.22 VS .17m2 which is better for all around?

[1911man]

I could not find anything reguarding this topic. What kind of difference on squirrels exit wounds , drop in yards, ..ect. Your experiences would be helpfully in my next purchase. I've had a 17hmr sold due to the lead banned, then the ban was lifted 2 months later. So I am looking for a new one. I've heard they might not make 17M2 anymore due to case seperation issues, is this true?

[slik556]

I could not find anything reguarding this topic. What kind of difference on squirrels exit wounds , drop in yards, ..ect. Your experiences would be helpfully in my next purchase. I've had a 17hmr sold due to the lead banned, then the ban was lifted 2 months later. So I am looking for a new one. I've heard they might not make 17M2 anymore due to case seperation issues, is this true?

No I think that the problem was with the 17HMR. there was a recall on the ammo and the auto loading rifles. The 17machII in fine.. unless there is something new that I didn't know about.

[RimfireJim]

You might want to check out the HM2 section on rimfirecentral: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...play.php?f=131

[bambihunter]

I could not find anything reguarding this topic. What kind of difference on squirrels exit wounds , drop in yards, ..ect. Your experiences would be helpfully in my next purchase. I've had a 17hmr sold due to the lead banned, then the ban was lifted 2 months later. So I am looking for a new one. I've heard they might not make 17M2 anymore due to case seperation issues, is this true?

If you just want to plink around get the 22. I have a rem 504 in 17 m2 and totally dig it. Dime sized groups at 50 yds are not an issue. I have yet to pop a squirrel it yet, no doubt it will be brutal. For long range I would get the 17 me close in I would switch to 22 lr for the cost and the thud sound it makes while hitting a squeak.

Also, the primer in the 17 m2 has a odd smell to it... I kinda dig it.

If you are hunting in the condor area I would get a 22 mag. They make lead free ammo for it and the walmart is always stocked with it. Check out the new browning t bolt, its pretty nice.

[trob]

I have both and if I could get my mach II to be as accurate as my 22lr, it would be my favorite rifle by far. I may have got a bum M2 barrel from green mountain, but im still trying to hammer out the issues before sending the barrel back.

The M2 has a lot of pop and I can't wait to hit squirrels with it.

22 is the better "all around" but if you can get M2 to shoot well, you'll love it.

[slowjonn]

For squirrels...22 Mag is the way to go!

On your question though, I would say .22 is a better all around caliber. I have all four (22, 22mag, 17m2 and 17HMR). The .22 is still the best bang for the buck. My 17m2 and Eley ammo do not get along. The 17m2 seems A LOT more finnicky than any 22 I have ever owned.

[gbran]

I have 2 17m2's. Far more accurate than any of my 22lr's. I parked the 22lr's after getting the 17m2's. The main thing I like is the flat trajectory. With a 100 yd zero, the rise at 50 yds is less than an inch. I can shoot anything out to about 115 yds without hold over or compensate.

Sadly, they put a lead ban in my main hunting areas and I've now geared up with 22mag using the CCI TNT Green ammo. I've parked my 17m2's and my 17HMR.

[ChaparralCommando]

At 100 yds+ the HM2 is a better varmint round than .22LR. But a .22LR is more versatile due to the multitude of ammo choices, from CB's up to the hyper-velocity rounds like the CCI Velociter. Also .22LR is cheaper to practice with than HM2. I was just trying out the different ammo types in my .22 CZ452 rifle today and found the high and hyper velocity rounds are not as accurate as the subsonic standard velocity ammo. Shooting my dad's 452 in HM2 is a blast though. Easy to shoot clays at 100 yds whereas it's tougher with the .22.

[slik556]

I finally got to shoot my 17machII a few weeks ago and I love the round. My rifle is a converted 10/22 with and 18inch straight flute stainless bull from ER Shaw. The accuracy of the thing was unreal... Just to show how accurate I feel this round and apparently my setup is, my friends had a clay pigeon on the berm at 175yards at Burro Canyon, My first shot was low, adjust for drop, second shot dead nut in the center of the clay, knocking out just a small piece of the center. Second shot knocked a little more off of the center and the third shot took the rest of just the center of the clay.. My fourth shot finished it off as it completely broke.

So If you ask me I love the round but I still have a very fun time with the good old 22lr. The 22lr is a so much more cost affective. $20.00 for 550rnds., of 22lr bulk or $16.00ish for say 325rnds., fed., automatch. I have scored about 6000rnds of Remington and Eley for $3.45 per box of 50rnds., but that was a fluke. Most of the time the average price is around $6.50 per box of 50rnds.

So just plinking the 22lr is the one for me.
50yard accurate shooting, both the 22lr or the 17machII.
100yard or a little longer accuracy, 17machII.