What bolt action 17 HMR do you like most?

[DalesCarpentry]

Hi guys. I was thinking this summer of getting a 17HMR. The one I am thinking of getting is the marlin 917VR. Here is a link to it. http://marlin.resultsbuilder.com/Firearms/17HMRMagnum/917Vr.aspx    What bolt action 17 HMR do you like most? Do any of you have this one? If so how does it group at 100 yards? I figure with the cost of ammo I could use this sometimes for Groundhogs instead of using my Remington 243 all the time. Let me know witch ones you like most. I do consider accuracy of the rifle the the most important over anything else. Of course I would like to stay under $400.00 for the cost of the rifle. Dale

[bscman]

That's a great choice...I have the save rifle but in a wood stock.
It will shoot ANY HMR ammo into an inch or better on a god day...with it's favorites going sub .500" more often than not, when the wind isn't affecting it.

The trigger is a bit heavy from the factory (about 4.5 lbs) but with some MINOR polishing and a spring swap you'll be at 2.5lbs or a little less with a crips trigger.

I'm a marlin junkie and I truly don't think you can get anything better for the price...I have several marlin rimfires and they are all very reliable. Customer service is easily one of the best/easiest to deal with of ANY company I've ever dealt with.

The rifle you have a link to retails for a little under $200 most places.

IF your budget of $400 is for the rifle alone, you might consider a CZ. You'll get a better trigger, better stock, better fit and finish, and outstanding CZ accuracy...and still be under your goal after tax + fees. The CZ will definitely hold a better resale value as well.

Savage is another choice. Personally, I think they feel a little more "cheap" and the fit and finish isn't quite as great....but they have the accutrigger which is nice (and can be adjusted quite low). Prices are similar with the Marlins.

If you really want my opinion...I'd look for a nice .22mag.
With the new +V ammo out there (30gr Vmax, 30gr TNT, 30gr HP's, etc) they are maintaining a pretty flat trajectory, which packing a bit more punch than the HMR. The "good stuff" is typically about a buck or two cheaper than good HMR, but you also have the option of cheap stuff for plinking at $6-7 a box....something the HMR cannot do.
I've had my HMR for about 2 years, and my .22mag for about 3 months...with the release of this newer .22mag ammo last year, I've retired my HMR from hunting duty. I've found the .22mag to be a better round for the larger of the small game. My groups opened up a bit, as my .22mag is shooting .850-1.00" with ammo it likes, and a little worse with the rest....but that's still plenty accurate for the game I hunt.

[Ladobe]

I've got a Marlin 17VS that I bought as soon as they came out (became my second HMR).   Added a Rifle Basix trigger, BKL mount/4-12 scope and did a poor mans bedding job on it.   Also had two magazines modified to 5-shot for it.   I don't shoot paper except to sight in/work up loads, but did score a .264 5-shot group with it at 100 yards first trip out with CCI ammo.  Have a quarter I centered one in at 100, was too easy so set out a dime.   Put 1 in it and lost it, so put another dime out with duct tape and put 3 for 3 in it at 100 in a nice tight group.   Found the first dime after, so have 3 coins shot in 5 consecutive shots just with a bipod over the truck hood (told you I don't like to shoot paper - LOL).   In the killing fields it shoots minute of ground squirrel with both CCI and Hornady ammo that it shoots to the same POA, and that's good enough for me.   I also have a CZ, a Ruger and 3 custom Contender barrels.  My Bullberry carbine is by far the most accurate of all of my 17 rimfires.

I'd bet you would be happy with the 917.   I  have been with its forerunner.

L.

Marlin 17VS 12/03 and 100 yard coins...

[NONYA]

CZ,453 deluxe.
It outshoots every other .17 I have been around,amazing accuracy.

[woodchukhntr]

I've got a Ruger 77/17 that is a 3/4" grouper when I do my part.  It shoots better than any .22 mag. that I've had, shoots flatter, and kills woodchucks more consistantly.  Almost all of my 'chuck hunting has been with it lately, partially because of increased population in the areas I hunt.  It is realtively quiet, and less ricochet prone.  The problem is that I haven't seen even a used one for less than $400.

If I was looking for one on a budget, I'd start with a Marlin and then Savage for no particular reason than I have had Marlins before and was impressed with them.  Does Savage have one with it's Accu-Trigger?  If so, get it!

I have a Mossberg 642K carbine in .22 mag. that shoots much better than I ever thought it capable of, considering a less-than-impressive trigger pull.  My gun shop recently had 4 boxes of old label ammo for $6/box.

[quickdtoo]

Dale,

I have 4 hmrs, 3 bolts and the Sportster, two are Marlin 917s, a V and a VS, both have Rifle Basix triggers in them and Bushnell Scopechiefs mounted on them, they shoot great, but the CZ452 American shoots a tad better, it has an Automated Solutions adjustable sear in it and a Bushnell Elite 4200 scope mounted, shoots dime sized 100yd groups with boring consistency.

I think if I was gonna buy one now, I'd get the Savage with Accu-trigger, that wasn't available when I bought any of these, but if it had, I would have one, I have my eye on one at a local store, very nice looking rifle and from reports at RFC, very accurate too.

Tim


http://savagearms.com/93r17BTVS.htm

[Davemuzz]

And now.....the opinion from "the other side". I bot a 17 hmr when these rounds first came out. I bot a S&W revolver...I think the model was the 642. I bot it brand new. In fact, it has been the only gun I ever sold because I absolutely hated it. Oh, this revolver had the 8" barrel....which is one of the reasons it did not perform well in that caliber. The other reason was the little bullet had to make the cylinder to forciing cone jump. Too much energy loss and since speed is what makes this little rimfire work, in a handgun, it's worthless. I crony-ed something like 6 different types of ammo and none of 'em broke the 2000fps velocity mark from the revolver.

Also, I had to send the gun back to Smith twice so they could teach it to shoot right. Smith fixed it right the second time, It would shoot 2" groups at 200 yards.....(Leupold 2.5-8X EER) but never enough energy to kill anything more than a grasshopper. In fact, I did shoot a chipper....and had to shoot it again for the kill shot! I took it groundhog hunting. Wounded the hog on the first shot.....took 5 more to kill it.

IMHO, if you want a 17 caliber that's going to go hunting with you and actually work on anything larger than a sparrow....then buy the 17 Remington centerfire. You can reload this one, it's way more accurate at longer ranges, and will kill bobcats at 250 yards. The 17 Remington will drive a 25 grain bullet at 4000fps. Now yer talkin!!!

Dave

[DalesCarpentry]

I've got a Marlin 17VS that I bought as soon as they came out (became my second HMR).   Added a Rifle Basix trigger, BKL mount/4-12 scope and did a poor mans bedding job on it.   Also had two magazines modified to 5-shot for it.   I don't shoot paper except to sight in/work up loads, but did score a .264 5-shot group with it at 100 yards first trip out with CCI ammo.  Have a quarter I centered one in at 100, was too easy so set out a dime.   Put 1 in it and lost it, so put another dime out with duct tape and put 3 for 3 in it at 100 in a nice tight group.   Found the first dime after, so have 3 coins shot in 5 consecutive shots just with a bipod over the truck hood (told you I don't like to shoot paper - LOL).   In the killing fields it shoots minute of ground squirrel with both CCI and Hornady ammo that it shoots to the same POA, and that's good enough for me.   I also have a CZ, a Ruger and 3 custom Contender barrels.  My Bullberry carbine is by far the most accurate of all of my 17 rimfires.

I'd bet you would be happy with the 917.   I  have been with its forerunner.

L.

Marlin 17VS 12/03 and 100 yard coins...

That is impressive to say the least!!!!!!!!! I might just have to do that with my 243. Dale

[NONYA]

I have seen 1 shot 17 hmr kills on yotes and fox,within 100 yards its plenty of round.

[Davemuzz]

I have seen 1 shot 17 hmr kills on yotes and fox,within 100 yards its plenty of round.

While this is a true statement, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that my .223 cannot do better....at any given range, than any 17hmr round shot from any 17hmr gun on the face of the planet.

MHO

Dave

[NONYA]

And theres nothing your .223 can do that my 7 MAG cant do better,whats your point?

[Davemuzz]

If your going to spend some money on a small caliber gun, then buy a gun that will do a job with a greater percentage of getting it done. The 17 Remington has a higher percentage of killing the coyote at 100 yards than the hmr. And there is no doubt that if the coyote is at 130 yards, you should put down your hmr. But you can shoot him with your 17 Rem...or the .223.

So, if your going to invest in a small caliber rifle, why do you want to limit your range? I've seen these 17hmr's in rifle and owned one in a pistol for a year. I'm not impressed. Buy a gun that will do the job. The hmr will not do the job when all opportunities present themselves.

Dave

[NONYA]

This thread is actually about the .17hmr and groundhogs,I was just relating my experience with the .17hmr after someone posted it was nogood for anything larger than a sparrow,probably someone who has never shot a yote with a .17hmr .

[DalesCarpentry]

I have a 243 Remington 700 SPS Varmint. I just want something that would be cheaper to shoot than that all the time for Groundhogs. Besides I have wanted a 17HMR since they have come out. That 17 Rem and the 223 will do nothing that my 243 won't do. I don't believe I could shoot either of those calibers cheaper than the HMR anyways. Dale

[bigjeepman]

I bought the Marlin 917V some years back and absolutely love shooting it. I have done nothing to this rifle other than scope it. It will shoot several different bullets really well and  .... it's a Marlin! Well, I really like Marlin firearms to say the least. And then Christmas was coming along about 4 years ago and I bought my son a CZ 452 17HMR as a present. It will shoot "lights out." It will out shoot the Marlin I am sorry to say. The price difference is significant if you are on a tight budget.

bjm

[quickdtoo]

One of the detractions of the Marlins is the longer magazine, but Marlin now offers shorter 4 shot mags for them. They don't fit flush, but they don't stick out as far either. 

Tim

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Store/Category.aspx?category=Clips&

[DalesCarpentry]

I just looked no Gun Broker. and you can get a new CZ 452 for about $385.00. I don't think that is that bad. I don't mind spending a little more for a tack driver. Besides I bet if I were to look around I could find one cheaper. Dale

[quickdtoo]

Whittaker sells the 452 American for $352 and the Varmint for $368.

Tim

http://www.whittakerguns.com/new_22_rifle.htm#CZ

http://cz-usa.com/products_rimfire_rifles.php

[DalesCarpentry]

Whittaker sells the 452 American for $352 and the Varmint for $368.

Tim

http://www.whittakerguns.com/new_22_rifle.htm#CZ

http://cz-usa.com/products_rimfire_rifles.php

Hey Tim do you know anything this CZ? Dale  02009
 CZ 452 Special Military Training Rifle .17HMR, 5-round magazine, beechwood stock
 $287.99
 

[quickdtoo]

Dunno, give em a call. CZ makes a 452 Training rifle, but I thought it was only available in 22Lr.

Tim

[Davemuzz]

And theres nothing your .223 can do that my 7 MAG cant do better,whats your point?

Hey...you ask. I just gave you the answer.

Dave

BTW, I never shot a coyote with a 17hmr. My buddy shot a doe with one. I was not there nor would I approve anyone doing this. He hit her in the heart. The deer walked over to a tree, lay down....began to bleat and in about 5 minutes died.

However, I'm still not impressed with the cartridge.

[NONYA]

Ill bet it will kill any groundhog Dale can hit with it,they have pretty thin skin I would NEVER recommend it for any game animal in the antelope/deer size category,I use it for spotlighting coons,fox,yote,jacks,ect,ect,ranges are short and the round killz em dead,it will put a smackdown on a big coon at 100 yards.

[Ladobe]

The question was about a 17HMR bolter to shoot ground hogs with, not bobcats, not coyotes, not cape buffalo.   And a 17HMR can be a doable choice for ground hogs, simple as that.

When the expected ballistics were first released on the 17HMR, I was one of the loudest on the Internet at calling it just a small game cartridge.   Then I got one of the very first privately owned 17HMR's and did some of the field testing with it on ground squirrels and jack rabbits for the firearm maker and Hornady.   What a pleasant surprise.   The 17HMR is no lion tamer for sure, but it actually does have the ability to do more than most think it does who DO NOT have lots of field experience with them on game.   Would it be my first choice for coyotes or bobcats?   No way.   Will it kill them reliably with well placed shots further away than sounds reasonable for it's ballistics?   They sure will.   And with it's inherent accuracy right out of the box in almost any make of rifle, making those well placed shots with one is easier than with even most centerfire rifles right out of the box.

I still stand on it not being a good choice for anything but smaller game.   But in a pinch it has done way more for me when asked to.    I've shot many, many thousands of rounds in my three Hummer's AT GAME since very early in 2001.    Mostly ground squirrels and jack rabbits but also in taking fox, bobcat and coyotes with them when doing ADC where using a centerfire would be prohibitive.

Comes down to personal ethics when matching a firearm to the game you intend to shoot with it.   Mine dictates that if I feel the equipment or situation won't afford a clean and humane kill, the animal gets a free pass.    And its the same whether I'm carrying a 17 rimfire or a magnum centerfire.   Some of the ranchers I've done ADC for don't like that, but that's the way I hunt.

L.

[DalesCarpentry]

The question was about a 17HMR bolter to shoot ground hogs with, not bobcats, not coyotes, not cape buffalo.   And a 17HMR can be a doable choice for ground hogs, simple as that.

When the expected ballistics were first released on the 17HMR, I was one of the loudest on the Internet at calling it just a small game cartridge.   Then I got one of the very first privately owned 17HMR's and did some of the field testing with it on ground squirrels and jack rabbits for the firearm maker and Hornady.   What a pleasant surprise.   The 17HMR is no lion tamer for sure, but it actually does have the ability to do more than most think it does who DO NOT have lots of field experience with them on game.   Would it be my first choice for coyotes or bobcats?   No way.   Will it kill them reliably with well placed shots further away than sounds reasonable for it's ballistics?   They sure will.   And with it's inherent accuracy right out of the box in almost any make of rifle, making those well placed shots with one is easier than with even most centerfire rifles right out of the box.

I still stand on it not being a good choice for anything but smaller game.   But in a pinch it has done way more for me when asked to.    I've shot many, many thousands of rounds in my three Hummer's AT GAME since very early in 2001.    Mostly ground squirrels and jack rabbits but also in taking fox, bobcat and coyotes with them when doing ADC where using a centerfire would be prohibitive.

Comes down to personal ethics when matching a firearm to the game you intend to shoot with it.   Mine dictates that if I feel the equipment or situation won't afford a clean and humane kill, the animal gets a free pass.    And its the same whether I'm carrying a 17 rimfire or a magnum centerfire.   Some of the ranchers I've done ADC for don't like that, but that's the way I hunt.

L.

I agree with you 100%. My intended use for the 17 HMR is  Groundhogs. Maybe Squirrels and Crows and such at times. I would never consider shooting any animal Deer size with it. This reminds me of a couple threads here on GBO about the 204 Ruger for Deer. I have replied to all such threads that a 204 is not a deer round and it was never meant to be. Dale

[Keith L]

Given the choice I will even take my .204 over any of my HMRs for groundhogs.  I shot quite a few with the HMR, but also have seen several take quite a while to die.  With the .204 or my .222 they always go down quickly.  I prefer it that way. 

To each their own.

[DalesCarpentry]

All right lets get back on topic. There is no choice here I would like to buy a 17HMR. Not a 17 Rem. Not a 223. Not 204 Ruger. Just a 17 HMR. I have a 243 I just want to fill that gap. Please just tell me about your 17 HMR'S. Thanks Dale

[Davemuzz]

Back on topic: Dale....don't buy the 17hmr in a pistol. Any pistol. Smith quit making the 642. I think Ruger or Tarus makes one. Don't get one in a short barrel T\C either....not enough velocity.  Keith L. has first hand experience with hunting using the 17hmr. I would agree with his experience. I think they are fine for shooting holes in paper.

Dave

[buffermop]

Dale......Take a look at the savage 17 hmr. A 5 shot bolt with an adjustable trigger. Nice in expensive gun and accurate.

[quickdtoo]

Dale,

My only on game field experience has been on graydiggers(California ground squirrels), longest shot at a lazered 158yds and it tore it up pretty good using the 17gr TNT bullet which isn't as explosive as the Vmax, small entrance, much bigger exit, a lot bigger than I'd accept if I was meat hunting. At 100yds the Vmax will cut them in half pretty much. Graydiggers aren't near as big as a GH, I think I'd choose to use the 20gr XTP or Gamepoint on the bigger varmints myself, or limit your shots to head shots only. 

Tim

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks Tim I would like to congratulate you on your 20,000 post that you will make tonight. Dale