Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Looking for accurate 17 HMR..

Looking for a 17 HMR for target shooting and occasional ground hogs. Leaning towards the CZ 455 Varmint or American but not sure if the Varmint is worth the extra weight over the American or if I might even be better off with one of the Savage 93 models.

Again, primary. Concern is the most accurate.

Thanks,
Mike

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of those. I've owned the CZ and a Savage 93 . FWIW I still have the CZ simply because it's a better looking rifle, accuracy was a tossup in the ones I had.

The most accurate HMR I've shot has been my old Marlin 17V, one of the first ones that left the factory. It shoots 5/8" regularly with 17gr. VMax Hornady at 100 yards.

It's not so good with other weights/bullets, but give it a good lot of VMaxes, and it'll shoot.

I had a Savage 93 that didn't shoot quite so well, but shot everything well, it was more catholic in its tastes. It was a lot more generous with good groups using different ammo types. I gave it to a friend who needed an HMR, he loves it. He should.

I've got an HMR barrel for my CZ 455, but haven't spent much time with it as such. I did try it out with the HMR barrel, it favored 20gr. loads over the 17gr., so I took the barrel off and put it aside, for now. I'll get around to messing with it some time this summer, but with that old Marlin I still have, there's no hurry to get it running.

I have the 455 American in .17HMR, love it. Buddy just picked one up, I put the scope on (pos tasco 3-9 100yd parallax) shot 5 shots getting dialed in and put the next 3 shots into group below @ 50 yards. Just a quick dial off the tailgate in so we could go rabbit hunting the next day. Mine shoots easily as well. Have not really spent much time shooting at 50 yards with it because it's really no big deal to shoot 3 touching. Stretch it out to 100 and it is about a 3/4" shooter. Absolute hammer on rock chucks and jack rabbits, perfect in the 100-150 yard range. Only fault is some creep in the stock trigger - easily fixed if your confident or a smith can easily tune it up and the backward safety. Other than that, there is not a $400 gun even close.

Mikestaten: I purchased my Ruger 77/17 V/T back in early 2,003 and put a Weaver V-16 (4 to 16 power) scope on it.
According to my loading log book the first 5 times I fired it for group it gave me groups (5 shots at 100 yards!) measuring .831", .721", .646", .502" and .732"!
THEN... I later bought a Volquartsen trigger improvement kit it and put it in this Rifle -- which was a very worthwhile add on!
DO NOT overlook the Ruger 77/17 V/T for accuracy!
I have at least a dozen friends and Hunting partners who use these fine Rifles and they ALL are satisfied with the accuracy they get from them.
I have shot this Rifle of mine right along side many models of the CZ Rifle in 17 HMR and especially in the field the accuracy difference is nil or negligible.
The big selling points in addition to the fine accuracy of the American made Ruger 77/17 V/T is the "normal functioning" and very useful three position safety, along with the rugged, inexpensive and outstanding 9 shot rotary magazine.
The Ruger is more expensive than the CZ but they hold their value very well indeed! In fact my Ruger 77/17 V/T Rifle is easily worth $300.00 more today than I paid for it (I got it at a near wholesale price) back in 2,003.
Plus the convenience, capacity and flush fit of the Ruger 77/17's rotary magazines causes me to highly recommend to you finding one of these on the used gun market.
Apparently Ruger has suspended manufacture of all 77 rimfire Rifles?
The Varmint weight barrel IS "worth the extra weight" in my experience at the range and afield.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Mike I had a Marlin, but sold it.. It was very accurate.. Later I picked up a CZ 452 HB..I love it.. I have a .22 mag.cz with a light barrel, accurate, but harder to hold steady when shooting in the field.. Not sure about the 455's..Varmint Guy's enjoyment of the 17 is one of the reasons I bought the CZ.. Plan to take it jackrabbit shooting this evening... Good luck what ever you select!!

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of the info. Never thought of the Ruger but will look into it.

I believe Ruger has or is in the process of discontinuing the Hawkeye rimfire line. You can likely find some in inventory at places but don't look for new ones being shipped later this year.

That's backwards: Ruger has discontinued the 77/xx line in favor of the Hawkeye rimfires.

I have a V/T 77/17 HMR a friend / gunsmith shortened to 20". It shoots 3/4 inch to 1 inch at 100 yards with every load I've tried in it. Trigger is a bit heavy ... I'm used to Jewell HVRs set around a half pound in my 700s.

The guy who did that work for me has a heavy barreled Marlin which shoots considerably better.

The fact o' the matter is, most .17 HMRs are pretty accurate, typically more so than .22 long rifle or .22 magnum.

Tom

A heavy barrel Savage is all you need. In light wind conditions mine will give me 1/2 MOA accuracy at 100 yards. So will those of my friends. The Marlin Heavy barrel rifles are right there with them. I love Rugers, but when I want precision accuracy I typically look elsewhere.

Cz 452 American if you can find one.

I just picked up a Savage 93 with the 16 1/2 heavy barrel and it is very accurate. Have one of the first Marlin Stainless heavy barrels with a laminate stock and it is a shooter as well. Matter of fact have never seen a Savage that didn't shoot

Got a CZ455 and a Savage 93 (classic deluxe). Both shoot well. Nod to CZ for accuracy though. My Savage might benefit if bedded but I've not got around to it. May end up selling it as I'm always reaching for the CZ.

Tried some Win 20g bullets in the CZ recently. It didn't seem to like them.

Both of my Marlin 917's will shoot 10 shot groups at 100 yards like the one below if i do my part.

Playing with a Volquartzen semi-auto that belongs to a friend. Very accurate! Tried some A-17 ammo a couple of weeks ago and it shoots even better than the Hornady stuff.

Will hate to give it back, come June.

If money is no object, I'd buy an Anschutz.

My 455 American will put 3 Hornady V-maxs in to 1/3" at 100 yards

have one mine sux ... 2" @ 50 yards.

My Volquartsen .17 HMR will outshoot my Cooper .22 LR bolt gun.

Savage heavy barrel all the way.