Anyone use the 17 WSM
02-06-2015 | 07:11 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 2
From: Kansas
I have a Savage B-Mag in 17 WSM, but have not yet gotten game in front of it. Based on reactive targets (oranges, water bottles, jello blocks), it's clear that it's a step above the 17HMR, but not to the 17 Ackley Hornet (or Fireball, Remington) level.
I suppose it depends what you consider to be "too much for squirrels." For headshots, I can't imagine that it's going to do significantly more damage than a 22WMR Vmax or 17HMR, and certainly won't do any additional meat damage. For body shots, it'll do more damage than an HMR, but unless you're a much more fastidious squirrel butcher than I am, I don't anticipate that you'll see much difference in what makes it to the table. I don't believe, in shooting "cuties" (small oranges) with the 17WSM and HMR side by side, I just don't expect that squirrels will have enough body mass to create too much more expansion - in other words, if your experience with the HMR has been like mine on squirrels, you won't see the WSM blow them to pink mist. My experience with the HMR has been that if you hit the shoulders, it ruins a lot of meat - as will the 17WSM.
Hit a squirrel in the belly button with either, or in the eye, you'll have just as much meat available with either.
I suppose it depends what you consider to be "too much for squirrels." For headshots, I can't imagine that it's going to do significantly more damage than a 22WMR Vmax or 17HMR, and certainly won't do any additional meat damage. For body shots, it'll do more damage than an HMR, but unless you're a much more fastidious squirrel butcher than I am, I don't anticipate that you'll see much difference in what makes it to the table. I don't believe, in shooting "cuties" (small oranges) with the 17WSM and HMR side by side, I just don't expect that squirrels will have enough body mass to create too much more expansion - in other words, if your experience with the HMR has been like mine on squirrels, you won't see the WSM blow them to pink mist. My experience with the HMR has been that if you hit the shoulders, it ruins a lot of meat - as will the 17WSM.
Hit a squirrel in the belly button with either, or in the eye, you'll have just as much meat available with either.
Al
02-28-2015 | 11:20 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Missouri
I had a Savage .17 WSM and put a BSA scope on it and sighted it in but never got to shoot anything with it to see how well it worked...took it out a few times Coyote Hunting but nothing came in for a shot!I just sold it and the new Owner is putting a different stock under it.
The Savage .17 shot OK but it very cheaply made,the Winchester has one but it's very expensive,they also made a heavier Savage .17 in a Bull Barrel that is suppose to be a better shooting Rifle,several have simply ordered an Boyd wood stock and swapped the guts over to it.
I was told that Ruger is making a better .17 WSM Rifle so I would wait a little and see what kind of price range it would be and the quality if the workman ship!
The Savage .17 shot OK but it very cheaply made,the Winchester has one but it's very expensive,they also made a heavier Savage .17 in a Bull Barrel that is suppose to be a better shooting Rifle,several have simply ordered an Boyd wood stock and swapped the guts over to it.
I was told that Ruger is making a better .17 WSM Rifle so I would wait a little and see what kind of price range it would be and the quality if the workman ship!
