I shot 17HMR a ton when it first came out. Bought a couple cases of ammo when you could get it for $5.99 a box. Shot prairie dogs, coons, jack rabbits, and a bunch of smaller stuff.
Even got a coyote in the middle of a blizzard at night with it at like 200 to 250-ish Hail Mary shot. Although it was barely adequate. I spine'd him and his flopping around probably did just as much damage.
When ammo started climbing above $8.99 a box....I pretty much shelved the gun. I couldn't tell you when or what I shot it at last.
I like the .17HMR.....have zero love for the .17Mach2. Would really like a 17 Rem. I have no clue why you'd compare Stingers or Maxi Mags when 17HMR is far more accurate further out. They don't hold a candle at range.
Ammo prices have pretty much ruined everything shooting related. I'm just glad I got into this game with some guns before it went to shit so I can have a "different club for a different scenario"....wider point of view. I can't really recommend to newer shooters to buy a bunch of a different caliber guns. You can't count on ammo makers to fill shelves. And if they do....you can be assured they are fucking you more and more year after year on prices.
A suppressed .22lr can cover a lot of bases. Then a small caliber centerfire....like .223 or .204 (oh wait they decided to rape us on the cheaper to produce .204 for a while now....go figure). But I'm not spending +$15 for .17HMR...fuck that noise. I'll just pound whatever it is with something that has some real ass on it.
