The MeatEater

I am continually amazed how the .22 Long Rifle has resisted replacement over the course of its astonishing 138-year history. No other cartridge has even come close, and there have been attempts.

Most recently, in 2004, Hornady released what was touted at the time as the “heir apparent” to the old double-deuce: the 17 Hornady Mach 2 (HM2).

The 17 Mach 2 uses a .22 LR case (a Stinger case, to be exact) and necks it down to accept a .17-caliber bullet. The result is a faster, flatter shooting small game cartridge capable of picking a squirrel off a tree branch at 100 yards.

It sounded great, but it was doomed for obscurity. Only Hornady and CCI still produce the rounds, and Savage is the only major gun company still chambering the 17 Mach 2. There are several oft-cited reasons for its demise, but I’m wondering if small game hunters should give it a second look.

There is no question that the 17 HM2 offers better small game ballistics than the .22 LR. The Mach 2 boasts a 2,100 feet-per-second muzzle velocity, which generates about 166 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle using a 17-grain bullet. A standard .22 LR, by contrast, only generates about 128 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle using a 40-grain bullet, humming along at 1,200 fps.

Velocity in fps | Energy in ft-lbs

Of course, you don’t kill a squirrel with bullet energy. If you’re a civilized person, you kill it with a headshot, so the Mach 2’s real advantage is in its trajectory.

Zero at 50 yards 0 | Drop and Wind Drift in inches | 10mph Crosswind

Wind drift is similar in this comparison thanks to the .22 LR’s much heavier bullet. But the .17 Mach 2 drops far less than the .22 LR, which allows squirrel hunters to hold nearly dead on at 100 yards, even with a 50-yard zero. That added 50 yards of range can really come in handy in the squirrel woods, especially if you hunt in thick foliage where you might not be able to get much closer before the bushy-tail disappears into the trees.

Those excellent ballistics combine with other features that make the Mach 2 attractive to rimfire aficionados. For one thing, the copper-jacketed bullet leaves less fouling in the barrel and action (at least as compared to a lead .22 LR) and also promotes accuracy at extended ranges. What’s more, unlike other souped-up rimfires, the 17 Mach 2 shares an overall length with the .22 LR. This allows a platform originally designed for the .22 to be converted to the .17.

Of course, the .22 LR isn’t the only rimfire the 17 HM2 must compete with. The most popular .17-caliber cartridge, the 17 HMR, was also released by Hornady just two years before the Mach 2. Many credit that unfortunate timing with the Mach 2’s ultimate failure.

The 17 HMR does pretty much everything the 17 Mach 2 does–only better. Here are the same charts as above with the 17 HMR replacing the .22 LR.

Velocity in fps | Energy in ft-lbs

Zero at 50 yards 0 | Drop and Wind Drift in inches | 10mph crosswind

Thanks to its larger case capacity, the 17 HMR offers better velocity and energy at every distance using the exact same bullet as the Mach 2. It also drops much less (three fewer inches at 150 yards) and is less affected by the wind.

Fans of the 17 Mach 2 might point out that the extra powder in the 17 HMR also results in more muzzle blast, and you don’t need that much velocity and energy to take out a squirrel. If your only shot is at the body, you might be able to salvage more meat if you use the slightly slower Mach 2.

On the other hand, it’s not like the 17 HMR produces tons of recoil. The downsides of a hotter cartridge aren’t really in play with this comparison, so it makes sense that if you’re going to get into the .17 caliber, you’d run with something that offers better velocity and flatter trajectory.

A poor showing against the 17 HMR wasn’t the only reason the Mach 2 had trouble catching on. It also had to compete with high-velocity .22 LR cartridges like CCI Stingers. The 17 Mach 2 still drops less than half as much as the 32-grain Stinger at every distance out to 150 yards, but those high-speed .22 LRs were enough to scratch the itch for hunters who wanted something a little faster.

The 17 Mach 2 also suffered from the fact that it turned out to be more difficult to convert a .22 LR rifle into a Mach 2 than proponents had originally hoped. It’s not enough to swap barrels. To this day, CCI posts a warning on the Mach 2 product page advising against using components that haven’t been specifically designed for the faster cartridge. Hunters who tried to convert their 10/22’s to 17 Mach 2 reported several concerning issues, including split cases, out-of-battery blow-ups, and general unreliability.

To me, this is the most disappointing element of the 17 Mach 2 story. I would love to convert one of my 10/22’s to the 17 Mach 2, and while some report doing it successfully, even those reports come with caveats about various failures to cycle. If an ammo company could come up with a high-speed, bottleneck rimfire that could be used in the 10/22 platform, I think it would be wildly successful–especially given the wealth of aftermarket 10/22 parts on the market today.

Still, even given these drawbacks, I think small game hunters should give the 17 Mach 2 a second look.

At $0.20 per round, it’s about twice as expensive as the .22 LR, but only about 60% the cost of the .17 HMR. As of this writing, Midway USA lists 50-round boxes of 17 Mach 2 for $10, so it’s not cost-prohibitive by any means. For that $10, you’re getting an effective small-game killer that can extend the range of a standard .22 without the overkill associated with the .17 HMR. If you can find a gun chambered in the nearly-obsolete little cartridge, I’d say it’s worth a shot.

Steven Rinella and Dr. Randall Williams cook the greatest mountain man delicacy you never heard of.

It's only getting better! This week on Rut Fresh Jake Hofer is joined by Arron Bleise of the Fall Podcast, Christian Babcock of Hunters Advantage, and Benny Schuman of Moultrie share their plans for the next 7 days of sesaon. Folks are packing their bags and are ready to make the most of the next seven days. Tune in to hear what's on the top of their mind for hunting tactics as we creep into the best time of the year for chasing whitetails.

Connect with Jake Hofer and MeatEater

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop MeatEater Merch

Thanks to our sponsor Land.com

It’s that time of year again. Deer stories are back! In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb welcomes storytellers from Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas to share some of their most memorable deer hunting tales. From misunderstood lip reading, classic import cars, and half-dressed hunters wandering through the woods, to unwelcome interactions with some of nature's critters, these stories are sure to keep you entertained.

If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected]

Connect with Clay and MeatEater

Clay on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Bear Grease Merch

This week, Tony talks about some of the mental issues our dogs might develop, and why we should take them seriously before they develop into worse behaviors.

Connect with Tony, Cal, and MeatEater

Cal on Instagram and Twitter

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Cal's Merch

Spencer Neuharth hosts MeatEater Trivia with Randall Williams, Brody Henderson, Cory Calkins, Nate Mason, Alyssa Smith, Alex Plachta, Sarah Delany, and Anthony Finissi.

Connect with MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and YouTube Clips

Subscribe to MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Trivia Merch

Blood Trails is a new investigative podcast from MeatEater, hosted by writer and journalist Jordan Sillars. Each episode digs into true crime stories from the world of hunting and fishing—cases where the woods and the water became the backdrop for violence and mystery. From missing hunters deep in public land to poachers turned killers and fishing trips gone fatally wrong, Blood Trails uncovers the moments when outdoor life collides with the darkness of the human heart. But this isn't repackaged Wikipedia. Each story features original reporting you won't hear anywhere else, expert insight from detectives and hunters, and first-hand accounts from the people who were actually there. For true crime listeners looking for something new—and outdoorsmen who know the thrill and risk of time afield—Blood Trails exposes the stories left behind in the tracks. If you’re a fan of Dateline, Criminal, or Bear Grease but want your true crime set in the wild places you know, this podcast is for you.

Follow now for Episode 1, dropping on Thursday, October 30th.  

Follow Blood Trails on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon.

Connect with Jordan Sillars and MeatEater

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Jordan Sillars on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

One year after four dams were removed on the Klamath River spanning the Oregon-California border, fall Chinook salmon have made it into previously inaccessible spawning grounds. Earlier this month, biologists confirmed that multiple Chinook have made it past the old dam sites and into tributaries of Upper Klamath Lake—the longest spawning migration recorded in the drainage for over a century, according to the local Yurok tribe. All said, about 440 miles of new spawning habitat were made available by the dam removals.

“The speed and scale of the river’s recovery has exceeded our expectations and even the most optimistic scientific modeling, proving that when the barriers fall, nature has an incredible power to heal itself,” said Barry McCovey Jr., director of the tribal fisheries department. Biologists were expecting it to take several years for sediment to clear out of the system, but the river has rebounded much faster than expected.

On September 24, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) captured a video of a Chinook overtopping the Keno Dam fish ladder. The fish isn’t the first one to have made it over the dam (in fact, the camera was installed just one day before), but it’s exciting footage for those involved in the restoration. According to ODFW, several fish made it over Keno Dam last year too, just weeks after the demolition was complete. The entire run was around 700 fish, with most spawning in a section of river that was previously inundated by the backwaters of J.C Boyle Dam.

In this fall’s spawning migration, the king salmon have made it even further, passing the uppermost Link River Dam as well. The passage allows access into Upper Klamath Lake and several historical spawning tributaries, including the Williamson and Sprague rivers. In the preceding months, there was concern that toxic levels of cyanobacteria in the lake could have impacted the run (the state issued a “do not swim, do not drink” water advisory), but the fish appeared to have no problem. Several were detected in tributary streams to the reservoir within the last two weeks.

In addition to increased salmon returns, overall water quality in the lower Klamath River has improved substantially since the dam removals. Not only are summer and fall water temperatures colder, but the river has also seen lower algae concentrations. According to data collected by the Karuk Tribe, 58% of water samples collected prior to dam removal exceeded public health limits for toxic algae. Post removal, all water samples have tested below the limit.

Despite the success, restoration efforts could see less money in the coming years for continued monitoring. In late September, the Department of Interior revoked a $2.1 million grant to the Mid Klamath Watershed Council, part of which was dedicated to Chinook spawning surveys and habitat restoration. According to the department, the projects “no longer match its goals.”

Until now, however, there has been plenty of federal money available in the Klamath watershed. Oregon and California utility companies footed the $500 million bill for the dam removals, but the Department of Interior pledged $162 million toward restoration projects over a period of five years, thanks to the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The last of the money was awarded this year, with nearly $28 million being spent on everything from moving sediment to replanting floodplains to establishing stream gauges. Almost $2 million of that was spent implanting radio tags in Chinook salmon and establishing arrays throughout the basin to detect the tagged fish. The project is, in part, a major reason why such detailed data exists on how and where salmon are recolonizing the basin.

Going forward, it’s too early to tell how successful the spawning salmon will be. Juvenile Chinook spend one to two years rearing in freshwater streams before migrating to the ocean, so it will be several years until offspring from this year’s salmon run return to the Klamath.

The population will also be supplemented by heavy hatchery production. Last spring, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released 400,000 fall Chinook fry into the river as well. The fish came from the brand new Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, which the state eventually hopes will produce 3.25 million fall-run chinook a year. PacifiCorp, the utility company that operated the Klamath dams, is set to fund the hatchery for eight years, after which biologists hope the fish will have established a self-sustaining population.

For the conservation community, the Klamath is a rare success story. Ultimately, the dams came down because it would have been more expensive for PacifiCorp to maintain them than to tear them apart, but it took prodding and collaboration from dozens of organizations to make it happen, and to subsequently restore the river to health. Watching salmon return to the drainage represents an important milestone and is a tangible result from years of groundwork.

The arrival of autumn means a lot of things to outdoors folk. It’s the start of hunting season, the first step towards cold-weather activities like ice fishing and trapping, and if you’re the type, the first chance to grab a pumpkin spice coffee on your way to the woods. However, for anglers, the start of fall means one thing—the arrival of the baitfish.

From the coastal shores of New England to the cold, clear rivers of the Pacific Northwest, every minnow, herring, chub, and shad in the water will gather together in large schools during the fall. These plenitudes of small fish come close to the surface and gather just offshore to feed and migrate in droves before winter, and close behind them come the predators.

Whether you’re talking about stripers pounding bunker from the beach, crappie gobbling suspended minnows, or bass and pike smashing into schools of shiners like missiles, every game fish you can imagine will be feeding in a frenzy in some very easily accessible places.

Anglers in the know can exploit this reckless fall feeding behavior and catch some of the biggest fish of their lives, so long as they know how and where to capitalize on this baitfish bonanza.

Matching the hatch is a term that fly anglers are very familiar with. It means that you have to match your flies as closely as you can to the insects that appear on the water to fool the fish. During the autumn, when fish are concentrating on schools of baitfish, you have to do the same thing. Fish will be keyed in and feeding heavily on certain sizes and species of baitfish, meaning that if you’re baits, lures, and flies don’t match, the fish aren’t going to play ball.

The best and easiest way is, of course, to catch your own bait. Where legal, throwing a cast net or setting a minnow trap for whatever baitfish are gathering is always going to be the best way to make sure you’re casting out what the fish are interested in. However, if fishing live bait isn’t an option for you, you can still get close enough with lures and flies.

The key to matching the baitfish hatch is knowing what sort of baitfish are in your area. From minnows and shiners to herring and anchovies, there are a variety of baitfish species that are active during the fall, so it’s worth putting in a little research before you hit the water. Most waterways will have the type and species of forage fish in them listed on your local state game agency’s website. However, even if you can’t find any info on what type of bait is swimming around your local waters, most tackle and fly shops should have that information readily available.

Once you know what type of bait is swimming around, you’ll want to choose both lures and flies that match the species as closely as possible. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to have exquisitely detailed lures for every species of baitfish under the sun. Instead, you’re going to want lures and flies that are the general size, shape, and color of the fish you’re trying to imitate.

For example, if you’re targeting bass, walleye, or even pike and muskie that are feeding on schools of suspended shiners, you’re not going to want to cast to them with big, brightly colored crankbait. Instead, choose a smaller lure that is roughly the same size and color as the shiners the fish are feeding on. This could be a small jerkbait or streamer, or even a spoon or in-line spinner that matches the size and shape of the bait. So long as your lure is in the ballpark, the baitfish-hungry fish you’re after will absolutely crush it.

One of the biggest things to remember when targeting baitfish schools during the fall is that there are a lot of them. Depending on the species, schools of baitfish can range from anywhere between 50 and 5,000, creating a lot of options for the game fish feeding on them. If you cast your lure into the center of such a target-rich environment, it can be difficult for a fish to single out in the middle of the masses. So instead of casting right into the heart of the matter, you’ll often have better luck fishing around the fringes of the school.

Whenever you see game fish feeding on baitfish schools, it’s important to understand how and where they are attacking. If you see the fish exploding on the surface and rocketing in the air, it’s likely they’re coming at the school from underneath. However, if you’re seeing backs and fins, the gamefish are likely moving in from the side.

If you’re not seeing any action on the surface, you can still pick up fish activity beneath the waves using electronics on a boat. Using a fish finder, you can take note of the baitfish school, the larger markers surrounding it, and where the two coincide. Once you pinpoint this attacking angle, you can then cast your lures to the fringes of the school and fish them accordingly.

You have two options if you have fish feeding on baitfish from underneath. The first is to fish with a weighted lure that will imitate a wounded or dying baitfish sinking to the bottom. Lures like jigs tipped with soft plastics and spoons work great for this, as will weighted streamers for fly anglers. Cast your lure into the school and then let it sink, adding in a couple of feeble twitches and darts to make it look wounded, and it won’t be long before you connect with a fish.

The second option for fish feeding beneath the surface is to use a topwater lure that imitates a dead or dying bait. These can include poppers and prop baits, or even floating jerkbaits like the classic Rapala. Cast these topwater baits towards the outer edges of the baitfish school, preferably right after they have been attacked and then twitch and jerk them to draw attention and get ready for the explosion.

If you see game fish attacking baitfish schools from the side, your best bet is to lead the school and fish along the outer edges of it with constantly moving lures and flies. These can include spinners and spoons, as well as crankbaits, swimbaits, and lightly weighted streamers. Cast these lures along the edge of the school and try to retrieve them in the opposite direction that the baitfish are moving. This will cause the fish to single out your lure and will usually lead to more strikes.

Game fish are predators and, like every other animal that eats another, they’ll single out the weakest member of the herd. Baitfish that are slow, bleeding, moving erratically, or simply acting unnaturally are usually the first ones to get picked off. You can imitate this vulnerability with both your lures and your live baits when you’re fishing around fall baitfish schools, causing gamefish to eat first and ask questions later.

If you’re fishing with lures or flies, try fishing them erratically. Instead of simply casting and then reeling or stripping them back towards you, mix it up a bit by adding in a lot of jerks, switches, and pauses as the lure or fly moves. During your pauses, allow your lure to sink or rise back to the surface like it's dead or dying, and then add sudden, frantic twitches as if it’s coming back to life. The more vulnerable and easier to catch you can make your bait, the more likely it is to be targeted by the fish you’re after, causing you to hook up faster and more often.

You can do the same thing when you’re fishing with live bait. Instead of simply hooking a bait to your line and letting it swim, you can catch more fish by thrashing it up a bit. Scrap off some scales, trim down the fins, and even give it a cut or a bleeding wound, while keeping the bait alive, and you can see your hookups nearly double. You can also hook them through the tail rather than through their back or lips. This will cause your baitfish to swim vertically in the water rather than horizontally, separating them from the other fish around them and making them an easy target.

Autumn baitfish runs are an amazing thing to see. Not only can they help you catch more fish, but they also allow you to witness the aquatic life cycle on a raw and primal scale. During the autumn, I’ve seen stripers feasting on bunker that were leaping a full six feet out of the water every time they struck. I’ve seen muskie inhaling full mouthfuls of shiners like pigs eating acorns and brown trout herding minnows like killer whales herding seals.

When you fish the fall baitfish bonanza, you’re taking part in something as old as time itself. It’s the bare bones of the food chain in which we all take part, and when you fish it right, it will show you things that will make you thankful you’re at the top.

In this episode, the guys break down how to go from simply collecting photos to unlocking deer movement patterns that can make or break your hunt. They dive deep into how factors like wind, weather, pressure, timing influence behavior and how trail cam history can help you predict the future. Presented by RAM and Can-Am