17 HMR Sportster???

[KenSel]

How accurate are these little rifles?  Are they comparable to the Marlin and Savage bolt guns?  I'm gonna get a 17 HMR to squirrel hunt with but not sure which one I want yet.  What's the average price out the door for the Sportster?  I can get the fancy Marlins and Savages for about $300 out the door, but would prefer not to spend that much if I can get the same kind of accuracy out of the Sportster.  How are the triggers on the sportster?

thanks,

Ken

[d_hiker]

I love my .17 HMR Sportster.  I have tried a few different brands of ammo in it and haven't noticed a big difference in how they shot, about an inch or less at 100 yards.  I do want to try the 20gr bullets and see how they shoot.  Mine has a fairly smooth trigger but I want to try the trigger job routine on it this winter.  I have a couple of receivers that I want to do, but I want to get a trigger pull scale before I get started on them.

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSS1017

You might want to consider the .17 Mach2, the ammo is cheaper.  The range would be a little less, but I doubt you'd notice that difference in normal squirrel shooting distances.

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSS1217

[quickdtoo]

FYI, concerning the 17M2, it has been discontinued, so if you really want one, better get it while you can, H&R isn't making any more and there are limited accessory barrels left.

Tim

[KenSel]

d and quick,  thanks again for the replies; I'm gonna have to start just PMing you guys when I have an H&R/NEF question.     I can get one through the club on base for $152 out the door, so I may just have to order one.

thanks,
Ken

[SM Bob]

Ken,
I have a 17 HMR Sportster. I like it. At 50 yards it is deadly!



The price of 17 HMR ammo has gone through the roof lately though. Because of this I don't
shoot it as much as I used to. I also have a Marlin 17 M2 in 17 Mach 2. I really like that 17 M2
round! In my opinion it is pretty darn close to the 17 HMR out to 100 yards. The great thing
about the 17 Mach 2 is the ammo runs about 1/3 the price of the 17 HMR. I got to thinking
about what Tim said about H&R not making the 17 Mach 2 Sportster anymore. I just sent off
my Sportster's receiver to get it fitted with a 17 mach 2 barrel. The 17 mach 2 is a wicked
little round! Both the 17 HMR and the 17 Mach 2 are really effected by wind. Both of them
are a lot of fun to shoot.

                                                        Robert

[KenSel]

Thanks for the info and the pic of the target Bob.  Yeah that would definetly ruin a squirrels day!  I'm gonna check and see if the club on base can get the M2, if so I think that's what I'll get.  Are the M2's as accurate as the HMR?  I was leaning toward the HMR because I wanted to use it at short ranges for foxes, bobcats, and coyotes but I already have a couple of 22Mags and they give me the added insurance of a little heavier bullet.  I think the little M2 in a single shot will fit my squirrel and rabbit hunting needs just fine.

thanks for the info guys,  hopefully I'm still able to get the M2.

Ken

[MSP Ret]

At 50 yards my Mach2 is MORE accurate than my HMR, but there is not a target out there that would know it. To determine it is more accurate you need to measure the groups. The answer to your question is yes, the Mach2 is as accurate as the HMR, and probably is so out to at least 100 yards and a little farther. I also suggest you try some .17 Aqulia ammo in the Mach2 when you get it, the .17 Aquila ammo is a little slower than the .17 Mach2 and is loaded with a 20 grain bullet, deadly on small game and varmints, squirrels and crows and such....<><....

[KenSel]

thanks for the info MSP,  I'll look into that.  the 20gr bullet should work perfect for foxes and such.

Ken

[backstrap]

I dont know if i would shot a fox with a mach 2 Maybe a HMR

[KenSel]

backstrap,  by limiting my shots to about 50 yards the M2 will work fine, even if I take the occasional long 100yard shot it'll still take down a fox with a good head shot.  I've used a 22lr for years on foxes and I've taken a few of them with air rifles and shotguns loaded with bird shot.  Foxes are fairly easy to kill, however coyotes are a little tougher but inside of 50 yards I wouldn't hesitate to use the M2 on them either.

Ken

[KenSel]

Well I'm not able to get the M2 through my dealer so the search continues.

Ken

[MSP Ret]

Here a post I did just recently in another thread, hope it helps:

"What Tim said,........" Money doesn't always buy the best accuracy!"

I was at the range one day shooting my .17 HMR Sportster. My gun with the scope and all set up as it was cost me just under $250. Another member came up with a Marlin 1717D (.17 HMR) with a Unertel scope and custom made mounts, he had about $2500 invested, a 10 to 1 ratio of cash. My little  Sportster out shot his Marlin at 50 yards. My .17 HMR Sportster came out on top accuracy wise with each of us shooting our own guns and when we switched and shot the others gun as well. But his gun did cost about 10 times as much as mine, he could take some pride and solace in that.
Priceless!!!, or perhaps just less price?....<><.... "

[njanear]

Marlin 1717D (.17 HMR)

Was that an Anschutz 1717D or a Marlin 917V?  Or did they mate and this was its offspring?   

I have been tempted to try a .17 HMR but I just don't have a need for it myself.  It's overpowered for the grey squirrels I hunt and IMHO, underpowered for coyotes...  But I do have to keep convincing myself that my thoughts are right - or one might just jump in the truck and come home with me.