caliber other than .22lr.
Click to expand...

IMO, for the .17HMR, this will be the case in the near and distant future for all of the US.
 
One gun shop I was in the other day said that the 17hmr had brought back a lot of interest in 22 magnum rimfire stuff.

Apparently a lot of folks just passed over the 22 magnum rimfire and went to center fire. Now they hear about the light bullets in the 17 hmr and if they want something heavier they go for the 22 magnum rimfire.

I figure the handguns might not be made for very long, but you never know on that end of things.

I do figure that with all the 17 hmr rifles out there folks are going to be buying ammo for a long while.

I don't have any interest in the 17 mach 2 or whatever the 22 long rifle version is, but I do know I am going to get a 17 hmr in a year or two because it fills a good void for varmints of the small size.
 
Fella's;

On the other hand, I'm doing my part to see it fail. Don't need one, don't want one, will spend my money on other things. I got stung with the Remington 5mm magnum fiasco of 30 or so years ago. Once bitten, twice shy. Don't buy new Remmy's anymore either. 'Hard times' for Ilion makes my top 40 every week.

In case you haven't figured it out, I don't hold a grudge. I send grudges to the taxidermist & put them on the mantle for all time.

On the practical side, I can feed either my .22lr's or the .223 & get the same, or more, done for less money spent.

900F
 
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