.22 WMR or HMR .17/.17m2

[Prof]

Which of these calibers would be the most accurate at, say, 100 to 150 yards? I am interested in target shooting and have a nice .22LR gun but want something with a bit more "zip" and distance for paper-punching fun. Also, what power scope would you use for that distance and caliber? Thanks!

 

[hksw]

My sample size is small but...

My converted 10/22M to .17HMR shot/shoots circles around its original .22mag chambering and my Win 9422M. Gives my Anschütz 54:18 MSR a run for its money.

 

[Southern Raider]

The 17HMR/17M2 have already distinguished themselves as being very accurate. When coupled with the fact that they have very little drop over your range of interest, it also makes them a good small game/near range varmint cartridge.

I use a 6-24 power scope on my Savage 93.

 

[duckslayer]

I second Southern Raider's comments. 17HMR will do much better for you.

 

[Prof]

I'm convinced! Thank you, gentlemen! .17HMR it is! Oh, now, which rifle? I really like bolt-actions and would prefer not to have to do a trigger job, fix/replace the stock, etc. once I buy it. Is there an .17 HMR rifle that shoots good out-of-the-box?

 

[duckslayer]

I bought a Marlin 917V. It shoots remarkably well, and it was not very expensive...I think it was around $180. The trigger is a little heavy, but that is easily fixed. I have also heard some people were pleased with a Savage model as well, and I believe the cost is similar to the Marlin, but I have no first hand experience with any other 17 rifle.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Be sure to budget for a good spotting scope, because at 150 yards a .17 bullet isn't going to make an easy hole to see.

 

[Prof]

Good point, Hawkmoon. I have that covered.

 

[duckslayer]

Excellent Point!!! Heck, its hard to see at 30 yards.

 

[kudu]

I have a Ruger 77/17 HMR All Weather Version that would shoot 3/8" groups at 75 yards if I did my part. When I was shooting this gun I had not done much rifle bench resting for a while, so I really had to concentrate to get a good group. The worst I had at 75 was about 7/8". I have not shot it further than that from the bench, but have taken a couple of woodchucks with it at 105 and 120 yards.

 

[Prof]

Kudu: Did you have to work over the trigger on your Ruger (I know that their centerfire rifles come with really stiff triggers)? Thanks.

 

[kudu]

The trigger of mine came at about 5lbs. Not great, but it was crisp, I can live with it. I am used to shotguns, so I rarely think about trigger pull, unless it is outrageous. I don't do much rifle shooting anymore. I have a 10/22 that I worked the trigger down to about 3#s, and several other rifles that I keep in the same pound range.

 

[Prof]

Thanks, my experience with Rugers has been about the same. I have a M77 Mk II in .223 that has about the same trigger your's does.

 

[mrming]

I'll have to second the marlin. I did do some post-purchase work. namely I free floated the barrel by sanding heavily under the foregrip, and cleaned up the trigger with some light stoning and replacing a spring (with one out of a BIC mechanical pencil even!).

Trigger is now light and smooth, barrel is free floated. I'm not much in practice but I can still squeeze half inch groups at 100 yards off the bench.

My biggest annoyance with it is the magazine is a little annoying to replace, and a replacement is a pain to find.

 

[duckslayer]

Apologies to Prof for my quasi-hijacking...

mrming, from what pen did you get the spring if you don't mind? I remember on the Marlin forums people talking about it but that was before I got my rifle.

As for the magazines, Cabelas has them, as does cheaperthandirt.com.

 

[mrming]

The spring was out of a cheap BIC mechanical pencil.

just be warned, it reduces the pull weight to 1-2 lbs. It still was heavy enough to keep it drop safe.

 

[duckslayer]

Thanks. I'll try that, and test it a bunch to make sure it won't go off if dropped first.