Opinions/Experience with 17 Winchester Super Mag

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galamb

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Ok, one of those "we built it because we could" calibers.

Not looking for a thousand reasons why a 22 Mag or 17 HMR is better, just looking for experience or opinions specific to this (less common) rimfire.

It's another caliber that I don't really have a use for but would "check another box" in my caliber collection. I'm looking specifically at a Savage B-Mag Target, stainless, Thumbhole (because I like the look).
 
I have only fired one rifle in 17WSM, the Winchester 1885. The fellow had three types of ammunition, and none of them were accurate in that rifle.
 
It's a great calibre but the Winchester ammo isn't well made and the Savage rifle isn't that well made. Both are made as cheaply as possible. We still don't know if the calibre is going to die or not so give it a couple of years.
 
Have had one for 2 years, the skinny model B-Mag and am very happy with it. Mounted a 2.5-10X42 Tasco Varmit MilDot scope and it is accurate enough to take gophers at 200 yds with ease and a magpie off a fence post at 85 yds. Stock leave a bit to be desired, but a Boyd's Rimfire in walnut this spring will make it a real rifle. Don't think the.17 WSM will die as there are more rifles availabe now, and I hear more to come. Have never had a problem finding ammo, and have only had a couple of split casings on Winchester 20 grain. Get yourself a .17 WSM and start enjoying it.
 
I like the idea of the cartridge but so far not impressed with what has actually been delivered.

IIRC the 17 HMR had some birthing pains but eventually came to be very popular with lots of firearms (budget to premium) to choose from.



Seeing as its been a couple of years I would be perhaps ready to give one a try.
 
That's what has got me interested.

Savage changed from a 1:9 to a 1:8 twist now which should help with stability and have added the wood thumb hole stock - so overall should be a more accurate, more stable platform then the early versions.

And with Ruger also chambering in the caliber now and Hornady and Federal (as well as Winchester) making loaded rounds, it seems at least to have some "footing" as a caliber.
 
You should really check out the Rimfire Central forum (the 17wsm forum) as it has a lot of information on the mods that have been done to improve the bmags accuracy.
 
I was thinking about one, but haven't read a lot of encouraging reports. Even the Ruger chambered in the 17wsm has not been spectacular. I'm thinking inconstancy with the Winchester ammo might be an issue, but just a guess at this point. I might look at the centrefire .17 hornet instead.
 
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