Savage B Mag Accuracy

[1jaybird]

Has anyone tried the Savage B Mag in 17WSM?
Is it an accurate rig for bench rest work of just plinking?
is the 17 WSM a good choice?

 

[Nvreloader]

1 Jay Bird

You might want to drop in here,
lots of info on the B-Mag, 90% of it's BAD news, for the B-mag in certain models.

See info here:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=271

I thought about getting CHEAP one, then think outside the box, to see what results could be obtained..

Tia,
Don

 

[hogpatrol]

From what I've seen and heard at my local gun clubs, their accuracy isn't exactly stellar. Seems to be a lot of variation in the ammo.

 

[Smalltruck]

I've had 2 guns in 17 WSM. I had <<<had a Bmag, its gone. I bought an H&R single shot in 17HMR and had it rechambered to 17WSM. The chambering job was not done well. All that said....

When it works this will drop prairie dogs with ease out to 200 yards all day. Waiting on my suppressor for the bigger guns so noise is a factor in a dog town. Enough loud bangs and down they go for a while. The 17 WSM is a little quieter than my 20 practical, .223 or my 6.5 creedmoor.

Ammo quality is an issue. Supposedly ammo made after july 2014 is better quailty. After 2 years with this cartridge I think that maybe true as it seems like I have better accuracy at the range. I pulled the H&R out after a year in the closet and installed a new scope. It shot well and then all of a sudden it started shooting left about 2 feet. New scope is back at vortex for repairs so it's back on hold for the time being

 

[Rjencks]

I think the cartridge is great, and that's mainly due to the fact, that we can only use rimfire on public land here in little Rhode Island.

I also think its a damn shame they introduced it in such a poor quality rifle. Ruger is now making it on their M77 platform, if only they were to come out with it in their american series....

 

[Valar]

I think the cartridge is great, and that's mainly due to the fact, that we can only use rimfire on public land here in little Rhode Island.

I also think its a damn shame they introduced it in such a poor quality rifle. Ruger is now making it on their M77 platform, if only they were to come out with it in their american series....

I just bought a bmag. First off there is recall on them. It seems the bolt on closing with downforce was tripping the saftey! Amo is a issue but seems to be getting better. The biggest issue with the bmag seems to be the garbage stock that savage uses! I hate plastic, no class. I ordered a Boyds Laminate thumbhole stock in forest camo. I am going to glass bed it as well and will post my results. Give me a couple weeks and we shall see! Hoping to get my hands on some of the hornady amo as well. The bmag barrel is threaded. If she still wont shoot I may rebarrel or give up. I am sure it will never shoot as well as my handloaded 204 ruger! Hopefully, some great amo will be produced.

 

[Hollerpoint]

I've had one. Very good varmint cartridge for animals to 20 lbs. The stock was junk, it shot good enough to pay for itself in one night.....shooting coons out of trees about 20 yards up. The 17 WSM is very easy on fur, care must be taken with shot placement on coyotes and bobcats to guarantee a kill. This is not a rimfire round that I feel will outperform .22 standard velocity in a 50 yard bench setting. I was happy enough with the performance of this round, ill be buying the Ruger 77. Ouch, they cost $750, but I'm going to try one.

 

[rayjay]

IMO, Remington had the right idea with the 5mm. It's too bad that the 17s got all the manufacturer interest. A 20 cal in any of them would be a much better round for targets or game. Those little bullets have to be a pita to make so you end up with more that are out of balance not to mention the placement of the cannilure groove, etc. A 20HM2, 20HMR and 20WSM would be awesome rounds. Probably could get the same velocity as the 17s at the same pressure and have bullets up to 30 gr.

 

[Nvreloader]

RJ
It would not be possible to get the fps/psi from the 17 WSM case when going to the 204 caliber, you need a larger case capacity, running QL swag, the best you could get is just over 2800fps with a 30gr bullet at 32996 psi of the OEM case, with a 24" bbl, using Norma 123 powder, best suited for this case.
It is unknown what powder is used in the OEM loading.

Tia,
Don

Probably could get the same velocity as the 17s at the same pressure and have bullets up to 30 gr.

 

[rayjay]

RJ
It would not be possible to get the fps/psi from the 17 WSM case when going to the 204 caliber, you need a larger case capacity, running QL swag, the best you could get is just over 2800fps with a 30gr bullet at 32996 psi of the OEM case, with a 24" bbl, using Norma 123 powder, best suited for this case.
It is unknown what powder is used in the OEM loading.

Tia,
Don

I'm just going by my

RJ
It would not be possible to get the fps/psi from the 17 WSM case when going to the 204 caliber, you need a larger case capacity, running QL swag, the best you could get is just over 2800fps with a 30gr bullet at 32996 psi of the OEM case, with a 24" bbl, using Norma 123 powder, best suited for this case.
It is unknown what powder is used in the OEM loading.

Tia,
Don

The 30 gr would be slower but bullets of the same weight would compare very well I believe. At least that's been my experience with the 6BR and 30BR. The larger area of the bigger bore is more efficient isn't it ?

 

[ericbc7]

Graf & sons has Hornady 17WSM 20 gr on sale for something like $12/box.

 

[Valar]

Graf & sons has Hornady 17WSM 20 gr on sale for something like $12/box.

I wil not pay hazmat shipping. I will drive to cabelas or mega sports first. I got the boyds thumbhole feather weight stock bedded. Still working on saftey as the inlet tang is so far in stock it makes it almost impossible to engage. I expected better from boyds! I am still waiting on the optic to arrive , optics planet said it was in stock and still hasnt shipped. I did lap the rings so they are ready to go. Im very anxous to shoot this gun but the weather is a bit brutal here latley. Old man winter is catching up!

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

I wil not pay hazmat shipping. I will drive to cabelas or mega sports first. I got the boyds thumbhole feather weight stock bedded. Still working on saftey as the inlet tang is so far in stock it makes it almost impossible to engage. I expected better from boyds! I am still waiting on the optic to arrive , optics planet said it was in stock and still hasnt shipped. I did lap the rings so they are ready to go. Im very anxous to shoot this gun but the weather is a bit brutal here latley. Old man winter is catching up!

You don't pay hazmat on loaded ammo

Did you remove the stock pillars from the plastic bmag stock and put it in the Boyd's stock, it acts as a spacer and my safety didn't work with the Boyds stock I have until I used them

 

[Valar]

You don't pay hazmat on loaded ammo

Did you remove the stock pillars from the plastic bmag stock and put it in the Boyd's stock, it acts as a spacer and my safety didn't work with the Boyds stock I have until I used them

Well yes but even though savage calls those pillars they are nothing more than crowned washers in my book! I drilled the boyds out and installed brass pillars and also glass bedded where possible. I had a chance to zero scope last week and put some rounds downrange! It shot very well last two five shot groups were about a inch. This was a windy rather chilly day. I am sure when it warms and calms down a bit the gun is capable of better.
As for hazmat i will Not Buy loaded amo online as the hazmat fee is a joke!

 

[ericbc7]

When I recently bought a case of the Hornady 17WSM from Grafs, there was no hazmat fee. They only charge a flat, once-per-order of $7.95

 

[Bangs OH]

Not a big rimfire or .17 fan, but I've often wondered - like rayjay - how a .20 WSM would work.
Also, a local store is selling Savage .17 WSMs with heavy stainless barrels and laminated stocks. Can't help but wonder if they'd be any more accurate; or would that be like putting lipstick on a pig?