natedog
Member
What .17HMR would you reccomend for squirrel inside of 100 yards? Preferable bolt-action, and under $500 (not including optics). This will mainly be shot from a rest.
Which .17?
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MeekandMild
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My Marlin model 17 does well, however I have talked to people who like the Ruger 77. Model 17 has a heavy bull barrel and a fair trigger. It would benefit from glass bedding and trigger work, but I'm not a squirrel hunter. I hear the new ones have a better trigger.
Trouble with .17 and squirrels at 100 yards would be the wind.
Trouble with .17 and squirrels at 100 yards would be the wind.
Coltdriver
Member
Nate I picked up a heavy barrelled Savage for $200 out the door.
I can shoot a quarter over and over at 100 yards.
The only thing I did to improve it was to take the very sharp edges off of the bolt with a polishing cloth and then treat it with moly lube.
I put a .025 shim under one end of the trigger group to eliminate the creep.
The only complaint I had with the rifle is that the stock wood was ugly. So I painted it in winter camo colors.
For accuracy I just can not imagine how you would find better.
I can shoot a quarter over and over at 100 yards.
The only thing I did to improve it was to take the very sharp edges off of the bolt with a polishing cloth and then treat it with moly lube.
I put a .025 shim under one end of the trigger group to eliminate the creep.
The only complaint I had with the rifle is that the stock wood was ugly. So I painted it in winter camo colors.
For accuracy I just can not imagine how you would find better.
vanfunk
Member
I'd be inclined to recommend the CZ-452 American in .17. They are a bit pricey at $300 or so, but are very well made and extremely accurate. My neighbor routinely shoots dime-sized groups at 50 yards with his, and he's not even that good of a shot! I came very close to buying one just two nights ago.
Of the others mentioned, I'd choose Savage over Marlin and Ruger. Savages just seem to shoot teensy-weensy groups out of all proportion to their price.
As to the wind deflection issue, I've heard it's really not as bad as one would think. On paper at least, the .17 HMR shows far less wind deflection than the .22LR or .22Mag, courtesy of its higher velocity. Any 17 "Hummer" owners care to comment on their experiences?
vanfunk
Of the others mentioned, I'd choose Savage over Marlin and Ruger. Savages just seem to shoot teensy-weensy groups out of all proportion to their price.
As to the wind deflection issue, I've heard it's really not as bad as one would think. On paper at least, the .17 HMR shows far less wind deflection than the .22LR or .22Mag, courtesy of its higher velocity. Any 17 "Hummer" owners care to comment on their experiences?
vanfunk
Smoke
Member
I bought the Marlin. Accuracy is amazing. How bad the trigger is, is also amazing. The trigger can be fixed.
Smoke
Smoke
Master Blaster
Member
http://www.varmintal.net/17hmr.htm
Varmint Al's 17 HMR page loaded with excellent information of every sort.
It will answer most all of your questions
Varmint Al's 17 HMR page loaded with excellent information of every sort.
It will answer most all of your questions
Marlin 17V or 17VS
I say go with the Marlin 17V (blue gun with regular wood) or the 17VS (grey lamanit wood with a stainless rifle). I bought the rifle for $275 a while back when they were scarce. I bought a bassix trigger. When I got the trigger I thought what a rip for $65 when I opened the package. Once I installed it I knew it was the best $65 I ever spent on a gun. Then I bought a BKL or is it BLK (I forget) mount for another $60 (I think). Mounted a harris bipod for anothe $60, which put me at $460. Finally my glass, I spent another $100 on a closeout scope from Natchez. Total cost landed me at $560 for the best squirrel rifle I've owned. Let us know what you go with.
Rob
I say go with the Marlin 17V (blue gun with regular wood) or the 17VS (grey lamanit wood with a stainless rifle). I bought the rifle for $275 a while back when they were scarce. I bought a bassix trigger. When I got the trigger I thought what a rip for $65 when I opened the package. Once I installed it I knew it was the best $65 I ever spent on a gun. Then I bought a BKL or is it BLK (I forget) mount for another $60 (I think). Mounted a harris bipod for anothe $60, which put me at $460. Finally my glass, I spent another $100 on a closeout scope from Natchez. Total cost landed me at $560 for the best squirrel rifle I've owned. Let us know what you go with.
Rob
I bought the Savage with synthetic stock and put a Tasco 4-12 on it. Since I bought in Sept. 2002 I paid full retail, but still only $300.
I usually use it to shoot rock squirrels out by my barn about 60 yards away. Wind is no problem there.
My wife loves to shoot it at 200 yards at the range. She shoots a 10" steel gong. If there is a breeze, you can aim at the top corner of the plate into the wind and watch through the scope as the bullet hits. Little bullet makes a pretty good "whack" even at that distance.
My son, who thinks nothing is impossible, shoots at the 450 yard gong with it. And he hits it about one out of three. "Look dad, just put the target way at the bottom of the scope, and hold about three feet into the wind."
I usually use it to shoot rock squirrels out by my barn about 60 yards away. Wind is no problem there.
My wife loves to shoot it at 200 yards at the range. She shoots a 10" steel gong. If there is a breeze, you can aim at the top corner of the plate into the wind and watch through the scope as the bullet hits. Little bullet makes a pretty good "whack" even at that distance.
My son, who thinks nothing is impossible, shoots at the 450 yard gong with it. And he hits it about one out of three. "Look dad, just put the target way at the bottom of the scope, and hold about three feet into the wind."
bad_dad_brad
Member
The Marlin 17V is tops in my book. Tack driving accurate, the trigger is not that bad, and cheap (payed less than $200). I have a Weaver rimfire 4X scope on it. Works good.
Beware varmint!
Beware varmint!
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