17HMR rifle suggestions

[Bush Pilot]

I already own several quality 22s and varmint rifles. For some reason I'm wanting a bolt action rifle in 17HMR. Any suggestions on a decent quality rifle, accurate enough for plinking and small varmints out to 125 yards? Any dogs out there to avoid? Thanks

 

[CraigC]

My Savage 93 is good for half MOA with the 20gr XTP. A bit worse with V-Max loads. The .22LR will get you to 125yds, the 17HMR is good for double that. CZ's are also very good. A little more expensive but a little more refined with nice wood as well.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Another vote for the Savage 93. Mine does sub-MOA with Federal 17gr V-Max, around MOA with Hornady.

Test lots of ammo, different rifles like different brands or types.

 

[ricebasher302]

I shoot the cheapest model Savage offers and it's fantastic. Accutrigger is pretty darn good. My buddy shoots a Marlin with a heavier barrel, and it shoots just as good after a trigger spring adjustment. I'm not aware of any that don't shoot well. I would avoid the cheapest wood-stocked Savage. They have a REALLY flimsy plastic trigger guard. As per your plans, the HMR is a superb little 125 yard laser. Tons of fun. I've taken small prairie dogs at 200, but that's a stretch for it.

 

[Radagast]

I have a CZ452 in .17 HMR. MOA from an improvised rest, I have it sighted in at 125 meters and would be more than happy to pot at bunnies at that distance or a little more.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Savage model 93 for a lot less than the CZ, used extra money for optics. I kill lots of big hogs with 20 grain hunting tip ammo. head shots, lung shots, makes jello out of innards if you know their anatomy. got mine as a package deal with cheapo scope, chunked it quick and put a Leupold Rifleman on it (money saved from spendng $$$$ on a CZ)

 

[Gordon]

Tell you what NOT to get: recently spotted a Taurus .17 stainless exposed hammer pump Winchester 62 clone like new for $250 in a LGS. Being I love Browning design .22 pump guns and have quite a few I thought "I gots to have it" . Well these guns are not meant to be scoped , but actually they shoot off hand un rested as good as anything under a freehand rifle for me and are very slick actioned.
I put up a 50 yard dirty bird visable target and proceeded to blow thru $15 dollars worth of ammo in a few minutes with the usual 4" groups I get from these pump. $15 !:banghead:

 

[45crittergitter]

I think any of them at all prices will do what you asked. My Savage does not have the Accutrigger but shoots well if you can work with that. It's pretty much what do you want to spend? Coopers shoot very well, but cost more. Most of the others are in between.