Best .17 HMR Options
- Thread starter Lilmike8
- Start date
Ruger American's are another option, use Ruger's excellent 9 round magazine, but are less accurate than the options you listed. Savage 93's are really accurate, specially for the money, but use finicky magazines. I've owned CZ's, Ruger's and Savages, plural in 17HMR for each make. The CZ was the best all rounder of that bunch. Anschutz and Bergara are other options, as are Henry's, but I've no experience with any of them in 17 HMR.
I have 3 savage rifles in 17hmr, one
93R17 TRR-SR with the Boyd's tacticool stock and 2 93R17 GV (cheapish wood stocks) and they are all pretty good.
As the previous poster mentioned mags are finicky. I found that mag feed lips get damaged if inserted on a closed bolt. Not sure why, but I've found that with all three rifles.
They also don't feed very smoothly, it sometimes takes a bit of finesse to work a new round into the chamber. Especially with polymer tipped Hornady.
Maybe I should try a different brand of rifle!
Savage rifles have a lot of little shortcomings but I sure love how they shoot.
93R17 TRR-SR with the Boyd's tacticool stock and 2 93R17 GV (cheapish wood stocks) and they are all pretty good.
As the previous poster mentioned mags are finicky. I found that mag feed lips get damaged if inserted on a closed bolt. Not sure why, but I've found that with all three rifles.
They also don't feed very smoothly, it sometimes takes a bit of finesse to work a new round into the chamber. Especially with polymer tipped Hornady.
Maybe I should try a different brand of rifle!
Savage rifles have a lot of little shortcomings but I sure love how they shoot.
- Location
- Winnipeg, now
Ruger American with a heavy barrel is just as accurate as the 93-17 Savage.
I have had a couple 93-17's and they are great when the mags work.
15 round Ruger mag in the American is gopher patch heaven.
I have had a couple 93-17's and they are great when the mags work.
15 round Ruger mag in the American is gopher patch heaven.
I would go with the CZ Canadian. Those are pretty light, well balanced and accurate. You can’t go wrong with a CZ.
If you have more money to spend, Anschutz are even better.
I owned a tons of rimfire rifles and while Savage and other maker also shoots good, the CZ’s are hard to beat for the money.
They are also well built and just for fit and finish, they worth the extra money.
If you have more money to spend, Anschutz are even better.
I owned a tons of rimfire rifles and while Savage and other maker also shoots good, the CZ’s are hard to beat for the money.
They are also well built and just for fit and finish, they worth the extra money.
If you like the 457 then maybe BOLO for a 452...
Then again I have never met a CZ rimfire that does not shoot.
Thats not true, I have yet to shoot a 457, but if they are like their younger brethren
they are shooters of course.
Tight Groups in your quest.
Rob
Then again I have never met a CZ rimfire that does not shoot.
Thats not true, I have yet to shoot a 457, but if they are like their younger brethren
they are shooters of course.Tight Groups in your quest.
Rob
Most accurate HMR I've shot was a CZ452 Varmint. Based on my experience with the T1x in 22LR, I'd be going that route if I were getting a 17HMR today. I've owned a few Savages in the caliber over the years, and agree with everything said about them.
Might also add, unlike 22LR, 17HMR does generate some barrel heat. For range use I'd be wanting either something like a T1x with a medium contour barrel, or something with a varmint/heavy barrel. Not sure how far I like carrying heavy barrels these days. lol
I really like 17HMR, but thinks it's a very niche caliber. Probably the best gopher caliber out there if you can stomach the ammo cost, but destructive on things like squirrels/rabbits if your shot placement isn't seriously considered. For pests like groundhogs or even coyotes at relatively close ranges, my vote goes to 22WMR. Far less satisfying caliber for range use but when bigger varmints need attention, it has far more authority. For the record, I've never shot a coyote with either, but have lined-up plenty of big groundhogs with both. On those, the difference is very obvious.
Good luck!
Might also add, unlike 22LR, 17HMR does generate some barrel heat. For range use I'd be wanting either something like a T1x with a medium contour barrel, or something with a varmint/heavy barrel. Not sure how far I like carrying heavy barrels these days. lol
I really like 17HMR, but thinks it's a very niche caliber. Probably the best gopher caliber out there if you can stomach the ammo cost, but destructive on things like squirrels/rabbits if your shot placement isn't seriously considered. For pests like groundhogs or even coyotes at relatively close ranges, my vote goes to 22WMR. Far less satisfying caliber for range use but when bigger varmints need attention, it has far more authority. For the record, I've never shot a coyote with either, but have lined-up plenty of big groundhogs with both. On those, the difference is very obvious.
Good luck!
Can’t go wrong with a CZ452/457. Put my 17HMR heavy barrel in a Boyds At-one laminated stock. Mixed reviews, I love it, gophers hate it…
You can pay more and get less but don’t let that stop you from playing with some of the prettier rifles that are available out there.
You can pay more and get less but don’t let that stop you from playing with some of the prettier rifles that are available out there.
Thanks Mr Bill... I do love the Boyd's stock designs, I could get away going the cheap and cheerful plastic stock 457 in the knowing the stock will be the first thing to go... (adjustable LOP is a major up side to the Boyd's (tall with long arms)
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Hello Lilmike8,
Buying a new firearm is a personal choice, input from experienced shooters is though a bonus!
I like the CZ 457 in Canadian Edition you spoke of, CZ rimfires are inherently extremely accurate and reliable, the wood stocks are of great quality. The Tika rimfire is okay, overpriced in my opinion and I do not care for the Tupperware stock it comes with. One can always change out the stock and give it to grandma for food storage. LOL........
Savage 93/17 rifles are very accurate, the Accutrigger is awesome once you get used to it, cost is approximately 30% less than the CZ or Tikka. The magazines are made of stamped steel and are not the best mags in the world, but if a little finesse is used while loading and inserting into the rifle, you won't experience any issues. In addition, Savage Canada will replace any magazine for free if it does not operate properly. No questions asked.
A good Ruger 10/22 is another option if you like to plink in 22 LR. Buy a middle of the road model though, not an entry level synthetic stock model for $449.99. Everyone should own a Ruger 10/22!
Thanks for the feedback. My primary use would be at the range, so the comment re a heavier barrel makes sense. The amount of use outside the range would be minimal. If only .22 Hornet was more popular, and ammo more readily available. I owned one when I lived in South Africa and absolutely loved it, equipped with a suppressor it was a joy to shoot and would have made the ideal close range Coyote killer.
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Canadian Tire Pro Shop in Cranbrook, BC currently has the Ruger 77/22 22 Hornet bolt action models in stock and on sale. There is piles of 22 Hornet Hornady ammo also in stock.
They have both the walnut/blued models and the green laminate/stainless models on sale. Prices are just above cost at the moment.
