Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I nearly lost a turkey I shot with a 22 mag last year (marlin 882) I am thinkin about a 17 caliber. The savages are really cheap and I have had good luck with savages. Any thoughts? I have the scope already and I want to spend under 200 bucks. CLoser to 160 if poss.
okcmco

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

One of the savage sporters with the plastic stocks probably go for that. Or you could look at used if you can find one.

I own a savage heavy barrel and love it.

As much as I love my 17 though I'm not sure it will work a lot greater than your 22 mag. What kind of loads were you using. Your success could be better if you tried a different style of bullet. Providing it was accurate enough for your needs. They make a 30 some grain Vmax bullet for the 22 mag I think.

The 17HMR would give you a bit more range because it shoots flatter, and they are generally a bit more accurate. I'm not sure what load I would suggest for turkeys though? I don't know if the 17 grn v-max would be better or the 20 grn XTP's. The V-max's may cause too much meat damage on a body hit, or may lack penitration on a turkey. We can't hunt turkey with a rifle here so I can't really tell you for sure.

If you don't get any deffinitive replies here try Rimfirecentral.com. They have a 17HMR forum and I am sure someone there has hunted turkey with one.

I do know that if they made it legal here I would have no problem taking my HMR turkey hunting. My gun is very accurate and pretty darn flat out to 120-130 yards. The only problem would be the wind.

Paul

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I was using the CCI V max in 40 grains. Groups 2" at 100 whcih is why I didn't go for a head shot. The Turkey took to rouds to the sweet spot. Then he flew away. I watched where he went down into the trees and I waited 10 minutes. I approached quietly and could hear him flapping about in the bruch. I found him 300 yards away from where I first hit him. I pulled out my ruger .22 and gave him the coup de grace in the head to finish him.
Maybe I should opt for something in ,204 ruger?
okcmco

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

this is kind of up in the air because i read alot about the 17hmr not being good for anything but squirels and stuff like that but i have taken 5 coyotes with mine from 50-125 yards and they have all been 1 shot kills and very quick even one in the rear because it was in the cattle pasture and we cant have that so i was just worried about getting rid of him and he dropped at about a 100 yards and by the time i walked to him he was dead but dont know about turkeys i know they are very tough so this will be your choice i know the savage 17s are accurate i just got a new one with the accu-trigger and had one without and at 50 yards you can cover groups with a quarter and some with dime so that is an easy turkey head

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I have a Savage SS bull barrel I paid about $180 for it at Walmart. I put a cheap 3-9 Simmons scope on it and it shoots great. I had 5 shots you could cover with a quarter at 100 yrds. I haven't killed anything with it yet but I'll let you know when I do.

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I don't think its big enough. I've heard stores of 22's haveing a hard time, and a 17 is even smaller. But its a lot faster and I hear it does more damage. I would opt for something a little bigger myself.

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

Last month, ignoring lessons learned and good instinct,I bought a Savage 17. The barrel was misaligned so badly that at 50 yds with 2 different scopes and 3 sets of rings, I couldn't get the groups closer than 4 inches to zero. Nice tight groups though.

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

The .17 is a fun gun and I like it on small varmints but there is no way it is enough gun for turkey with anything but a head or neck/spine shot. No penetration with current bullets. I would consider the 22Hornet as the ideal turkey gun. Ever think of it?

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I'm with Dryridge on this one. I've seen one put turkeys down with no problem at all. I've also seen one shot with a .17 hmr. There was considerably more visible damage with the .17 but the turkey managed to make it 50-60 yards before kicking the bucket. The hornetseemed to dropthem in their tracks for the most part.

RE: Savage in 17 HMR?
 

I concur. I like 17's but they don't deliver the energy of their .22 caliber parents.17's bleed off velocity and energy much faster than 22's.
I alternate between 22's and 17's for squirrel hunting. Most shots I can hear the impact and the 22 always sounds more viloent and usually knocks the squirrel off the limb. My 17's zing right through without much shock.