Want a .17 HMR

.17HMR is a neat little round. I'd consider it as well.

As for the .223, I think the .204 is more fun for varmint shooting :D. I haven't actually shot them yet with mine, but by all accounts it's a better varmint cartridge than the .223. Rumour has it you can watch them explode in the scope due to the lack of recoil. Naturally I find that very offensive :D, but it's something that I've heard. When I went to buy my Remington Rangemaster XR-100 I asked around, and it came down to the 22-250 and the .204 for varmints. The advice I consistently got was go for the .204. Some that had both, kept the .204 and sold the 22-250.

The .223 is good stuff, but right now there are more specialized cartridges if varminting is your purpose.
 
Epoxy7 said:
.17HMR is a neat little round. I'd consider it as well.

As for the .223, I think the .204 is more fun for varmint shooting :D. I haven't actually shot them yet with mine, but by all accounts it's a better varmint cartridge than the .223. Rumour has it you can watch them explode in the scope due to the lack of recoil. Naturally I find that very offensive :D, but it's something that I've heard. When I went to buy my Remington Rangemaster XR-100 I asked around, and it came down to the 22-250 and the .204 for varmints. The advice I consistently got was go for the .204. Some that had both, kept the .204 and sold the 22-250.

The .223 is good stuff, but right now there are more specialized cartridges if varminting is your purpose.
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I would agree Epoxy7 on the .204 but is ammo easy to get.The reason I like the .223 is because of cheap ammo and most every place has it.Of course if you reload that is a different matter.As for explosive varmints my dads .220 Swift sure made for a great detonation on ground hogs:evil:.I do shoot with a guy with a .17HMR single shot and it is plenty accurate just takes a ground pig a second to realize he's dead:confused::(
 
I've got a Marlin heavy barrel and its deadly accurate. My .223 is cheaper to shoot with factory ammo though. I also have a .204 supervarmint Tikka that only leaves a red vapour on a good prairie rat hit.
 
I'd look into getting a Savage in .17HMR or .223. Just break down and get some basic reloading gear already!!!

Seriously, for the cost of HMR, you can reload .223 and get more range and power for the same cost.

My cost on my accurate .223 load is about $0.30 each - that's with Hornady VMax pills.
 
DrNick said:
Buy a Savage...spend the rest on ammo...
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Excactly!!!

Also consider the price of a .223 VS 17 HMR rifle by itself. A heavy barrel 223 varmint rifle is going to cost you 2x-3x+ more than a Savage 17 (also with heavy barrel).

With this savings, you'll be able to purchase about 2000 rds of 17 HMR = more fun!!! :D:D:D

It's going to be a big step up shooting gophers with the 17 compared to a 22.

I'd like to see the look on your face when you launch your first gopher with a 17 - post pics!!! :dancingbanana:
 
buy a savage you'll love it i have a .223 but want a .17 still why lighter recoil lighter ammo and hope fully a little quiter for introducing new shooters i am even looking to pick up a kids rifle not that i can use it but always good to introduce new shooters
 
Rustydream,
Go to a gun store and look at all of the models you're interested in before buying.

A couple of years ago I was set on buying a savage thumbhole 17HMR. I was ready to hit the buy button but.... decided to go to my local gunstore before making the final buy. Anyways I really wanted this rifle. They got three in the day before (it was a brand new product at the time). I looked at one, and it just wasn't for me. I would have bought it and I wouldn't have been happy. At least look at them before you buy. The Marlin's and Savage rifles while having an excellent reputation for out of the box accuracy and reasonable prices didn't fit what I was looking for. You may really like them but if you don't you'll regret that purchase.
 
Epoxy7,

Thank you for your advise. You're right, the best way to buy the rifle is to look at it at the store.
The problem is that Le Baron doesn't have either one in stock so I have to buy the rifle without putting my hands on it.
I've pretty much made up my mind as far as the basic idea of .17 HMR (not HM2) and bolt action. I also know that I'm not going to spend top $$$ for a high end rifle but I still want an accurate one. That's why I thought I would go with a heavy barrel model. Now, that pretty much narrows down my choices to a Marlin or a Savage.
As far as reputation, I think I would be happy with either of them.
Anyone has first hand experience with these rifles?
 
I would take a serious look at the CZ as well. After that you're into the Cooper and Annie territory.
 
rustysdream said:
Anyone has first hand experience with these rifles?
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First hand enough?

17hmr_23907.jpg

savage_17.jpg

(100 yards, 7 shot string)

They are sweet little rifles. You can spend more on other rifles, but when it comes to holes in the target - they put them in the right place.

LH
 
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