Selecting a 17 HMR Rifle
 

I would like some help in selecting a 17 HMR rifle. I am not familiar with this caliber and I see alot of different brands in regular barrell's and bull barrell's. Can some folks that own this caliber give me some insight on what's good and what's not. I am planning to purchase one for my son-in-law's birthday on the 1st. Thank you in advance.

I have a Browning T-Bolt (straight pull bolt not a turn-bolt) which is awesome. It's a lightweight, walk-about rifle and is dead nuts accurate. Trigger is quite good also. It is not a bull barrel but has a stainless barrel and walnut stock (which is rather attractive I might add). There are several configurations available.

Browning Tbolt looked good to me,

Here is a good place to start;

http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_1...int_rifles.htm


...........and here is what I purchased;

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...m/917VS-CF.asp


Very happy !!!

I bought a Marlin 917V 5 years ago and it's a great rifle. You hardly ever hear of a 17hmr that isn't accurate, so it's up to you what you like and can afford. Mine's just the basic model and it will hit a squirrel at 100 yards all day long.

I have a Savage 93R17 that's incredibly accurate, as well as a Marlin 17VSF. They are both tackdrivers and have taken down their share of short range (100-150yrds or less) coyotes, bobcats, prairie dogs, squirrels, etc. The Accu-trigger on the Savage is leaps and bounds ahead of the Marlin trigger. Side by side, they look almost like twins, both in grey laminate stocks, and stainless heavy barrels. The Marlin is fluted, which is a nice touch.

Ultimately, both are great rifles. I did come across a Ruger 77/17 that I hunted with for a while 2yrs ago, for the price, it just wasn't worth it. It was a great shooting rifle, and it was nice that it was pretty dang close to my .30-06 for size and handling (excluding the bolt throw of course), but the typical Ruger "Lawyer Trigger" was a major down side for me, not to mention the pricetag.

My bro-in-law has the Savage also. Its a pretty nice gun, with a great trigger..and REALLY accurate.

My Savage 93 with the bull barrel was unbelievably accurate... I think it would shoot the whole box of cci's into a quarter at 100.... Shouldnt have sold it but it was hard to pass up when someone offers you way more than ya paid for it.

Marlin 917V and do the ink pen spring trick to the trigger.

wish someone made a semi-auto...

does anyone??

A few makers put out .17HMR semiautos when the 17 came out, but they've all been pulled off the shelves (years ago now) for safety issues. Most makers were converting their .22mag platform over to .17hmr, but the higher pressure 17's weren't very happy about reaching peak pressure in blowback actions, so there were tons of reported case failures. By the time you stiffened the springs to hold them in battery long enough to surpass the pressure peak, they were too stiff to cycle properly, so they've all been pulled.

I've owned three and shot many more. I'll give you my opinions.

Henry - first one I owned was a golden boy. For just straight target practice it makes a good little plinker. But for hunting I just didn't like it. The swing of the action was too long and the brass showed its self off in the light. The one thing you did have with the henry was a quick follow up show when you needed one.

Savage 93 series - My favorite 17 hmr was a savage 93 with a thumbhole stock and it came with a lupold 4-9x 40 scope. This little rifle would hit nickles at 150 yards. I killed many squirrels with it out to about that same range. The Accu-trigger system helps make your shots precise.

Marlin - Marlin makes a great firearm. I had a Marlin. The one remark that I can make is that it is a solid gun.

Ruger - I haven't had any experience with the ruger but have had other rifles made by ruger. They're good guns but whether they're worth the extra that you will pay for the ruger name is up to the individual buyer.

If I had to pick one i would go back to the savage. I think its the accu trigger system that makes it the clear winner.

I have a Henry varment express........awesome rifle! Never leave home in the ranch truck without it! .17 HMR is a fast hard hitting round safe around livestock because it comes apart and a richoet is not as common in the 17 as it is in a 22 Lr or 22 mag. Down side is wind messes with the 17 and it wont punch through the grass or brush like a 22mag or 22Lr.....the speed and the safe factor of the 17 out weighs the lack of a heavy bullet in my application!

Mine is a Savage 93...accu-trigger, bull-barrel...tack driving monster! Luv it!

One thing about buying a Rifle You need to think about what Game Your using it for and do You plan on carrying it a long ways or will You shoot off a bench or use a Bi-pod or some type of shooting stick?If You go with a Bull Barrel it will probably shoot tighter groups but can the Hunter pack a 8lb Gun plus the weight of the rings,scope and sling on the Rifle and shoot it from a standing position if need be?

So be sure to check the weight of what Rifle Your looking to buy and what size Varmints/Predators You plan on shooting?

There is a Rim-Fire .17 HMR and if I'm correct a Center-Fire .17 HMR,I'm thinking the Center-Fire .17 will carry further and have more knock-down power....and ammo will cost more.


Don't leave out the CZ-USA Rifles,Model 527 American or the heavy barrel "Varmint" they are very well made and accurate.

The .17 centerfire is the .17 Remington.

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.17remington.html


The .17 HMR is a rimfire

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm....es.html#17-hmr

Anybody have a CZ rimfire with a .17 HMR barrel?