besides squirrel and target, what would a 17 HMR gun be good for? just curious. thanks

Prarie dogs (which is really where it shines), woodchucks, rabbit, crow or any other small to medium sized critter you want to whack with it.

Many use it for fox and coyote as well.

I personally think the HM2 is a better tree squirrel round, I may have to get me one.

Basically about anything you would use a .22 mag on. It shoots a bit flatter and is inhearantly more accurate in most guns. You can buy a fairly cheap (160-200) marlin or savage and get 1 MOA out of the box or better in most cases. I think the .22 mag does have slightly more down range energy though do to the heavier bullets. However the .17 bullets perform VERY well in game if you pick the right bullet for the job.

Paul

Nothing.... IMHO

I have a mach II and its just about to big for squirells unless you can hit every one of themin the head, I shot one thru the ribs the other day and it almost cut him into, one thing for sure , they don't hang up in the tree on you, and it is very accurate and fun to shoot.

You forgot rabbits( including jacks), badger, marmots, and in some extremes with head shots bobcats and yotes. And yes, there are debates on the yote and bobcat situations. I have taken 4 yotes with the .17 HMR at under 120 yards with head shots. I wouldn't stand back and say that the .17 HMR is the go ahead round to kill predators, but it has been done and done successfully.