Thinking about a .17 HMR

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igotta40

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I've been looking at the Savage 93R17 FXP and Ruger American. Anyone have advice, pros vs. cons of either, other than this Savage has a scope, to help make a decision?

Thanks
 
I got the GLV model of the 93R17. Fun little rifle. When I need to boost my confidence in my marksmanship ability I can take that bugger out and shoot tiny groups that everyone else on this board brags about. Groups that I'm unable to shoot with other rifles. Would like a Ruger single action revolver to go with it. But I'll probably hold out for the 17 wsm when it comes in more offerings. Basically, the Savage 93 in 17 HMR is a small price to pay for a lot of fun.
 
I got a Savage 93, hard to beat, other high dollar guns like CZ but unless you are out for a high dollar gun when something like a Savage will do it,other high dollar .17 hmrs to choose from...and when you got package deal scopes, most of them are cheap cheapglass. get a good scope, don't need a high dollar one, but some medium price optics, that caliber is fun to shoot.
 
Another satisfied Savage 9317 owner. Mine is the TR model with black textured stock. I added a Sightron 4-16x42mm scope. 100 yard groups were pretty good, I did not take the time to measure. Had it out the other day, it was pretty calm so I figured to try some 200 yard shooting with it. Once I got the drop dialed in (about 7" low compared to my 100y zero), I was making fairly consistent hits on a 4x6" gong. Funny thing with the 17, its so small that I couldnt hear the bullet impact the gong, or see the gong move (its 1/2" thick ar500 steel, so pretty heavy), but with the almost complete absence of recoil I could actually see a little puff of dust/paint/bullet come off the gong when I hit it.
 
I'm leaning towards a Savage now, thanks. I have a RAR centerfire already but I've never bought a Savage. Some variety is good.
 
I like savages, but I wouldn't call myself a "fanboy." Having said that, I'm seeing an awful lot of news coming from the SHOT deal about savage's new simi-auto. If I were wanting a .17, and I'm not, I would probably hold off until those hit the market. They call it the savage 17a, or a17, or something like that.
 
My Savage .17HMR shoots half-MOA with XTP's and has proven deadly on small game, varmints and predators up to and including coyotes. It was a lot of gun for $350.
 
I have the Ruger American and couldn't be happier. The stock is very comfortable, the gun is accurate and is easy to carry in the field. The gun itselfcfeels like a center fire. Have read quite a few reports on poor QC with the Savage magazine. The Ruger is a solid and proven design.
 
savage

I've got the left hand thumbhole bolt in stainless with a recent quality scope made for the .17. I regularly shoot ragged hole groups at 100 yds and I do not claim to be a good shot.
I'm under a $500 bill on the gun and scope.
If they're all this good, then I am a fanboy. I'd like the same gun in a .22.
Shoots very flat. I've shot critters at 150+ yds holding over appropriately. DRT.
 
I've got a Savage 9317 wood stock with a 3x9 scope I paid $300 for new. Only shot it once but it put 3 rounds in the size of a dime at 100yds. Great rifle, just wish I had good feet to do all that walking.
 
I've got a Savage 9317 wood stock with a 3x9 scope I paid $300 for new. Only shot it once but it put 3 rounds in the size of a dime at 100yds. Great rifle, just wish I had good feet to do all that walking.
The weather has stopped me from shooting my 22mag as much as I would like to. I have a bunch of old injuries that prevent me from walking on rough terrain. I cannot use my 4 wheeler because it is tearing up my property.

Comparing the 17hmr to the 22mag the 17 looks like the hotrod. But the 17hmr is easily blown off target at ranges under 100 yards. Another issue I have with the 17hmr it is very easily deflected. If you want a low recoil range gun the 17hmr will do the trick. If you have hunting in mind you will find the 22mag much more versatile. I have seen video footage of Iniut indians taking polar bears with a 22mag. A 22 mag will easily take deer with a well well placed head or neck shot. I am not calling the 22 mag a deer rifle in any way. I just pointing how capable the 22 mag can be,

I have a Marlin XT22MR. I cannot recommend the Marlin. It is extremely accurate but the stock is flimsy. Accessories are nowhere to be found. All you can do with the Marlin is take it out of the box and mount a scope on it. I had to be very creative to control barrel harmonics and stiffen the stock.
 
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+1 for the 93R17. I have the BV version. Only other recommendation would be to start budgeting now for better glass. I went cheap when I first purchased my gun and now regret it. She will have decent glass hopefully within the next 2 months.
 
+1 on glass. Get a high quality variable with a pretty high max magnification. You'll need it to see the tiny .17 holes at 100+ yards.
 
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I got this 93R17 GVXP (combo) a few weeks ago but have not tried it yet. I had the thumbhole version a few years ago and sold it to a friend but have regretted that ever since. I can't wait to give this one a try.

I actually had a Ruger American in 17HMR for a short while. I can't say that there was anything wrong with it. I just didn't 'take' to it. It's on consignment right now.
 
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I have the Ruger American and couldn't be happier. The stock is very comfortable, the gun is accurate and is easy to carry in the field. The gun itselfcfeels like a center fire. Have read quite a few reports on poor QC with the Savage magazine. The Ruger is a solid and proven design.
What type of accuracy are you getting with the American?
 
I don't own one, but I shot my dad's 93R17 last week. He couldn't get it to hit anything beyond about 20 yards. It turned out that he had the scope adjusted to where it was hitting about 8" high at 50 yards. I brought it back down to a reasonable level and I was shooting clay pigeons (on the ground) out to about 150 yards. It was a blast! I need to get me one.

The only complaint I have about the gun is the stupid synthetic stock configuration. The gun has absolutely no provision for iron sights, but they put a stock on it that is completely useless when using a scope. I put on a cheap cheek "sock" on it with a 5/8" pad underneath and it's close enough. I'm trying to talk my dad into putting a different stock on it, but I can't find a used wood stock, which has the right comb profile, and he doesn't want either of the boyds stocks because they both "look like they should be shooting laser beams instead of bullets." ;)

I'm still working on his magazine to get it to feed consistently without all of the rounds shooting out the top at the same time. I've heard that that is a common issue with these.

It's topped with a Bushnell 3-9x40 that works well. He got it for shooting pot guts (ground squirrels) to keep their burrows from contributing to ditch and dike wash-out on the farm.

Matt
 
So far I did a basic sight in to take it hunting. Haven't measured groups yet but it is right around .75" for a five shot group.
 
I have savage laminated with adjustable trigger. I like it for what it is. Fun and inexpensive to shoot.
 
My vote is go with the Savage. I don't own a 17hmr but do have a Savage Mark II in 17Hm2. I'm like CLP, if I get discouraged by my shooting, I grab the 17.
 
I bought one like this at cabelas on sale last spring. I love it to death when I get home this weekend I'll take a picture of my actual rifle and the goodies I've added :D
 

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I cannot comment on a Savage 17 HMR but I can comment on the older Marlin 17V 17HMR I have as well as the Savage Mk2 BV 22 I once had.

First, I don't like the AccuTrigger. It is OK though and the Savage is a highly accurate rifle. People tout the CZs to no end but when you can put a dozen shots on a dime at 75 yds I don't think anyone has much to say anymore about any rifle. I try not to get to caught up in accuracy gibberish though. Pinpoint accuracy is overrated and not really needed in the real world.

On to the Marlin 17V. It can also put rounds on a dime at 75. More so than the Savage. The Marlin has a Timney trigger though which is much nicer than the AccuTrigger and greatly contributes to this Marlin's accuracy.

You will be served well by any Savage rimfire and especially so with the 17 HMR cartridge. I am a big fan of it.
 
Love the 17 HMR, but would never by a "combo" with scope included. Have seen too many folks throw away the cheap scope and waste time and money, Not much of a fan of the Accutrigger, but the one I have (22 Hornet) is not bad. Welcome to the 17HMR fan club.
 
My son loves his Savage 93. It can pick a gnat off of a horse's ass. We did have an issue with the bolt seizing, so we sent it in to the customer service and they're going to replace it at their cost. It's a beautiful rifle and fantastically accurate.
 
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