Opinions of savage b mag 17 wsm

[colonel3006]

Was hoping for some opinions on the savage bmag 17 wsm. I did hear a couple years ago from a buddy that a friend of his had bought one and had bad accuracy problems. They were fairly new up here at the time and not sure if savage had a problem in the beginning or he just got a dud. I would really appreciate opinions from you guys out there that own one good or bad. I would bassicly be using for groundhogs and a bit of plinking here and there.

 

[scourge18a]

I have a WSM and a HMR.
Both Savages, both Heavy barrel.
WSM is a stainless 20" with plastic stock and the HMR is the FV-SR 16.5" with plastic stock. Got both triggers down to 2.5 lbs with a bit of messing about.
From what I read 18" barrel is the point of diminishing returns on the HMR.
Both guns and all ammo chronographed near listed velocities with maybe 60 fps either way.
Both shoot at 100 consistently, but the HMR opens up at shorter distances.
I was reading that the sporter barrels were maybe the issue or early ammo production issues, not sure but both of mine are fantastic.
Both selections are similar in price here in Medicine Hat (HMR $19 and WSM $20), although the 20 grain WSM is $5 more at crappy tire for some reason.
I much prefer the exterior and terminal ballistics of the WSM. Less wind drift and more accurate at distance. Ok out to 300 where as the HMR is more suited to 200-250.
It would be great if they offered a 17 grain WSM cartridge at 3240 fps.

 

[colonel3006]

I had a marlin in hmr and ended up trading a couple years ago for a bl22. I like the browning. Fun little gun to shoot but miss the 17. I've been thinking on replacing for a while but I like the look of ballistics and trajectory on the wsm. I read as well the earlier sporter barrels were giving issues as well but they have straightened them out.

 

[Fendt]

I recently purchased a Savage B-Mag Target, 17WSM, with a Nikon Monarch III, 5-20x, for glass. Am still in the process of breaking in the gun having about 75 rounds through it now. Have use Winchester and American Eagle 20gr and 25gr cartridges so far with Hornady slated for the next outing. So far I am quite pleased with it's performance on the Club's 100 meter range, along with a few other members who have tried it. The next outing will be on the 150 meter range with the Hornadys. Our indoor 25 meter range WAS rated for all rimfire rifle including the 17 HMR, the 17WSM is now excluded for indoor use, bad news for the groundhogs at my place.

On the first five rounds of the Winchester 20gr I tried, I did have one dud/no-fire cartridge. Promptly, after contacting Winchester through their web-site, I was given the contact information for their Canadian Agent and the two boxes returned at their expense for Quality Control evaluation. Yes Virginia, there still is customer service !!

While doing on-line research prior to my purchase, I did find reports of bedding issues effecting accuracy and a bolt recall on early B-Mag production, the Target version was fairly clean of issues and hence my decision. I can't say much about the current standard B-Mag production, but as for the Target model I have been pleasantly surprised and satisfied so far. Once I figure out how to post pics I'll try to post some target results, something about ole dogs and new tricks. Several members who have tried it have said they gotta get one of these, a joy to shoot.

Tally-ho and good luck

 

[galamb]

When I first decided I "needed" a 17, the BMAG 17 WSM was my first choice. Being the gun buyer at work I ordered a couple in. I loved the look of the thumbhole stocked Savage with the stainless barrel - just "looked" great.

Ultimately went with a 93R17, 17 HMR.

I couldn't get over the "rear" locking lugs on the back of the bolt on the Savage 17 WSM's - tried some fast cycling and jammed the lugs on at least half the attempts - you have to line them up "by hand", there is not even a bolt channel to help you get things lined up.

So never got further than that. I don't know or care how accurate it is, I find the design very lacking in function and that was reason enough to forget the Savage model..

 

[colonel3006]

Thanks for the replies guys. Really don't like the sound of this deal with the bolt lugs. I have yet to even handle one and was just wanting to hear opinions and experiences with them thus far.

 

[Archer Sam]

This is what mine did at 60 meters( farthest I could shoot that day). My buddy bugged me to sell it to him so down the road she went.
Scott

 

[colonel3006]

This is what mine did at 60 meters( farthest I could shoot that day). My buddy bugged me to sell it to him so down the road she went.
Scott

Looks like they prefer the 25 gr? Or yours did anyway ( I'd be happy with any of group from either your pics or scourge18a's post)
Like I said in the first post I'm mainly wanting for a hunting gun (groundhogs and pests around the farm) so I'm not needing or expecting anything that will constantly shoot sub moa. The groups that you and scourge18a are shooting are definitely better than I was expecting. Reading up more on them last night it sounds like savage was blaming their earlier accuracy issues on the 1-9" twist produced in earlier bmags. Supposedly they had changed their twist rate to 1-8" and this has helped stabilize both loads. I will admit I don't really know alot about twist rates so have to take others word on it.

 

[Archer Sam]

Looks like they prefer the 25 gr? Or yours did anyway ( I'd be happy with any of group from either your pics or scourge18a's post)
Like I said in the first post I'm mainly wanting for a hunting gun (groundhogs and pests around the farm) so I'm not needing or expecting anything that will constantly shoot sub moa. The groups that you and scourge18a are shooting are definitely better than I was expecting. Reading up more on them last night it sounds like savage was blaming their earlier accuracy issues on the 1-9" twist produced in earlier bmags. Supposedly they had changed their twist rate to 1-8" and this has helped stabilize both loads. I will admit I don't really know alot about twist rates so have to take others word on it.

Mine was one of the early ones with the 1-9 twist.I bedded the stock to the receiver and stiffened the forend to straighten it. I think some of the issue is the poorly engineered stock and mounting design. They would have been better to take the 93 style action and beef it up. I think they would have had a lot better sales as well because it is an established platform. But what do the people who shoot know.The suits always have a better plan.
Scott...