Choosing a 17hmr

[Woodman72]

Hello people. I'm looking for advice on choosing a 17hmr rifle. The use would be for plinking and some pest control. The only one I've held is the one from savage(all the local gun shop has in stock). What I've read is the ruger is the best quality, but marlins is the most accurate. The henry lever action looks cool too. Any strong opinions from owners of these rifles would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Ifishsum]

I've had both the Marlin and (currently) 2 Savage 93R17s, I would say they are equally accurate but I prefer the accutrigger on the 93s. All were heavy barrel models. The Marlin held a couple more rounds in the magazine if that's a factor.

 

[jhop73]

I have the Ruger 77, I love it but i have nothing else to compare it to. it was a gift from my Grandfather.

 

[RainDodger]

I have the Savage R17 BTVS. It was relatively inexpensive and has great potential. I sent mine off to a Savage specialist (name available upon request) in Idaho and had it crowned, glass bedded, action lightened, and smoothed up. It's an incredible shooter. Pretty much no recoil and pinpoint accuracy.

I'd recommend the Savage but I also think you may need to narrow down the type of ammunition it likes (mine likes the 20 grain bullets), and perhaps do some tuning to realize full potential.

 

[viking499]

If you want good quality, get a CZ 452 HMR.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

the 452s are pretty much used-only now, since they were discontinued for the 455.

Savage makes a quality rifle as well.

something else to consider is how expensive extra mags are for the CZ.

 

[dubbleA]

You might want to check out Anschutz and Cooper. They both offer some very nice 17 HMR's. My wife and I have matching Annies. They are identical except the scope set back's.




My Cooper M57 never ceases to amaze me. It really likes CCI 20gr FMJ's believe it or not.




My Ruger 77/17 is only so so in the accuracy department and the trigger is a bit rough to say the least. I do like the rotary magazine.



I also have a beater rifle in 17 HMR, it's a NEF Sportster single shot. While not a looker with nice curves and polished blue steel it gets the job done when called upon. I have been meaning to get some pics of it.

 

[viking499]

the 452s are pretty much used-only now, since they were discontinued for the 455.

Savage makes a quality rifle as well.

something else to consider is how expensive extra mags are for the CZ.

Disagree. I saw 9 new 452's last week, 5 were HMR's, the others were 22's. saw more 452's than 455's. They are getting fewer and fewer, but can still be found. My worst shooting 452 has out shot both 455's I had. Currently have 0 455's in the cabinet.

Mags are more expensive. Most of the time quality does cost more. My marlin 25m mags are cheaper than my CZ mags. But a difference is also very noticeable in the quality.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

then they've been sitting in the rack for a while

 

[viking499]

Not necessarily. Rumor is CZ is cleaning out the 452 parts bins. New ones are still coming out, just few and far between. Many 13 date stamps still available. But, I bet supply won't last long.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i haven't seen one in my area in a couple years, but i didn't see them in shops around here very often even before they were discontinued. never seen another CZ rimfire at the range, either.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Go into the nearest pawn so find the one you like (my experience you have between 4-5 to choose from) and offer them 125 or so. Never seen so many of one caliber in a pan shop as 17hmr.

 

[tuj]