.17hmr suggestions.

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pavmentsurfer

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I want to build a lower cost .17HMR rifle... nothing fancy, just something thats super accurate and fun/cheap to shoot. I have a 10/22 already, thought the .17 would be different.

Im looking to spend as little as possible but I want it to have a wood stock. What does everyone here suggest as the best choice for the base gun. Im leaning toward the savage. It seems to be the best price/approval rating mix. But maybe im missing something.

Plans would be pretty simple, big scope and Bipod... thats pretty much it. Something I can dial in for about 150-200 yards and be super accurate. Thats the plan.
 
I have a savage 93r17. I put a boyds stock on it. I would recommend the heavy barrel

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I have the 93R17 FSS which is not the heavy barrel but it's still pretty skookum.
Barrel measures .685 at the first easy part to measure which means a wall thickness of .257 which is fairly heavy already.

If you buy the Savage with the plastic stock, you can upgrade to the cool Boyd's stock like HTH did and not feel bad about ditching the crappy plastic stock which they market as "composite"(which is Chicom for 'crap').

I'm sure the heavy barrel is better but I don't know why.
HTH prolly knows why.

:popCorn:

Edit: These are both Stainless steel barrels, the carbon steel barrel is $50 cheaper.
 
The FV is probably the best base for a build... very reasonably priced and a solid performer. I have used FV's and FVSS's for a number of builds... the FV-SR is another good base model. Here are some of the things that you can do with them for relatively little money;

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Oh man, I really like that black one... dont need the pistol grip but I love the muzzle brake and the black thumbhole stock. is that a boyd's stock as well? I like the red one too but not in red. I dont want anything flashy... but I like the idea of a bit heavier and more sturdy wood stock.

What do the numbers after the 17 mean in the savage model names? I see them listed alot of places with different numbers but the exact same picture and description. Id like to start with one under $300 so my wife doesnt leave me. I know I can get the base wood stock with a blued barrel for that. Would that be fine for a starting point?
 
Has anyone ordered from Boyd's site directly? It says they can sell orders under $100 internationally..
nvm found some threads about it..
 
pavmentsurfer said:
Oh man, I really like that black one... dont need the pistol grip but I love the muzzle brake and the black thumbhole stock. is that a boyd's stock as well? I like the red one too but not in red. I dont want anything flashy... but I like the idea of a bit heavier and more sturdy wood stock.

What do the numbers after the 17 mean in the savage model names? I see them listed alot of places with different numbers but the exact same picture and description. Id like to start with one under $300 so my wife doesnt leave me. I know I can get the base wood stock with a blued barrel for that. Would that be fine for a starting point?
Click to expand...

They are all Boyd's stocks...

Savage Model Designations;

F = synthetic stock
G = Standard wood stock (not laminated or walnut)
B = Boyd's laminated stock
S or SS = Stainless steel
V = heavy/varmint barrel
T = thumbhole stock
SR = threaded barrel
Y = Youth model (shorter LOP)
L = left handed model
J = Jacaranda colored laminate stock (as in "BRJ")
 
Thank you so much Hoytcanon... that explains everything I need to know about these guns. I can finally understand the model names. Last question, what are the barrels on the guns in your pics and can they be installed on a non threaded receiver? I really like the look of the all black receiver/barrel with the integrated brake, then a black or grey boyds stock. That would be the setup for me.
 
If you want to stick below $300, don't look at any of the photos in Hoyt's post. :) So, your initial post said "build", but you're looking at some pretty fancy add-ons. Are you wanting to start with a good rifle and build as $ allows? I just told my story in a recent thread, did the same thing and ended-up spending more doing it that way...but a budget is a budget. It's post #2 in this thread;

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790983

If you're interested in any specifics about that gun (.22mag) just let me know. Now, I do like the robust-nature of the Boyd's laminate stock, the Savage accuracy vs. value, but this was my last .17 HMR, a CZ452 Varmint.

July162011groundhog.jpg


I post that NOT to say "get a CZ instead", rather, to qualify this next comment~I don't think a .17 HMR is a 200 yard gun. In regular field conditions (hunting very small game) maybe 150-175 yards. Will it shoot that far? Yes. If nice groups are your goal at 200, you might want to consider a centerfire rifle like .204 Ruger or .223, not to mention the punch they also deliver at those ranges. You can have a pile of fun shooting HMR, and marvel at the accuracy of it for a rimfire cartridge, but 200 yards is really on the outer edge of that gun's useful (=accurate) range. Again, my opinion. I'd say have at it, sounds like a fun build!

Scope~bigger isn't always better. Look through a crappy 24x power scope, then a superb-quality 9x scope and try to get a sense of what value better glass offers. I can very clearly see .17 holes @ 110 yards using anything over 12x. A decent 14x scope (at that distance, if your eyes are half-decent) will serve you well. The scope on my .22mag Savage (in that link) is a Mueller APT, 4.5-14x. To me, one of the best scopes (for the money) in that magnification range.

Lastly, if you're in/near Minden...Epps is about an hour from where you live and they usually carry a great inventory of Savage rimfires. They're also a CGN sponsor. Lastly (for real this time)...:) .... The only guys I know personally who own .17HMRs don't know each other...but both shoot a Savage 9317 TR. One of them is a gopher-slayer of the highest order near Calgary AB, the other uses it here in Ontario for target shooting, the odd crow and/or groundhog.
 
I had a savage 93r17, just the basic plastic stock, heavy pre accutrigger. Shot very well at 100 yards off my bipod. Gets my vote for sure. For a sub $300 gun, I was very impressed with 3/4" groups :)
 
Here's mine. Heavy barreled Savage, Boyds stock. EGW 20MOA rail. Burris Signature rings. Vortex 4-12. Harris bi-pod.

Just as accurate as the rest, likes Hornady 17 grainers.
2012-05-19151648.jpg
 
.22LRguy
Thanks for all the helpful info. I really wont be shooting anything but targets with this gun. I dont hunt (not that I have an aversion to hunting or varmint killing in any way). So it would be for paper only. The challenge of 200yards would be what interests me. Maybe not easy to do with a gun like this, but fun to try.

My idea was to "build" it as I go. Start with something decent and build it up as time/money allows. The boyds stocks at only $99 are a great deal and wouldnt be hard to afford as a first real upgrade. I want to spend decent money on a quality scope as well. I have been through the cheap versions on my 10/22 and definitely see the difference quality makes. I know high end barrels can run $$'s so I doubt that would be an upgrade id ever do. Which leaves me only one question, what barrel is the one I should get. Theres the blued barrel on the cheapest gun, then the stainless and the blued heavy are the same price. Whats more desirable? Heavy or stainless?

Im only an hour from orillia and end up at epps every time I go to the city. they have a few .17 savage's in stock but not many of the cheap ones to choose from. Ill probably go in and have a look though next time im by... maybe pick up another crate of $200 7.62X39 as well...
 
Well, I think you should be looking at the 93R17 FV, heavy barrel/synthetic stock. They should be about $265. Just had a look at Epps Savage page;

http://www.ellwoodepps.com/firearms_new_savage_1.htm

And on page 5, there is a Stainless one there at $342

NG60455 SAVAGE 93R17-FVSS BOLT 17 HMR 20 3/4" BBL, HEAVY BBL, STAINLESS, SYNTHETIC STOCK, DETACHABLE MAGAZINE, SCOPE BASES, ACCU TRIGGER, SWIVEL STUDS
$341.55

If you take 1/2-decent care of your guns, I don't think the stainless barrels are worth the extra $ unless you're either OK with target shooting in the rain (?)...or...simply dig the look of them~which I get. For your needs, I'd go with the standard blued finish. Also, Epps (as you know) are great guys to deal with, give them a call to ask when they're getting more in, then bug them from time to time...like I do. :) If you decide to go, would you mind picking-up the 2 boxes of 20ga. shells I left on the counter when I bought my Wingmaster a couple of months ago? :)
 
i love the holy everloving F&CK out of my Savage Mako edition (tuned up 93r17 with a very ###y custom stock)

I imagine any 93r17 with a decent scope and bipod and a few breathing exercises can put 3 rounds in a single hole out of a 5 round grouping at 100 yards though :)
 
Bought a savage 93R17GV-XP, walnut stock, accutrigger with the heavy barrel combo that has the banner 3-9 from wholesale sports about a year ago. Out the door for $300 with two boxes of ammo. The scope is nothing to brag about but has held zero and has alright clarity, better eye relief than some more expensive scopes that I've bought. Right out of the box no problem shooting moa at 100yrds, holds 1-2" groups at 200yrds as long as the wind cooperates, and I do my part but those 17-20 grainers really drift with a little breeze at 200yrds. Probably one of my favorites in the safe, would recommend this gun to anyone that asked.

ET
 
Just picked up a 93R17GV off the market place with a 4 12X40 Bushnell Scope. Its got the non laminated wood stock and a heavy blued barrel. So, given that it has a scope already (and a decent one at that). Ill just upgrade to a boyds stock later on and get a Bi-Pod right away. I paid $315 shipped. Which, I think after you factor in the scope and taxes saved me about $200 VS new. Which is nice.

It also is coming in a hard case. So thats another nice add on I would have bought anyway.
 
dahs said:
Here's mine. Heavy barreled Savage, Boyds stock. EGW 20MOA rail. Burris Signature rings. Vortex 4-12. Harris bi-pod.

Just as accurate as the rest, likes Hornady 17 grainers.
2012-05-19151648.jpg
Click to expand...

Beautiful gun. I love my 17 hmrs, I also have a 93R17 an absolutely love it.
 
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