17 HMR rifle recommendations?Updated. T1x range report

DIGGER2

DIGGER2

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Hey fellas, Long time CF rifle guy looking a buying a nice 17 HMR for 90% target and 10% hunting. I’m planning on using it only at 100yds for target shooting, grouse if it goes hunting. It must hold MOA accuracy or better at that distance. Range session will be 50-100rds. I have a 10/22, but I’m not sure even upgrading it will meet my standards. The HMR seems to always do well at a 100yds compared to the 22LR.(??)I Was going to look at a 223 or similar, but I wanted just something “simple” to buy ammo for. I know I could hand load the 223 for the cost of HMR or target 22 ammo, but really just comes down to time. Looking at CZ or Tikka T1x, or ?? Probably Leupold glass. Am I in the wrong for wanting a HMR and excluding the 22LR? New to the rim fire precision game, just looking for some guidance. Thanks for your time guys.
 
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I picked up a savage 93 in 17 hmr a few weeks ago. It’s consistently 1/2” to 3/4” at 125 yards with a 3-9. Once I put a bigger scope on I think that’ll tighten up a bit. Nice trigger, laminate stock and a heavy barrel. You can pick them up for around $550
 
I don't know of anyone that uses a 17HMR for precision rifle type shooting. In fact is is against the rules in most or perhaps even all the competitions I am aware of.
 
Also picked up a Savage as I love the triggers and mags are cheap, everywhere, to me it's always about support and availability. Have few buddies with laminate Savages and they are tack drivers!

I chose something light and short for field work.


My fugly truck gun.


Good value.
 
Copenhagencowboy said:
I picked up a savage 93 in 17 hmr a few weeks ago. It’s consistently 1/2” to 3/4” at 125 yards with a 3-9. Once I put a bigger scope on I think that’ll tighten up a bit. Nice trigger, laminate stock and a heavy barrel. You can pick them up for around $550
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Thanks I’ll look at them as well. Not a huge fan of the accutrigger, but one can always fix that.

adamg said:
I don't know of anyone that uses a 17HMR for precision rifle type shooting. In fact is is against the rules in most or perhaps even all the competitions I am aware of.
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Not looking at competing, just the accuracy. Most of my CF guns will shoot MOA or sometimes better, so that’s why I wanted my rim fire to do the same, just without the big blast.


Thanks for the replies so far gentleman.
 
randyhub said:
Also picked up a Savage as I love the triggers and mags are cheap, everywhere, to me it's always about support and availability. Have few buddies with laminate Savages and they are tack drivers!

I chose something light and short for field work.


My fugly truck gun.


Good value.
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Well I better add the Savage to my list then. I’ll get over the blade on the trigger thing. Thanks!
 
Love the accutriggers on Savages, so light and predictable. If you lose a Savage magazine you can get one anywhere, they are also cheap and you can do 5 rounds or 10 rounds.
https://wanstallsonline.com/savage-93-fv-sr-17-hmr/

I carry 4 mags as every once in awhile you get a field that is target rich, and the .17 is a flat flyer with a 100 yard zero.

One buddy has a Ruger Precision in .17, and it shoots great as well, but was over double the cost, but hey if you got the money buy high end, or save on the rifle and get a nice scope.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/109383/ruger-precision-bolt-action-rimfire-rifle

Two buddys have these.
https://wanstallsonline.com/savage-93r17-tr-17-hmr/

Tikkas are great but was getting up there for me.
https://wanstallsonline.com/tikka-t1x-mtr-17-hmr-20-quot-barrel/

CZ is not a bad deal, I have used another friends in .22, after he used my Savage he bought a Savage in .17HMR, and yes I have a few friends that we all go shooting gophers. :)
https://wanstallsonline.com/cz-455-american-17-hmr/
 
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Just buy a CZ and be done with it. Super accurate and great trigger out of the box. Can add a yodave spring kit if you want.

452/455/457 any configuration....
 
T1x is nice as well. Lots of aftermarket support as well due to having T3x options available.

Have T1x and Cz 452, both are accurate. Haven't been able to get out much with T1x but I've customized it to suit me so it will be go to in 17hmr.
 
I like my Ruger Precison Rimfire in 17hmr. Huge fan of chassis style rifles with adjustable length of pull, cheek height, replaceable pistol grip, free float fore-end with MLOK. Comes with scope base (pic base). Comes with 15 round mag and it is very good.

I think I'll go the rest of my life without owning a 'conventionally stocked' rifle so if I was to buy anything else, I would have to buy a chassis to go with it.

But, I won't claim it shoots 1MOA.
 
Paul_T said:
Just buy a CZ and be done with it. Super accurate and great trigger out of the box. Can add a yodave spring kit if you want.

452/455/457 any configuration....
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Do what Dave says , I have a CZ457 MTR in .22 and .17 HMR , I love then both .
The HMR puts 10 shots inside of a ''Toonie'' @ 100 mtrs all the time.
 
skwerl said:
Do what Dave says , I have a CZ457 MTR in .22 and .17 HMR , I love then both .
The HMR puts 10 shots inside of a ''Toonie'' @ 100 mtrs all the time.
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I have a CZ455 Canadian in 17; 3/4 or less at 100 yards with CCI ammo if I do my part. I also have a CZ455 trainer .22 that will shoot consistently , 1" at 100 and a CZ 452 Lux with factory tangent sight; it hits what I point it at. All are keepers.
 
You should consider that a .17 HMR rifle is likely to be less accurate than a similar .22.

This is not because of inherent problems with the 17 HMR as a caliber but rather that no one makes true match ammunition for it.

The achievable accuracy of top end rimfires is generally limited by the type of ammunition you use.

If accuracy is the most important factor and 90% or your shooting will be at a range, you need to look at a .22 LR from a maker such as Anschutz or a custom barreled CZ and use top quality ammunition such as Lapua Centre-x, Midas or X-ACT, Eley Match or Tenex, RMS 50 or 100 etc.

No .17 HMR ammo on the market will produce as consistent accuracy as these .22 ammo options. Top quality .22 LR ammo will also run you roughly the same cost as standard .17 HMR from Federal CCI or Hornady (all of which are made by CCI and repackaged accordingly).

There's a reason there's a thread here almost 200 pages long with .22LR rimfires shooting under .5" at 50m and not one for the .17 HMR.

That said, nothing beats a .17 HMR in the gopher patch for fun and splat noises.

If you still decide to go the .17 HMR route, you cannot go wrong with a Tikka, CZ or Anschutz. My personal recommendation is an Anschutz 1727F. They are crazy expensive but worth every penny as far as I am concerned.
 
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I've had at least 2 Savage 9317s, 1 x CZ452, 1 Marlin 917=all heavy barrels, all 17HMRs. The CZ shot one of the tightest groups I've ever achieved with a rimfire, under 3/8" @ 100 yards using Hornady 20gr. HPs. And yes, the only gun I honestly regret selling. The only one left is the Marlin 917, and it has an aftermarket Rifle Basix trigger in it. The only time I shoot it is when I'm either gopher shooting out west, or, practicing for gopher shooting out west. lol I get no pleasure out of target shooting with it if I'm being honest, but the gun will print sub-MOA groups 2/3 of the time if I'm doing my part....and I've managed 1/2 groups with it a few times. (Felt like luck, but who knows) I am inclined to agree with prairieguy when it comes to ammo, but will say this-17HMR is an inherently "accurate" caliber in my experience, and most HMRs I've shot tend to print around 1" @ 100 no matter who is shooting it. Wind can be problematic with such light bullets, but they have some speed on their side. I think with this caliber, if accuracy really matters..buy the best gun you can afford, Hornady 17 and 20gr. ammo, all CCI ammo types you can get your hands on...and test it out. Unlike 22LR, you'll be "limited" to maybe 5+ ammo types, but chances are (if the gun is decent) that one or more will shoot an inch or under.

22LR is a different story. More options for guns, WAY more options for ammo, etc. Better ammo will shoot better, and you have a gun that will make the most of it, some caviar-grade ammo types are capable of impressive groups. I have a bit of a mental block when it comes to really buying the expensive stuff, I top-out around $13/50 with SK Rifle Match. :) With that said, I've flirted with ammo in the $20-$30/50 range...and well, the groups shrink fast=as one would expect.

So, what to get? Well, if I was confident it would be accurate...a Savage B17-FV-SR would be awfully tempting. I had a Mark II FV-SR (22LR) that was not accurate, but boy..what a handy-sized rifle...a little chunky/beefy thing. I really liked it. If this was my first foray into rimfire, I wanted an HMR and had the budget, for sure...either a CZ452 series or a Tikka. Probably a Tikka if I'm being honest, but as mentioned earlier...my 452 Varmint was a heck of a shooter.
 
Good morning gentlemen. Wow thanks for all the replies, much appreciated to all. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, on here and rim fire central. The 22 LR is obviously the most popular choice for rimfire over the 17, but I think I’m kinda stuck on the 17 personally for now. Like I said, I’m new to the rimfire game so my collection will probably grow over time with some higher end 22’s(Anschutz). I’ll just the 17 “want” outta the road for now. My short list is Tikka T1x, CZ 4—, or the Savage 93. Just seeing what our sponsors have out there for stock on guns I can purchase. That’s what today’s project is. I’ll keep you guys posted on what I come up with. Thanks a bunch fellas

Cheers
 
I have a CZ453 Varmint in 17hmr and its a good gun. Shoots pretty decent groups at 100 yards, and because of the great trigger, its a pleasure to shoot.
 
Someone is selling an Anschutz 1517 at a good price on EE. Might be a thought.....
Not me selling it, but I have a 1517 with a thumbhole stock and it is a fabulous shooter.
 
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