Picked up a new Savage today

deadman

deadman

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I've been looking around for a new rimfire for myself, decided on this Savage in .17hmr. I've got almost zero experience with the caliber, wanted to get into it and see what it'll do for me. Seems like a nice enough rifle so far, not as heavy as I was expecting. Sold an old snowblower tonight too, so I'm going shopping for a scope tomorrow. Not really sure what I want, open to suggestions. All I know is my budget is around 700 bucks.

Thoughts? I'll be taking this out in the boonies this weekend, need to put something on it tomorrow.

gQT1Li5.jpg
 
You should be able to get some pretty decent glass for your budget. What's the intended use, hunting or target shooting? Have a look at Sightron SII scopes, they're good value for the quality. I have two in 6-24x.

As far as 17 hmr goes, it's as expensive as high end match .22 LR, but nowhere near the same quality. Expect 1"-1.5" typical groups at 100 yards. It'll knock down any gopher you aim center mass at, but won't win you any shooting competitions.
 
Probably mostly target shooting for this rifle, but I'm not above dropping a critter if I see one. I've never used any particularly high grade .22 ammo, so I don't think my bar is set too high.
 
Here are a few I'm considering, any thoughts or suggestions? These are just links from a couple dealers, I'm leaning toward the Vortex at this point.

ht tp://northprosports.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=552_553_557&product_id=9918

ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/59949/nikon-monarch-3-riflescopes

ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/97817/nikon-prostaff-5-ffp-riflescopes
 
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have a look at the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24 FFP

Sightron STAC 3-16 or 4-20

All of these offer very nice glass (punch above their price point) and solid tracking and function/features.

PM or email.. ring packages possible too Thanks

Jerry
 
deadman said:
I've been looking around for a new rimfire for myself, decided on this Savage in .17hmr. I've got almost zero experience with the caliber, wanted to get into it and see what it'll do for me. Seems like a nice enough rifle so far, not as heavy as I was expecting. Sold an old snowblower tonight too, so I'm going shopping for a scope tomorrow. Not really sure what I want, open to suggestions. All I know is my budget is around 700 bucks.

Thoughts? I'll be taking this out in the boonies this weekend, need to put something on it tomorrow.

gQT1Li5.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm an Ontarian, but in my travels west...used that exact model of HMR to mow down literally hundreds of gophers on my first couple of days trying that...THE most pleasurable of shooting experiences. :) Rabid is spot-on with the HMR's effectiveness to rearrange those little ground squirrels, for the record. Anyone who has shot a gopher with a 17HMR can attest to the same. A superb-shooting HMR can be capable of 1/2" @ 100 yards, but it's not unreasonable to expect 3/4"-1" pretty reliably if it's not too windy. I'd be a little surprised if that TR can't be in/around/under 1".

Scopes~not sure what you have access too in such a short amount of time, but IMHO...the rifle/caliber deserves something decent. Jerry knows his stuff for sure, and I too am a Sightron fan. I have an S1 because I wanted to try one, an SIII because everyone agrees they're wicked for the $...but have skirted around the SIIs having talked WITH Jerry. I think if the OP is that eager to get it shooting...put something on there you already have, and research the scope issue a little longer. $700 is a very decent budget for a scope, and opens a good number of doors. I personally have never spent that much on a scope for a rimfire, but do try to always buy the best I can afford. My SIII is on my .223 varmint rifle, where long distances and imperfect light is the norm.
 
I appreciate the suggestion from Jerry, but I need something today. I also appreciate the suggestion to use what I have in the meantime, but I don't have a spare laying around anywhere.

Am I way off track with the few I've looked at/posted links to?
 
I have the same rifle but in .22lr for lots of cheap plinking. I put on a Bushnell AR 223 3-12x40 (meant for my AR) but the package works and looks good so its staying put.
What ever scope you choose you should seriously consider one with AO.
Enjoy the new toy.....btw nice looking car too!
 
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deadman said:
I appreciate the suggestion from Jerry, but I need something today. I also appreciate the suggestion to use what I have in the meantime, but I don't have a spare laying around anywhere.

Am I way off track with the few I've looked at/posted links to?
Click to expand...

Of the three you listed, the Vortex would be my choice. I'm not a fan of the Nikon BDC reticle that uses small circles rather than hash marks. Also one has capped turrets. For target shooting with a 17 hmr which leaves tiny holes, I'd want more magnification rather then less. The price on the Vortex is surprising given the feature set. There is a reason why their other scopes with the same feature set are much more expensive. Which leads me to believe the tracking will not be accurate. However since it has a nice reticle, once you've dialed in for your preferred ammo, you can just use it for adjustments rather than twiddling knobs.
 
If you want I have a nikon 3-9 you can borrow for the weekend if you'd like that way you have time to get the scope you really want and still shoot this weekend.
 
I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, and the offer of a loaner. Friday was a gong show of getting errands run and trying to get out of town. I figured I should update in case anyone was interested. Spent the weekend at my hideaway, shooting rimfires with my boys.

I ended up with the Vortex I linked earlier. Maybe I should just stop asking "what do y'all think I should do?" as I usually end up with what I originally planned anyway.

I usually like irons, plain and simple. Wanted to try something new. So far no regrets, but it may be more than I need for this rifle. I didn't get to stretch its legs much, due to my oldest son getting sidetracked with deer hunting (and me trying to help my brother with his cover-all building). On our short impromptu (50 yd) range outing I was getting 5 rd groups that were touching using Hornady Vmax and a ratty old bipod. Could I improve if I took some wobble out of the equation? I hope so, and hope to find out next time out. I don't want bags and a bench all the time but for initial dialing-in it would be nice to set the bar and work from there.

On the other hand, this is a heavy rifle now (10 lbs, 1.5 oz with no mag) and it may be relegated to strictly bench duty. I did dust a few squirrels with it, but honestly, its not a rifle I'd love to shoot offhand all the time. Maybe I'm getting old and weak, not sure. My heavy barrel MK II .22 was a pleasure to carry in comparison.

And yes, I put the sun shade on it. How could I not? I have some more to learn about this optic, but I'm happy with it so far. Been playing around with it a bit.

dIHgBdn.jpg
 
deadman said:
I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, and the offer of a loaner. Friday was a gong show of getting errands run and trying to get out of town. I figured I should update in case anyone was interested. Spent the weekend at my hideaway, shooting rimfires with my boys.

I ended up with the Vortex I linked earlier. Maybe I should just stop asking "what do y'all think I should do?" as I usually end up with what I originally planned anyway.

I usually like irons, plain and simple. Wanted to try something new. So far no regrets, but it may be more than I need for this rifle. I didn't get to stretch its legs much, due to my oldest son getting sidetracked with deer hunting (and me trying to help my brother with his cover-all building). On our short impromptu (50 yd) range outing I was getting 5 rd groups that were touching using Hornady Vmax and a ratty old bipod. Could I improve if I took some wobble out of the equation? I hope so, and hope to find out next time out. I don't want bags and a bench all the time but for initial dialing-in it would be nice to set the bar and work from there.

On the other hand, this is a heavy rifle now (10 lbs, 1.5 oz with no mag) and it may be relegated to strictly bench duty. I did dust a few squirrels with it, but honestly, its not a rifle I'd love to shoot offhand all the time. Maybe I'm getting old and weak, not sure. My heavy barrel MK II .22 was a pleasure to carry in comparison.

And yes, I put the sun shade on it. How could I not? I have some more to learn about this optic, but I'm happy with it so far. Been playing around with it a bit.

dIHgBdn.jpg
Click to expand...

Rifle looks great, and you're getting great results on paper~can't ask for much more than that! As for asking people's opinions, I bet most people here are in the same boat. Having a good sense of what you'll PROBABLY get...but wondering if there is something out there that you might not have thought of. I ask for people's opinions all the time! :)
 
I have a STAC in 4-20 on my bench rifle and love it. Very clear and tracks dead on. Very sturdy, solid scope. Wouldn't hesitate to buy again.
 
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