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[Foriegn power]

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[SoCal Bob]

I have a Mossberg 817. Out of the box it had the hardest trigger pull I had ever experienced. I took it apart, which is easy to do, and saw that the top of the trigger moves forward until it reaches a cutout that allows a bar to drop down, releasing the firing pin. I took a stone to the parts that come into contact with each other and then applied oil. This significantly reduced the friction making for a much lighter, smoother trigger pull. Mine came with scope mount bases, no iron sights. I put a Simmons .22 mag scope on mine and am very happy. I do notice that the bolt is more difficult to operate than the bolt on my Savage 93 because of the way the handle is shaped.

I don’t have a Marlin to compare but the Savage 93 comes in .17 HMR and my Savage .22 WMR is a very smooth operating rifle. If I had it to do over again I think I would have paid more and gotten the Savage in .17 HMR over the Mossberg. That being said, the Mossberg now performs very well and I have no plans to sell it or buy another .17 HMR rifle.

I will let others talk about the performance of the various rounds but keep in mind that .22 LR is much cheaper than .22 WMR, which is cheaper than .17 HMR.

[Trapper]

I'd check out the CZ 452 and the Savage 93 with a little trigger work and some good optics, both are fantastic rifles.

[WDE91]

CZ 452 .17hmr combined with either a V-16 or a V-24

[Retzius]

Sako Quad. Why limit yourself to one caliber?

[novabrian]

The Savage one with the thumbhole stock rules.

[Trapper]

Yes you can run a holograpic sight but you would not get the same level of accuracy that you will with a good scope. A Weaver classic V in 4-16x42 with adjustable objective would be perfect on a 17hmr.

[Foriegn power]

On these rifles, is there anyway I can just run a iron sight? Good old fashion?

[Trapper]

Most rimfire scopes are set up to be paralax free at 50yds but it's not an issue if you get a side focus or adjustable objective scope.
Nothing wrong with iron sights but the 17hmr is capable of good accuracy out to 150yds, a scope will help you to get the most out of the calliber. I use a Leupold 3-9x33 EFR on my CZ 452 in 17HM2 and have no problem taking head shots on rabbits out to 125yds.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=144620

http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-Riflescope-DEMO-B-P767.aspx

http://www.samplelist.com/Bushnell-5-15x50-Elite-3200-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P1081.aspx

[gbran]

I bought the Marlin 917............. absolutely the worst trigger ever. Installed a Rifle Basix trigger and it's now as sweet as it gets. Buy a gun (CZ, etc) with a good trigger to start with.

[Foriegn power]

Will I even feel it? Coming from a pistol shooter? 10/22 and a 12 gauge is the closest it comes to with a rifle.

[MAD SVT]

Spend the money..... I have a CZ 452 that is everything i could ever want out of a 17 and more! my buddy had a Ruger, and ive shot the Savage...

CZ FTW!!!!! it has an adjustable trigger from the factory.

[DougJ]

.17 HMR is a fun round to shoot, and it's great on squirrles. Lot's of good rifles out there, but you can pick up a Savage @ Big 5 cheap and you'll come away happy, they even have left handed rifles now and again. The accutrigger is quite good.

Do not buy a cheap rimfire scope for it! You don't have spend a ton of money on glass but it deserves a decent scope. I have my scope mounted as low as possible and the rifle shoots to the same POA at 50 and 100 yards, then about 1.5" low at 150 yds.

[bombadillo]

Savage 93r17 with one of the boyds stocks and fluted barrel and you've got yourself a winner! Great trigger from the factory, and the price is right.



Great looking gun. This is the BSEV model.

[appleboy]

For the 17, I have and recommend the savage. A blast to shoot and very accurate

The OP states "I want to get into some long distance shooting." Keep in mind this (17HMR) is a very light round and wind will be a serious disadvantage when taking distant shots. If you are looking for serious distance and accuracy, a larger round(.223 etc.) may be better suited to your liking.