Slim Jim; Prairie dog shooting has ben my hobby since May ,1949 when my Dad gave me a 22 rifle. When the 17HMR and 17 HM2 first came out I got Cooper 57M LVT rifles. The darn things are pricy , more so than my big game rifles. But I shoot the little 17s far more than the big game rifles. One fall Some years ago I fired three rounds and droped a prong horn,mule deer and an elk with a 308 Norma Mag. Four years ago I shot a bit over 2,000 prairie dogs withthe 17 rimfire rifles. On a cost per shot basis the Coopers are perty low cost when compared to my big game rifles. The Coopers look good and they are accurate--OLD MEN SHOULD NOT HUNT WITH AN UGLY GUN...

bracer wrote:

Four years ago I shot a bit over 2,000 prairie dogs withthe 17 rimfire rifles.

That is what I call exterminating!!!

SlimJim: P Dog Rifles =The 17 rimfire rifles are Cooper 57 M LVTs.The centerfire rifles are a 17 Fireball 700 Limited and a Sako 17 Rem . Both center fire rifles actions have ben glass bedded and the barrel free floated. The bolt locking lugs were lapped on the on the 700 Rem. The trigger pull was adjusted down to 2 3/4 -3 Lb on each rifle. All four rifles are quite accurate but thats what one needs to shoot prairie dog pups.

I'm too much into shooting. I am drooling over your description. Thanks.

Just to show the practical application of 17 rimfires.

A17Shooter wrote:

Belding Ground Squirrel shot with Marlin 17V. Couldn't get the hold over right for 15 yds

Do you have any targets to show how well the Marlin groups?

Wow, 6 shots to shoot the squirrel!?1!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I look forward for more.

Had alot of complaints on the 17 rimfires killing ability from more than a few customers in the gunshop Im currently working in. Takeing in quit a few on trade for 22's. So Ill stick with of my 22, 22mags. they say its a wounder, not a clean killer on anything over the size of a ground squirrel.

slimjim wrote:

rb41rb wrote: both are very accurate Can you post some pictures of your groups?

I'll chime in with a group picture. 17 HM2 TC Contender Carbine with 23" barrel at 59 yds.



17 HM2 Data Sheet

Thanks for posting A17! Nice group! At the price I'm seeing most of the 17 rimfires at, I think they have better barrels than more 22s plus I expect the 17 ammo is better quality resulting in better accuracy than production 22LRs. I'm debating now whether to put a match barrel on my Ruger 10/22 or leave it with a stock barrel. I'll have to see if I can get close to your accuracy with some quality 22LR ammo.

SJ, when you want good groupings of .22 LR, don't take a semi-auto (and sure not a standart 10/22). If you see such an old singleshot FN or an Anschütz (Match 54) or a Voere, even a Mauser, they all do better out of the box than the Ruger.
My favorite now is a nice Krico, a hunter model with nice wood and even a stecher. This one is performing better than the Anschutz or the T-bolt (or any lever action).
If you realy want a semi-auto, go for a Voere or even better: the Browning Bar-22 or an old FN Auto-22.

Don't dismiss the accuracy of a good .22 LR...even an auto.



That's 20 rounds of cheap ammo into just over .5". Granted, it's from a highly modified Ruger 10/22, but it is certainly within reason.

SingleShotLover wrote:

That's 20 rounds of cheap ammo into just over .5". Granted, it's from a highly modified Ruger 10/22

20 rounds - wow! I'll take my 10/22 out and show you a different looking 20-shot group!

BTW, what's SingleShotLover doing with a 10/22 semi-auto?

Aloysius wrote:

My favorite now is a nice Krico, a hunter model with nice wood and even a stecher.

Aloys, and you didn't show us a picture because?!?!

didn't I tell you that I collect .22's?
Do I have to learn to make a gallery right in de middle of our small game hunting season? I'll make a few pictures one of these days to keep you pleased (I'll try not to surprise you too much )

slimjim wrote:

BTW, what's SingleShotLover doing with a 10/22 semi-auto?

Well....now and then I have to see how the other half lives!