Gopher Gun

[Gopher Gun]

Looking at getting a new gopher gun and thought about a 17 HMR or 17 Mach 2 over a .22 I know that the ammo is way more expensive. Just wondering which of these two you guys recommend?

[7 REM MAG]

22 mag frikkin amazing gopher gun killes em at like 250

[Rookie Recurve]

I really want a 22 mag, but the freakin ammo is kinda expensive. Cheaper than 17 cal stuff though and hits harder and less vulnerable to the wind. An endless debate for sure. By the way I got me a new rem 597 in lr and after a volquartsen target hammer, I really loved it. And you can now get a 30 shot clip for it!

[varmitr]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/varmastr/th_P1110015.jpg (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/varmastr/P1110015.jpg)
I had that dilemma too, so i got both, both have the bushnell 6x18x52, both are laminate and stainless, both have burris rings and bases, the bolt action marlin 17hmr, has the basix trigger at about 3#, the ruger is basically factory with trig work.
gophers out to 250 are no problem, i have taken 13 yotes with it too. i had strings out to 30 gophers in a row
-my 17hmr shoots a 3/8" @ 100
-it is one of the cheapest guns i own, with little done to it and by far the most accurate.
-the hmr round is inheritly accurate regardless of gun
-you may want to check out the rimfirecentral.com they are the authourity on rimfire and a great bunch too
-the 17hmr is my suggestion to you,

[aulrich]

If you don't already have one a good semi 22 is the place to start, then build up from there. I go out with three guns a 10/22T, a marlin 917V and a Handi in 204 ruger.

The 204 only comes out with the shooting tables or if it is really windy. I generally carry both the 22 and the hmr, but if only one comes out it's the hmr.

I had toyed with the though of buying the marlin semi in 17m2, though it would still be a bit expensive in an infested field

For me it is a toss up on which is a funner gopher gun the 10/22 or the hmr.

[RyanGSP]

Varmiter whats the model on those bushnells.

[varmitr]

www.bushnell.com/general/...eral%20Use (http://www.bushnell.com/general/riflescopes_banner.cfm?section=General%20Use)
model # 71-6185
they are also airgun safe which is a testimate to there construction, also the 17hmr's scope piled up and i mailed it to bushnell and they sent me a new one no questions asked.
Adjustable objective to 15 yards plus i just seen them on sale at cambodian tire for $179.00

[Okotokian]

My gopher gun is a CZ Lux in 22 Mag. Lovely gun, smooth bolt action, schnable forend, european styling. I like to look at it as much as shoot it.

But if I had it to do over again I'd get a .17 HMR. It seems to me (from my reading anyway, never shot one) to just be able to do more. Longer range, can use it on yotes, etc. Yes, I guess you DO stip up a little more on ammo cost.

Question though, why would anyone choose a Mach 2 over a HMR? The HMR seems to have everything ballistically over the Mach 2. What am I missing?

[varmitr]

oko, i think they made a mistake in marketing the magnum first, if they woulda released the mach first, then the magnum it may have received more affection

[aulrich]

Small game hunter seem to like the m2 less meat damage, on rfc it seems squirrel hunters down south seem to like them, same sort of accuracy as it's big brother.

Actually I think the marlin semi in 17m2 and a centerfire could make a good gopher combo. But at 80$ a brickit's stll pricy for me. But the proce would moderate some with an increased hit ratio.

[Okotokian]

Small game hunter seem to like the m2 less meat damage, on rfc it seems squirrel hunters down south seem to like them, same sort of accuracy as it's big brother.

That makes some sense. Never thought about it that way as I don't usually eat anything I'd shoot with a gun that small... but rabbits I guess....

[Give the HM2 a try!]

Give the HM2 a try!! It has less pop and hits almost as hard as the HMR. I can shoot this caliber all day without any hearing protection unlike the HMR. The ammo is less expensive. This caliber is underrated in my opinion. Buy it and try it!! I will never shoot a .22 again!! 100 yard shots at gophers is nothing with this caliber. I am having to much fun this year with those fat male gophers that are out!!!!

[22]

whats the difference between a 22 win mag, 22 WMR and a 22 WFR

[RancheroMan]

As someone above me stated, if you don't have a .22LR rifle yet, that should be your first purchase. If get into a really heavy gopher patch, you'll want something cost effective as a .22LR.

With a .17HRM making the trip, after all the 5-50 yard gophers are gone, you can accurately pick off the 50-150 yard gophers.....and that is tons of fun. After a while, you can switch back to the .22LR as the close gopher will be back up.

You can pick up very cost effective .22LR rifles (see the Marlin 795......she's around 150 bucks) and save your penny's for a .17HMR.

P.S> Dad got a .17HM2 for Christmas and loves it so far, but it hasn't seen the gopher patch yet.

[cmfic1]

.416 Rem Mag works well! as does the .338 WM, 7mmSTW, & the .300 WM....a little costly, but real fun.

[Give it a try!]

I know that I am not a registered user of this forum but I have to push the HM2! The gun shops should be pushing this caliber a little bit more. There are guys in the states that have 2 or 3 HM2's. If it were up to me I would have one in savage as well as marlin. I have a CZ 452. It shoots awesome!! I agree that everyone should have a .22 but the HM2 and HMR are so much more fun. Come on BB you like to buy guns. Try one and you'll love it!!

[RyanGSP]

just use a 223 its half the price for the shells compared to the HMR and you can still use it to pop yotes badgers and foxes.

[Blakeinator2]

Southern....i'm all over it like a duck on a june bug! Did you get the american or varmint? And have you grouped it at 100 yrds?

B

[452 american]

Hey Blakeinator. Shoots great at 100. Within a 1/2 inch depending on what rest I use. I put a leupold 3-9x33 AO rimfire on it. It is my ultimate gopher gun. Got the scope through ebay. A high zoom scope would be even better if you can afford it. You got to get something that focuses down to 20 or 30 yards. I picked up a mueller 4.5-14x40AO and put it on my HMR. It would be great for a HM2 also!!

[Davey Crocket]

Guys ... my cousin & I picked up 2 yesterday, scopes, rings ammo, at about 2pm,.. after mounting, sightin in an such, we were onto a few lone ..... gone but not fergotten gophers out by Millet. Nice shootin gun, not the most expensive by far, but topped with a nice scope, its a meat grinder... I love it! Sure the ammo might be a bit costly.. but we all need a habit! Gophers............. look OUT!:hat

[cmfic1]

Hey Davey, where you from?

[M70]

I took out the 10/22 for the first time in a couple of years this weekend and I was quickly reminded how terrible the factory trigger really is on it. I've never measured trigger pull on that thing but it's gotta be between 7-10 lbs! I've been shooting the .223 alot over the last two or three years for gophers but the report of even the .223 is a little loud for nearby neighbours. I'm thinking about one of the 17's as well now.

[aulrich]

M70 A VQ hammer would fix that up right quick, there are others. www.hawktecharms.com/ (http://www.hawktecharms.com/) has a selection of stuff for 10/22's and they ship to Canada, but that does not mean you should not buy a 17 of some sort just make', sure to get 100% out of your options.

[Davey Crocket]

cmfic1, just south of you in Lacombe, have lots of Relatives around the Millet/ Wetaskiwin area.;)

[M70]

Thanks for the link, Aulrich. I'm tempted to put a couple of add on's for the little Ruger. Are the Volquartson triggers, hammers etc. difficult to do yourself? A guy could obviously get carried away with all the options out there.

[nafegavas]

On rimfire central.com there's an article on stoning the stock trigger to lessen the pull. It works well. If you reload check outwww.jamescalhoon.com (http://www.jamescalhoon.com) click on informative articles reduced loads for .223 with blue dot powder sounds like a 22 mag and blows the hell outa gophers.

[buckshoot]

Anyone reloading for a .22 cal try the new "Varmint Grenades" from Barnes

[Chris89lx]

Hey Rookie Recurve,

By the way I got me a new rem 597 in lr and after a volquartsen target hammer, I really loved it. And you can now get a 30 shot clip for it!

I was also thinking of picking up the rem 597 LR.
How much and were did you get yours if you don't mind me asking.
I saw the 597 here for $180 www.wholesalesports.com/o...1011000103 (http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/category/~category_id=10110001030104/~pcategory=1011000103)
What advantage does the volquartsen target hammer have and were do you get a 30 round clip for it?
What would be a good scope for this gun also?
Thanks.

[Okotokian]

what is the attraction of the 597? Every person I've ever talked to in a gun shop about 22's has said if you are leaning towards semi-auto synthetic, the 10/22 is the hands down choice, plus an available galaxy of options and modifications.

[Chris89lx]

The price is the attraction for me.

What is a 10/22 going for a Wholesale. Post a link if you can please.

How much is ammunition for a 10/22?

[aulrich]

Ammo price varries

Bulk 500 for 11-13$

good stuff 500 20-26 CCI mini mag

High end 500 50$ stingers

Target
elley tenx 18$ for 50 (I was fooling around with my 10/22T oddly enough you can tell the difference that 18$ per 50 makes)

[Okotokian]

yeah, 10/22 is a bit more. For synthetic blued, the 597 is $179.95, while the 10/22 is $259.95

[Rookie Recurve]

Hey chris89lx, I bought the 597 LSHB for around $300 I believe. (laminated stock, heavy barrel) I bought the volquartsen hammer from Rimfire Central for around $30 from the states. Delivery was quick and the product is excellent. Huge difference! The 30 round clip is from Eagle International I believe. There is an excellent rimfire forum on rimfire central and there is also one on canadiangunnutz.com as well. I put a bushnell banner, which is just a cheap scope. There are some relly good rimfire specific scopes out there if you are serious about accuracy, but it is only as good as the ammo that you are using. I use stingers which are not very consistent. The 597 fit me better than the 10-22. Nothing wrong with them either, just like the fit and the price of the Reminington better. You cannot go wrong either way.