tallone Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 I am wanting to get a .17 any suggestions on which make and model? I'm not looking to break the bank but I would like a decent one that shoots good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagobbln Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 Which .17 are you looking at? .17 Rem., .17 HMR, 17 Mach2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 Remington 700 in .17 Remington. Its a great cartridge with barely any noticable recoil. I have used mine for groundhogs and ground squirrels out past 350 yards. Mine likes Berger 30 gr MEF bullets that are moly coated. The 25 gr bullets at 4000 fps did ok, but the 30 gr bullets at 3750 fps are better at longer range. My 700 BDL shoots 3/4" groups on average for 5 shots at 100 yards. The 17Mach4 is another great .17 caliber cartidge but its not factory loaded. With 25 gr bullets it hangs right there with the .17 Rem. Kimber chambers it in their guns, but since you said you want to keep cost at a modest level, its a bit too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted January 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 Okay, I didn't realize there was that many different types? Whats the difference between the rem and the hmr? Is the hmr the one I've heard so much about? Thanks again AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 There is a big difference between the various .17 caliber cartridges even though they all shoot the same .172" bullets. Here are the most popular .17 caliber cartridges smallest to biggest: 17Mach2 - a rimfire cartridge based off of the .22 long rifle case. In a rifle the 17M2 pushes a 17 gr bullet just over 2000 fps. 17 HMR - another rimfire cartridge but its based off of the 22 magnum case. Thic cartridge pushes a 17 gr bullet 2500 fps. 17Mach4 - a centerfire case that is essentially a 221 Remington Fireball necked down to .17 caliber. It can push a 20 gr bullet 4100 fps. .17 Remington - the largest factory loaded .17 caliber cartridge. Its basically the .223 Remington necked down to .17 caliber. It is also centerfire. It can push the 20 gr bullet 4300 fps. As you can see, there is a very big difference between the cartridges. The rimfire versions are typically the cheapest. You can get guns chambered for them for under $200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted January 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 AJ, I am looking for something to do longer range squirrel hunting than my 22 can provide. I mainly do head shots but I wanted something I could reach out and "touch" them with from a farther distance along with other smaller animals. What would you suggest? Looks like maybe the hmr? How far could I expect a reasonable shot could be taken with this round? Like I said before I like head shots when possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 If you hit a squirrel with one of the centerfire rounds, you will frag it. The 17 HMR would probably serve you best. With the right gun and ammo, you can make 100 yard shots on squirrel heads with this round. You could probably extend that out a bit with a bit of practice and experimentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderpancake Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 I bought a Marlin 917v in .17hmr last year at Wal-Mart for $169. It is not a fancy gun, but it is incredibly accurate. It is a very good squirrel gun, it will put 5 shots well under 1/2" at 50 yards and I can consistently make head shots at 100 yards. It also seems to shoot any ammo well, I have shot all the 17 grain loads and it groups them all well with no shift in point of impact except in the CCI hollowpoints, which I use to hunt with. You will want to use those for hunting if you have to make any shots besides head shots. My only comlaint with the gun is the trigger, it is a typical cheap trigger, not terrible but it hampers it from shooting to it's potential. It is a very good gun and a great deal for the money. Just don't limit your gun with a cheapo scope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderpancake Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Re: Which .17 Here's mine with a big fox squirrel I shot last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted January 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Re: Which .17 I went and looked at them last night and I actually got to look at the marlin it was in stainless for $269 I also looked at the ruger 77/17 which I really liked because thats the gun I have in the 22 version but it was blued and I would like to keep with the stainless. One thing I liked about the marlin was the thick barrel. Thanks again for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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