17 HMR

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Question for the forum:

I was thinking about getting a bolt action plinker. Of course there would be no problem with a 22, but I was thinking 17 HMR for the flatter trajectory, and I've been anxious to try this round. I know this round would probably cost more than a 22, but its still cheaper than any centerfire rifle.

Anyone had experience with this round, and would it be noticeably different from getting a 22LR?

[Guest sagebrushjim]

Ammo is a little more costly, but not that bad... I have a Savage Bolt Action in .17HMR Bull Barrel with a Simmons 6x24x40 scope and after some careful tinkering on a fairly calm day it will shot constant Nickle size groups at approx 60 yds... Light weight bullets (17 or 20 grain) are pretty drifty in the wind at any longer ranges... Amazing results in expansion from these Fast shooting little cartridges...

[Marswolf]

I had a Savage for a while. Model 99R17 comes to mind, but I won't swear to it.

I liked the round and the gun. BSA makes a nice scope called a Sweet 17. As I recall, some of them have a BDC built in.

[DaveTN]

Depends on what you are going to do with it. If you are going to shoot paper I wouldn’t want the additional ammo cost of the 17HMR. Especially if you own a center fire.

[Guest Halfpint]

I had a Marlin 917VS for a while. A buddy offered me more than I had in it so I decided to let it go. Got 1.25" groups at 100 all day long--not bad for a 17gr bullet.

Like Mars said, the Sweet 17 is a pretty good scope--I had the 3-12x40/IR with a BDC. Zero at 100, it will correct out to 350.

Fun round, but I used it mostly to pop armadillos and beer cans in south Texas at 200. For general plinking I'll stick to a .22LR.