.17HMR Rifles-Any recommendations?

MTC(SS)Ret

MTC(SS)Ret

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I enjoy spending time at the range with my 22LR rifles, a Tippman M4-22 and a Lakefield MK2 bolt action. I want to be able to extend my shooting distances past the normal 22LR limits and have been considering stepping up to the 17HMR. I'm not looking to spend a bunch of money on any of the "precision" rifles that are out there, I wanted to start out at the "entry level" for rifle and scope ($600-700 range). I have been checking out the Savage B17 and A17, Ruger American Rimfire, and possibly the CZ-457 if wallet allows.
I would appreciate comments/recommendations on these rifles any of you may have and also any suitable scopes.
Thanks
 
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I use a CZ 452 in .17HMR for my prairie dog shoots here in Montana, what a rifle!!

Not made anymore, the 457 is now the flagship of their rimfire line up. Great rifle as well.

The Ruger American is also a great choice as well as the Savage.

Ammo is now very expensive however.

Get whatever feels the best and is in stock.

Put some nice optics on it and away you go!! Mine uses a Nikon Monarch...

Randy
 
growr said:
I use a CZ 452 in .17HMR for my prairie dog shoots here in Montana, what a rifle!!

Not made anymore, the 457 is now the flagship of their rimfire line up. Great rifle as well.

The Ruger American is also a great choice as well as the Savage.

Ammo is now very expensive however.

Get whatever feels the best and is in stock.

Put some nice optics on it and away you go!! Mine uses a Nikon Monarch...

Randy
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, Randy. I had a CZ457 in my hands at a LGS a few months ago and I agree it's a fantastic choice. IIRC it was $549. I've also read good reviews on the Savage 93R17, B17 and the Ruger. Not sure about the rotary magazines in the B17 and Ruger though.
 
I bought a Ruger 77/17 in walnut and blue when they first came out. It’s pretty,hefty and accurate right out of the box. I would assume the price on these is a bit high now. I think I paid +380 at Walmart for it back then. They actually ordered it for me.
 
Had a Ruger with synthetic stock. Used it on ground hogs in mountains on our hunt club. Farmer next door put his cows in our big pasture as a trade for hunting on his place. Very accurate as long as little to no wind. Shots were usually 150+ yards. Buddy had one too and remember us buying about 1000 rounds for just over $150, never more…
 
arjay said:
I bought a Ruger 77/17 in walnut and blue when they first came out. It’s pretty,hefty and accurate right out of the box. I would assume the price on these is a bit high now. I think I paid +380 at Walmart for it back then. They actually ordered it for me.
Click to expand...

I also have a 77/17 walnut/blue. Great little rifle.

Looking at past auctions at GB, you'll get at least double for yours, if its in good condition.
 
Found another rifle during my online searching.....a Howa Citadel TRAKR 17hmr with synthetic tactical stock. Found it at Wholesale Hunter for $235.
Always heard that Howa's are really good Japanese made rifles.
 
I had an Anshutz 64 MPR (Multi Purpose Rifle) in 17 HMR. These guns have a 4 shot, flush fitting magazine. At 100 yards the best lots of ammo gave 80% groups, the best 8 shots were in a 1/4" or better with 2 flyers that took the group to 1/2 or 5/8 inch. If you shot enough 5 shot groups you would come up with a one hole group every 5 or 6 tries. I would go to gun shops that had large quantities of ammo and get one 50 round box of the lot number they had the most of. If it shot well I would buy all of that lot number I could. I ended up with 1500 rounds from a good lot, and still had 300 rounds when I traded the rifle in on a Ruger No1 in 218 Bee.

When it first came out Hornady 20 grain ammo was the best and CCI's was actually loaded by Hornady. I haven't messed with the cartridge in over 12 years, so don't know who is making good ammo.

Hunting story: I had been after a Sow groundhog living under one of my out buildings for two years. One fall day she was standing on her hind legs, eating an apple about 50 yards from my front door. The wife held the storm door open and I fired a kneeling shot into her right shoulder. DRT! (Dead Right There!) But she had a nervous jerk and flew about 5 feet into the air "heals over head" and hit the ground quivering. I placed a second shot into her heart to ensure no suffering but she was long gone!

Back in the early days of 17 HMR, there were magazine reports of 200 yard instant kills. I wouldn't try that kind of distance, but I was confident in all my 150 yard shots.

Ivan
 
I have a Savage 93R17 BSEV. Great shooter, I would like to shoot a CZ just to compare but I am keeping the savage.
 
Although likely more than you want to spend, my 17 is a Volquartsen. Shoots great, but heavy and pricey. If I had it to do over, I’d go with a CZ 457.
 
Can’t speak to the CZ but I have a Ruger American with the mid weight barrel. The only grind I have with it is that it is ammo sensitive to the extreme.
It shoots groups small enough to elicit cries of Bull Sauce at 100 yards but only with CCI A17 ammo. No other ammo shoots near as well out of it.
 
I’ve got a Savage and a Sako in .17HMR. Both guns shoot really well, and .17HMR is an excellent varmit round. The Sako is more accurate, and a very nice rifle, but for practical purposes, they are both excellent in terms of accuracy.

After I bagged my Elk out in New Mexico several years ago, I spent a couple of days with the Savage shooting prairie dogs. I shot several over 200 yards, with the longest shot being over 230 yards. Had to use quite a bit of hold over, but it was right on the money.

At your budget, I wouldn’t hesitate on buying the Savage. I’ve got several CZs in .22, and if it fits your budget, I’d go with a CZ in .17HMR, they’re the best bang for the buck. If you want to invest more, get an Anschutz, and be done with it, they’re awesome rifles. My 64 is bullet in bullet accuracy all day long…
 
Another vote for the CZ. Mine is in 22 mag but if I wanted the 17 HMR I'd definitely look for another CZ.
 
I enjoy my Ruger American. Actually bought the compact for the 18 inch barrel for woods varmints. Added the standard stock module for greater length of pull. Just a thought.
 
Converted 77/22

Probably not the easiest and least costly alternative, but I had great success converting my Ruger 77/22 to 17 HMR. It’s very easy to do with only a replacement barrel, trigger guard and rotary magazine. I used a Shaw barrel. For less than $200 I have a switch-caliber rifle. One day I might add a 22 Mag barrel or 17 Mach I. Very happy with this setup.
 
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