RE: .17 cal. how many mfgrs. and loads?
For rifles in 17 hmr... marlin, CZ, savage, cooper,ruger, nef and Rossi. Ammo remington 17gr v-max(bronze tip), Hornady 17gr v-max (red tip), federal 17gr v-max (black tip) and cci with 17gr speer tnt hollow point.
I can't say enough on the accuracy of the cartridge. I know 5 different Marlin 17v's that shoot 1 hole 5 and even 10 shot groups at 25 yards. shoot consistant
3/4 or better groups 5 shot groups at 100 meters and 1/4 inch groups are not flukes. If your not using tacks for targets at 50 to 100 yards, it's not a challenge. If you buy a 17hmr plan on mounting atleast a 4x12 with AO that can focus down in 10 to 20 yard. You need the 12x when your shooing pencle dots at 25 yards. There is no reason to buya 22mag, when the 17hmr is so accurate. I felt lucky to have a tweaked 22 rim mag that shot 1 inch groups at 100yards, because most 22mag's don't shoot that well.. I haven't seen a Marlin that can't out shoot that 22mag !....If you buy a marlin, becareful on adding the Rifle basix trigger, it's a great light weight adjustment trigger, howerever they can de-cock and slam fire
in cold weather, when set to low weight of pull. This is on 2 of my friends 17v, they were shot all summer no problems, cold weather bang, just some info. There take is set trigger to max weight of pull if used in cold weather, around 2 lbs.