Plan to buy Anschutz, 1761 or 1517?

[surfclod]

I plan to buy a nice 17 HRM for the upcoming gopher season, have decided to treat myself to an Anschutz

Cant afford the newer 1727 strait pull action (nor a Cooper Jackson Squirrel) but I don't think I will be disappointed with either the newer 1761 or the proven 1517

This will be a gopher gun primarily but I am an accuracy snob so that is the most important criteria

Haven't handled either one, (and not likely to be able to do so), thus will have to make a choice and have it shipped.


Please give me some guidance.

 

[Suther]

Tagged for interest.

 

[metalbender]

Not .17 but bought a 1710 DKL for my last gopher gun. Was on sale at Nordic, couldn't pass it up. Bought a new CIL/Anschutz 310 in 1974, still have it. Hold your breath, sign the cheque.

 

[mineguy]

I have the 1517 and love it. Well balanced and just a beautiful gun in my opinion. If you are a bit of an accuracy snob (and I try to be at times) then I would likely lean to the 22LR platform where match grade ammo is available. My 17HMR is not bad but I think a 22 would give you tighter groups due to ammo. Below is a photo of my toy with a Sightron STAC 4-20x50 (you need a good scope to see the tiny holes in paper) and a target from 100 yards. I was just goofing around one morning and not really trying for tighter groups but it gives a sense of the accuracy. The corners are 5 shot groups and the center is 10 shots. Ammo consistency is the key and I find Hornday is what my 1517 likes best. The other thing about 17HMR I have found is that if you want to shoot at some ranges they will not let you shoot silhouettes with it due to the damage the round causes to them. But for gophers, it just becomes fun. Just my experience with the 1517. Would love to own a 1712 someday but....budgets get in the way. Enjoy whatever decision you make.

 

[45CAT]

Watching

 

[45Auto]

I think either model will suffice. But having said that, I have shot the 1761 in 22lr last year. I really liked it and would choose it over the 1500 series. I liked the enlarged trigger guard, much improved mag release, short throw bolt and lower bolt lift. And it is a totally new bolt design. Accuracy would be the same in each. Enjoy your new Annie. Keep us posted. Give Brad or Cathy a call.

 

[surfclod]

Appreciate the input.

The 1517 has the advantage of being able to drop it into a Boyd stock so I can preserve the nice walnut for special occasions.

The 1761's option to be able to swap calibers is appealing to me (Anyone has changed the barrel???). A Sako Quad was under consideration for a while.

As a previous poster mentioned, premium target 22LR ammo will likely deliver the best accuracy, (and 17 HMR is not allowed at my indoor range). Would be a nice option for off season practice.

But the main purpose is gopher shooting and the 17 HMR is my "one caliber" choice for gophers.
Have a couple of 22's (Schultz & Larsen bolt gun, and 10/22 with 8" barrel), a 218 Bee (Remington Rolling Block with repo Malcolm scope) and a 223 (Savage 112, solid bottom with a Shilen barrel, SSS trigger & other goodies). So when I go on a "gopher safari" I have short to long range covered but want the 17 HMR option to cover all the bases for casual or impromptu events