17 Mach 2 (17 HM2) — Affordable .17-Caliber Rimfire Option
The 17 Mach 2 (aka “17 HM2″) is making a come-back. We’re glad. This high-velocity round fits actions and magazines designed for the .22 LR, so it’s an easy barrel-swap upgrade for most rimfire bolt-guns (semi-autos are more complicated). The 17 Mach 2 cartridge doesn’t deliver the velocity of the 17 HMR, but it is still way faster than a .22 LR. Expect 2000-2100 fps with 17 Mach 2 compared to 1250 fps for “High-Velocity” .22 LR ammo. And, importantly, 17 Mach 2 ammo is much less expensive than 17 HMR. If you shop around, you can get 50 rounds of 17 Mach 2 for about $6.50. That’s 35% cheaper than the average $10 price of 17 HMR — a significant savings!
17 Mach 2 Major Selling Points:
1. 60% more velocity than typical “High-Velocity” .22 LR ammo.
2. 35% less cost than average 17 HMR ammo.
3. 17 Mach 2 OAL is compatible with .22 LR receivers and magazines.
17 Mach 2 Rifle Reviews |
Gun-makers have taken notice of the availability of 17 Mach 2 ammo, introducing new models chambered for this versatile little rimfire round. For a high-volume, small-species varminting, the 17 Mach 2 is much more effective than the .22 LR, and much less expensive than the larger 17 HMR.
New Savage A17 in 17 Mach 2
There are a number of reviews on new-generation 17 Mach 2 rifles. Recently Varminter.com reviewed the Savage A17 in 17 HM2. Editor Eric Mayer wrote: “This new addition to the A17 line comes at a time when the 17 Mach 2 round is experiencing a resurgence, with ammo now available from CCI and Hornady, including the lead-free NTX round from Hornady. This means … you don’t have to break the bank to buy a current, functioning, semi-auto 17 Mach 2 and you don’t have to … convert your 10/22.”
Eric shot four different types of 17 Mach 2 ammo, putting 1000+ rounds through the Savage. He was impressed: “I am very excited that Savage Arms has chambered their A17 rifle in the 17 Mach 2 / 17 HM2 round. After shooting the prototype, I can confidently say that this new A17 will become my go-to 17 Mach 2 rifle. This new rifle is a great option for varminters everywhere!”
Toggle Bolt Volquartsen Summit in 17 HM2
It’s rare for us to see a new rimfire that we’d really like to own, but the new Summit from Volquartsen fits the bill. This versatile rifle features a cool, straight-pull toggle bolt, similar to those on elite Biathalon rifles. You can see how this gun shoots in this informative 22 Plinkster video:
22 Plinkster Tests Volquartsen Summit Rifle in 17 Mach 2
The 17 Mach 2 (17 HM2) is making a comeback. Now leading manufacturers are offering this efficient little rimfire cartridge in some nice rifles. Both Anschutz and Volquartsen will offer new 17 Mach 2 rifles in 2019. The Volquartsen Summit features a lightweight, carbon fiber-wrapped barrel threaded 1/2-28 for brakes or suppressors. The Summit boasts a nice 1.75-lb trigger pull. The Summit’s CNC-machined receiver features a +20 MOA Rail. NOTE: The video shows a silhouette-style laminated wood stock. However, the Summit comes standard with a composite Magpul stock that actually works better for shooting from a bench.
17 Mach 2 — Best Rimfire Bang for the Buck?
If you are looking for a capable, squirrel-busting round or a fun plinking round, you should definitely consider the 17 Mach 2, especially since CCI has committed to production of the little cartridge. CCI recently rolled out its “Gen 2″ 17 Mach 2 VNT Ammo with polymer tip (see top of article).
Considering that 17 HMR ammo is now running $10 to $12 a box, the 17 Mach 2 is an excellent value by comparison. It is available from many vendors for under $6.50 per 50ct box. That’s just $0.13 per round. When you consider overall “bang for the buck”, for many shooters, it makes sense to use the 17 Mach 2 rather than a 17 HMR. You save money, barrel life is a little longer, and the 17 Mach 2 is still a much more potent cartridge than the .22 LR. Check out this comparison, and note how the 17 Mach 2 has a much flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. For varmint shooting, the 17 Mach 2 is clearly the better choice.
Hornady’s 17 Mach 2 has a 2100 FPS muzzle velocity vs. 1255 FPS for “High-Velocity” .22 LR.
Similar Posts:
- 17 Mach 2 (17 HM2) — More Affordable Alternative to 17 HMR
- 17 Mach 2 Straight-Pull Summit Rifle from Volquartsen
- 2050 FPS 17 Mach 2 Rimfire — Affordable Alternative to 17 HMR
- 17 Mach 2 — 2050 FPS Rimfire More Affordable Than 17 HMR
- Rimfire 17s — Three Great Options: 17 HMR, 17 Mach 2, 17 WMS
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Tags: 17 Caliber, 17 HM2, 17 Mach 2, Hornady Mach 2, Savage A17, Toggle Bolt, Varmint Rifle, Varminter.com, Volquartsen
Data for 22 LR appear dated. In checking muzzle energy/ME (to normalize for weight and velocity variations between cartridges), using Midway data just now — https://www.midwayusa.com/rimfire-ammunition/br?cid=7547 — I found:
the 17 gr Hornady 17 HM2 has an ME of 166 and sells for $0.16/rd,
the 17 gr CCI 17 HM2 has an ME of 152 and sell for $0.16/rd,
the 40 gr CCI 22 LR Velociter has an ME of 183 and sells for $0.11- 0.13/rd,
the 32 gr CCI 22 LR Stinger has an ME of 191 and sells for $0.11- 0.13/rd, and
the 30 gr Aquila Supermaximum 22 LR has an ME of 193 and sells for $0.08 – 0.10/rd [the specs on the Midway page are wrong fro this cartridge – the box say 1700 fps, the Midway spec says 1750, so I used the data on the Aquila site – https://www.aguilaammo.com/rimfire/#Specialtab At least a 16% ME advantage over the 17 HM2 at half or close to half the price – Wow!
Considering the huge volume of rifle options in 22 LR, including the rifle many shooters might already own, I find no reason whatsoever for going 17 HM2 over 22 LR.
Probably beacause of the Flatter trajectory, more frangible projectile (probably less wind drift too) and similar noise level might be a good enough reason.
Editor: You are absolutely correct on all points. In the varmint fields, you’ll see immediately that the flatter-shooting 17 Mach 2 works better.
Squirrel medicine. The Mach 2 is the perfect round for Squirrel hunting.
Call me crazy but comparison of the M2 to the HMR is absolutely appropriate because it’s the same caliber…
Comparing the M2 to the 22 lr makes no sense because they’re completely different rounds with different purposes.
Match grade 22 round may not be great for hunting squirrels, but the M2 would.. plinking bottle caps at 100 yards with a 22 might be better…
Again on the other hand… the M2 is flat and cheaper than the Hmr, so realistically the M2 does have its place..
It’s own category… in it’s own world..
comparing the HM2 to the HMR is akin to 300 blackout v 308 v 300 win mag. its short action vs magnum action, they are different categories, calibre alone is not enough to categorise them.
Further ME is not necessarily relative to terminal effects. Not saying its wrong – but we need to consider the retained energy, accuracy and terminal effect at 150 yds to see if the HM2 has the edge on its 22lr cousin.
To get a true mach 2, which is 2250 fps, they would need a 15 gr or lighter bullet which would yield 169 ft-lbs. A 17 gr at 2100 gives 166 ft-lbs. Now if it were only cheaper, $4 a box, it would be worth it. Maybe “True Velocity” might jump in with a plastic cased polymer projectile round that would be fast and cheap. That might do it.
Since you can now find it and most times not .22LR, the little .17 may turn out to have the last laugh after all.