.17 HMR "field" accuracy

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys, question for you. I recently got a Savage 93R17 BTV in an EE trade :) and love it. I equipped it with a 24X Bushnell Banner varmint scope, Harris 9-13" non-swivel bipod, bought a pile of 17 grain V-Max and hit the field for a sight-in/ground hog hunt. While sighting-in at 100 yards (prone, using bipod) I had some difficulty getting consistent results. Got it within 1" of where I wanted it to be each time, and just went hunting~no problem.

This past weekend, did the same thing...determined to spend a bit more range time to try to figure it out. It got a little better, but either the gun wasn't consistent..or I wasn't! (probably the latter) While hunting, covering LOTS of land, we'd spot one and get into position only to have heavy breathing aggravate the accuracy issues. I believe (based on everything I've read) that .17 is mostly limited by the shooter, but I can out-shoot this thing with my .22 Anshutz 1451 at that range, and that shouldn't be. (IMHO) I've yet to try this gun off a rest, but find myself comparing these "field" results to off-the-bench, one ragged hole results I see posted here from time to time. Am I being too tough on myself? lol

My observations;

1.The stock doesn't quite feel right shooting prone. (too high maybe..?)
2.The thumbhole stock demands the wrist to be high when laying down/prone, doesn't feel natural. At least not yet.
3.The stock "feels" heavy at the butt end, or at least, I'm unusually aware of it's weight.

If I were reading anyone else saying all of the above, I'd probably say;

1.practice more
2.consider getting higher rings
3.maybe it's the ammo...but that 17 grain shouldn't be the issue.

Help!
 
What do you have her sighted in at? I have had all my hmr's in at 100yards, they require no adjustment to shoot shorter lengths then that, and only minor adjustments past it. How were the results on paper if you dont mind me asking? is the rifle broken in? usually about 3 boxes for me and it starts shooting more consistent groups.
 
possible scope issue comes to mind. I remeber me having similar dilemma with my M14 - I'll show MOA at the range and miss by a foot in the field. Turned out expensive scope needed careful eye positioning to keep zero in the same spot. And of course, in the field, there is no such thing as "careful". Trigger - how is it? I swithed lately from "glass break" "light and crisp" to more of heavy pull with no noticable break at all, shot simply "happen". And no overtavel either, if you can fix that. We can all talk about twitch and practice but reality is that none guaranteed from twitch in real hunting situation, and crisp trigger seem to promote it.

And finally - stock that doesn't feel right will definitely do it. Especially when it comes to off-hand, sitting kneeling and alike situations. Especially if the balance doesn't feel right - forget it, in the field your shooting will be much aggravated by touch of stress and fatigue. Dress it up into something comfy or sell it altogether, don't try getting used to it. My 2c
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I'm no authority on these matters of course, but understand that the scope is supposed to be 1/4" MOA at 100 yards. I thought that it meant 1 click=1/4" at that range. It seems more like 1 click=1inch but again, reluctant to believe that until I try it on a rest.

Prone (though not impressive I guess) I can get about 1-1/4" groups at 100 yards. I don't "feel" steady for one thing, and at ground level (here in S.Ontario) there is plenty of distortion from heat this time of year.

22LR~I did post a WTB on for a Savage composite stock, but don't know whether or not mine would just drop-in or not. I love the BTV stock to look at...might be good for benchrest, but carry/prone~not loving it. Forget off-hand shots.
 
I agree with you, until you bench rest it, I personally would not do anything to alter the rifle. See how she groups and if it is consistent from the bags then its you. If not then by my powers of deduction :p its the rifle.
 
i find i am the only one who is able to shoot my savage .17, mainly because i'm the only one who understands how tricky it is to shoot.

i find when i'm shooting 100yrds or more, you have to be dead still, and i mean absolutly calm or else you will be off an inch easy. there really is a trick to shooting them.

i also find that the hornady v-max ammo doesnt give me consistant groupings. i like shooting the federal much more.


practice makes perfect, then you'll be wowing your friends with a 210 yard shot on a grackle like i did :D
 
Federal vs. Hornady~funny you say that. I think I go slightly better results on the first box I ever bought, and it was Federal. (couldn't find Hornady)

The kicker is...I thought Hornady MADE that ammo for Federal. No?
 
I would suspect the scope and/or rings.
Check the crown for damage as well.

Bedding does wonders for these as well, lots of them need work around the recoil lug.
dasst, the fact that you feel yours is critical to body position and hold indicates that it could use some bedding.
Rimfirecentral has a few threads on bedding the 93r17's.

And yeah, hornady makes federals ammo. Supposedly exactly the same.
Alot of the 93r17's prefer the 20 grain ammo.
 
I recently took a new to me 93r17 out to the range. Off bags it shot far better with 20 grain vs 17 grain ammo. This was the second time out and we got one group around .75. We started to lose track, but it seemed like the 20g CCI were shooting a little better then the 20g Hornady out of my rifle.
 
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