17 HMR

1895ss · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: 17 HMR

Well I didn't find a Marlin 336 in the 35 remington caliber at the gun show on the weekend. There was one in 30-30 with some cheap 4 power scope on it that they wanted $675.00 for Shocked

and another one in the 32 Special, ah no thanks. wtf

There were a number of 94's Yuck

for anywhere from $300.00 and up, again Yuck

no thanks. So I didn't buy anything at the gun show.

What does everyone think of the 17 HMR? I had a good look at the 17HMR and by the time I decided I wanted one the fellow I wanted to buy it from was sold out. He is getting some more this week and I haven't decided whether I want the 917V Marlin or the 93R17FV Savage. Both have the heavey barrel and are bolt action. I will likely have either one on Thursday.

Which one would you get........? Smile

Spacedone · Member Joined: Nov 04, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: missouri

i bought one of the rossi 17 hmrs.

it shoots flat at oh my god speeds.

so far i cant figure out a use for it besides paper.

1895ss · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

I want to use it for long shots on gophers mostly, but a fellow told me that he shot a bunch of coyotes with his this winter. I forget how many he said but according to him he called them to within a 100 yards or so and shot them all in the head. He told me it is extremely accurate. I have never shot one but they sound like fun. Smile

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

I have the Savage 93R17FV ... in left hand Smile

It is AMAZINGLY accurate and yes velocity is pretty amazing. Shooting magpies at 100+ yards is not only possible, but highly probable with even a light rest. I thought it would be a fun caliber to own and having bought one and shot it, I feel it is absolutely worth the money for the return in fun factor. Ammo is getting cheaper but 50 rounds for $8 is still pretty cheap for what is almost centerfire performance on small game.

I give it a two thumbs up in terms of customer satisfaction!

-DallanC

1895ss · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

DallanC, what scope did you put on yours? I am thinking a variable up to 12 or 14 power would be nice.

Daveyboy · Member Joined: Jan 22, 2006 Posts: 143

I've got a Weihrauch .17 and it is ace. Probably the most expensive but the trigger is like breaking glass. You don't want any creep on a rifle like this. I use it for clearing bunnies on the local golf course.

Using Pointblank, I figure that it still has energy to do the job at 870 yards but it will have dropped a little by then... Very Happy

12ft/lbs of energy at 870 yards! That is impressive - when you pick up a bullet and it's soooo small.

I use 20g CCI hollowpoints but will be changing to 17g ballistic tips for the future. They don't load at all from the magazine - the point catches on the bottom of the chamber. Neither CCI or Weihrauch are bothered by it. Zero it in about a half an inch up at 50 yards and it has a killing zone of an inch for the next 120 yards or so. If you can see it, it is dead. Mushes up heads at that range so I would consider foxes at that range too. Either back of head or forwards at the base of the neck.

These tiny bullets get pushed by the wind so breeze from the left, aim a little to the left - nothing scientific required.

Straight through bunnies at 100 yards, head shots at that range are easy. I currently have a Simmons 3-9x40 on top which when used with a lamp is good enough for everything. Will be moving onto a 4-12x40 Loopy when my bro-out-law gets his head out of his ass long enough to order it.

Well worth using a silencer - highly recomended.

Keep well

Daveyboy

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

1895ss wrote:

DallanC, what scope did you put on yours? I am thinking a variable up to 12 or 14 power would be nice.

I just went to walmart and bought a Simmons Buckmaster 3x9. I woulda liked to put a 12 or 14x on it but buying the rifle and putting that scope on it raised my wifes eyebrows enough I didnt want to push it by paying more for a 14x. I find the 9x to be fine for plinking small stuff out to 100 yards and beyond.

Oh yea... and Magpies... WOW! Dramatic hits! Beats a prarie dog hit with a .22-250! They just absolutely burst into a "poof" of feathers that float down all over the place. No questioning a hit or not Smile

I just ride around on an ATV and offhand shoot them at 50 to 75 yards, very fun.

-DallanC

bubbadoyle · Rookie Member Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 16

I have the Marlin 917VS. I put a simmons whitetail classic 6.5 x 20 on it and with the right ammo I can shoot a full 7 round clip into .75 inches at a 100 yards. Right now the simmons scope is on sale on Midway for $99. I love my 17. It is an excellent caliber for rabbits out to 150 yards a head shot is fairly easy. I have also shot turkeys with it but that requires proper shot placement to the head neck or right in the middle of the back if they are walking away. When shot in the back with a 17 grain v-max the bullet will not make it to the breast but it sure makes a turkey faceplant.

1895ss · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

So DallanC and bubbadoyle, how do like the guns themselves. I am trying to decide between the Savage and the Marlin. I have heard some good some bad about both. Is there anything either of you dislike about your chioce of gun?

Thanks for the replys. Smile

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Well I went for the savage because it was a cheap option for a Left handed rifle. If I were right handed I still would have gotten it but in the synthetic stock (only wood is offered in the LH model).

Cons: The finish is absolutely the most basic you can think of and that includes the blueing. I noticed minor rust after using it where moisture from your finger reacts quickly with the metal. Oiling it after each use is a must IMO. The trigger is pretty crappy, feels like a loose piece of plastic. I hear replacing it with an accu-trigger is quite popular and really makes a huge difference. The clips are expensive to replace / buy extras and they only hold 5 rounds. I wish it fit a bit more flush with the bottom of the stock.

Pros: Its very accurate. The bull barrel on it seems comical when you concider its a good inch across and the tiny .17 hole in the middle of it. Its also floated for most of the barrel. Dropping out the clip for a fast reload is very simple. Finally they are pretty darn cheap.

Had marlin made a comperable in price, left handed version I would have went that route, but Savage supports the lefty shooters so I like to support'em right back.

With the negatives in mind, I am still happy with my purchase and find I grab it often when I go out for a hike, atv ride or something. Just too accurate so far out to not find something to plink at.

**EDIT: I just looked up the marlin online. It looks almost identical but I dislike the longer magazine out the bottom.

-DallanC

Handloader · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

A few months ago I was negotiating a trade and to sweeten the deal, I got a CZ in 17HMR (Hummer) to boot. I figured to shoot the rifle a bit and trade it off or sell it later, but, not now. Now, it has earned a nice place in the safe along with the Big Guns.

Well made, accurate and devastating on vermin, the Hummer is best when confined to rabbit sized game or smaller IMO. Recoil is non-existent. I like the CZ because of its quality of workmanship, walnut stock and, with a little work, its trigger. Mine now breaks at 2 lbs.

This is not a cartridge that competes well with the likes of a 22 Magnum and wind will blow the itty bitty bullets way off course. But, within its design limits, it is an intriguing cartridge that is best characterized as "fun".

bubbadoyle · Rookie Member Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 16

The only dislike I had is the trigger. I found replacement triggers for about $70 but my brothers friend used to be a gunsmith and in about 10 minutes he removed all of the creep and it now pulls at 31 oz, it cost me nothing, but in my opinion the groups that I am getting would be pretty much near impossible with the factory trigger as it comes. As Dallan states the magazine does stick a bit out of the bottom but this does not bother me but some people may not like. The marlin magazine holds seven rounds and I think I paid about $12 a piece for the two extras I have. Either way you go it is a fun round.

1895ss · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:39 am Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

Well I'm a little ticked tonight. Mad

The gun dealer 85 miles away that I went to today with cash in my pocket, (because the local guy never has anything and takes forever to order stuff) let me down. It was a wasted trip and gas around here is $5.00 a gallon. Good thing my daughter lent me her car (36 mpg) cause my old Chevy truck (15 mpg) would have broke the bank going there. When I got there I found out his gun shipment had not arrived and all he had was one 17 HMR in a Savage 93R17F which is the thin barreled version, but guess what, it has the accu trigger. The accu-trigger is very nice and I have now decided to wait for a 93R17FV (heavy barrel) with the accu-trigger and forget about the Marlin. I just might try Russell Sports in Calgary in the morning and see if I can get one shipped out tomorrow, we'll see what happens. I definately want a Savage/accu-trigger now........!!!!!!!!! Smile

moose2 · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:03 am Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

Welcome to the world of Savage shooters. Have three accu-trigger Savages in the family. All are great shooters and the accu-triggers have worked as advertised. Unfortunately I only have one of them, a heavy barrel .223 which is just awesomely accurate. You will enjoy yours when you get it. --tr

1895ss · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: 17 HMR

Ooops spoke to soon. I phoned Russell sports to see what they had and they have 2 Savages in 17 HMR but neither of them have the accu-trigger. Mad

So I phoned Wholesale Sports and they don't have any at all and don't expect any for a while. Mad

I phoned S.I.R. and they have Savages without the accu-trigger as well. Mad

So while I had them on the phone I ordered a Marlin 917V. They have a really good price on it right now. $247.99 is cheaper then anyone around this neck of the woods.

Have you ever had so much trouble trying to spend hard earned cash......? I was about ready to give up. It should be here late next week.