Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 08:35:21 PM

Title: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 08:35:21 PM: Shopping around for a range gem and small varmint smucker. Initially looking at a Savage G B17 Wood Sock or a Ruger American. Do any of you cats have a recommendation for a .17? Thanks. RJ
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Special T on January 16, 2018, 08:40:34 PM: Brother in law has a savage with accutrigger. It's a killer. Each seems to like a specific kind of ammo. Once you figure it out, but at bi mart every time they are on sale! His really likes the Hornady ballistic tip 17grain. A buddy of his like the CCI 20 grain FMJ 2c

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Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: redi on January 16, 2018, 08:49:06 PM: I have several savage 93's and they tear sage rats up.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Tracker0721 on January 16, 2018, 08:55:26 PM: My savage 93 loved Hornady 17 vmax and my B17 loves cci 17 vmax. They both are awesome grouping with either but their preferred ammo gives me penny groups at 100 yards. I will say that the standard wood stock sucks but the ones with Boyd’s are pretty good. Boyd’s tacticool aka pro varmint would be my choice
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 09:02:37 PM: Good stuff guys, thanks. Anyone have any comments/history with the Ruger?
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 16, 2018, 09:22:47 PM: My opinion is buy the Savage 93R17 BVSS (the one with stainless steel bull barrel and the laminate stock). Mine is a sage rat killing machine-all day at 150 yards and my personal best 2 years ago was 203 yards. If this was the only gun they sold I'd be a spokesman for them. Well, the A17 is pretty fun also.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 16, 2018, 09:25:21 PM: Quote from: Special T on January 16, 2018, 08:40:34 PM
Brother in law has a savage with accutrigger. It's a killer. Each seems to like a specific kind of ammo. Once you figure it out, but at bi mart every time they are on sale! His really likes the Hornady ballistic tip 17grain. A buddy of his like the CCI 20 grain FMJ 2c

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My son has a Marlin, it loves these bullets as well. I’ve shot starlings at some pretty hard to do shots with them.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 09:26:47 PM: Quote from: Eric M on January 16, 2018, 09:22:47 PM
My opinion is buy the Savage 93R17 BVSS (the one with stainless steel bull barrel and the laminate stock). Mine is a sage rat killing machine-all day at 150 yards and my personal best 2 years ago was 203 yards. If this was the only gun they sold I'd be a spokesman for them. Well, the A17 is pretty fun also.

Thanks Eric. What kind is scope do u use on that 93R17? I know, a whole nother thread ;).
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 16, 2018, 09:38:39 PM: Quote from: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: Eric M on January 16, 2018, 09:22:47 PM
My opinion is buy the Savage 93R17 BVSS (the one with stainless steel bull barrel and the laminate stock). Mine is a sage rat killing machine-all day at 150 yards and my personal best 2 years ago was 203 yards. If this was the only gun they sold I'd be a spokesman for them. Well, the A17 is pretty fun also.

Thanks Eric. What kind is scope do u use on that 93R17? I know, a whole nother thread ;).
Haha. At first I just had this $100 "caliber specific" scope with the name of a local sporting goods outlet on it. That worked fine until the reticle came apart after shooting 500 rounds in 2 days. Then I was just using a Leupold 3-9X40 VX1 which did fine, but my eyes are getting old so I got a Vortex 6.5-20X50 for it. I'm not super sold on Vortex scopes but for the kind of shooting I'm doing with it (mostly targets and off a bench for rats) I'm sure it'll be a great scope, but I haven't shot it with that one yet.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 09:55:55 PM: Thanks for your comments Eric M.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Tracker0721 on January 16, 2018, 09:59:40 PM: My dad has the Ruger American or whatever it’s called. His likes Hornady 17 vmax. Sweet shooter and a nice trigger. He doesn’t let me shoot it much though haha
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 16, 2018, 10:01:36 PM: Quote from: WapitiTalk1 on January 16, 2018, 09:55:55 PM
Thanks for your comments Eric M.
:tup:
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: winshooter88 on January 16, 2018, 11:57:54 PM: I had the first Ruger bolt action stainless 17 HMR sold in town and with a little trigger work it was great. then I had a CZ that also shot great after a little trigger work. They were both great rifles, then I got the Savage stainless with the bull barrel and thumbhole stock with the Accutrigger.
The Savage out shoots both of the others hands down, I shoot the 20 grain Hornady hollow points and head shots are easy. In my oinion the Savage is the one to get.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 17, 2018, 12:34:10 AM: how far 17hmr with coyote?thinking of getting one for the wife.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: winshooter88 on January 17, 2018, 02:00:47 AM: I think the 17HMR is really a marginal round for use on coyotes, with excellent shot placement it will kill them but there are much better choices available for coyotes that are far more humane and won't cause the suffering that a 17HMR can inflict. Even on coyotes we should try to respect them and cause the least suffering possible.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: headshot5 on January 17, 2018, 05:20:32 AM: Quote
Shopping around for a range gem and small varmint smucker. Initially looking at a Savage G B17 Wood Sock or a Ruger American. Do any of you cats have a recommendation for a .17? Thanks. RJ

I've shot a couple of the ruger americans in .17hmr, and one in 22 mag. If you get the one with the bull barrel they are sweet shooters. They shoot as good as you can hold.

Here is a link to the one I'm talking about.
https://ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/specSheets/8353.html (https://ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/specSheets/8353.html)

Also, the triggers are extremely easy to work on.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 06:14:11 AM: Quote from: Oh Mah on January 17, 2018, 12:34:10 AM
how far 17hmr with coyote?thinking of getting one for the wife.
It's not my first choice when hunting coyotes but I've killed 2 inside 80 yards with it. I don't think I'd shoot one any further out than about 100 for coyotes. Just my :twocents: It drops 3 inches at 150 yards, about 10 inches at 200 yards, and 22 inches at 250 yards. At that distance it has lost more than half its velocity.
Also if you're going to shoot coyotes I suggest the 20 grain bullets for better penetration over the 17 grain.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 06:58:10 AM: Go to a 17WSM. Much better than a 17HMR.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Doublelunger on January 17, 2018, 06:59:45 AM: I've got a 93r17 BTV. Bull barrel, boyds thumbhole wood stock. Thing a sage rat slayer! I wouldn't use it for coyotes but I guess some do.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 07:14:28 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 06:58:10 AM
Go to a 17WSM. Much better than a 17HMR.
Can you get 1 moa or less out of it? Initially they didn't seem to be great shooters. I think if I wanted ballistics like that I'd just move up to the 17 Remington fireball and get 3800 fps
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Special T on January 17, 2018, 07:17:35 AM: I belive most of the guys that used the 17hmr in the Kittitas Valley (rim fire restriction) for killing yotes, but that was before the 17wsm

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Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 07:36:17 AM: Quote from: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 07:14:28 AM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 06:58:10 AM
Go to a 17WSM. Much better than a 17HMR.
Can you get 1 moa or less out of it? Initially they didn't seem to be great shooters. I think if I wanted ballistics like that I'd just move up to the 17 Remington fireball and get 3800 fps

I never shot it for MOA, just killing ground squirrels around the house. 70 yard bullseye on them, so I wasn't concerned about dialing it in. I did have it zeroed for 100 yards. Plus it's cheap to shoot.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Biggerhammer on January 17, 2018, 08:23:31 AM: When the chambering first came out. I picked up several, sold or traded my .22 Magnums. Within 3 or 4 years. The .17's were gone and there were two .22 Magnums back in the safe.

I bet the 17HMR would be fun for ground squirrels. As for coyotes, I'll shoot them with anything.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: bolsen on January 17, 2018, 08:26:16 AM: I’ve had a marlin 17hmr for years, shoots awesome! It is pretty light for coyotes, most of the time they run off. Did have a confirmed kill on one at 220 yards once though. I’ve got a 17 hornet as well, that I recommend over anything!!
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: TeacherMan on January 17, 2018, 09:03:31 AM: I've killed wolves, coyotes, wolverine and lynx with them in AK out to 200yds. I only use the 20gr. predator bullets not the polymer tip ones. ZERO fur damage. With that said generally I prefer my 223.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 10:12:10 AM: @wapititalk1 I thought of another brand depending on your taste in rifles. CZ made one a while back where u could change the barrel since 22 mag and 17 have the same chamber. I think u could get a 22 LR barrel for it too. I didn't end up buyhing one because I had my doubts about how they attached and my concerns about accuracy. Having said that I have shot the CZ 22 LR and they are not only wonderful to shoot but beautiful guns.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 10:16:58 AM: Quote from: Biggerhammer on January 17, 2018, 08:23:31 AM
When the chambering first came out. I picked up several, sold or traded my .22 Magnums. Within 3 or 4 years. The .17's were gone and there were two .22 Magnums back in the safe.

I bet the 17HMR would be fun for ground squirrels. As for coyotes, I'll shoot them with anything.
They are fun and accurate for ground squirrels. The 17 grain bullet is the way to go for those little buggers. Funny though I have a place in my safe for the 22 mag as well. I'm no expert but I believe within a certain distance they pack more wallop with the heavier bullet. Maybe out to a 100 yards?
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 10:23:55 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 07:36:17 AM
Quote from: Eric M on January 17, 2018, 07:14:28 AM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 17, 2018, 06:58:10 AM
Go to a 17WSM. Much better than a 17HMR.
Can you get 1 moa or less out of it? Initially they didn't seem to be great shooters. I think if I wanted ballistics like that I'd just move up to the 17 Remington fireball and get 3800 fps

I never shot it for MOA, just killing ground squirrels around the house. 70 yard bullseye on them, so I wasn't concerned about dialing it in. I did have it zeroed for 100 yards. Plus it's cheap to shoot.
Interesting. I really wanted one when they first came out but kind of lost interest when I saw one that just would not shoot an inch at 100 which the manufacturer guaranteed. The rifle was even sent back but it never was a great shooter. Maybe it's time to take another look.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: CastleRocker on January 17, 2018, 11:26:53 AM: We have bunch (7) of them, that we take to shoot Sage Rats with. I've bought and sold probably twice that many...only bought one of them brand new. I keep the ones that shoot the 17gr VMax best, so I only have to buy one brand/type of ammo. They ALL shoot it very well. I've never had a Ruger American, or a CZ but as much as I'd like to try one ...I just can't justify it. We have two that we paid $125 a piece for, and two VQ's that are superbly accurate, but they were a bit more expensive. As far as glass goes, ours all wear very good glass. Best all around Rat caliber out to 150-200yds (depending on wind) in my opinion.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: b23 on January 17, 2018, 12:52:13 PM: If sage rats/ground squirrel sized critters are your intended targets the 17 HMR is a great choice but if coyotes are on the menu I'd step up to the 17 WSM. The HB Bmags, especially the ones with a laminated stock, generally shoot very well and cost about the same as the 17 HMR's. I have a SS HB Sav 93/17 HMR with laminated thumbhole stock as well as a HB SS Bmag that I've done a little customizing to and I can tell you first hand, the 17 WSM is definitely the hardest hitting of all the rimfires. I don't particularly see a great deal of difference between the WSM and the HMR when the shots are under 100 yards but when you start shooting stuff 100+ and further, the WSM hits noticeably harder and has a higher splat factor. This is my Bmag, I nearly always shoot it suppressed but it has the thread protector on in this pic.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: cohocrazy on January 17, 2018, 02:22:48 PM: I have the Savage B17. It is very accurate and has a great trigger. I've killed 2 coyotes in my yard with it in the last couple months. They go on sale at Cabela's occasionally. I picked mine up about 6 months ago for about $240.00.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: C-Money on January 17, 2018, 03:21:05 PM: I like the Marlin .17hmr. Tossed a $50 Tasco 3x9x40 on it. Shoots great. Will put 3 rounds in a clover leaf pattern touching, consistently @ 100. I shoot the Hornaday 17gr loads the most, though I have tried all kinds of brands, the zero dosen't change enough to worry about. Even the 20gr loads shoot very similarly. They are so very accurate, and fun!
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Shoofly09 on January 17, 2018, 03:39:37 PM: 17 is a rat killing machine out to 150 yards. Pretty significant bullet drop after that.

I have an A17, no issues with it feeding and ejecting the CCI ammo.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: b23 on January 17, 2018, 04:11:04 PM: Garrow Development, entered the 17 HMR market a few months back and they make a pretty slick running gas operated upper for AR's in 17 HMR. I talked to someone that got one to play with and take shooting to do a review and they were pretty impressed with not only how well it shot but how well it functioned.

The Garrow upper certainly isn't cheap at $599 but it is a complete upper kit and comes with two 10 rnd mags. I believe the barrel is already threaded as well.

https://garrowdev.com/
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 17, 2018, 06:38:05 PM: Now I’m digging into the .17 WSMs a bit. Hot looking round :).
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: Bob33 on January 17, 2018, 06:47:13 PM: My CZ has dispatched hundreds of prairie dogs. The 17 HRM is an awful lot of fun.
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2018, 06:59:09 AM: Look at the Rock Island 22 TCM. 9mm necked down to a 22.. I have one in their 1911 A-1 and the rifle..
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: jasnt on January 18, 2018, 07:20:27 AM: Most accurate rifle I ever owned was a Marlin 917vs in 17hmr. Only rifle I ever sold and regretted it
Title: Re: .17 HMR, Thoughts?
Post by: MadMooner on January 18, 2018, 03:13:55 PM: https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/1801051056111