LifeNRA Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I want a small rifle. Its a narrow choice between the .17 HMR or the .204 Ruger, which one would you all most likely get? Planning on using this for fall turkey, and maybe some varmits. Who has them, and what do you like or dis-like about these rifles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 It's a no brainer for me as I hunt mostly state land. In CT, on state land, you can't use a centerfire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 If you want to eat the turkeys, I would use the HMR. It will give less destruction than the 204 will. I have the 17 Remington (centerfire) and the 222 and 223 Remingtons. The 204 is smack dab in between them. It is a decent varmint cartridge, with flat trajectory. Ammo prices are easy to compare. The 17 HMR will get you 50 shots for less than you will pay for 20 of the 204 Rugers. The 17 HMR costs about $10-$11 for a box of 50. The 204 Ruger will run you $13-$17 for a box of 20. For distance, the 204 rules. It will be fully effective to 400+ yards if the shooter can do the job. the 17 HMR craps out about the 150 mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 Yes I do want to eat them! LOL! I dont know much about either of them. I know they also have the 17 HMR 2. I figured both 17 HMR's in the same catagory. I shot my fathers yesterday at 100 yards and kept them within an inch with a 4 power scope. But I think I would want a variable scope. Just trying to get ideas! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 There is the 17 HMR whichis a 22 magnum rimfire that is necked down to hold .172" bullets. The 17M2 is a 22 long rifle rimfire cartridge that is necked down to .172" bullets. The .204 Ruger is basically a 222 magnum necked down to hold .20 caliber bullets and has the shoulder pushed forward slightly. There is a big difference between the performance between the 17M2, the 17 HMR, and the .204 Ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 I like the 17 for that application. I'm comfortable with it on coyotes and bobcats to 75-80 yards or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 So then the 17 HM2 would blow them apart even more? I got some thinking to do! Thanks AJ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn57 Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 The 17 HMR is more powerful than the 17 M2. If it were me, I would pick the 17HMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 [ QUOTE ] So then the 17 HM2 would blow them apart even more? I got some thinking to do! Thanks AJ! [/ QUOTE ] Less. You are going backwards. The slower the bullet the less damage. Slowest to fastest is 17M2, 17 HMR, 204 Ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 Get the 17HMR. It's a blast to shoot, and inexpensive. I can't imagine why anyone would ever buy the Mach 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 IMHO I dont see the HM2 standing the test of time. From what ive seen the .17hmr is far more popular and ammo can be picked up pretty much anywhere. If you were hunting yotes only id look at the .204 but that is about the only animal I would use it on. The .17hmr has a lot more uses in my opinion. While I would love to have a .204 the choice is obivous for me... .17HMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 Priced a few of them today as well! WOW! Big difference between the two! Looks like the 17HMR is the winner! Dont want to spend an arm and a leg on this gun either. Would a 3-9x40 be too much scope for this rifle??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian_Goose Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 If your hunting varmits you'll most likely need a HIGHER magnification (petzal won't hunt with less than a 20x) and thus a larger objective lens. once again JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn57 Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 I think the 3-9x40 would be a perfect scope for it! Also check out the sweet 17 scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Re: Pro\'s & Con\'s Between The 17 HMR & .204 It is only my opinion, but over scoping a gun is not a really good idea. Like A.J. said the .17 is good to 125 or maybe 150 yards. A scope too large can give you an overly confident feeling causing you to try shots not reasonable.You have to be careful to stay within the limits of the firearm. 3-9 would be the max for me. In fact that is exactly what I have on my .17 HMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.