• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

17HMR Rifle Choice(s)

If I recall Bullberry did a barrel length test of some sort with the 17 HMR and if I recall, 19 inches gave them the best velocity.

I cut the barrel of my Bmag 17 WSM back to 20 inches when it was in getting threaded and the 20 grain ammo still chronographs right at 3000 FPS so I can see 19-20 inches being a good length on a 17 HMR. When it comes to rimfire rifles, I'll gladly take one with a 18-20 barrel over one that is longer.
 
GAnderson said:
I am in the market for a 17HMR and have been looking at the various offerings. I've never been "into" rimfires much but do realize that rimfire rifles can be picky about what ammo they like and understand that I will have to try several brands of ammo to find what it likes.
I have narrowed it down to the CZ offerings, the Savage and Ruger American...I did see where the Ruger uses a 9 twist...this seems odd from what the others use for a rimfire...doesn't it?
Of the 3 mentioned, which would be your first choice for hopefully getting a shooter right out of the box? CZ only offers bolt action, Savage has both bolt action and semi auto and the Ruger is semi auto...what would be the preferences there?
Looking to use this on a ground squirrel hunt. Thanks

Gene
Click to expand...
Gene,
I have the CZ 455 Varmint. It likes CCI 20gr gamepoints and Hornaday 20gr XTP .

Mark
 
GAnderson said:
I am in the market for a 17HMR and have been looking at the various offerings. I've never been "into" rimfires much but do realize that rimfire rifles can be picky about what ammo they like and understand that I will have to try several brands of ammo to find what it likes.
I have narrowed it down to the CZ offerings, the Savage and Ruger American...I did see where the Ruger uses a 9 twist...this seems odd from what the others use for a rimfire...doesn't it?
Of the 3 mentioned, which would be your first choice for hopefully getting a shooter right out of the box? CZ only offers bolt action, Savage has both bolt action and semi auto and the Ruger is semi auto...what would be the preferences there?
Looking to use this on a ground squirrel hunt. Thanks

Gene
Click to expand...
I had a 455 varmit. , It didn't shoot with any brand ammo, traded it for a Annie. It shoots
 
CZ .. Biggest plus is the easy switch barrel feature.. Factory barrels are rather cheap to buy and easy to install. Yes I have one and have 2 barrels. 22 MAG and 17HMR. FWIW I prefer the 17 over the maggie. Another plus is that there are people making very accurate after market barrels for them. Mine are very accurate.. And CZ customer service is great.. If it doesn't shoot call CZ. They more than likely will replace the barrel.
 
Don't laugh but my Son has a heavy barrel Marlin 17HMR and this thing is very accurate but as said I would be partial
to the CZ for sure. He may have just got lucky and ended up with an exceptional Marlin...I don't know:rolleyes::).
From what I have seen and read the Anschutz and the CZ would be tops for accuracy. I own a Savage that shoots decent
but would sure like to have a Anschuts or CZ...guess I just have not got serious enough to save my pennies and buy one
or two...:p:D
 
At this point I think your best bet might be the CZ bolt gun. I have or had Ruger 10-22 magnums converted to 17HMR, a Savage A-17, a Ruger American and a Winchester 9417. The Rugers are no longer made and often command a premium price, They worked great and I never had any problems, but I did not like the case head being all ballooned out after firing. It looked like an accident waiting to happen, but again, it never did.
I definitely cannot recommend the Savage. It is a good concept with the locking bolt and that stopped the ballooned case heads, but the rest of the gun was garbage with a capital "G"...half the time the thing didn't even fire due to light hammer strikes. The other half the cheesy cheaply made and poor designed magazine fell from the rifle if I looked at it wrong. The thing is just junk.
The Ruger American probably has what has to be the worst excuse for a barrel on any factory gun made. It is ridiculous. Nothing beats paying good money for a brand new gun and getting a pre-pitted junk barrel!!! Mine was stainless and had pits all thru the entire bore.
The Winchester 9417 is fantastic, but not worth mentioning as it was only made for, I believe, one year. It shoots lights out, it has ever jammed, it is handy and fast to use and it just plain worked. So, of course it had to be discontinued. It sure seems like gun companies don't want us to have anything that works. Good luck with a 17HMR. One thing I will say, it will probably be alright for squirrels, but I tried to use it for fox and woodchucks. It was not enough gun for either. I had to follow a lot of blood trails with foxes and woodchucks made it back to their dens a high percentage of the times I shot them.
Edit: one more thing regarding the 17HMR...watch copper fouling in the barrel. The bullets are copper jacketed and will copper up some barrels. It is a mistake to dismiss cleaning the bore as if it was "just another rimfire", you have to treat it like the copper jacketed bullet shooter that it is.
 
Last edited:
TheOtherZilla said:
CZ .. Biggest plus is the easy switch barrel feature.. Factory barrels are rather cheap to buy and easy to install. Yes I have one and have 2 barrels. 22 MAG and 17HMR. FWIW I prefer the 17 over the maggie. Another plus is that there are people making very accurate after market barrels for them. Mine are very accurate.. And CZ customer service is great.. If it doesn't shoot call CZ. They more than likely will replace the barrel.
Click to expand...
Ya, I did look at the "combo" model CZ that comes with a 22 rimfire and 17 rimfire barrel. Thanks

Gene
 
msinc said:
At this point I think your best bet might be the CZ bolt gun. I have or had Ruger 10-22 magnums converted to 17HMR, a Savage A-17, a Ruger American and a Winchester 9417. The Rugers are no longer made and often command a premium price, They worked great and I never had any problems, but I did not like the case head being all ballooned out after firing. It looked like an accident waiting to happen, but again, it never did.
I definitely cannot recommend the Savage. It is a good concept with the locking bolt and that stopped the ballooned case heads, but the rest of the gun was garbage with a capital "G"...half the time the thing didn't even fire due to light hammer strikes. The other half the cheesy cheaply made and poor designed magazine fell from the rifle if I looked at it wrong. The thing is just junk.
The Ruger American probably has what has to be the worst excuse for a barrel on any factory gun made. It is ridiculous. Nothing beats paying good money for a brand new gun and getting a pre-pitted junk barrel!!! Mine was stainless and had pits all thru the entire bore.
The Winchester 9417 is fantastic, but not worth mentioning as it was only made for, I believe, one year. It shoots lights out, it has ever jammed, it is handy and fast to use and it just plain worked. So, of course it had to be discontinued. It sure seems like gun companies don't want us to have anything that works. Good luck with a 17HMR. One thing I will say, it will probably be alright for squirrels, but I tried to use it for fox and woodchucks. It was not enough gun for either. I had to follow a lot of blood trails with foxes and woodchucks made it back to their dens a high percentage of the times I shot them.
Edit: one more thing regarding the 17HMR...watch copper fouling in the barrel. The bullets are copper jacketed and will copper up some barrels. It is a mistake to dismiss cleaning the bore as if it was "just another rimfire", you have to treat it like the copper jacketed bullet shooter that it is.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear your first hand experience...makes my decision easier. Thanks

Gene
 
kapt said:
I also have a 917V Marlin that shoots very well. I have bedded it though. It may not be on par with the Anschutz or a good CZ but don't under estimate them.

Whatever you decide on , try the A17 ammo. You will be surprised...
Click to expand...


In my experience you need to try afew different cartridge makers etc. Mine shoots best with CCI 20 grain game points. A17, not so much. Hornaday 17 grainers, not as good as the CCI..
 
GAnderson said:
Just to throw another "wrench" into the mix...has anyone had experience with the Garrow Firearms 17HMR in an AR15 upper? Sounds quite impressive.
https://garrowdev.com/

Gene
Click to expand...


Search for a guy that goes by the user name AP2020.


He has some videos and info about his AR in .17HMR, I believe he uses this same upper on his rifle, if so, he should be able to tell you all about it.
 
Phil said:
Search for a guy that goes by the user name AP2020.


He has some videos and info about his AR in .17HMR, I believe he uses this same upper on his rifle, if so, he should be able to tell you all about it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Phil. I may PM him and get some info.

Gene
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Classified Ads

Forum statistics

Threads
165,459
Messages
2,196,299
Members
78,922
Latest member
6.5fool

Share This Page

Back
Top