Comments on: 17 Mach 2 (17 HM2) — Affordable .17-Caliber Rimfire Option

By: John A Kelinske

John A Kelinske — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 01:32:29 +0000

Since you can now find it and most times not .22LR, the little .17 may turn out to have the last laugh after all.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:08:25 +0000

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.

By: Omark

Omark — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 12:29:21 +0000

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.

By: Crack smoker

Crack smoker — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 21:46:34 +0000

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..

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 13:23:55 +0000

Squirrel medicine. The Mach 2 is the perfect round for Squirrel hunting.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 02:25:47 +0000

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.

By: Oscar

Oscar — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 20:30:59 +0000

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.