Savage 17WSM Rifle

[MrChubbyMcLard]

I heard this rifle was just released? Any owners out there who can comment on the rifle?

I have the option of purchasing one today.

[G21Shooter]

I would hold off and wait to see what other 17 WSM rifles are introduced at Shotshow next month.

The BMAG rifles are low quality and have poor accuracy, just cheap guns.

[JerryC9]

I just got my BMAG (17 WSM) and sorry to say am not at all impressed. I mounted a Simmons Pro-Target 3-x12x 40mm scope and went to my indoor range where the trouble began. 1) the Simmons zoom ring has a lug that hits the bolt handle when set to low powers 3-5 (bad scope design) 2) I loaded up with 17 WSM HV (20 gr), pulled the trigger and fail to fire, bad round, it had a deep perfect rim dent that should have fired it 3) next round fired, yea; next-next round fired and was right beside the first one on the target 4) the case would not extract, the bolt has only one extractor and it put a deep scratch on the rim but could not pull the case out 5) went home and pushed the case out with a cleaning rod, no cracks but the head is slightly bulged on both fired cases (over pressure?) 6) ran cleaning patches through the barrel and noticed a rough place about 4 inches down the bore 7) the stock & bolt handle make it difficult to correctly pull the trigger 8) the synthetic stock is free floating but the fore-end bends very easily. After only two fired rounds, I am very unhappy with the BMAG.

[Capybara]

The caliber seems intriguing. Have not yet seen a rifle in it that gets me interested though. Maybe SHOT will have some new stuff that will.

[Jet Setter]

I tried one on a Savage/Nikon demo day. They are great. The rifle handles well and the round is quite impressive.

[AceGirlsHusband]

I'm waiting. The round was reviewed (along with the BMag) in American Rifleman a couple of months ago. Ballistics are impressive and I hope this new cartridge takes off... but I want something besides the Savage. I want a better rifle (and some choices) for this load.

[Friar5119]

Have you guys read the threads on rimfire central in the 17wsm forum? Seems like a fast round with shotgun patterning. Not saying its a dud but so far many people are having issues with either the ammo quality or the rifle quality.

At this point I am more likely to get a .17 rem before a .17wsm.

Hopefully the growing pains are short lived but the round doesn't seem like a slam dunk.

[Hoshnasi]

Have you guys read the threads on rimfire central in the 17wsm forum? Seems like a fast round with shotgun patterning. Not saying its a dud but so far many people are having issues with either the ammo quality or the rifle quality.

At this point I am more likely to get a .17 rem before a .17wsm.

Hopefully the growing pains are short lived but the round doesn't seem like a slam dunk.

Varminter might be along to comment, but I think some of have noted that the 20 grain v. 25 grain bullet might be the cause.

Were there any announcements on other guns to chamber that round at Shot?

[Eric Mayer]

The Savage B.MAG is a decent gun, IMO. Mine shot great the first day I took it out and still continues to do so. That being said, there are folks who are having issues with their rifles, but I believe Savage is remedying the situation for those who sent their rifles back. Also, I don't think Savage is done with this CALIBER and we may be seeing some interesting things from them soon...

Add to the B.MAG pro list is the new stocks available from Boyds Gunstocks. Folks that absolutely hate their current B.MAG stock can upgrade for $100.

Shooters have to separate the .17WSM caliber from the rifle maker. I have a Contender Carbine barrel in the .17WSM that is very accurate (more so than my B.MAG). I've killed a couple of coyotes, a bobcat and many, many ground squirrels, etc with the 20 grain .17WSM. I'm sold on the caliber and look forward to everything that will be out this year (Volquartsen, Franklin Armory AR15, etc).

Also, as hoshnasi stated, some people are having better results with the 20 grain offering, than the 25 grain offering and vice-versa.

Here are some links to the new rifles, etc:

http://www.varminter.com/forums/topic/16459-volquartsen-17-winchester-super-mag-pictures/

http://www.varminter.com/forums/topic/16450-franklin-armory-announces-first-ar-chambered-in-17wsm/

http://www.varminter.com/forums/topic/16442-boyds-gunstocks-bmag-stocks-pictures-added/

I hope this helps answer some questions!

Eric

[Occams Rasor]

I am all for pushing the envlope in gun/ammo development, but at some point you have to ask did this go too far and is better just to jump up to center fire?
Tul or WPA ammo in .223 is 35-40 cents a round, about the same as .17WSM.
Savage Axis series rifles in .223 is about the same as 17WSM rifle.
.223 ammo will be around for a long time .17WSM, who knows.
I am just asking the question and looking for feedback.

[hardlyworking]

I saw a video that Winchester had a "Low-wall" lever action, wood stock iron sights at SHOT-2014 in 17WSM that looked sexy. MSRP (not yet listed on website, but the other 17s are: ) about 4x the price of the BMAG ~ $1000