.17 Caliber, what rifle to get?

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

Its been more than a few years since I bought a new rifle... thinking about a .17 for squirrels and PDogs and whatnot. I'm looking for something on the cheap end of the spectrum due to it being a rifle that will probably get alot of wear and tear. I havent kept up on whos chambering rifles in .17 or who has the most accurate rifles but I know alot of you guys have and love them

-DallanC

grimel · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 160

DallanC wrote:

thinking about a .17 for squirrels and PDogs and whatnot. I'm looking for something on the cheap end of the spectrum due to it being a rifle that will probably get alot of wear and tear.

Umm, don't know how to break this to you, but CHEAP and 17 do not go hand in hand. At $6 a box a lot of wear and tear is rather spendy. Even 22mag at $3 a box ain't too cheap. 22lr OTOH is still $5 for 500. Same cost per box only it's a 500 rd box vs 50.

If you want a cheap 17 get a 17 K-hornet. Or just get a 22 Hornet.

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

Cheap means I dont want to spend $600+ on a rifle. I dont care about ammo costs, I'm fine with its current price. Would like to find a gun around the $250 range if possible.

-DallanC

shrpshtrjoe

Howdy Dallan check out www.savagearms.com/rimfire_home.htm they have them starting at $ 194.00 and have quite a few to choose from

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

Kinda funny you posted that as I just got done looking them over. The 93R17-GLV is what looks like it would fit the bill nicely being lefthanded. I was pleasantly surprised to see a LH bolt option available.

I'll check locally to see how much one would cost me then figure up how much getting one online +SH & FFL fees would be.

-DallanC

BillP

Check out the CZ 452. I sure like mine and accuracy is great.

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

I hate to be the naysayer here, but I'm not a fan of the .17Remington. I have a Remington 700BDL in that caliber. The rifle will definitely shoot, whenever in hell it wants to. It's quite common to get a .4" group (5 at 100yds) preceded or followed by 1" groups. One inch looks mighty big in light of those small bullet holes. My first group is usually pretty good, then accuracy goes all to hell in a handbasket. It fouls like crazy also. As an example, my last time out my first group was .264". I was thrilled. My next group was 1.2", quite a difference. I clean it right at the range, but the acuracy does not come back until I get home and scrub the holy bejeebers out of it. A rifle I can only get one group out of, even a terrific group, isn't doing me much good. I've really toiled with this rascal for a few years now and seem powerless to corect the situation. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Knifeboy

Hey Cal,
Sound like you might as well shoot a muzzleloader if you have to clean if every 5 shots, LOL Very Happy

Knifeboy

shrpshtrjoe

Howdy Hey Dallan i bet Cal would give you a good price on his Laughing

grimel · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 160

Cal,

Have you lapped the barrel? Floated it? Bedded it?

coyotehunter_1

DallanC.,
Are you talking about a 17 HMR or 17 caliber centerfire? Confused

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

Sorry, 17HMR.

I was looking over a savage yesterday. Seems for only $20 more I could go with Stainless Steel / Composite Stock. So an out the door price of right around $230. VERY tempted... very tempted indeed.

-DallanC

grimel · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 160

17 Ackley Bee

Gil Martin

It depends on what you like, handles well and you can afford. Ammo is a bit pricey and Wal-Mart charges $9.72 for a box of 50 .17 HMR rounds from Federal or CCI. I would like to know where another poster found .17 HMR for $6 a box and .22 magnum for $3 a box. Perhaps he should buy all he can and resell it for a profit (LOL).

My boss won a Savage Model 93R17-GV in .17 HMR and I scoped it up for him. What a nice rifle, but the ammo costs more that the centerfire ammo I reload. All the best...
Gil

tuck2 · Rookie Member Joined: Feb 04, 2005 Posts: 5

Mail order catalogs now have 17 HMR ammo for $ 6.99 per box of 50 ea. --17 HM2 ammo @ $ 4.99. The Savage Mdl 93R17-BVSS may fit your needs.A bolt action with a laminated wood stock.I,d keep away from plastic stock rimfire rifles.