First 17HMR

[REH]

I took the plunge and got my first 17HMR rifle. It is a model XT-17VR Marlin. I was impressed with the rifle, free floated heavy bbl, syn stock, nice trigger. Mounted a Nikon 3X9 scope for optics. I have not shot it yet. I hunt ground squirrels 3 to 4 times a year and notice the 17 the others were shooting and some of the ranges they were shooting. What can I expect from this rifle? I notice that there are several manufactures of ammo. Is the 17 a natural for accuracy, or do I need to buy all brands and sort them out? Thanks in advance for the responses.

[thospb]

Congratulations on your new toy, it will be a lot of fun.
When I got mine, I bought a box of everything to break it in and see if it favored one over another. The ammo is available in 15.5gr, 17gr, & 20gr. Mine definitely likes 17. I also found a jig to measure rim thickness with a dial indicator to sort the ammo, this eliminates a lot of variation in brands and lot#. I have found ammo as low as $11 so just keep your eyes open.

[Tom-ADC]

I have a similar rifle in a Savage 93R17 FV it is just not ammo fussy my other two aren't either find what you can zero the rifle for it and have fun.
150 yards the thing will be deadly.

[Zartan]

I have a similar rifle in a Savage 93R17 FV it is just not ammo fussy my other two aren't either find what you can zero the rifle for it and have fun.
150 yards the thing will be deadly.

Sweet! I want to get into 17HMR and was considering this rifle.

[Tom-ADC]

100 yds 25 rounds back to back.

[Rosebud22]

I notice that there are several manufactures of ammo. Is the 17 a natural for accuracy, or do I need to buy all brands and sort them out? Thanks in advance for the responses.

As noted above, I have found the 17Gr work best for accuracy. Brands don't seem to make much difference in accuracy out to 100yrds that I have tested. POI does change a little. Your rifle maybe different. Below is a pic of tin cans full of water shot with CCI polytip and hollow points at 100yrds. Poly make the cans jump about 3ft into the air. With poly, I don't think a squirrel would have a chance.
I was also shooting 1" pill bottles at 100yds. Misses are rare. So, yes 17s are very accurate unless there is alot of wind.

[REH]

Lots of good info and pics..............thanks everyone. Looks like I my have a keeper.

[marko12]

Savage makes an awesome .17HMR, a straight shooter with a flat trajectory and very accurate.

My very first thumb-hole stock and it fits perfectly. Once you shoot a T-Hole you won't want to go back.


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[delsol]

I picked up a standard Savage 17hmr R17 a few weeks from a local gun shop. I also had them put a cheap 3x9x40 scope until I can afford to upgrade. After putting just a little over a 100 rds through the rifle I just love the rifle but hate the scope. Hope to upgrade the scope sooner than later.

[gbran]

I hunt in a lead ban area. I'm using Hornaday 15.5 gr NTX. Trajectory is so flat that I can put the crosshairs on anything out to 125 yds with no holdover. Super accurate.

[surfcitydude]

I found Hornady 17HMR, 17gr online and on sale (can you believe a sale price in these times?) for $9.95/50. I quickly bought 40 boxes. The site was all out 3 hours later.

[BroncoBob]

100 yds 25 rounds back to back.

Great grouping!
Must have been a very calm day. I've noticed with just a slight side wind these little bullets will drift.

[REH]

I found Hornady 17HMR, 17gr online and on sale (can you believe a sale price in these times?) for $9.95/50. I quickly bought 40 boxes. The site was all out 3 hours later.

And where was that?

[Tom-ADC]

Great grouping!
Must have been a very calm day. I've noticed with just a slight side wind these little bullets will drift.

It was calm I was at SBRG not always calm in Delzura.

[OldShooter32]

I spent a few hours at the range with my .17 in a slight breeze: Shooting at 100 gave some great practice for 600 yard with the .308 at a much lower price!