Hey guys... Hope I'm not bring up an old topic, but I'm looking to get a Savage 93R17-BVSS 17HMR, topped with a Leopold VX-II 3-9x33mm EFR,(varmint) but not sure thats the scope i want cause of the small field of view so i was gonnagowith the regular VX-II 3-9x40...and was just wondering... If anyone has experiance, does this sound like a good setup??? And also I know for medium sized critters like groundhog, squirrel, bunnies, crows?.... it should be alright out to 200 yd...ish, Now is it adequate for yotes and foxes under 100yd, and how bout' blackbirds and starlings??? too much gun or is it alright?Whatsyouropinion on the rig! Thanks... Gerard

Oh my! You just opened another 7 pg. thread on the .17 HMR vs. coyotes. I've seen one yote shot with a .17 HMR and he definanitely knew that he had been hit but he had to be finished off with a .223 on a dead run. Everything else you listed will be perfect. I think it is a little overkill for squirrels though. If you hit them anywhere besides the head you might as well not even mess with skinning it. Stay away from the yotes with it. My theory is, why not use a bigger caliber and drop them on the spot?

Good luck out there and welcome to HNI!

Just be aware of the ballistics of your bullet. For instance, if you use the 17 gr. v-max ammo. and sight in to be 1.5" high at 100 yards, the bullet will be about 5.5" low at 200 yards. SO when you start trying to stretch your effective range to 200 yards, you have to be aware of a substantle bullet drop, and when shooting at little targets, that can result in a miss real quick.

As far as using it to hunt coyotes, I'd pass. Fox on the other hand are much smaller and not near as tough as a coyote, and probably out to 100 yards would be alright.

Actually, the .17 isnt that bad on squirrels. I've had to take several body shots because i couldnt see their head. If you shoot them thru the shoulder, it will make a much bigger hole that a .22, but all you are really losing is a little rib meat.

I wouldnt buy one to use as a coyote gun, but it is a good gun to have for smaller animals, andyou could do a lot worse if you have a good shot at a coyote within 150 yards.

The 17 HMR is a blast to shoot. You have a pretty good choice of scope there, but one of the things I wish I would have done different with mine is getting a higher power scope. I have a 4-12 power and it does get the job done, but I do believe I could get some better accuracy with a little higher power scope.

But by all means get the gun, you wont regret it!

ive had a couple fun to shoot and killer accuracy to 100yards. i had a 4-12 on mine which i would highly recomend. to explosive for squirrels unless a head shot.its only good for targets andvarmints in my opinion.

Check out a Mueller scope. I have the 4.5-14x40 AO, it has great quality lenses and you can get one for $115. Go to www.rimfirecentral.com and see what others say about it.

http://www.muelleroptics.com/products/lists/rimfire-scopes.html