Which 17 HMR rifle to choose??

R

redhaven

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I'm just now getting around to buying a 17 HMR, was a little slow to come around I guess. Would like it for prairie dogs, to change the pace from centerfire rifles. And may use it for some long range squirrels and the occasional ground hog that gets in the barn.

Anyway, my dad has a Savage 93 and a Henry Lever Action 17, and I think all the other 17's I've shot have all been Savage 93's as well. What do you guys have and like? I'm thinking the new CZ 457 might be a good option.
 
I have a 24" Barrel made by MGM in Utah for my T/C Contender-In 17 WSM and its very accurate --I also like My Marlin V-17 HMR---Both Great Shooters---------------------
 
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I have the new CZ 457 American and it is awesome! With the cold/windy weather we have been having, I have only been able to shoot it a couple of days and it has produced 10 shot groups at 50yds that can be covered with a dime...using the Hornady 17gr ammo. You won't be disappointed if you get the CZ.
 
Don't overlook the ruger american, already comes threaded for a suppressor AND will shoot with my cz 455 varmint all day long.
 
They're like anything else, you'll hear good and bad with just about any of them. I have a couple 17 HMR's, a Sav HB SS thumbhole stock 93/17 and a Sav A17 HB Lam stock semi auto. They've both been good little guns.

I don't know much about the new model CZ but the 455 Varmint model always seem to shoot pretty well.

Tikka has a new 17 HMR out that looks to be pretty nice and I've heard good things about them.

For the most part, they all shoot relatively well. The biggest issue they have is the ammo can often be fairly inconsistent from lot# to lot# and even box to box. I've run a good amount of this stuff across my chronograph and it can sometimes have HUGE velocity extreme spreads. I've had some from the exact same box be 150+fps difference from highest to lowest. It'll generally still shoot minute of squirrel at 100yds and even further, but there isn't a 17 HMR rifle made that'll compensate for ammo that is all over the map.

As long as you aren't expecting match grade accuracy, like some of the 22LR's can do with match ammo, I think most of the 17 HMR's are capable of 1 inch-ish +/- groups at 100 yards.

If you like AR's and already have one, Garrow makes a pretty nice 17 HMR complete upper that seems to function and shoot pretty well. You could look at getting one of those maybe.
 
I bought an Anschutz 1517 HB a couple of years ago to shoot prairie dogs. It's an absolute tack driver, especially with A17 ammo. Shot well with Hornady and CCI 17 gr too. On good days with little or no wind, anything 200 yds or less had a bad day.
 
I forgot about the Tikka T1X, that could also be an option. I didn’t want to spend the money on an Anschuyz. I know they are nice, but would rather go CZ or Tikka and spend the extra money on ammo.
 
I just bought a CZ 457 in 17 hmr and it's nice, shoots good with 20gr CCIs. Looking back I would've bought the Tikka T1x since it comes threaded, could have saved a little money
 
I have the Ruger American with the threaded barrel; shot a truckload of prairie dogs with it last year and really like it. One thing that I really like is the availability of 25 round magazines. Load up a couple, put one in the gun and one in yer pocket and away you go. I have been running mine suppressed and that has made it my kids favorite for shooting prairie dogs when we are checking cattle; seems to take us twice as long as their mom thinks it should. It is pretty light and almost 'whippy' feeling, so if you are looking for a 'varmint rifle' type of feel, the ruger American is probably not it. The Tikka sounds interesting, too.

Edit to add: One other thing I like about the little Ruger is that the 9 round standard magazine fits flush. Not a major deal, but it is nice. Like I said before, though, the 25 round after market magazines are nice to have when shooting prairie dogs.
 
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I have had the Marlin 917V for years. Loves CCI 20gr. Gamepoints. Bought it at Walmart a long time ago for $179. Over time I have Duracoated it, modified Savage magazines to run in it, installed a Rifle Basix trigger, and had it threaded for a suppressor. It is one of my most used guns and is deadly accurate.
 
With 17hmr's, it probably boils down to which rifle you WANT.
There's no doubt a few lemons out there, but overall, they all
are accurate.

I've read that CZ finally got the safety right on the 457. True?
Even at that, I have a 455 in .22M in which a 17 barrel could
be added, but years ago got a Marlin 17vs that is just as
accurate as high end rifles.
 
Originally Posted By: DannoBooneI've read that CZ finally got the safety right on the 457. True?


Yes, they did change the safety to push to fire. Also shortened the bolt throw to 60 degrees. And they have really nice adjustable triggers, which might be the most exciting thing.

Until I figure out which one I want, I'm going to swipe my dad's Savage. He's pretty intrigued by the Henry right now, so he shouldn't miss it too much.
 
I watched a few videos on the Tikka. Seems there is some funky spring in the action that one guy was worried about hanging on a cleaning patch. Is that visible to you galoot? Does it look like a future problem?
 


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