How much more accurate are .17 bolt actions over semis?

randyhub

randyhub

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Well I am retiring my trusty Anschutz .22rf bolt action after 30 years of gopher slaying.

Now I am considering moving up to the .17 and just looking for feedback on best value and bolt over semi benefits for gophers.

Any real world feedback wil be great.

Thanks
Randy
 
Hey Randy~well, assuming the Savage A17 is the 17HMR semi you're referring to (there is a BRNO 617, but I know next to nothing about them)....between barrel heat and some less-than-stellar accuracy reports, they're no temptation to me personally. Clearly, there are lots of 17HMR bolt guns out there (including Anschutz) but if you're not interested in spending that much, CZ452 Varmint would be my next choice. It's what I wanted when I reluctantly got back into 17HMR FOR gophers...but since budget wouldn't allow, I tracked-down an older Marlin 917 heavy barrel, and put a Rifle Basix trigger in it. About $400 when the dust settled, and the gun shoots. I might add, it shoots the 17gr ballistic tips better than the 20gr HPs my CZ452 Varmint preferred when I had it. (and foolishly sold it) I never got my CZ and it's 20gr ammo out for gophers, but the 17gr. ballistic tips really take gophers apart.

So, I have no experience shooting gophers with a 17HMR semi..but I've looked closely at the A17s in case they showed real promise. Honestly, with gopher #s and the cost of HMR being a bit nutty...a semi with a big appetite in that caliber might never be in the cards for me regardless. I'm too frugal. :) As I think about the future...and less race track ahead of me than behind, guns like the VQ semis seem like an attractive option. One day. Maybe. Until then, the best scoped bolt guns I can afford if they have good triggers, or if the triggers can be upgraded. Both of my gopher guns living in Alberta have upgraded triggers.
 
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