Best .17 HMR Options
- Thread starter Lilmike8
- Start date
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
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.....
I prefer the trigger on the Tikka.
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.
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
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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!
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!
My buddy has a T-bolt and 457 in 17hmr. The T-bolt fails to impress.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
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
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.
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.
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)
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.
I don’t think CZ,Tikka or ANSCHÜTZ will let you down. All quality rifles. Best of luck whichever route you choose.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
Cheers, Mountain chickens are my pet name for grouse but really any upland game bird.
