17HMR for my girl

[BP Hunter]

My girl is 12 years old. She does not enjoy any sports. She loves playing classical piano and is one of the best artist I have ever seen for her age. I have tried her in many sports but does not like any of them. Just a few months ago, I found out that she loved shooting. I bought her a Bushmaster Car 16 and she is loving it. The other week I found out that she could also shoot my Ruger Hawkeye in 25-06 up to 120 yards hitting small bottles consistently. Thiough the 25-06 is not much of a recoil, she said she would stick with the Bushmaster.

I have seen that she can be a good shooter. So I have decieded to get her a bolt action rifle in 17HMR. It has bolied down to either the Savage Model 93 of Mossberg 817. For the 17HMR's, which should I get?

Thanks.

 

[PJSprog]

No experience with the Mossberg, but I have a couple of Savage rimfires; a MkII in .22LR & a 93 in .22WMR. In my opinion, you won't find a better rifle for the money.

 

[pikid89]

If you are not sure she is into shooting a bunch, perhaps a .22lr would be up her alley. Ruger just announced a bolt gun called the American Rimfire, in full size and youth size. Cheaper to shoot and for 250 bucks, darn hard to beat

 

[rodensouth]

I have had excellent results from my Savage 93, but I haven't shot the Mossberg, so I can't make comparisons.

 

[viking499]

Savage over the Mossberg. CZ over the Savage.

 

[ECVMatt]

I would pick the Savage over the Mossberg, but I would also look at the Marlin and the new Ruger American Rimfire as well.

I have had bad luck with Savages: feeding, magazine catch, and extraction. However, lots of guys in my hunting club shoot the Savage rimfires and swear by them.

The magazine on the Ruger is the best rimfire mag I have used. It is affordable, compact, reliable, and holds a decent amount or rounds. The Ruger should be out in .17HMR shortly.

I also like the accuracy of the Marlins, but have not shot any of the new Remington/Marlin rifles.

CZ's are great rifles! They are finished very well, shoot great, and are build like a tank yet remained well proportioned. The safety irritates me and bolt clearance can be an issue with some models, but overall they are solid.
.

 

[splithoof]

Neither. Stick with a decent .22LR bolt rifle; ammo (when it does become more readily available) will be a lot cheaper, easier to find, and just as good as some new whiz-bang rimfire speciality cartridge. Unless she becomes a highly dedicated hunter, who spends lots of time in the field, the .22LR will work very well.

 

[tuj]

one thing, I had an 8yo shoot my 17hmr. While it has no recoil, the noise bothered him. He greatly perferred shooting my Savage MKII in 22lr.

I would suggest going with a 22lr instead. That said, a 17hmr is what convinced my wife to take up rifle shooting (albeit now she shoots a 22lr).

Don't get me wrong, I love the HMR but its not the best rifle for a young one unless they are going to be spending a lot of time on the 100 yard line (in which case it will put AR's to shame.

 

[Walkalong]

You are wearing ear protection, right?


A buddy has a Savage .17 HMR and it shoots great with ammo it likes.

 

[tuj]

You are wearing ear protection, right?

OF COURSE! Especially if there are children. He just was sensitive to the noise of the 17HMR, which is significantly louder than a 22lr bolt action. First experience for him with firearms.

Here's what my Savage 93R17 can do:

 

[Bush Pilot]

If you are not sure she is into shooting a bunch, perhaps a .22lr would be up her alley. Ruger just announced a bolt gun called the American Rimfire, in full size and youth size. Cheaper to shoot and for 250 bucks, darn hard to beat

I purchased one of these Rugers a week ago, great value for the money.

 

[coyote315]

I totally feel your position- my little girl likes a mossberg international, and also likes her .22 savage youth model.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Savage was out at our range and for a few bucks you got to shoot some of their firearms. They had lots to choose from. I was very impressed by the Savage brand. Prior to this I had ignored the brand. Based pn this,I'd likely choose the savage.

 

[BP Hunter]

Thanks for all your responses. I have seriously considered the 22LR but cannot find any friggin ammo. Also, she seems to enjoy hitting targets beyond 100 yards and see water filled bottles explode on impact.

Also, yes, I hope that Ruger comes out with a Ruger American in 17HMR.

 

[vaupet]

As a piano player, she must love precision and concetration with great motorics.
Why not try high presicion air rifle,.
My 14 year old daughter shoots 4 moa OFHAND with her Feinwerkbau 800.

Its much more challenging ( she shoots with 60 grams trigger presure for example), CHEAP (pellets), safe, and produces no noice.

No range needed (garage, basement, backyard) and when she comes to the range she easily outshoots me.

 

[vaupet]

Todays training session 385/400, BETTER THEN 2 MOA
This makes for a very proud daddy

 

[mr.t7024]

Take your daughter to your LGS and have her shoulder each of the firearms mentioned.I understand your your concern with the supply of .22 LR and it is valid concern!

The 17HMR in my opinion is an awesome cartridge. You might have to buy two,your gonna love it also.BTW between Savage and Marlin you can not go wrong. Cliff

 

[zeek96]

Competition 22lr and or comp air gun. If she gets good enough she can get scholarships and college paid for. Works for a lot of kids this way. You can buy a used comp 22lr for her.

 

[pikid89]

If you do manage to find some 22, take her to an Appleseed so she can try her hand at Positional Smallbore style shooting

 

[f100owner]

Earlier this year, I purchased a savage .17 HMR with accutrigger and heavy barrel and installed a sweet 17 scope. Soon after that I purchased a Ruger 10/22 and bought a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire scope for it.
I like shooting both rifles, but at a 100 yards (all I have shot) I just enjoy the accuracy of the savage/.17 so much better. Now I am not great shot, not by a long shot. But for me to put 50 rounds of .17 in a target at 100 yards in an area roughly equal to my fist, I was impressed. With the 10/22, I put a box of 50 in the area the size of my smallish hands.