savage .17 hmr?????????

[Dukebh40]

i just ordered the 93r17 bvss. my buddy got me a price ($259) and i figured why not. i had read some good things on this gun and cartridge. any of u guys out there have any experience with the gun or even the .17 cartridge itself. any input would be appreciated. o also how far out will this be good for on groundpigs!

[Handgunr]

Duke,

I got the Marlin nickel/Laminate stock Bullbarreled bolt in .17HMR and it's a nice gun/round.
I've used the Hornady bullets that were locally available, but they dried up and now I'm using the CCI's which seem to shoot a little tighter.
MOA groups, give or take, are the norm at 100yds and you shouldn't have a problem dropping chucks out to 150yds.
Usually, all you hear is a PLOP sound and they just go limp. It leaves very little exterior damage, and a slight pinhole entrance wound. It's a very good fox round, and even good for coyotes if within 100yds, but kind of light there.
I've had mine for the past 1 1/2 yrs. and it's a nice medium varmint gun. Flatter than the .22Mag, and power is a little better out to about 100yds. After that, it's only benefit is it's trajectory over the .22Mag.
Past that point the .22Mag carries it's momentum better.

Hope this helps,
Bob

[Dukebh40]

i forgot to ask. can u still open the bolt while the safety is engaged. thanks guys

[aborquez18]

That .17 is a great gun. It may be a little light for yotes but a well placed shot will do the trick. The trajectory on the .17 is alot better than the 22 mag. At 200yds the .17 drops about 1/8 of an inch while the 22 mag drops about 21inches. Shoots flat. The price is a little high though, I only paid a bout $190 for mine. I typically use CCI ammo but winchestor supreme makes a good round.

[Handgunr]

Duke,
To be honest, I don't remember about working the bolt with the safe on.
I believe that's a "no", at least on the Marlin.

It's a flat shooter for sure. I grabbed this off my load data;

17hmr = 2650 fps .17 gr. bullet 8" drop@200 yds.
22LR = 1350 fps 30 gr.bullet 26"drop@200 yds.
22 mag =2200 fps 30 gr.bullet 18"drop@200 yds.

It sure looks as the .17 is quite a bit more zippy than the .22 Mag, at least as far as the trajectory is concerned. I believe the energy between the two gives the .22 Mag the nod past 100yds. or so. That seems to be the transition point where bullet weight vs. velocity changes hands.

Take care,
Bob

[Smokem Joe]

I have a couple of friends with them. We use them on south dakota prairie rats. They work out to about 150 yds. Do hit them right though. out to about 75 you just have to hit them. Out futher they can still go for their holes. No reason for them to suffer because your using an underpowered gun, or are a poor shot. Good luck. They are a great little rifle. I'd like to try the new mach 2 (?) little 17. We have little gophers out here just a tad bigger than the 13 stripe ground squrriel.

that newer 20 gr controlled expansion round might work on bigger critters.

the ballistic tips don't open as rapidly as the tnt hollow point. Accuracy is about the same with either. (one gun prefers the tnt, and one the bt, both marlin boltactions)

[gopher slayer]

the 17hmr is explosive on small game. i shoot gophers with mine and if its a smaller gopher he will end up in 2 pieces when shooting the ballistic tips. the hollow point are useless for me because there moving so fast they dont expand and just pass through the gopher without much damage. the hollow poitn just leave a tiny enterance and exit wond and the gopher crawls back to its hole before i can get a second shot off.

[Pauly]

Duke, sounds like a nice gun. The only thing on the Savage is the crap trigger, you'll want to consider using the Rifle Basix Trigger, it's an easy install and makes a world of difference.

To read up on more info regarding 17's checkout Rimfire Central

[Pro-Line]

I bought the cheap composite/blue Savage 17 for a plinker...and it's downright impressive. The trigger is OK at best, but I can shoot sub-MOA groups at 100yds all day off sand bags. I picked mine up in a package for $165 on special...

[bronko22000]

I got a Savage 93GLV (left hand with heavy barrel). It ain't the prettiest belle at the ball, but it shoots like a house on fire. My only concern was a very heavy trigger. I solved this problem by purchasing a replacement sear assembly from Rifle Basix.
Took me about 20 mins to install and adjust using manufacturers instructions. It will consistantly shoot 3/4"groups at 100 yds.
Buy yourself a couple brands of ammo in both 17 gr and 20 gr bullet weights and see what ones shoot best. Mine likes Rem. Premier 17 grainers while my friends likes 20 gr Hornadys