Do I need a 17 Rem and a 204 Ruger?

[yorketransport]

I'm cleaning out my gun safe and I need to make a call on which of these guns sticks around.

Gun #1 is a Rem 700 BDL in 17 Rem. I like the gun, it's one of the only blued steel, wood stocked guns left  in the safe. It shoots well, but I spend more time cleaning it than shooting. After about 15 shots accuracy starts to drop off if I don't clean the bore. It would make a pretty nice donor action for a future build, but I don't have time to start another project right now.

Gun #2 is a Savage 16 in 204 Ruger. This has been my work horse varmint gun for a few years now. I carry this one with me every time I go into the woods outside of big game season. It shoots very well, it's as weather resistant as a rifle can get, and it has never failed to put a critter down in a hurry (poor porcupines ). This action has been shuffled back and forth between a few different calibers but it always ends up back as the 204.

So what's the general opinion? Does the 17 Rem do anything that the 204 doesn't do better? I'm happy with one or the other, but I don't see a need for both. I could use the room in the safe for something more interesting, like another 338.

Andrew

[high country]

Got a bunch of ammo stock piled?

[coachcw]

sounds like you made up your mind

[yorketransport]

Got a bunch of ammo stock piled?

I got about 100 rounds of 17 Rem ammo with the rifle. There's still probably 20-30 left. I never bought reloading dies for it because I was never sure how long I would keep that barrel on the gun. I just couldn't stop thinking that this gun would make a great starting point to build off of.

sounds like you made up your mind

Not completely, but I am leaning towards the 204 just because I'm more of a Savage guy. There's still a chance that somebody can convince me that the 17 is a better caliber.
Andrew

[wraithen]

Yeah he did. Sounds like he always needs that .204 and the .17 is a pita. Sounds like he's just trying to get someone to tell him to get over the traditional looking gun.

[yorketransport]

Yeah he did. Sounds like he always needs that .204 and the .17 is a pita. Sounds like he's just trying to get someone to tell him to get over the traditional looking gun.

I haven't shot anything with the 17 yet, so I just don't know how well it performs on game. If anybody has some first hand experience I'd love to hear it.  And I like to think of the 17 as more of a labor of love.

Andrew

[Kola16]

Yeah he did. Sounds like he always needs that .204 and the .17 is a pita. Sounds like he's just trying to get someone to tell him to get over the traditional looking gun.

the truth hurts 

[wraithen]

Me personally, I'd take the .204. Enough power to reach out and get small critters and within closer distance enough punch to take a yote. If you wanna tinker with the action then keep both! Sounds like that .17 bbl needs to be scrapped or may be salvageable. 

[FC]

Yeah he did. Sounds like he always needs that .204 and the .17 is a pita. Sounds like he's just trying to get someone to tell him to get over the traditional looking gun.

I haven't shot anything with the 17 yet, so I just don't know how well it performs on game. If anybody has some first hand experience I'd love to hear it.  And I like to think of the 17 as more of a labor of love.

Andrew

I've not shot a 17 Remington myself but I'm familiar with the ballistics, it should be absolutely devastating on varmints and incredibly flat shooting within it's range. Clean the bore every 10 and it won't be such a pain and will maintain better accuracy, they are known for needing frequent cleaning.

Sounds to me like you need a bigger safe.

[yorketransport]

Yeah he did. Sounds like he always needs that .204 and the .17 is a pita. Sounds like he's just trying to get someone to tell him to get over the traditional looking gun.

the truth hurts 

It really does, but you don't have to rub it in!

Me personally, I'd take the .204. Enough power to reach out and get small critters and within closer distance enough punch to take a yote. If you wanna tinker with the action then keep both! Sounds like that .17 bbl needs to be scrapped or may be salvageable. 

I'm not sure if it's just the barrel on my gun or if the 17 calibers are really that sensitive to bore fouling. The groups don't completely open up, but they go from about .75" to around 1" after 15 or so shots.

Andrew

[yorketransport]

Sounds to me like you need a bigger safe.

My safe is the only thing keeping my gun addiction in check. I promised my self that I would only have as many as I can fit in the safe. I've even cheated by keeping some of them in pieces on the work bench. Besides, I don't think I can get a bigger safe into the house.

Andrew

[wraithen]

You should scope the bore and see what it looks like. I've heard problems with their accuracy when fouled but a gun needing that much love (every 10 rounds) is kinda like a dog that bites me. Got no use for it. Some people are very loyal to the cartridge though

[FC]

Sounds to me like you need a bigger safe.

My safe is the only thing keeping my gun addiction in check. I promised my self that I would only have as many as I can fit in the safe. I've even cheated by keeping some of them in pieces on the work bench. Besides, I don't think I can get a bigger safe into the house.

Andrew

Hahaha! I can sympathize! That 17 Rem is kind of a dead and gone cartridge for the most part these days, I don't think many wanted to deal with such frequent cleaning. The only reason you can shoot so much from a 17 hmr comparatively is because of the much lowered muzzle velocity it doesn't foul so badly as it's 4000+fps cousin.

[high country]

Whatcha want for it?

[204chucknorris]

I would keep the 204 personally. I have one just like yours and it does great work o the coyotes, sage rats, and what ever else. The 17 seems to be high Maintence and somewhat restricted on larger animals simply due to bullet weight. Just my 2cents.

[yorketransport]

Whatcha want for it?

I'm not sure. I'll come up with a number and shoot you a PM.

Andrew