LBR

Problem solved. My little (younger) brother surprised me with an early Christmas present--a .17 HMR. How I just have to decide on a scope for it!

BTM

Ditto! Ditto!

Nomercy448

So is it going by WMR or WSM? When I see WMR, I think of the 22WMR, which is akin to the HMR, whereas the 17WSM is a unique cartridge not related to the 22WMR.

Sounds like the point is moot since LBR got a "Hummer" already, but I'd comment that I'm not quite sure that I think the 17WSM is going to go away. As long as we can get out of this Rimfire shortage, I think it fills a perfect niche that will give it staying power. I'm really sad to see the 17HM2 go away, as I REALLY loved that round - I'd LOVE to have a Ruger SP101 6" or a Mark II (not III, but I'd take it) in .17HM2.

The 17WSM stands above all other rimfires, quite likely at a level that can't be accomplished in heavier caliber rimfires. It still doesn't quite reach centerfire level numbers, but it's certainly far enough ahead of the other rimfires to make a difference.

If it weren't for the feeding issues that I'm hearing about the B-mags, the fact that they don't have one in Stainless/laminate yet, and the fact that I 'need' about 3 other rifles first, I'd have a 17WSM myself!!! (That being said with a 17HMR and 22WMR in the safe already).

Bbj270

From what I read and herd first hand from people that have a 17 wsm it is not vary accurate. The 17 hmr shoots circles around it. Last week at cabelas in Delaware they had problems 50 box's of winchester 17 and 17 gr ammo but no rifles.

Nomercy448

If a 17WSM isn't very accurate, and a 17HMR "Shoots circles around it," then doesn't that mean the 17HMR is LESS accurate?

What specifically is wrong with the 17WSM's that's causing the problem? I only know one fella with a B-Mag, he says when it feeds, it shoots lights out, just that it has a bit of a problem repeating. I'd be pretty surprised to hear the Savage is putting out rifles that aren't accurate, even if it is a new cartridge and new action.

Bbj270

I read from outdoorlife don't remember which month but they did a review on the winchester low wall and it was not accurate for what the rifle was. They also stated that the Bmag they used was not that accurate either. The person I talked to had a savage and got ride of it because it shoot real bad compared to his savage 17 hmr. He had no feeding problem with the mag.

Nomercy448

I assumed that this article would be one that you were referencing...

The "poor accuracy" of the 17WSM in the 1885 Low wall was this:

"Accuracy at 100 yards with the 25 grain bullet was a bit over an inch"... "Average 5-shot group at 100 yards with Winchester’s 25-grain load was 1.197 in.; the smallest group was .942 in."...

Pretty hard to complain about a ~1MOA RIMFIRE RIFLE, especially considering that the B-mag is still south of $400 for a stainless model.

They don't state how poorly the 20grn load shoots, but if they're complaining about 1MOA at 100yrds, I'll take it.

It is, however, one of the uglier rifles I've seen, even for a Savage. Right up there with a BLR in my book.

Nomercy448

Picked up a Stainless Savage B-Mag 17WSM last night and 500rnds. Range and field reports to follow.

(And for the record, yes, I still think it's one of the ugliest rifles ever conceived...)