Rimfire 17 HMR Lefty woes - any suggestions?

Interesting posts here - thanks for weighing in.
1)
The CZ rep is suggesting I go with the CZ 452 lefty.
The newer 455 has some changes, but the 452 is still a solid rifle.
And I think I can find one within Canada (did you know there's a US$250 fee to have a rifle imported from the US! plus processing fee for the paperwork)
2)
Btw - the list for the Browning T-Bolt Varmint in 17 HMR is CAN $800 (tax not incl)!
I'm not dishing out for a nice wood finish that I'll scratch up anyway - good gun or not.
3)
What would be an essential 17 HMR vs 22 Mag comparison - ex, noise, availability, cost, uses, clean/dirty, etc?
4)
I have read that a bolt action is more accurate, reliable, and clean than a semi-auto.
Do you all agree, and can someone explain the clean part?
And is a good semi-auto, with a good shooter (not saying I am) that different for accuracy - even for just plinking and groundhogs under 200 yards?
 
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Have you been able to locate a CZ 452 american .17 HMR in left hand that might be a feat in itself, not too sure how easy they are to find here in Canada these days.

P&D enterprises lists their synthetic left hand .17HMR T-bolts for $715 btw.
 
Chem said:
Have you been able to locate a CZ 452 american .17 HMR in left hand that might be a feat in itself, not too sure how easy they are to find here in Canada these days.
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True - I'm on it now.
Will report back if I find one, and which finish it is.
 
I found one in .22LR at wolverine, not that it helps, but does price check what it might cost, its listed for $645.
 
microscope said:
Interesting posts here - thanks for weighing in.
4)
I have read that a bolt action is more accurate, reliable, and clean than a semi-auto.
Do you all agree, and can someone explain the clean part?
And is a good semi-auto, with a good shooter (not saying I am) that different for accuracy - even for just plinking and groundhogs under 200 yards?
Click to expand...

Clean, meaning rimfire semi autos operate using a blow back action. In that the energy from the round being fired is used to cycle the action by pushing it backwards. There is no lock-up in this type of action so there is some blow back of gas and powder residue that makes its way back into the action making it dirty. With a bolt action, there is very minimal powder and residue making its way back into the action as it is closed the entire time when a bullet it fired. If your're still a little unsure, just watch a slow motion video of a 10/22 being fired on youtube and you'll be able to notice what I'm talking about.
 
Per: Microscope: ...Btw - the list for the Browning T-Bolt Varmint in 17 HMR is CAN $800 (tax not incl)!
I'm not dishing out for a nice wood finish that I'll scratch up anyway - good gun or not.

Paid $735.00 for mine. They threw in the beautiful wood for free!
 
Thanks to all.
I put an order in for a CZ 452 American lefty in 17 HMR.
Looks like $650 ish CAN.
I guess the Browning wasn't so much after all : )

Suggestions for a good scope under $200 for groundhogs and target under 200 yards?
Would like to see the paper holes.
 
this may be late but i love to throw in info when i can.
i was looking to move up to a 17HMR from the 22 platform recently.
i had the opportunity to shoot my dads new 17.
after shooting that all afternoon i decided that i would skip the 17 and go directly to the .223 in a bolt action as i already have it in semi (AR's and mini 14's).

my thinking was that there isnt to much more i can do with a 17 that i cant already do with my 22's and if i want the extra punch that the 17 offers i can get that and more from the 223.
that and the price of the rounds pushed me over to the 223.

2nd thing, shooting left in rifle.
im a lefty myself and a couple years ago i decided that i would treat myself and finally pick up a left handed shooter after 30 years of shooting.
after shooting my 2 left handed rifles for 3 years now i can honestly say i wasted my money.
im more comfortable shooting a right handed gun left handed.
the reason being that i like to keep my trigger hand in place and use my support hand to cycle the action.
i found that when i shoot my left handed guns im constantly taking my eye off my glass to cycle the gun, not sure why.
but i know my accuracy really took a hit when i switched over to the left handed guns.
ive since stopped 'treating myself' and just pick up the right handed guns and shoot them left.

dont know if any of that will help.

oh, and my left handed bolt 22 i picked up was the Savage BTVSS in left and the 17HMR i shot was the same Savage BTVSS but in right.
 
It comes down to what is comfortable with shooting.
In your case you get distracted shooting lefty.
I find the same for righty.
It's whatever feels natural.
 
hometownhero said:
Just shoot a right handed gun. I'm a lefty and can't stand to use a left handed gun.
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And THIS would be the blindingly obvious solution. Left hand rifles are a total waste of time and completely unnecessary. Been lefty all my life and never owned a left handed rifle.

Converting to shoot right handed is STUPID! Just shoot a right handed rifle off your left shoulder.
 
I guess I triggered (no pun intended) some people with this thread title.
Had no idea people felt so strongly about the subject.
What's it to people if someone prefers shooting a left-handed gun?
It's actually pretty funny.
Reminds me of kids who used to write left-handed in school - the teacher would be all weird about it and try and bully them into switching hands.
To each their own I say.
 
microscope said:
I guess I triggered (no pun intended) some people with this thread title.
Had no idea people felt so strongly about the subject.
What's it to people if someone prefers shooting a left-handed gun?
It's actually pretty funny.
Reminds me of kids who used to write left-handed in school - the teacher would be all weird about it and try and bully them into switching hands.
To each their own I say.
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I concur. Its your money, if you want a left handed gun go ahead and buy one, which you did, which is good. Where did you find one in the end if you don't mind sharing your source?
 
microscope said:
Thanks to all.
I put an order in for a CZ 452 American lefty in 17 HMR.
Looks like $650 ish CAN.
I guess the Browning wasn't so much after all : )

Suggestions for a good scope under $200 for groundhogs and target under 200 yards?
Would like to see the paper holes.[/QUOTE

bushnell, vortex, nikon and redfield make decent scopes in around the $200 price range. My only suggestion is that if your shooting paper occasionally under 100yds you may want something with AO(adjustable objective) or side focus. I started with a vortex diamondback on my t-bolt but ended up putting a bushnell elite on later because it had side focus.
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if your near a Cabela's go in and have a look at their house brand of optics.
Pine Ridge is what they are called.
i have a couple, they are inexpensive and for the money i consider them to be the best on the market (for the price).
 
I'm not near one but will check them out online.
Only thing is shipping could make it less of a draw depending on price/avail.
 
Quick question - what's the point of clicking on Reply to a specific post if it doesn't seem to identify which one you replied to?
Am I getting that right?
Is there a fix for that - would rather not click on Reply With Quote?
I guess another option is to just include their profile name at the start : )
Although there could be several exchanges and it may not be clear what you are referring to that way.
 
hometownhero said:
On my 452 hmr I have a vortex voter 3-9x40 and can see the 17 cal holes in paper at 100 with it.
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Would you say 3-9x40 is a good one for my situation - ie. out to 200 yards for paper and gophers? Gophers will rarely be more than 150 yards actually.
What do you think about cantgetright's comment:
My only suggestion is that if your shooting paper occasionally under 100yds you may want something with AO(adjustable objective) or side focus. I started with a vortex diamondback on my t-bolt but ended up putting a bushnell elite on later because it had side focus.
Is AO/side focus a good idea?
I would like to be able to do paper under 100 yards - not to mention I can get lucky with a gopher under 100 too.
On the Bushnell site they classify the 3-9x40 Elite scopes as big game hunting scopes - is it still ideal for my situation too?
 
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