Savage B.Mag 17 WSM

[VAPA]

I recently purchased one of these and mounted a cheap Bushnell 3-9 scope on it, after 3 trips to the range I am disappointed with the groups it is shooting using both the 25 & 20 grain ammo. At 100 yards 3 or 4 rounds will be in a 1+" group and the other 1 or 2 will be 2+ inches away, sometimes a 3" group, very inconsistent. It is a very light and flimsy gun and the barrel heats up fast.
Does anyone have any experience with this firearm?

 

[klausinak]

No experience w/that rifle or cartridge; I can tell you from my experience with 17HMR that those barrels want to be fouled. When I screw up & clean my T-Bolt, it generally takes 50-60 rounds to get the groups back down to where they should be. Maybe yours is the same way??? Sorry I can't be more help.

-Klaus

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Personally, I think it is a cartridge that is not going to be popular since only one manufacturer makes a rifle for it. I see no benefit from this cartridge that you cannot do with a 22 caliber cartridge that has way more choices.

James

 

[35Rem]

It's between the 17 hmr and the a 17 or 22 hornet. Hornet factory ammo is running about $1/shot these days. The 17wsm is about 33-35 cents per?

I'm afraid it's a niche too small to fill. Savage built an in between rifle for it, too

 

[VAPA]

No experience w/that rifle or cartridge; I can tell you from my experience with 17HMR that those barrels want to be fouled. When I screw up & clean my T-Bolt, it generally takes 50-60 rounds to get the groups back down to where they should be. Maybe yours is the same way??? Sorry I can't be more help.

-Klaus

Could be, I have been cleaning the bore between range trips, thanks.

 

[Brian41]

I have the varmint version and it shoots tiny groups for me. Quite an effective caliber for ground hogs and similar critters.
I have found though the slightest wind will open my groups up and just the nature of them. I bought mine when they came out with them more for playing around with than anything. It'll shoot further than my 22lr and 22 mags will but no real practical use for them as far as I can tell.

 

[klausinak]

VAPA-
The most I'll generally do to my 17 HMR is pull a boresnake through it w/a little oil aft of the brush, one & only one pass. Every once in awhile all that Army training kicks in & I very stupidly clean all the copper fouling out of it. The other thing I've noticed with mine is that it is very particular about ammo. It shoots nice groups with just about everything I've shot in it, but a change in brand can move POI as much as 3". And I'm in full agreement w/ Brian41, those little 17's don't buck the wind worth a darn. Hope this helps.

-Klaus

 

[VAPA]

Personally, I think it is a cartridge that is not going to be popular since only one manufacturer makes a rifle for it. I see no benefit from this cartridge that you cannot do with a 22 caliber cartridge that has way more choices.

James

Thanks for your input

 

[VAPA]

It's between the 17 hmr and the a 17 or 22 hornet. Hornet factory ammo is running about $1/shot these days. The 17wsm is about 33-35 cents per?

I'm afraid it's a niche too small to fill. Savage built an in between rifle for it, too

Thanks for your input also

 

[VAPA]

Returned the gun to Savage, CSR gave me a choice, said they will fix or replace my thin barrel version or for $50 send a new heavy barrel version. Since they sounded confident about the cause of the problem I chose to keep the thin barrel.
Time will tell when I get it back....

 

[VAPA]

After 12 weeks at Savage they told me the barrel would be replaced with a different twist, and the bolt modified, 2 weeks later they said the gun was being replaced with a new one.
Looking forward to seeing an improvement.

 

[JohnK]

I've been following the introduction of the WSM, on the rimfire forum.

Early reports, Winchester ammo initially had very wide velocity variations, and was simply inconsistent. Later reports may indicate Winchester fixed the problem.

The savage rifle stocks, are ****. Easily flexed, if a fly lands on the rifle somewhere. I haven't seen a fix, other than if you have a really crappy rubber band stock, it helps to put on a heavy barrel, to lessen the impact.

If CZ, or another quality manufacturer takes on the cartridge, it may fly successfully. Right now, I do NOT want a Savage rifle in this caliber.

I shoot .17 M2, .17 HMR, and my next step up, is my SUPERB CZ .221 Fireball American model. It is the most accurate centerfire cartridge I have ever owned. Lots to love.

That said, if a decent rifle comes out, I would love to add the WSM to my stable.