Tale of Two Savages

[MacAR]

A few weeks ago, I posted a thread to help my decide between rifles in .222 Remington or .243 Winchester. I decided on a Savage Springfield 840, in .222 with a Bushnell 6x40 mounted. Circumstances prevented me picking it up until this morning. When I got to the local gun enablers, I found another rifle. A Savage 93r17, 17 HMR. It wears a Simmons 3-9x40, and was priced to sell. Needless to say I brought both of them home. Here they are:



The triple deuce makes nice little groups at 50 yards. Three shots touching with boring consistency. The 17 shoots nearly as well. I was pleasantly surprised to find ample (and cheap) stocks of 17 ammo locally, and stocked up accordingly. Neither rifle has drawn blood yet, but I look forward to seeing what each will do since both rifles and both calibers are new to me and I hope they will serve me well enough.

Mac

 

[Ru4real]

That looks like a win win to me!

 

[LoonWulf]

good score!

I think both rounds should be fantastic for short to varminting. We generally shoot bigger stuff with the 17 hmrs that we "should" a lot of guys use them for pigs in settled areas, and I know at least one guy whos shot a few decent size sheep with his.
Im probably going to sell the .17HMR barrel, and the stock .22 barrel for my CZ457, as I don't think ill be using them much since I put the new .22 barrel on. Ill probably end up replacing the .17 with a light weight 93r or something similar.

 

[MacAR]

We generally shoot bigger stuff with the 17 hmrs that we "should"

Seems like a lot of guys here have quit the 22 mag and went to the 17. The fellers I talk to claim the little 17 is murder on varmints. One guy (who lives in town!) uses it on armadillos to excellent effect. Another guy has taken a couple hogs and coyotes with his "snowbird gun". Hence the reason I was interested in trying one. The big selling point for me was that 17 HMR is available here for $15/50 rounds. 22lr is either unavailable or $10/50, and 22WMR is $25/50 if you can find it. The 17 performs well enough on paper, shoots little tiny groups at 50 yards. But, I'm anxious to see what that little 20 grain slug will do to a groundhog.

Mac

 

[LoonWulf]

pop them....like POP! I shot a couple of rats, and a mongoose with my old one, and it literally made them explode. This was a relatively short range...say 75yds or so.

I've shot a few pigs with .17s, and generally prefer to shoot the FMJs, but one of my buddies does just fine with the 17gr plastic tips.

I still prefer the .22Mag for larger animals, but like you said it's something like 20 bucks for a box of ammo, and I can get 17s for as low as 11.

 

[gotboostvr]

I shot one of those 93 17's a few years ago. Me and a group of friends had gone plinking and as we were packing up a guy pulls the little savage out of the truck and remarks that we hadn't even shot it.

Dunno why, but it gets handed to me I look through the 3-9x scope, pick out a pop can laying on its side and put the first three rounds into the bottom of it unsupported at about 75yrds in pretty quick succession. I stopped after that, thinking my luck was about to run out.

I was impressed with the little rifle. I'd like to snag one similar some day.

Only slightly related, that group of buddies I didn't hang out with alot, but managed to pull off a number of my most impressive shots that only I know was luck. They just think I'm that guy that can't miss.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have the cousin to your 840, a Stevens 340b. Mine is in 30-30. The LGS also has one in 222 that I'm trying to convince myself I don't really need, not sure that I'm winning that argument with myself. Enjoy them both! Stained the stock and replaced the dry rotted recoil pad that was on it.

 

[MacAR]

I shot a couple of rats, and a mongoose with my old one

A mongoose? Y'all got them things running around down there? I'll bet they're hell on chickens!

I was impressed with the little rifle. I'd like to snag one similar some day.

I sure like this one. Ain't shot it much yet, but those little tiny groups are sure impressive to me. The old boy I bought it from says it ain't a meat gun; tears 'em up to bad. I dunno, guess we'll see.

The LGS also has one in 222 that I'm trying to convince myself I don't really need,

You do... You just don't know it yet! In my previous thread, a lot of folks pushed the .243 for my use. A small majority held out for the .222 and I guess I was swayed. The darn thing shoots good. Probably better than I can to be honest. Still, its a good rifle and I don't think you'll go wrong with it.

Mac

 

[Oldschool shooter]

A mongoose? Y'all got them things running around down there? I'll bet they're hell on chickens!



I sure like this one. Ain't shot it much yet, but those little tiny groups are sure impressive to me. The old boy I bought it from says it ain't a meat gun; tears 'em up to bad. I dunno, guess we'll see.



You do... You just don't know it yet! In my previous thread, a lot of folks pushed the .243 for my use. A small majority held out for the .222 and I guess I was swayed. The darn thing shoots good. Probably better than I can to be honest. Still, its a good rifle and I don't think you'll go wrong with it.

Mac

Well, ok. If you're going to twist my arm. I pretty much made up my mind to go there Tuesday, he's closed on Mondays.

 

[LoonWulf]

A mongoose? Y'all got them things running around down there? I'll bet they're hell on chickens!

Yep, some genius brought them in to eat the rats!
They harass the chickens and eat the eggs, but its pretty rare for them to kill a full grown bird.
Course they have regular run ins with bush chickens which are some of the meanest evilest creatures in existence. The ones around our old house did a much better job on rats and mice than the cats did, the big ones even the dogs were wary of....and my dogs love killing chickens.......

 

[MacAR]

bush chickens

Like, wild chickens? You're kidding! Do y'all hunt them? I've heard they do in the East and its fine sport. Sorta want to do that one day myself. But I'd have to leave Izard County to do it and that does nae appeal to me.

Mac

 

[MacAR]

Well, ok. If you're going to twist my arm.

Hey, you'll thank me later lol. What kind of glass has it got on it? Mine's got a vintage 6x40 Bushnell Sportview, and for its age its mighty clear.

Mac

 

[Oldschool shooter]

The one I'm looking at has the scope mount but no scope. I have a few scopes lying around, probably go.with a 3-9 Sportview, the others are fixed 4x. My eyes could use the extra in a 3-9.

 

[12Bravo20]

The 17 performs well enough on paper, shoots little tiny groups at 50 yards. But, I'm anxious to see what that little 20 grain slug will do to a groundhog.

Mac

I can tell you the 17HMR's little brother the 17M2 does well on ground hogs with its 17 grain ballistic tip bullet. The last few I shot at about 30-40 yards had entrance wounds but no exit wounds and that little bullet did a number on the insides. I know the 17M2 is pretty flat shooting out to 125 yards and the 17HMR a little farther out. The only downside to either is how the wind effects them. My Savage MkII GLV (heavy varmint barrel) does well at 100 yards if I do my part and there isn't any heavy cross winds.

 

[MacAR]

The one I'm looking at has the scope mount but no scope. I have a few scopes lying around, probably go.with a 3-9 Sportview, the others are fixed 4x. My eyes could use the extra in a 3-9.

Just watch that mount; when I first shot mine I thought the scope was shot. Turns out the bloody mount was bent. I squared it up, and now I have windage adjustment again. Just an fyi.

I can tell you the 17HMR's little brother the 17M2 does well on ground hogs with its 17 grain ballistic tip bullet.

Interesting... I suppose we'll see soon enough, should one of the buggers show his face. Not likely today, as its 31 degrees, raining and calling for snow tonight. Ah well...

Mac

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Just watch that mount; when I first shot mine I thought the scope was shot. Turns out the bloody mount was bent. I squared it up, and now I have windage adjustment again. Just an fyi.



Interesting... I suppose we'll see soon enough, should one of the buggers show his face. Not likely today, as its 31 degrees, raining and calling for snow tonight. Ah well...

Mac

I will check it first. Those aren't the strongest of mounts to begin with. Probably not easy to find a replacement. My 30-30 is an early model, no holes drilled or tapped for a mount or peep sight.

 

[12Bravo20]

And take head shots only on squirrels with 17M2 or 17HMR if you plan on eating them.

 

[MacAR]

Probably not easy to find a replacement

Weaver actually makes a nice looking mount/base combo. About $40, but probably worth it. If mine give me any more trouble, I'll likely go that route.

Mac

 

[MacAR]

And take head shots only on squirrels

Doesn't everyone? Lol, I'm joking of course. More than likely, the 17 will never see the squirrel woods. I've far lighter and quieter guns to go with me there. To be honest, this little rifle will likely be my "patio gun" for those fine days when I sit out under my umbrella with a good book and a thermos of coffee. There are usually plenty of targets of opportunity during that time.

Mac

 

[MJ]

I have good luck with SAVAGE RIFLES and have a pair of 1942's in 303 that shoot very well and a 110 .308 my GF shoots small steel plates at 500 yards with. I also had a 1950's .22 single shot bolt that I got a few medals with in Scouts when i was a lot younger. Price point was always good too.

 

[LoonWulf]

Like, wild chickens? You're kidding! Do y'all hunt them? I've heard they do in the East and its fine sport. Sorta want to do that one day myself. But I'd have to leave Izard County to do it and that does nae appeal to me.

Mac

Yeah, many are just lost fighting chickens or egg layers, but a fair portion are full on feral and angry.
Ive lost a fair pile of expensive arrows to them over the years. Put a muzzy tipped arrow thru a particularly annoying rooster and he was still around a couple weeks later....so i did it again.....damned inedible little beast cost something like 40 bucks.

 

[MacAR]

a pair of 1942's in 303 that shoot very well

I'm envious. I always liked the 303, but never owned one. One of my old hunting buddies used one for deer driving for many years, to good effect. Perhaps one day I'll run onto one of my own.

Mac

 

[LoonWulf]

I managed to convince a few of my buddies that this was a rare golden pheasant....

 

[MacAR]

Yeah, many are just lost fighting chickens or egg layers, but a fair portion are full on feral and angry.
Ive lost a fair pile of expensive arrows to them over the years. Put a muzzy tipped arrow thru a particularly annoying rooster and he was still around a couple weeks later....so i did it again.....damned inedible little beast cost something like 40 bucks.

Wow, that sucks but it's mighty comical. I once decided I'd knock off a rooster for supper with my 22, rather than the ax. Eight shots later, I dispensed with trying to shoot the bugger in the head, and instead put a CB short right through his brisket. That ended pretty quickly. Still, it was preferable to chasing it around and looping its head off. Made good dumplins though.

Mac

PS, that's a nice bird Loon. Friend of mine has some "show" stock that looks similar.

 

[LoonWulf]

Wow, that sucks but it's mighty comical. I once decided I'd knock off a rooster for supper with my 22, rather than the ax. Eight shots later, I dispensed with trying to shoot the bugger in the head, and instead put a CB short right through his brisket. That ended pretty quickly. Still, it was preferable to chasing it around and looping its head off. Made good dumplins though.

Mac

I eventually switched to my airguns, they wise up pretty quick after you give the first couple antennas, and pellets are way cheaper. Takes a real square hit to off one tho.
I do boil them down for broth, but they are otherwise pretty inedible