Best .17 HMR Options

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.
Thanks for the feedback. Any experience with a Browning T-bolt at all? I see many listed for sale.
 
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.
That sounds too good to be true... If only we could shop them online.
 
That sounds too good to be true... If only we could shop them online.
Yes indeed. The new current owner does not offer online sales. Some CT Pro Shops do, this store no longer does.

The prices are unreal at $1499.99 and less in some instances for a brand new Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet. They also have the same models in 17 Hornet and 17 WSM rimfire.

Unfortunately there is no staff that really know much about them anymore, it's a very sad state of affairs.....:(
 
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.

Hey Mike-not as rare as you might think, I see I'm the second one to mention it. 22 Hornet is my latest fascination, started with 17 Hornet a few years back. Just took my 22 Hornet for its first test drive a few weeks ago, pretty stoked at the results. It'll get the nod on my first groundhog hunt in the spring. Mine is a CZ 527 American.
 
Hey Mike-not as rare as you might think, I see I'm the second one to mention it. 22 Hornet is my latest fascination, started with 17 Hornet a few years back. Just took my 22 Hornet for its first test drive a few weeks ago, pretty stoked at the results. It'll get the nod on my first groundhog hunt in the spring. Mine is a CZ 527 American.
Please let me know how it goes, and where you manage to find ammo for it. I used to shoot PPU out of my gun and got great results, though I can image Hornady V-Max's would be potent. the CZ 527 looks amazing, good find.
 
Hey Adam, I do like the look of that gun, how is it for accuracy? How do you find the build quality / plastic. Adjustable LOP is a bonus for me... I might just need to find a retailer with one to see for myself. Thanks!

I attempted to attach a picture of it here. I added a MDT mlok ARCA rail for tripod clipped-in shooting, which is my preferred technique in a gopher field.
(Edit: this is a really old photo of my original 22lr one with shorter arca rail and different pistol grip.)

It's been a long time since I shot it for groups. I think around 1.5 moa at 100m? I prioritize high hit percentage (85% or better) so I tend to keep it within about 100m on gophers, and it doesn't let me down.

My favorite features that make me prefer it over a conventional stocked rifle, in order:
  • adjustable cheek riser
  • adjustable LOP
  • replaceable vertical pistol grip (I use the ERGO rubber)
  • ease of mounting a full length arca rail
  • 15 round magazines
The other tweak I do to it is I take out the 'trigger shoe dingus blade'. This reduces the trigger weight a bit, and then I turn out the adjustment screw as far as it adjusts down. Trigger is somewhere around 1lb - 1.5lb, and is very good (no creep, no overtravel).
 

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Thanks for the feedback. Any experience with a Browning T-bolt at all? I see many listed for sale.
Personally, I never been a fan of Browning rifles ( that’s another story with shotguns ). They are beautifully made firearms but the accuracy is a hit or miss. I think that’s why they are not often recommended as rimfire and centerfire rifles. Some folks are somewhat lucky with them and they claim that they are accurate and I do believe some of them are… Just take a look at the 1/2’’ .22lr challenge thread here on CGN. Not many T-Bolts completed the challenge even if there is plenty of them out there. IMO its a shame they lack consistency in the accuracy department because they sure looks good ( especially the maple editions ) and the straight pull action is fun to operate.

Older ones, you may want to look for salt wood damage.

But hey, that’s just my opinion !

On another note, never had the chance to try the Tikka T1x but as a big Tikka and Sako fan, I’m sure they are nice accurate rifles. They have great feedback.
 
As some others have said, Tikka T1X or CZ 457 are my top choices. In fact, I have them both as well as an Anschutz 1761.
Tikka is the best bang-for-buck, crazy smooth bolt, but the only thing you can upgrade is the chassis / stock, available in 1 barrel thickness.
CZ has the most customizable options (trigger especially, if that matters to you), comes in thin and heavy (varmint) barrels.
Anshutz has the best trigger from factory (lovely 2-stage light trigger on mine).

In terms of accuracy, honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned 3 options. From my testing, I have found the 3 options above to be more accurate than the Ruger Precision (which I also have). But the RPR is cheaper, comes with a fantastic chassis / stock with all the adjustability. For the price, especially if you find it on sale, Ruger is pretty great. It's about the most accurate rifle you can buy for-that-budget.

All of my 17HMR rifles mentioned above are in aftermarket chassis upgrades (mostly MDT), and I shoot them at an indoor range, benchrest. You'll really benefit from the heavy barrel if this is a range gun - the repeatability and consistency is a big plus.

With regards to your other question, if you are buying new, then you will most likely be looking at the 457, not the 455 or 452. The 455 and 452 are older generations / discontinued models.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions! Good luck!
 
Thanks for the feedback. Any experience with a Browning T-bolt at all? I see many listed for sale.
I can't provide an opinion yet on the Tbolt. I'm currently waiting for mine to arrive. Over a year now but expected this Jan. Living on the wet coast, I only purchase my hunting purpose guns in stainless barrels. So I sit waiting for my mountain chicken plucker. My stainless 10/22 takedown is a great pack gun but me or the gun don't perform as well as I want so I sit waiting for my chicken plucker...
I hope you find the .17 that works for you.
It sounds like your talking range and paper plinking. Like all magnum rimfire they can be expensive to shoot. Just sayin.
Cheers
 
My buddy has a T-bolt and 457 in 17hmr. The T-bolt fails to impress.
I also have a T-Bolt; but the Target SR super heavy barrel version. It's fun to shoot, the action is nice. Accuracy is good, but it's no where near the territory of Tikka, CZ, Anschutz. If you're looking for accuracy, better to go with CZ.
 
I had a stainless savage with a Boyd's thumbhole stock, sold it, and bought the tikka t1x. Wish I never sold that savage. It was just as accurate as the tikka. If not more so, and was such a nice shooting rifle. Off the bench or offhand. Not knocking the tikka, but I shot the savage better, and loved the stock. I put the vertical stock and wider forend on the tikka, but it still isn't quite as nice to shoot. The magazines on the tikka are a million times better though.

Cz's are nice, but I have never had one chambered in 17hmr. Did you ever think about a lever action 17hmr? It's a really fun time.
 
I had a stainless savage with a Boyd's thumbhole stock, sold it, and bought the tikka t1x. Wish I never sold that savage. It was just as accurate as the tikka. If not more so, and was such a nice shooting rifle. Off the bench or offhand. Not knocking the tikka, but I shot the savage better, and loved the stock. I put the vertical stock and wider forend on the tikka, but it still isn't quite as nice to shoot. The magazines on the tikka are a million times better though.

Cz's are nice, but I have never had one chambered in 17hmr. Did you ever think about a lever action 17hmr? It's a really fun time.
Hey Denver Steve, thanks for the insight.
I think a bolt action makes most sense for what I am after, plus the lever actions aren't as accurate from my understanding? Could be wrong!

What model Savage did you have BTW?
 
I can't provide an opinion yet on the Tbolt. I'm currently waiting for mine to arrive. Over a year now but expected this Jan. Living on the wet coast, I only purchase my hunting purpose guns in stainless barrels. So I sit waiting for my mountain chicken plucker. My stainless 10/22 takedown is a great pack gun but me or the gun don't perform as well as I want so I sit waiting for my chicken plucker...
I hope you find the .17 that works for you.
It sounds like your talking range and paper plinking. Like all magnum rimfire they can be expensive to shoot. Just sayin.
Cheers
Fingers crossed it comes in soon 270WSMXBolt !
I have to know...what is a "mountain chicken"? LOL

Your comment re the cost to run the magnum rimfires is valid... My wish was to find something I can shoot at 100YDS, .22 doesn't do it for me, and just pain love the look of the .17 HMR. For $0.50 a round I can stomach it more than the other caliber's I am shooting... (ouch)
 
As some others have said, Tikka T1X or CZ 457 are my top choices. In fact, I have them both as well as an Anschutz 1761.
Tikka is the best bang-for-buck, crazy smooth bolt, but the only thing you can upgrade is the chassis / stock, available in 1 barrel thickness.
CZ has the most customizable options (trigger especially, if that matters to you), comes in thin and heavy (varmint) barrels.
Anshutz has the best trigger from factory (lovely 2-stage light trigger on mine).

In terms of accuracy, honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned 3 options. From my testing, I have found the 3 options above to be more accurate than the Ruger Precision (which I also have). But the RPR is cheaper, comes with a fantastic chassis / stock with all the adjustability. For the price, especially if you find it on sale, Ruger is pretty great. It's about the most accurate rifle you can buy for-that-budget.

All of my 17HMR rifles mentioned above are in aftermarket chassis upgrades (mostly MDT), and I shoot them at an indoor range, benchrest. You'll really benefit from the heavy barrel if this is a range gun - the repeatability and consistency is a big plus.

With regards to your other question, if you are buying new, then you will most likely be looking at the 457, not the 455 or 452. The 455 and 452 are older generations / discontinued models.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions! Good luck!
balonbay thank you so much for the insight.
The RPR you mentioned is REALLY interesting, in fact this is what started my interest in a dedicated plinking gun. I am conflicted as to whether I might find use for the cartridge outside of the range (I am not a small game hunter, but would like the option to do it if the opportunity arose). For that, I assumed a regular sporting stock (ie CZ 457 or Tikka T1X) would be better suited doing range / hunting duty.
That said, do you find the RPR handy enough to carry? Also, do you find the 18.5" barrel limits velocity / accuracy?

I love the idea that it is adjustable right out of the box, without the need to buy a MDT or other stock.
Thanks a bunch.
 
Lithgow arms make a very nice and very accurate 17HMR in a few configurations. I had the titanium/walnut version with a medium weight barrel. Very nicely made but not readily available like the models being mentioned. As far as the T bolt. The trigger is a plastic cassette and not adjustable as stated bye Browning. The set screw(adjustment) is a blind hole that engages nothing!! I have a SS version with a grey laminate stock. I installed a Jard trigger and rebedded the action. It’s very accurate and a great rifle now but expensive and required $500 more to get a Real adjustable trigger. The only Browning I have remaining. All the others have been sold or given away to members on here!

I don’t think CZ,Tikka or ANSCHÜTZ will let you down. All quality rifles. Best of luck whichever route you choose.
 
Fingers crossed it comes in soon 270WSMXBolt !
I have to know...what is a "mountain chicken"? LOL

Your comment re the cost to run the magnum rimfires is valid... My wish was to find something I can shoot at 100YDS, .22 doesn't do it for me, and just pain love the look of the .17 HMR. For $0.50 a round I can stomach it more than the other caliber's I am shooting... (ouch)
Cheers, Mountain chickens are my pet name for grouse but really any upland game bird.
 
I have a cz 457 17 hmr shoots really good. I also have a cz 527 17 hornet. That one shoots even better and nice small groups at 100yards. Super cool little caliber. If you reload then 17 hornet for sure!
 
Hey lilmike8, ive had Both the Tikka t1x and a Savage, both shot really well accuracy wise, the savage's downfall were the mags, absolutely terrible. sold both and got a CZ512 in 22wmr.
 
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