Ruger77/17 wsm
- Thread starter pdhunter
- Start date
psdan000
Member
I jumped on the wsm train when the b-mag came out and got a bad one, sent it back to savage cause it couldn't shoot a 12" group at 100 yards. I ditched the savage and started to look into the ruger 77/17 (with a little more research this time) and I hadn't read too many great things about the ruger either. The rifle to start is pretty expensive compared to the savage, although that may or may not be concern to you. Accuracy seems to be hit or miss from what I read but maybe it has more to do with the ammo than the gun. But I wasn't going to drop the green on the ruger and not be able to shoot better than 2" at 100 yards. I personally tossed the wsm idea and bought a 17 hornet, more velocity than the wsm, ammo is still pretty inexpensive and you have the ability to reload if you choose. Went with a cz527 and couldn't be happier. Just a thought, I think the wsm will die off after a few years and it will be like the Mach ii where you're stuck with a rifle you can't find ammo for. Sorry I don't have any actual experience with the Ruger though, maybe someone else will have some better input
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The 17 WSM is to the 17 HMR what the 17 Hornet is to the 17 WSM.
With regard to accuracy, the 17 Hornet has MUCH better factory ammo than does either of the two 17 rimfires.
Unfortunately, with both the 17 rimfires, it's not uncommon to get 150fps or more extreme spreads. Sometimes you luck out and get a good Lot # and the ES is better but it's pretty much luck of the draw on what you get. I just read a report someone did with a new Labradar chronograph and 18rnds of 17HMR ammo. The ES was 185fps. Yikes!!
With regard to accuracy, the 17 Hornet has MUCH better factory ammo than does either of the two 17 rimfires.
Unfortunately, with both the 17 rimfires, it's not uncommon to get 150fps or more extreme spreads. Sometimes you luck out and get a good Lot # and the ES is better but it's pretty much luck of the draw on what you get. I just read a report someone did with a new Labradar chronograph and 18rnds of 17HMR ammo. The ES was 185fps. Yikes!!
I own a Ruger 17 WSM and Cooper 17 HMR. The HMR will take a fox down out to 100 yards with no problems the WSM is good out to 150.
The trigger on the Ruger was around 8 lbs which is a shame on such a nice rifle. A drop in sear and spring from volquartsen fixed the trigger but in my opinion when you spend $700 on a rimfire rifle the trigger should be adjustable or at least set below 5#
As far as accuracy the WSM will shoot the hornday and winchester into 1" groups all day at 100 yards.
The WSM savage is junk don't waste your time or money.
The trigger on the Ruger was around 8 lbs which is a shame on such a nice rifle. A drop in sear and spring from volquartsen fixed the trigger but in my opinion when you spend $700 on a rimfire rifle the trigger should be adjustable or at least set below 5#
As far as accuracy the WSM will shoot the hornday and winchester into 1" groups all day at 100 yards.
The WSM savage is junk don't waste your time or money.
pdhunter
New member
That's the kind of info I was looking for - I may indulge my fantasy and cuss myself because I did ,but that wouldn't be a first for me .
I just got a 3rd Cz 455 with 3 barrel ,2 stocks and a whole lot of extras .very nice st up. I need to pay that off then work on the Ruger .
I self identify as rich man but so far that's not working too good .
I just got a 3rd Cz 455 with 3 barrel ,2 stocks and a whole lot of extras .very nice st up. I need to pay that off then work on the Ruger .
I self identify as rich man but so far that's not working too good .
The sear and spring can be had for around $40. Ammo deals can be found in the $12 per box of fifty if your patience.
The WSM is a great little round and fits my needs perfectly since I'm limited to rimfire only in SE PA.
Ballistics compare to a .222 centfire out to 200 yards and best of all no looking for spent cartridges in the field, reloading etc. More time shooting less time reloading!
The WSM is a great little round and fits my needs perfectly since I'm limited to rimfire only in SE PA.
Ballistics compare to a .222 centfire out to 200 yards and best of all no looking for spent cartridges in the field, reloading etc. More time shooting less time reloading!
Dixiedog1
Active member
I found the .17 WSM Bmag I had was a decent shooter but it seemed like box to box the accuracy was good/bad.....I think the ammo is the limiting factor. I got irritated by my 1" group gun getting every third or fourth box of ammo that couldn't net better than a 3" group...then switch ammo lots again and the groups shrunk back down. I eventually gave up and bought the Ruger 77/17 Hornet and couldn't be happier...the ammo is cheap to purchase...cheaper to reload and 1" capable regardless of having to switch ammo lots. I also had some concerns about the long term availability of ammo for the .17 WSM....it could be the next 5mm Rem
Originally Posted By: Dixiedog1I also had some concerns about the long term availability of ammo for the .17 WSM....it could be the next 5mm Rem
You aren't alone with your concerns and you won't have to spend much time reading on rimfire cetral to find others that agree with you.
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would have developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
You aren't alone with your concerns and you won't have to spend much time reading on rimfire cetral to find others that agree with you.
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would have developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
Rhett Steele
New member
It looks like I'm the only person that is happy with the bmag. Boyds stock has been put on. Shoots 1" at 100yds and flip flops critters like a champ. $12.60/box of 50 ain't bad either. My Dad just bought a heavy barrel version and it too is a shooter.
coyotezapper
Member
Originally Posted By: Rhett SteeleIt looks like I'm the only person that is happy with the bmag. Boyds stock has been put on. Shoots 1" at 100yds and flip flops critters like a champ. $12.60/box of 50 ain't bad either. My Dad just bought a heavy barrel version and it too is a shooter.
I just ordered a Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock for my BMAG and I hope it helps. I have the original plastic crap stock with sporter bbl and it shoots just ok - 1.5" 100 yds. Hoping the new stock and a bedding job will help. Trigger sucks, adjustment screw does not work.
I just ordered a Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock for my BMAG and I hope it helps. I have the original plastic crap stock with sporter bbl and it shoots just ok - 1.5" 100 yds. Hoping the new stock and a bedding job will help. Trigger sucks, adjustment screw does not work.
JJTAlwaysWishing
New member
Originally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: Dixiedog1I also had some concerns about the long term availability of ammo for the .17 WSM....it could be the next 5mm Rem
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would had developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
Couldn't agree more. Imo nothing is going to steal the hype from the .17 HMR it just works too good, like the .22 and in honesty there isn't a need for another rimfire caliber anyways.
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would had developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
Couldn't agree more. Imo nothing is going to steal the hype from the .17 HMR it just works too good, like the .22 and in honesty there isn't a need for another rimfire caliber anyways.
Originally Posted By: JJTAlwaysWishingOriginally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: Dixiedog1I also had some concerns about the long term availability of ammo for the .17 WSM....it could be the next 5mm Rem
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would had developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
Couldn't agree more. Imo nothing is going to steal the hype from the .17 HMR it just works too good, like the .22 and in honesty there isn't a need for another rimfire caliber anyways.
I guess only time will tell if the WSM goes the way of the 5mm or not. Areas similar to SE PA which only allows rimfire demand seems to be fairly strong. Ammo is not really a concern once I found a brand that my rifle liked I purchased two bricks. Should be plenty to last my lifetime.
I'm sure it will never happen but I often wonder if it would have had better success if Winchester would had developed it as a 20 WSM instead of a .17 cal. Factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 24gr. NTX bullet could have had a slightly better BC, 20% more weight, and with it being a little bigger bore, likely shot just as fast.
Couldn't agree more. Imo nothing is going to steal the hype from the .17 HMR it just works too good, like the .22 and in honesty there isn't a need for another rimfire caliber anyways.
I guess only time will tell if the WSM goes the way of the 5mm or not. Areas similar to SE PA which only allows rimfire demand seems to be fairly strong. Ammo is not really a concern once I found a brand that my rifle liked I purchased two bricks. Should be plenty to last my lifetime.
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