Savage 17 WSM-Heavy Barrel Target Model Any feedback?

C

CaliCoyoteCaller

New member
I know the Savage BMag had some accuracy issues in its infancy. However, Ive noticed that the new models, particulary the Target model with a nice thumbhole stock and heavier barrel seems to be shootin good for most people.

Does anybody have any reviews or feedback on the newer heavy barrel BMags? I ask because Im strongly considering going to buy one for fox and bobcat this winter.

Called in a couple cat the other night, and my other calibers are Just making too big of holes in game lately. The 17 seems like great compormise for cat/fox, esp at night because the shots are always closer at night.
 
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I didn't have that specific model, but I had a skinny BMag and the Franklin Armory F17. I don't have either of them any more and do way better with 22 mags, running a pair of Ruger American Rimfire rifles. They are plenty accurate inside 100 yards and the CCI 40 gr hollow points kill very well. Not just my opinion, but experience that the 17 WSM 20 gr rounds are too explosive. I lost half a dozen coyotes to that round and a couple shoulder shot fox. The 25 gr rounds performed better but didn't shoot worth a poop in the F17. That's when I went back to 22 mags and have done way better than I did with the 17.
 
i would get 17bmag out of my head and put 17 hornet in its place.

in fact i did.
smile.gif
that was after owning 3 different bmag rifles. best thing i ever did was rid my mind and gun safe of bmags. yucky bmags.
 
Originally Posted By: NoName1I didn't have that specific model, but I had a skinny BMag and the Franklin Armory F17. I don't have either of them any more and do way better with 22 mags, running a pair of Ruger American Rimfire rifles. They are plenty accurate inside 100 yards and the CCI 40 gr hollow points kill very well. Not just my opinion, but experience that the 17 WSM 20 gr rounds are too explosive. I lost half a dozen coyotes to that round and a couple shoulder shot fox. The 25 gr rounds performed better but didn't shoot worth a poop in the F17. That's when I went back to 22 mags and have done way better than I did with the 17.

When you say lost, do you mean they ran off and never recovered after being hit with the 17? Accuracy suffered in the BMag pretty bad?
 
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnoti would get 17bmag out of my head and put 17 hornet in its place.

in fact i did.
smile.gif
that was after owning 3 different bmag rifles. best thing i ever did was rid my mind and gun safe of bmags. yucky bmags.

Why did you dis-like the Bmag so much? Accuracy issues? You really like that 17 hornet for small game, fox/cat? How hard to get ammo for the hornet?
 
I would think the .17 WSM would be excellent for Fox and cats. I have not killed a fox with mine , fox are too rare here, but as far as feral cats , wood chucks , and raccoons..... It does a great job and no exits at close range with direct hits , marginal ones make a mess like most all calibers. Snot hates Bmags more than all the rest of the world put together and he is entitled to his opinion , but you should throw out the biggest haters and lovers opinions and use one yourself or get the opinion from someone that has used the WSM for several years hunting . My opinion is in its fourth season of hunting and shooting and quite positive so you can toss it out also and check in on rimfirecentral.com and read what others say. Jim
 
Originally Posted By: spiderman I would think the .17 WSM would be excellent for Fox and cats. I have not killed a fox with mine , fox are too rare here, but as far as feral cats , wood chucks , and raccoons..... It does a great job and no exits at close range with direct hits , marginal ones make a mess like most all calibers. Snot hates Bmags more than all the rest of the world put together and he is entitled to his opinion , but you should throw out the biggest haters and lovers opinions and use one yourself or get the opinion from someone that has used the WSM for several years hunting . My opinion is in its fourth season of hunting and shooting and quite positive so you can toss it out also and check in on rimfirecentral.com and read what others say. Jim

Spiderman, Thanks for the input. Which model of 17 wsm do you have?
 
I have an early model , skinny barrel . Bought in Dec. of 2013 . I have bedded it and with a little buffer under the barrel it makes groups of less than a dime at 50 yards with my 64 year old eyes and 1.5-6 power scope shooting off sticks . My son and I hunt coons in the daytime with Foxpro callers and take about 80 per year . He uses his A17 and they both do well with our short ranges (10feet to 80 yards with 20-30 yards the norm ). Many of the newer heavy barrel ones do much better than mine but I have a great , light weight killer ( 4.7 lbs bare ) that carries easy and with no worries of finding empties to reload in the weeds and brush of bottom lands it is just perfect for me and my needs. And yes , those are some big coons !!!

 
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Originally Posted By: CaliCoyoteCallerOriginally Posted By: NoName1I didn't have that specific model, but I had a skinny BMag and the Franklin Armory F17. I don't have either of them any more and do way better with 22 mags, running a pair of Ruger American Rimfire rifles. They are plenty accurate inside 100 yards and the CCI 40 gr hollow points kill very well. Not just my opinion, but experience that the 17 WSM 20 gr rounds are too explosive. I lost half a dozen coyotes to that round and a couple shoulder shot fox. The 25 gr rounds performed better but didn't shoot worth a poop in the F17. That's when I went back to 22 mags and have done way better than I did with the 17.

When you say lost, do you mean they ran off and never recovered after being hit with the 17? Accuracy suffered in the BMag pretty bad?

Yes that's what I meant. I killed one coyote with a body shot with the 25 gr rounds. Still didn't like the Bmag because of the stock so I sold it and got the F17. For some reason it key-holed the 25s so I shot the 20s. I think it was 5 or 6 coyotes that were hit and got away. I hunt at night but still usually make pretty good hits at reasonable distance. I got tire of following blood trails the next morning. Had one that I shot right up the nose at 40 yards. 10 minutes later it was getting back up. I put 2 in the body and it was still walking away until I finally hit a head shot. I am not a poor shot accuracy wise by any means either. I need "for sure" dead coyotes, not runners and escapees. Some have had better results on coyotes, but that's just my experience with it.
 
Originally Posted By: spiderman I have an early model , skinny barrel . Bought in Dec. of 2013 . I have bedded it and with a little buffer under the barrel it makes groups of less than a dime at 50 yards with my 64 year old eyes and 1.5-6 power scope shooting off sticks . My son and I hunt coons in the daytime with Foxpro callers and take about 80 per year . He uses his A17 and they both do well with our short ranges (10feet to 80 yards with 20-30 yards the norm ). Many of the newer heavy barrel ones do much better than mine but I have a great , light weight killer ( 4.7 lbs bare ) that carries easy and with no worries of finding empties to reload in the weeds and brush of bottom lands it is just perfect for me and my needs. And yes , those are some big coons !!!



Big coons for sure!! Im sure calling coons is a lot of fun. I need to give that a try sometime! Thanks for your feedback!! BTW, I went to my LGS last night, and bought that target model BMag...IM pretty pumped. Thanks for the info.
 
Originally Posted By: NoName1Originally Posted By: CaliCoyoteCallerOriginally Posted By: NoName1I didn't have that specific model, but I had a skinny BMag and the Franklin Armory F17. I don't have either of them any more and do way better with 22 mags, running a pair of Ruger American Rimfire rifles. They are plenty accurate inside 100 yards and the CCI 40 gr hollow points kill very well. Not just my opinion, but experience that the 17 WSM 20 gr rounds are too explosive. I lost half a dozen coyotes to that round and a couple shoulder shot fox. The 25 gr rounds performed better but didn't shoot worth a poop in the F17. That's when I went back to 22 mags and have done way better than I did with the 17.

When you say lost, do you mean they ran off and never recovered after being hit with the 17? Accuracy suffered in the BMag pretty bad?

Yes that's what I meant. I killed one coyote with a body shot with the 25 gr rounds. Still didn't like the Bmag because of the stock so I sold it and got the F17. For some reason it key-holed the 25s so I shot the 20s. I think it was 5 or 6 coyotes that were hit and got away. I hunt at night but still usually make pretty good hits at reasonable distance. I got tire of following blood trails the next morning. Had one that I shot right up the nose at 40 yards. 10 minutes later it was getting back up. I put 2 in the body and it was still walking away until I finally hit a head shot. I am not a poor shot accuracy wise by any means either. I need "for sure" dead coyotes, not runners and escapees. Some have had better results on coyotes, but that's just my experience with it.

Thanks for the input and info. I appreciate it! I ended up buying the Target BMag. Im gonna give it a chance on some close range fox/cat. If it does not do the job it needs to, Ill be sending it down the road. Thanks for your info and experience with it.
 
Congrats on your new rifle. Hope it works out for you. My bobcat rifles are in a .204 Ruger bolt and a .204 AR platform. (Fur friendly) jmho. But you knew that already...lol. BUT: have a question for you. Just a week ago or so, you replied that "cat season" wasn't open in Cali, when in fact it opened October 15. Myself and others replied so you would know. Now, you happen to just call a couple bobcats in and kill them. Now, every cat I've killed, at least for me was a great experience. And I have taken a picture of every single one! I simply would love to see the pics. Would you mind posting them? Think we all would love to see 2 beautiful California bobcats. Congrats, Regards, Drop
 
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Originally Posted By: DropadoglvCongrats on your new rifle. Hope it works out for you. My bobcat rifles are in a .204 Ruger bolt and a .204 AR platform. (Fur friendly) jmho. But you knew that already...lol. BUT: have a question for you. Just a week ago or so, you replied that "cat season" wasn't open in Cali, when in fact it opened October 15. Myself and others replied so you would know. Now, you happen to just call a couple bobcats in and kill them. Now, every cat I've killed, at least for me was a great experience. And I have taken a picture of every single one! I simply would love to see the pics. Would you mind posting them? Think we all would love to see 2 beautiful California bobcats. Congrats, Regards, Drop

Thanks, Rick. I sure hope it works out as well.

Yes, I did say that, I was sadly mistaken. For some reason, I thought it opened in Nov. I guess I was thinking fur season on fox, I dunno. Brain blackout I guess
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I only have a pic of 1 cat. I did not kill the other cat. I did not get a shot on him. He came in almost behind us and I couldnt get the gun level and steady enough to feel good about a shot...he got away. The second one didn't though.

I have no problem posting pics, Rick. I know you seem real nice in your last post, but I also know why you are asking.
You think Im lying. lol However, Im not.
Im not sure why you have taken it personal to try to disprove me in everything Ive said in the past when we have never even met before.
Anyway, here is a pic of the last cat.

BTW, If i was a liar, I could just post another random cat pic I have and make you think that I killed 2 cats that night, since I have more cat pics, but that would be pretty shady. Anyway, enjoy your "California cat pic!"
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^^^^^not at all, congrats! Why not just put the past in the past and leave it their! Again, with all sincerity!!! Nice. Regards, Rick
 
Originally Posted By: Dropadoglv^^^^^not at all, congrats! Why not just put the past in the past and leave it their! Again, with all sincerity!!! Nice. Regards, Rick

Thanks, brotha. I appreciate it!!!
 
My buddy hunts with a heavy barreled B-Mag and loves it. I have seen him take coyotes out to 180 yards with it. He is also a great shot though. The rifle groups half inch three shot groups at 100 yards, so it also a great shooter. Good luck with your new rifle... Its a great caliber.
 
Originally Posted By: ShenanigansMy buddy hunts with a heavy barreled B-Mag and loves it. I have seen him take coyotes out to 180 yards with it. He is also a great shot though. The rifle groups half inch three shot groups at 100 yards, so it also a great shooter. Good luck with your new rifle... Its a great caliber.

Im hoping for sub moa at 100 yards with it. If it will shoot .75 or so, Ill be happy. .5 would make me really happy!

Thanks man! I appreciate it!
 
Originally Posted By: Jeepyjerwhere is the big whole?I plan on just using my 223 with 35 gr ntx rounds if I can find one.

I normally always take pics with cats showing their belly's but the hole is pretty much in his chest cavity. Its ripped out both sides pretty bad, and I didnt figure anybody would wanna see that kind of gore in a hunting pic so thats why the cats back is turned toward the camera.

A 35 grain ntx might work well. Never even thought about that little bullet. Hopefully it works good for you.
 


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