17 HM2's Chicken and Egg Problem

[Mystery_Milk]

I've always seen a lot of older conversation around 17 HM2. I'm interested in the caliber because it seems like a good way to get lead-free varmint ammo with a barrel change to a typical 22LR.

But I've found that most places have discontinued making 17 HM2 barrels, citing lack of ammo availability causing low demand. Well now 17 HM2 seems to be cheaper than ever, I've seen boxes for 12 CPR which is about half the price of 22 WMR. But nobody's making barrels for them anymore! There are some dedicated guns being chambered in 17 HM2 now but I thought the big sell was that you could use your existing 22LR platform and get better performance at range.

What do you guys think of the caliber? Would you buy a 17 HM2 barrel if people started making them again?

(And for those wondering, Hornady's 17 HM2 15.5 grain NTX is on California's approved list of non-lead ammo.)

[edgerly779]

I have a new stainless savage for sale in marketplace. I also have 6 boxes of ammo.

[plumbum]

It’s a sweet little cartridge, but I think it was a combination of the lack of semiautomatic platforms and the rim fire shortage at about the same time that just shoved it to the side. Whenever I see people buying the ammo, they tend to buy ALL of it.

[TKM]

Check over on Rimfirecentral, they are the experts on all 17 weirdness.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

[NorcalGSG]

I haven't seen the lead-free hm2 ammo in years. Is it actually available now?

[Mystery_Milk]

It’s a sweet little cartridge, but I think it was a combination of the lack of semiautomatic platforms and the rim fire shortage at about the same time that just shoved it to the side. Whenever I see people buying the ammo, they tend to buy ALL of it.

Yep, I definitely want a semi-automatic platform for this caliber. I mean, how many bolt-action platforms support it? I think CZ dropped support for it when they went from CZ 452 to CZ 455, which leaves only Savage. I think Savage also has an A17 in 17 HM2? But once again it defeats the idea of re-barreling a 22LR.

[hntnnut]

Yep, I definitely want a semi-automatic platform for this caliber. I mean, how many bolt-action platforms support it? I think CZ dropped support for it when they went from CZ 452 to CZ 455, which leaves only Savage. I think Savage also has an A17 in 17 HM2? But once again it defeats the idea of re-barreling a 22LR.



Yep. There's a lot online available that you can get shipped to you or since I assume based on your name you're in NorCal you can order it from Sportsman's Warehouse:
https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-...unds/p/1243030

Your link is for HMR ammo, they are talking about HM2 ammo.

[Mystery_Milk]

Your link is for HMR ammo, they are talking about HM2 ammo.

You're right, I removed the link. I guess Sportsman's Warehouse doesn't have HM2 but it's pretty common online.

https://www.laxammo.com/hornady-17-mach-2-15-5-gr-ntx-83176-detail

[Eric Mayer]

The Savage A17 is now available in the 17HM2 (17 Mach2) round. The ones I have shot all function fine with the lead free ammo. It is a fun round to shoot and does really well on smaller varmints!

Wyoming Ground Squirrel:

[Mystery_Milk]

The Savage A17 is now available in the 17HM2 (17 Mach2) round. The ones I have shot all function fine with the lead free ammo. It is a fun round to shoot and does really well on smaller varmints!

Wyoming Ground Squirrel:

Nice, I think I saw your article while Googling about that gun. If you had to pick one, would you take the A17 in HM2 or HMR? Also since you write for a gun magazine are you aware of anyone still making 17 HM2 conversion barrels?

[hntnnut]

I've been thinking of having a g1 contender carbine barrel built.


Richard

[Eric Mayer]

Nice, I think I saw your article while Googling about that gun. If you had to pick one, would you take the A17 in HM2 or HMR? Also since you write for a gun magazine are you aware of anyone still making 17 HM2 conversion barrels?

I would probably opt for the 17HMR, just for the added range.

I don't know, but there is a lot of good information over on RFC: https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forum...play.php?f=131

[oldsalt444]

I put a 17 HM2 barrel on my 10/22 years ago. Deadly accurate and thumps ground squirrels with authority.

[crufflers]

You're right, I removed the link. I guess Sportsman's Warehouse doesn't have HM2 but it's pretty common online.

Yeah it is pretty common online including Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse, etc... $5.50 to $6.50 a box. I wonder if you can find it locally though.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/ammunition-ammo-for-hunting-shooting-sports/rimfire-ammo-hunting-shooting-sports/hornady-17-hm2-17gr-v-max-rimfire-ammo-50-rounds/p/1016211

[Californio]

Vudoo Gunworks is offering theirs in .17HM2 as of this month, so they have barrels being made.

I've always seen a lot of older conversation around 17 HM2. I'm interested in the caliber because it seems like a good way to get lead-free varmint ammo with a barrel change to a typical 22LR.

But I've found that most places have discontinued making 17 HM2 barrels, citing lack of ammo availability causing low demand. Well now 17 HM2 seems to be cheaper than ever, I've seen boxes for 12 CPR which is about half the price of 22 WMR. But nobody's making barrels for them anymore! There are some dedicated guns being chambered in 17 HM2 now but I thought the big sell was that you could use your existing 22LR platform and get better performance at range.

What do you guys think of the caliber? Would you buy a 17 HM2 barrel if people started making them again?

(And for those wondering, Hornady's 17 HM2 15.5 grain NTX is on California's approved list of non-lead ammo.)