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Talk me out of a Savage 93R17 TRR SR as my first rim fire?

Been shooting a lot of 6.5 CM at various ranges and got addicted to making tight groups at longer and longer ranges. Started with a Savage 10 FCP SR in 6.5 CM and turned her into Frankengun with an MDT chassis and cool stuff...

Prone200yards.jpg

Was working with a couple guys at The Range the other day who were having a blast with rim fire and I have been bitten. With a Savage 93R17 TRR SR I have basically the same package as my 6.5 CM and can cross train if I drop it into an MDT LSS-RF chassis. Originally O wanted to start with .22 LR as I thought maybe I'd want to compete but as I research this idea I'm pretty sure I'm never gonna compete and wanted something flatter shooting out to 200+ yards hence the facination with 17 HMR instead of 22 LR.

Talk me out of it...I'm lusting now and making plans my wallet will have to keep.

VooDoo
 
22's are cheaper to shoot that the 17 so theres that. I know there are a few people that have been shooting the 17's in some matches and a few are now splitting them up and not letting the 17's compete against the 22's. if you like the 17 and enjoy shooting it,,, go for it. Not likely you will find anybody on here that will talk you out of a new gun...
 
I have both 17 & 22, and shooting them is completely different. With much lower velocity and longer barrel time than a centerfire the 22 will highlight trigger pull, follow through, and other problems which are minimized but still present. For that reason alone it is an excellent training tool. The 17 is comparable to a centerfire in these regards, but obviously more wind sensitive. I enjoy shooting both but the 22 has helped me diagnose and improve my techniques much more.
 
I love shooting rimfire. I have a savage 17HMR that I shoot gumballs with and everything stacks under a dime. What I learned after ammo shortages is that I can always make center-fire ammo. If you're shooting distance +100yards then 223 is better practice because you can actually go shoot at same distances that you're shooting 6.5 Creedmoor. Any rimfire with good trigger will do for improving trigger control. You don't need a clone of your 6.5 Creedmoor in a rimfire package to improve your trigger control. Spend the money on quality 223.

Edit: Aside from greater ammo availability and also reloading for 223, the cost of ammo is close enough between 17HMR and 223 to favor the more versatile 223 cartridge.

If you can't decide then buy one of each.... According to the wives, everyone on this forum is guilty of this infraction.
 
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Get a Tikka 223 Rem if you reload and you will minimize your difficulty finding ammo. Also, the 223 Rem is much better at 200 yards and beyond.

The cost of 17 HMR ammo around here is high if you can find it. I don't have one but a buddy of mine has one and is always having trouble finding ammo for the brand he prefers. Lately it's also been hard to find quality 22 LR ammo around my area.
 
Im a savage guy and have a 93r 17hmr.. its in a thumbhole stock.. pretty sensitive to action screw torque.. but shoots pretty good.. had it several years.. about a year ago or when ever ruger came out with their rpr rim fire line i got one in 22lr and 17hmr.. the 17 hmr will out shoot the savage 93r.. you might take a look at them as well.. both fun to shoot..
 
I had a Ruger precision rimfire and my Savage B22 would out shoot it until I bought a $300 match barrel for it. Could'nt bring myself to keep shooting a Ruger so I sold it off. A guy in our club has a Ruger American that is out shooting one of the new Vudoo 22's and the guy hates that his $2200 rifle is getting beat by a $400 rifle. There is good ones and bad one in anything, buy what you like and find the ammo it likes and run with it.
 
I wouldn't get one until you can buy a aftermarket firing pin upgrade.

I have a 93R17 TRR, and the firing pin strike is weak enough to give me lots of FTF's. Same thing goes for the MK II 22LR I have,... too many FTF's

:(:oops::(
 
a guy at our club bought a VooDoo and has sent it back twice and it still don't shoot that good.
 
If I was in the market for the rimfire, I would get a CZ or Tikka.


For target work, 22LR is better than 17hmr, in my opinion.
 
I have a bull barrel 93 in a plastic stock . I like it, it's dropped coyotes and a bob cat .bang flop dead.Has put 5 in a dime sized group at a hundred yds . I'd worry about a centerfire where I live.
 
I have an older 93R17BTVSS. Laminate thumbhole stainless. Never stretched it to 100yds on paper but will do .5in at 50yds pretty easy. Never fooled with the action torque and I probably should cause I pulled the stock off and let a local auto paint shop clear it for me. Looks great anyway.
 
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Why? That's my whole point of this thread. What's wrong with it?

VooDoo

There's a certain irony in someone named "VooDoo" posting "which rimfire"? https://vudoogunworks.com/rifles/jp-apac-700-chassis/


I don't think it the case that there's anything wrong with the 17 HMR nor this savage model. The question is whether it's the *best* option for what you want to do.

If you just want an HMR, get it and move on.

Do you want plinking fun? A 22LR is a much better choice. WAY cheaper ammo, longer barrel life, etc etc etc.

Are you hoping to use this as a 6.5 trainer? 223 would be a better trainer. At the bottom end of the cost range, you can load 223 for about what 17 costs to shoot. (8c bulk bullet, 7c of powder, 4c primer, brass is ~ free).

17HMR is a great caliber. That's not the question, though. The question is whether it great for your use. HMR is intended more for a flat shooting short range varminter. Not so much plinking.

Also, 17 HMR is MUCH louder than a .22LR so if you are interested in pest control on the DL in non-permissive environments, it's a poor choice.

17 HMR is good as a 5th or 6th rifle. NOT as your 2nd.

If flatness at 200y is your thing, load up some super light 35gr bullets in a 223. 3800 fps is pretty flat.
 
Bud has a Savage 93 17 HMR.. Shoots great. The magazine and feeding? Not so great. I think he has 5 magazines now trying to get just one to feed with out geysering shells out the top.. Me I'd pass and get a CZ 457.
 
The cost of 17 HMR ammo around here is high if you can find it. I don't have one but a buddy of mine has one and is always having trouble finding ammo for the brand he prefers. Lately it's also been hard to find quality 22 LR ammo around my area.
I used to stock up by buying a number of cases at a time when Midsouth Shooters Supply has them in stock for $10.00. Now - can't buy mail order in California anymore. Even at $10.00, the HMR is more than most .22 rimfire. For $16.00, I can load 50 wicked-accurate .223 rounds using LC brass and Blem varmint bullets. Still - I'd rather shoot all the ground squirrels I go after within 200 yards with the HMR. Saves a LOT of time spent loading as well as being less expensive. My Savage is a tack-driver so unless it is howling wind conditions - I'm not under-gunned at all short range. My next gun will be the .17 WSM. my buddies shot circles around me past 150 yards when I'm using the HMR. One of my buddies whacked like 10 squirrels in a row at 350 yards with his WSM. I was impressed. The ammo for them is another buck or two - putting the cost even closer to the .223, though, again, one doesn't need to reload.
 
I used to stock up by buying a number of cases at a time when Midsouth Shooters Supply has them in stock for $10.00. Now - can't buy mail order in California anymore. Even at $10.00, the HMR is more than most .22 rimfire. For $16.00, I can load 50 wicked-accurate .223 rounds using LC brass and Blem varmint bullets. Still - I'd rather shoot all the ground squirrels I go after within 200 yards with the HMR. Saves a LOT of time spent loading as well as being less expensive. My Savage is a tack-driver so unless it is howling wind conditions - I'm not under-gunned at all short range. My next gun will be the .17 WSM. my buddies shot circles around me past 150 yards when I'm using the HMR. One of my buddies whacked like 10 squirrels in a row at 350 yards with his WSM. I was impressed. The ammo for them is another buck or two - putting the cost even closer to the .223, though, again, one doesn't need to reload.
Not a problem here. That's why I bought a 17 HMR during the Obummer years..
 

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