.17hsm vs. .17wsm

[sierra11b]

Took my 8yo shooting and he shot my friends .17hmr the most out of all the .22s we both brought. Was a savage with the bull barrel.

Needless to say he loved it so much he dubbed it the “the his name special”

I also enjoyed it and am wanting one, too, but when I asked my friend he said he had wished he bought the .17 WSM instead.

So now I’m intrigued… seems the .17hmr is here to stay but what about the .17wsm? Also, it’s been awhile since I bought ammo being the hoarder I am, and am wondering what the average price per round on each is? What’s the availability of both?

I like the idea of the .wsm but am not sure it’s necessary given that this will be a predominantly target and plinking gun, but a faster round with a bit more bite is never a bad thing.

How’s the kick between them for an 8yo? Negligible I’m guessing?

Lastly, any reason to not consider the savage line? I’m a CZ guy but the savage seems mighty hard to beat.

[TKM]

Auto pistol ammo prices for a rimfire cartridge. A damn good rimfire cartridge but still.....

http://17wsm.com/

[plumbum]

I dunno, it’s really a specialty cartridge, but it’s not like it’s overpowering or anything. I have the HMR and it’s a great gun, but I couldn’t really tell the difference when shooting them (granted my HMR is a standard barrel savage w/ accutrigger and the WSM was a heavy barrel Savage). I guess if you needed the extra FPS and your sweet spot was at the edge of HMR range, it would be worthwhile to upgrade.
I really like the HMR and I want more to happen with the WSM so I can convince myself I need one of my own. I still wish they had made it a .20 or .22, but marketing won that battle.

[Imageview]

The wsm doesn't appeal to me because I think it exacerbates the problem of potential meat loss on smaller game, while it is still on the small side for things like coyotes. Plenty of people have shared positive results from both it and 17 hmr on coyotes though. The wsm gets out there a fair amount quicker, and has a little more punch at long ranges, if that's something you need.

The cz 457 is very well regarded for a rimfire rifle, but it seems like a good solution presents itself; buy your buddy's savage and he can get a wsm.

[oddjob]

I have both 17HMR & WSM rifles. There is more recoil with the WSM, but its mild. I love the WSM for shooting ground squirrels at distance and the explosive "pop" when squirrels are hit. The HMR is no slouch either. If your punching paper then stick with the HMR. The WSM does cost more.

If it matters I use the CZ 455 & 457 in HMR. GREAT rifle. The shooters I go with like the Ruger 77/17 in HMR and WSM.

[RR.44]

I have the CZ455 in 17 HMR and .22 WMR, and I have the Ruger 77/17 in .17 WSM. Both are great rifles, I like the .17 WSM on windy days over the HMR, less wind drift.
YMMV

Rich

[SharedShots]

The 17WSM is almost a natural progression in the velocity chase but it tries to close in on 17 and 22 Hornets while not getting there. If you reload the 17 Hornet is almost stupid cheap to shoot and not far off from buying boxed WSM ammo.

Depending on where you get it the 17WSM ammo is almost the same price as the 17 Hornet and depending on how much you shoot if you choose good you can leave the brass for the Hornet just like you would for the WSM. Even on good days the WSM is only about 20 cents per round less and since neither are really plinking rounds the cost difference isn't that much. Reload and its about the same and you get a wider selection of projectiles.

Its expensive plinking with either but it depends if your idea of plinking is several boxes or a 500 round marathon. But its only money and money is just a tool, shooting is fun.

[sierra11b]

The cz 457 is very well regarded for a rimfire rifle, but it seems like a good solution presents itself; buy your buddy's savage and he can get a wsm.

[sierra11b]

I have the CZ455 in 17 HMR and .22 WMR, and I have the Ruger 77/17 in .17 WSM. Both are great rifles, I like the .17 WSM on windy days over the HMR, less wind drift.
YMMV

Rich

[sierra11b]

Seems a lot here like the 457… is there any sacrifice in accuracy with the 457 .22LR combo?

If so, which .457 would to recommend? And is there any advantage with CZ over the Savage offerings?

[FeuerFrei]

My first 17hmr is CZ. Classic design and accuracy is great. I use a 4x12 scope on it and use it mostly for culling gnd squirrels. Great rifle/ammo combo.

I later bought/traded for a pair of Savages. Savage Mk2 fvsr 22lr w/16" bbl for a GP 22lr around the ranch use. I also have a Savage 93 stainless in 17hmr and it gets more use these days than the CZ. It's lights out accurate and a better trigger to boot. Don't sell the Savage line short. Great value for precision/hunting use.

[hermosabeach]

For an 8 year old new shooter- It sounds like they had a great time.


What to buy? A friend picked up a 22 trainer... he routinely hits steel at 300 with his match ammo



Can you visualize the different guns? Why does you son like the Special Gun?

It's not the caliber...
Better fit
bigger magazine
scope vs irons
better scope where he could see everything
Groups- for some reason was he shooting better with one vs another?


Unless hunting, I would 100% stick to 22LR.
22 mag & 17 ammo can be more difficult to find and definitely more $$$$
(in normal times)