Winchester Varmint HV Ammunition: 17 WSM

Max Owner said:
Any comment from people who own a WSM?

Accuracy and like stuff? Only seen Savage with a heavy barrel bolt gun.
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I've got the Winchester Xpert 17 WSM with a 16.5" barrel, cerakote (UPC: 048702027109) zeroed at 100m with this exact same ammo. Very lightweight, very accurate (sub-moa all day).

I've sold my CZ 457 17hmr as this has completely replaced it, that's how much I like it. I always hear Turkish QC is a crapshoot, but mines been flawless thus far (albiet only ~75 shots fired lol).

They also make this ammo in 25gr, I've stocked up on a bunch but haven't shot it yet.
 
Max Owner said:
Any comment from people who own a WSM?

Accuracy and like stuff? Only seen Savage with a heavy barrel bolt gun.
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A friend has a Ruger 77/17 in 17 WSM. This ammo is accurate, but really hot in the 20 grain version. Bolt lift is difficult with the 20 grain.

The 25 grain Winchester 17 WSM works better in his rifle.

One unfortunately cannot be picky though. This ammo is like finding a virgin at your local university.
 
Thunderhog said:
A friend has a Ruger 77/17 in 17 WSM. This ammo is accurate, but really hot in the 20 grain version. Bolt lift is difficult with the 20 grain.

The 25 grain Winchester 17 WSM works better in his rifle.

One unfortunately cannot be picky though. This ammo is like finding a virgin at your local university.
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Interesting anecdote... never knew hot ammo could cause difficulty in lifting the bolt? I haven't shot the 25gr yet but no issues on the 20gr stuff, cycles nicely in my Xpert. Also lol on the college comment, so true, that's why I bought a bunch before even getting the rifle!
 
20YearsOfTannerite said:
Interesting anecdote... never knew hot ammo could cause difficulty in lifting the bolt? I haven't shot the 25gr yet but no issues on the 20gr stuff, cycles nicely in my Xpert. Also lol on the college comment, so true, that's why I bought a bunch before even getting the rifle!
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A difficulty in lifting the bolt after firing is one of the first signs of high pressure. It's not the first time I've seen this with the 20 grain Winchester 17 WSM ammunition. They are accurate and very fast, however some 17 WSM rifles do not like them.....:(

I have seen this with Hornady Superformance 17 Hornet centerfire ammunition with the 20 grain V-Max bullet as well. Especially in the Savage Model 25 rifles.
 
Thunderhog said:
A difficulty in lifting the bolt after firing is one of the first signs of high pressure. It's not the first time I've seen this with the 20 grain Winchester 17 WSM ammunition. They are accurate and very fast, however some 17 WSM rifles do not like them.....:(

I have seen this with Hornady Superformance 17 Hornet centerfire ammunition with the 20 grain V-Max bullet as well. Especially in the Savage Model 25 rifles.
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Only had my PAL for a couple years, never knew that so thanks! I don't reload and I guess the stuff I'm shooting isn't super hot.

That Ruger 77/17 WSM blew up on a YouTuber called WHO_TEE_WHO not sure which ammo he was using though but pretty sure it's all made by Winchester. Apparently even the old discontinued ammo was made by them too.
 
20YearsOfTannerite said:
Only had my PAL for a couple years, never knew that so thanks! I don't reload and I guess the stuff I'm shooting isn't super hot.

That Ruger 77/17 WSM blew up on a YouTuber called WHO_TEE_WHO not sure which ammo he was using though but pretty sure it's all made by Winchester. Apparently even the old discontinued ammo was made by them too.
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No worries....:)

I saw that WHO_TEE_WHO video of his rifle blowing up. It was fortunate he wasn't hurt. I would think very hot ammo caused this, but who knows for sure......:unsure:

The older American Eagle and Hornady 17 WSM ammunition was built by Winchester. Today, only Winchester manufactures 17 WSM rimfire ammunition.
 
20YearsOfTannerite said:
Hopefully we get a few more new rifles, I don't see why it couldn't overtake 17 HMR; it's the superior rimfire choice.
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Your right, it is faster & flatter than the 17 HMR, however the 17 HMR has been established way too long. The 17 WSM was and is still plagued with an ammunition shortage. People will never trust there will be enough ammo.

In addition, the 17 Hornet center-fire cartridge has caught on with reloaders and is far superior to the 17 WSM rimfire.

The venerable little 17 HM2 is making a bit of a comeback. This fire cracker has been overlooked and is an awesome 2100 fps 17 grain Hornady V-Max bullet that also kills like the “Hammer of Thor”!….:)
 
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Thunderhog said:
Your right, it is faster & flatter than the 17 HMR, however the 17 HMR has been established way too long. The 17 WSM was and is still plagued with an ammunition shortage. People will never trust there will be enough ammo.

In addition, the 17 Hornet center-fire cartridge has caught on with reloaders and is far superior to the 17 WSM rimfire.

The venerable little 17 HM2 is making a bit of a comeback. This fire cracker has been overlooked and is an awesome 2100 fps 17 grain Hornady V-Max bullet that also kills like the “Hammer of Thor”!….:)
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I meant 17 WSM is the superior rimfire choice in raw numbers, I wasn't comparing it to centerfire which of course wins. I don't really understand the point of 17 HM2, it's more dead than 17 WSM which I'm perfectly fine with considering it's even "worse" than 17 HMR.

The 17 WSM problem is sort of a "chicken and the egg" scenario. Ammo is scarce and expensive (for rimfire) so people aren't really buying it. Or are they not buying it because there aren't many rifles for it? Or are there not many rifles because there isn't enough ammo? Etc... Reality is people vote with their wallets first, which is why 22lr is the king.

Although I do find 22lr quite boring! I understand it's the better choice if you actually want to eat the chicken you just shot, instead of detonating it like TNT lol.
 
20YearsOfTannerite said:
I meant 17 WSM is the superior rimfire choice in raw numbers, I wasn't comparing it to centerfire which of course wins. I don't really understand the point of 17 HM2, it's more dead than 17 WSM which I'm perfectly fine with considering it's even "worse" than 17 HMR.

The 17 WSM problem is sort of a "chicken and the egg" scenario. Ammo is scarce and expensive (for rimfire) so people aren't really buying it. Or are they not buying it because there aren't many rifles for it? Or are there not many rifles because there isn't enough ammo? Etc... Reality is people vote with their wallets first, which is why 22lr is the king.

Although I do find 22lr quite boring! I understand it's the better choice if you actually want to eat the chicken you just shot, instead of detonating it like TNT lol.
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You are correct, the 17 WSM has the best ballistic performance than any other rimfire....:)

17 HM2 was introduced before it's time. Shooting a 17 grain V-max bullet at 2100 fps is devastating on vermin. It has a cult type following, and I just had two brothers who each bought one. Ammunition is less expensive (normally), than 17 HMR. It was designed off the 22 LR Stinger case. But like I said, it came before it's time.

The shooting public can be finicky and hard to encourage to buy new and different calibers.

The 17 WSM had brutal ammunition issues when it first came out. Split cases, ammo that was too hot, and not a great selection of firearms.......:(

Throw in the fact that ammunition is very difficult to find in Canada, and scalpers are asking $50.00 for a 50 round box on Gunnutz and Gun-Post........:(

Oddly enough, I've seen skids of it at Idaho Guns in Athol, Idaho.

The 17 WSM is still an awesome rimfire cartridge, but poor rifle selection, the ongoing ammo shortage in Canada, could push it to obsolescence.....:)

Buy a 17 Hornet and never look back........:)
 
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