.17 WSM... Anyone?

[Vo2max]

Wondering if anyone's had good/bad experiences? Looking at the Savage B Mag Target version to work on shot mechanics at a cheaper cost than my $3/shot 7 mm Rem Mag. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Erik

[dreamunelk]

Do a search on this site and check out reviews.  The BMAG has not scored will.  check ammo availability.  You may find other calibers that will suit your need.

[Vo2max]

No search results for .17 WSM nor BMag

[dreamunelk]

Strange, searched and could not find.

I know I asked a similar question a while back.  The reply's convinced me not to buy one.

As I side note I purchased a mini 30 for similar reason.  Absolutely love the thing.  Having so much fun shooting open irons and playing with ammo that I am leaving it with open irons.  So far the cheap ammo works and is pretty accurate with the ammo intended for the mini 20.   looking forward to reloading for it.

[Kurt_S]

I had one but not for very long.  Accuracy was inconsistent.  I had the skinny barrel though. My advice would be to go with a 17hmr or bolt action 223.

[jburkett]

I had one and only put about 20 rounds through it. The accuracy  was just ok.  The reason I lost interest in the rifle was out of those 20 rounds in had an additional  4 that failed to fire.  The primer strikes were all consistent, so I blame cheap ammo.  The rifle sat in my safe for a year untouched and I decided to sell it just two weeks ago. My advice go buy a .223 in a axis  for the same money and have a reliable, moderately accurate training rifle

[CAMPMEAT]

I have one, put a Boyds stock on it and had it centered in the stock and it shoots lights out. Mine is the pencil barrel one. Buy the bull barreled one and you should be good to go.. I have tons of ammo.

I just bought the Armscor/Rock Island Armory 22 TCM and that should be alot better. 2800 fps out of a 22 inch barrel. I'll get it Wednesday. That round will be hell on varmints

[b23]

I bought a Savage HB SS that came with the POS plastic stock about nine months ago, it's the same gun as the Target version except for the stocks being different.

Before I ever fired a single round, I bought a Boyds Pro Varmint stock and had it bed to the barreled action.  While it was at the gunsmiths I had two inches cut off the barrel and had it threaded for suppressor use.  I also scrapped the 2pc weaver scope mount and used a 1pc rail I got from DIP Inc.  I'm always a fan of 1pc rails and put them on everything, I think it adds rigidity to the action and since I run a can screwed on the end of the barrel, I figured the action could use the extra support.

Whether you bed it yourself or have it done by a gunsmith, these things are kind of a PITA to bed, so don't be surprised if your gunsmith asks you to never bring him another, the only thing you can really bed is around the front action screw.  Some people bed the first few inches of the barrel and use those barrel grooves as sort of a recoil lug.  I'm typically not a fan of anything touching the barrel but from what I've read the guys bedding the first few inches of barrel are having good luck too.  Even know one guy that beds the full length of the barrel and claims that works best for him.

I had a Vari X III 4.5-14x40AO sitting on the shelf collecting dust so that got put on my 17 WSM.  When it was all done and sighted in, shot two groups with it and both were right at 1/2 MOA. 

The Bmag has some, IMO, really goofy designs about it that I absolutely hate, floppy weird bolt handle, the end cap on the bolt is cheesy and those stupid looking barrel grooves are just flat out fugly, but I certainly can't complain about how it shoots and it definitely has much more pop on sage rats, especially at distance, than my HMR does and I like the Pro Varmint stock better than the thumbhole stock on my HMR.  The Pro Varmint from Boyds feels a lot like the A5's I have on a couple of my centerfires.

Also, some of the Bmags had issues with having excessive head space so I bought a set of Go/No Go gauges from PT&G for the 17 WSM.  I'm not sure if I was just lucky or if it's more of an "internet" issue and was never that big of a problem but mine checked out spot on.  Regardless, the Bmag is very easy to adjust headspace and if you get a Bmag and want to check yours PM me and I'll loan you mine.

I've also had a few ftf's but so far, every one of the ftf I've had I was able to turn the cartridge a little, rechamber, and they fired fine. 

I never shot my Bmag before I had the barrel shortened two inches and threaded so I can't compare apples to apples but I did chronograph it since and it Avg. 2984fps with a ES of 24fps and that was with AE 20 grainers with my TBAC can screwed on the end. 

There is a gunsmith in Driggs Id. that specializes in Savage rifles and their rimfires, too.  I talked to him on the phone and he can get the trigger down quite a bit lower and smoother than what they'll adjust down to from the factory.  I'm going to be sending him my Bmag and Sav. 93 17HMR to have some trigger work done on.

[Vo2max]

Thank you for the help everyone!
While I really like the idea of the .17 WSM I think that the .223 bolt action may be my next purchase based on the above. Admittedly, I want to take this thing out of the box and get to work w/o a lot of time and more $$ invested in this practice/training only rifle. I've got too many damned expensive hobbies!!!
Thanks again.

[b23]

I don't think you can ever go wrong with a 223 but if you're looking for something in the small caliber range, have you taken a look at the CZ 527 in 17 Hornet? 

[Vo2max]

I looked at the CZ you're referencing... If it's the same rifle I've seen I'd be more apt to be able to build a custom AR-15 .223 for a similar price. Now it looks like that's the route I'm going before I'm not able to do so after these politicians decide to ban their production. Never thought I'd see the day when we have to horde such weaponry d/t ignorant idiots.

[Eric M]

The best shooter I have ever known returned the first one and got a different one. The second one was only slightly better. When a guy that puts bullets in the same hole with every gun he owns tells me to pass I passed. I was excited about buying one when I first heard about them. Glad I waited. Maybe consider a 17 HMR, a 20 PPC or a vartarg.

[rasbo]

I love mine,and it shoots well for me..But its a closer range gun foresure,ammo is never a problem