17 WSM and Woodchucks

[carnivore]

Who's using the 17 WSM for groundhogs and what's your opinion? I have a Savage Bmag Target model that is .5 MOA capable with 20 - grain loads from Winchester, Federal and Hornady. Hitting a hog out to 200 yards is not an issue; reliably dropping them can be.

I haven't tried the 25 - grain pills but I'm trying to limit the bloody escapes back to the hole. I'm doing some cleanup in a centerfire-free zone in SE PA, so I can't break out the 204 Ruger or 243 Win for some of these beefy porkers. When the opportunity presents itself, head shots are the choice.

Any experiences to share?

 

[hogpatrol]

I use 17HM2 and 17HMR, same area. Head shots only. I've seen them crawl away even after being hit with a 17 Hornet at 150 yds. You just have to pick your shots. Believe me, if I thought the 17WSM was any better, I'd have built a custom one. From what I've read, seen and heard, the ammo is the root of their accuracy problems. Do you get consistent 1/2 moa or just now and then? Aside from that, it even seems Hornady's rimfire QC is tanking as their 17hmr ammo isn't as consistent as it used to be.

 

[carnivore]

My Savage is reliably .5 MOA; I'm an accuracy nut and I have validated several lots of ammo. The first 2 Savages I had would not shoot 2 MOA but to Savage 's credit they provided me with a tack driver.

 

[hogpatrol]

My Savage is reliably .5 MOA; I'm an accuracy nut and I have validated several lots of ammo. The first 2 Savages I had would not shoot 2 MOA but to Savage 's credit they provided me with a tack driver.

Funny, I heard almost the same exact story from one of my shooting friends. Two rifles sent back, third one a heavy barrel shoots just ok. At any rate, I stick with head shots. Those big fatties can take any rimfire in the butt and run back to the hole.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

How DARE you guys say that ANY Savage rifle wasn't accurate!!! Don't you know how many people on this site have Savage rifles that will out shoot $5K custom Bat and Borden rifles right out of the box?! And do it all day long...if the shooters 'do their part'. LOL

 

[hogpatrol]

How DARE you guys say that ANY Savage rifle wasn't accurate!!! Don't you know how many people on this site have Savage rifles that will out shoot $5K custom Bat and Borden rifles right out of the box?!...ALL DAY LONG! LOL

Yes, But only if they do their part.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yes, But only if they do their part.

Lol. Thats hilarious because i edited and added that to my post right before your posted that.

 

[gbp]

we use the ruger 17wsm on pd's and coyotes out to 450+_ yds. it's a hoot
every ranch vehicle has one, 4 and counting

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...10153852204828074.1073741826.597123073&type=3

 

[284winner]

Holy shit, your shooting that 17wsm at 450 yards. I've shot my 17 hmr at 250 yards and had almost no expansion of the Ballistic tip bullet. Can't imagine even getting penetration at 450. That's over a quarter mile with a 20-25 grain bullet starting out at 2900 fps. Energy is 50 ft lbs at 450 yds and velocity is 900 fps. You definitely got that round figured out. How does it do on coyotes ? Prairie dogs are kinda esay to kill but coyotes aren't nearly as easy without head shots with that round at that range. Plus you can watch impact real easy with that gun at any range. That's a pretty amazing testimate to that 17wsm and it's effectiveness and accuracy at extreme ranges. Good stuff.

 

[gbp]

starting out at 3000fps at 450 still scootin at 1512 w 101.5 ft/lbs, goes subsonic around 650yds w/ 55.6 ft/lbs
placement is everything

 

[284winner]

starting out at 3000fps at 450 still scootin at 1512 w 101.5 ft/lbs, goes subsonic around 650yds w/ 55.6 ft/lbs
placement is everything

Went to the Winchester site and there numbers are much different. Only thing I can think is altitude. At 4000' there numbers are 1200 fps @ 500 yds and 80 ft lbs energy. My numbers were based on my altitude of 600'. Still blows my mind with that 20 grain bullet. I shoot 50 gr BT out of my 223 at 500 yards and there all over the paper with a little wind. At .185 BC and 20 grains the wind from a fly's wings will move that bullet off target. You got me impressed.

 

[LHSmith]

Well, he said he used them out to 450.........hitting something out there with a .17 cal RF in any kind of wind is another story.

 

[gbp]

I'm at 7200' minimum
lowest point on the ranch and go up from there
wind will always kill you, don't care who you are

 

[284winner]

Been contemplating a 17 wsm purchase. Didn't realize or research the huge difference between the two. Now I can see its definitely worth the time to sell the hmr and purchase the wsm. Have to look at some models out there.

 

[gbp]

http://www.accurateshooter.com/huntingvarminting/winchester-17-win-super-mag-rimfire/

http://www.varminter.com/ruger-7717-17wsm-review-and-range-report/

 

[Auto-X Fil]

With my 17HMR, I have no problem putting down woodchucks with head shots, but body shots are always a gamble. They are tough critters.

17HMR 17gr: 50yd - 2227fps, 187 ft-lb
17HMR 17gr: 100yd - 1929fps, 140 ft-lb

17WSM 20gr: 200yd- 2000fps and 185 ft-lb
17WSM 25gr: 200yd -1900fps and 200 ft-lb

So in general, you get 100+ yard range extension over the 17 HMR.

I've shot a friend's WSM Savage, and after verifying the 100yd zero I held over my 300-yd 10" plate and banged it. That thing is FLAT for a rimfire!

It's also loud... the .204 or whatever is a much better step up from the 17 HMR in my book, but those rimfire-only zones are the perfect place for a 17 WSM.

 

[gbp]

ruger triggers are really bad on this (6+#'s is not a good trigger). 3 of the 4 we have use volq. triggers set around 2.5# , my personal has a Jard set at 17oz. the ruger could also benefit by having 2-3"" wacked off the barrel w/o losing any or only slight velocity. It would also benefit in using a sporter wt barrel instead of a heavy bull barrel. which would make it a lot more handy

 

[snert]

With my 17HMR, I have no problem putting down woodchucks with head shots, but body shots are always a gamble. They are tough critters.


+1 on that!

 

[carnivore]

ruger triggers are really bad on this (6+#'s is not a good trigger). 3 of the 4 we have use volq. triggers set around 2.5# , my personal has a Jard set at 17oz. the ruger could also benefit by having 2-3"" wacked off the barrel w/o losing any or only slight velocity. It would also benefit in using a sporter wt barrel instead of a heavy bull barrel. which would make it a lot more handy

IMO the Ruger could also benefit from a reduced price point. I bought 2 Savage Target models for the price of the Ruger; they're both shooters and no need to replace AccuTrigger.