S&W 647 Varminter - Anyone tried it out?

[martin]

I was in the local firearms emporium the other day checking on price/availability of a 952 and I came across the 647. I was wondering if anyone had checked one out yet. If so, what were your opinions?

Thanks

 

[JoeHatley]

I've handled one in a shop, but haven't had a chance to shoot one. This one had the 8 3/8" full underlug barrel. 3 1/3 pounds even before mounting a scope!!

I had visions that it might make a neat varmit gun, but I wasn't sure about the effectiveness of the .17 at ranges over 100 yards. Coyotes get kinda big around here. Decided to wait for the S&W 500's next chambering, .233

Joe

 

[martin]

Looking at the ballistics of the Hornady round it sure is flat shooting out to 100 yards and then it drops off rather precipitously. I was toying with buying one, but, am sitting on the fence right now to see if the ammo situation will improve.

Don't you think 17HMR is a tad small for anything over ground hog sized game? I was thinking that really may be the limit regarding varmints.

Regards,
Martin