New rifle, maybe?

[RAF]

Well it's almost spring and you know the old saying, In spring a young mans fancy turns to thoughts of a new rifle . At least I think it goes like that . Anyway I've heard so much about the 17 HMR that I thought I'd have a look. It's been about a years since I bought a new rifle, so what the heck. They have lots to chose from and was shown a whole bunch of different Savages. The one I like is a stainless, laminate, thumb hole stock. At $379 thought it might be what I want. If I decide to go ahead with it I'll have to figure out how to get it past my wife .

[RAF]

I should have added that it a model 93R17BTVS with accu trigger. Checked Savage site and they have it for $428

[wilmsmeyer]

RAF,

What will you be using it for?

I own a NEF single shot in 17 HRM. It's a very neat cartridge which you probably know all the specs on.

I have taken crows, chipmunks, red & grey squirrels, a few rabbits and a pile of woodchucks with this gun. It absolutely renders little things into mincemeat with just about any of the various ammo out there.

For chucks, body shots bring various results from dumping them outright to a slow lumbering crawl back to the hole. Kinda like a behind the shoulder shot on a deer.

The best ammo for the chucks I've seen is the 20 FMJ. It still comes apart but not as violently and almost always dumps them with a center mass hit. The 20 XTP is also good.

Anyhow, tell your wife that she's got another cruise coming her way. Then mention those pesky canadian red squirrels that are getting into the house.

[RAF]

Gee I don't know what I'm going to use it on. Gophers I suppose, maybe some Jack rabbits. Tin can of course and some paper. I'm told they'll take coyotes at a reasonable range but if I go out looking for coyotes would likely take the 22-250. But you never know when one doesn't happen by . That's happened a few times the past few years when I happened to be holding my 10ML.
Mainly I think it's a neat little gun and might be fun to plink with on outings in the country.
You mentioned red squirrels. Don't have any around the house but lots at the cabin at the lake but it's a game preserve, discharging firearms in the park is illegal and worst of all my wife has made pets of the ones around our place .

[RAF]

Took the plunge today and bought it. Had to pick up a cleaning rod because nothing I have will fit in the 17. Tomorrow I'll clean it real good and mount and bore sight the scope. Then it's wait for the snow and ice at the range to melt so I can get out there. Waiting is going to be tough.

I'll post a picture when it's all together.

[whyohe]

raf youll love the carterage. its great to take to the range to shoot when you are waiting for the MLII to cool.

[RAF]

Got the rifle cleaned and scope mounted. Originally thought I'd use a spare I had but then thought it would look funny with blued scope and blued rings. I picked up a stainless scope in 3 - 9 and high rings. Unfortunetly my laser bore sighter won't work with this rifle. Bore is to small. Will take it back to the gun shop and let them bore sight it for me. I posted a picture in Photo section.

[redneckrob]

i have been interested in getting a 17 hmr but i just can't make up my mind between savage , remington, marlin, ruger,NEF, 17,hmr,17 fireball , 204 ruger, 243, 375 ruger ( elephants are getting thick on the hill behind the house), 45-70. there are just too many guns and calibers to choose from, i can't help myself i want them all. too bad i'm not rich!!!

[Rifleman]

So far I have found the Savage and Markin 17's to be good for the money, a heavy barrel ruger was a huge disappointment, but a CZ beat them all. Now keep in mind I have not shot alot of each, but I was really surprised how well the CZ shot.

[minst7877]

Make sure you try all the different brands of bullets for this. My Marlin 17VS will shoot the Hornady and Remington's interchangeably but the CCI's won't group for squat out of my gun.

DC

[redneckrob]

i just bought a marlin 17. WOW i like this gun. a friend of mine knew i was looking for one and found a guy in need of cash so he picked it up for me.

[ozark]

I have been using the Marlin for a couple of years but I am sure other brands would be just as accurate. IMO this is the best cartrridge that has come out in years for fun and accuracy. I have taken a variety of critters with it out past 150 yards but I think 150 is about as far as one would want to shoot it. Mine made the .22 LR and the .22 Mag. obsolete. Try filling a coke can with water and put a bullet through it. You will see water vaporized and a can exploded. They make a hard nosed 20 grain bullet but I use the 17 grain. It is great. No recoil, no big boom and accuracy second to none. Mine will literally stack bullets at 50 yards. I think most will do that. You will love that rifle. Ben