Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Ruger 77/17 WSM!

I just got back to Montana late last night from a 15 day stint in the Seattle area where I was busy caring for a sick relative.
This morning I stopped by my LGS/pawn shop and the owner was unpacking two Ruger 77/17 WSM heavy barrel Rifles.
I was impressed with them but "hesitant" to plop down any cash due to being "burned" a few times in the last few years with "new stuff" that I can't get ammo for anymore!
Anyway one of my Ground Squirrel Hunting partners spoke for one instantly, and the other Rifle was still there, calling my name, when I left the shop.
The wood on the Rifle my partner bought was as nice as the wood on the Strum Ruger online site promo photgraph (see at Sturm Ruger's site)!
It was NICE - I mean, real nice!
I did not stay around to see the selling price but fully expect to obtain that info tomorrow.
The shop did have a fair supply of 17 WSM ammo on hand today.
By the way - on my just completed 15 day trip to the west coast I found exactly NO quality American made 22 L.R. H/P ammo nor any 17 Mach2 ammo - lots of 17 HMR around though.
I checked 25 +/- stores in my searches.
I am up in the air on this nifty Ruger rotary mag 17 WSM???
We will see, I guess, how this latest "fad" works out?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Wish you knew the price

I'd wait quite some time before trying a new rimfire.

Probably the worst time since the depression to try and introduce new schit.



Travis

Local shop has one for $795. Well balanced rifle; lightest finish wood I've seen on a Ruger and the action is somewhat stiff though the gun was pretty dry.

If I wanted a 77/17, I'd go with the 17 Hornet.

Oregon45: In between garage sales and catching up on yard work yesterday I was in the local gun shop twice yesterday and completely forgot to ask the price of the 77/17 WSM's - as the other Ruger 17 WSM was not on the wall or on a rack I must assume it had sold as well.
I will get the selling prices on Tuesday when the store re-opens.
Thank you for your input/information.
I have had the hots for a 77/17 Hornet (heavy barrel) for quite a while now but NO brass available!
Puzzling and sad this latest brass situation?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Avagadro: Sorry - I dropped the ball on this one!
Will get prices on Tuesday.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Deflave: Your opinion is sage (wise and learned)!
Sadly the facts are the facts.
Your mention of "the depression" brought back memories of my father and his two brothers (my uncles).
My dad was born in 1922 and he and his two brothers would Hunt Ground Squirrels around Baker City, Oregon for the penny a tail bounty that was in effect back then.
The brothers had one pump 22 Rifle between them and the plan was they would try and shoot the Gophers in the head and the two non-shooters would sprint forth and de-tail the Varmint with their pocket knives.
IIRC they relayed that a box of 22 L.R. bullets was 21 cents for 50 (circa 1930's) and they had to pick and choose their targets carefully to make their shots count.
The family was dirt poor and had no extra money for ammo purchases.
Times have changed since the depression.
Have a good season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thank God they post gas prices on signs.......
Were you able to "plop" any hard earned cash at the yard sale?

Wageslave: Indeed I did - I bought a brown Moose horn (shed one side only) for $6.00, a mint condition Swiss Army "Leatherman" style belt holstered tool by "Wenger" for $5.00 and an old but like new Pfleuger Medalist 1495 fly reel with a new unused extra spool for $15.00.
I fully intend to make $75.00 to $90.00 in profit on the Moose horn tomorrow at the antler buying warehouse in Ennis, Montana!
I should make $20.00 or more on the Wenger and I think I will keep the Medalist as a spare or for a gift.
I did 5 sales total and put 25 miles on the Cadillac and will spend a total of about $21.00 in fuel once my trip tomorrow is complete.
Regular was $2.29 here today.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

SCORE!

Wageslave: Got hold of my friend and the selling price (cash!) was $755.00.
Hope this helps.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I was looking for pillar screws for my 1494 online and discovered that a cottage industry has developed around the old Medalists. You can spend some serious money upgrading those things.

Your right on just about all levels. But this rifle/round combo has me wanting to let loose on some shekels. I poo-poo'ed the HMR and laughed at the HM2. I have a Ruger VHZ that'll duplicate the WSM with 35 gr. V-max. But still, this fool is thinking of parting with his cash. Fortunately (?), $$$ are in short supply and I'm still saving for a 1903-A4 and 1917 for CMP matches or I'd be probably be that fool (& I'm never one of the first folks to buy anything)

Pappy348: I am kind of new to fly fishing (25+ years now) and am still learning things.
Can the Medalist 1495 be switched over to left hand cranking?
I hold the flyrod in my right hand constantly (while casting and fighting fish) and prefer to reel/crank with my left hand.
I have some Hardy's, Scientific Angler and Abel reels and I can crank them with the left hand.
In looking at this, new to me Medalist, I can't see how it can be converted.
Thanks for any enlightenment.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Avagadro: I am sympathetic to your mode of thinking regarding the 17 WSM.
I just can't get it out of my head how cool it would be to liquify some Ground Squirrels with the 17 WSM.
I bought three guns in the last 30 days and I "needed" exactly NONE of them.
I only live once, and I now think I "need" either/or both a 17 WSM and a 17 Hornet.
I just don't want ANOTHER gun I can't get ammo or components for WHEN I need them.
Up in the air here.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy, I agree with the I think I need a 17wsm or 17 hornet just cuz I can .

I have had some fun on the ground squirrels with a 17 Hmr, so why not go faster at them along with close pdogs.

I may wait for it in ruger American though.

It never even occured to,me to try, but it's a great idea.

A 30-second search found this: http://www.flyfishohio.com/Guide_to_Pflueger_Medalist_Part_2.htm

DakotaBoy: I got curious and double checked on the "other" Ruger 77/17 WSM that the store got in and it has sold already as well!
Seems there are plenty of "Rifle cranks" out there that are not as "timid" as I am.
He who hesitates has lost?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Pappy348: A public thank you from me to you for the link which I have saved.
Thanks
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

You're welcome.

I'm not good for much, but I can find stuff.

I finally got a chance to pick up 77/17 wsm. The local shop received 5 of them in a 2 day period and they went quick thank goodness I had one reserved for me. My father in law had one reserved as well. Now to get my hands on few extra mags.

Range report? Pics?

Puleezzzzz

50vmaxshooter: My local gun shop got in two more Ruger 77/17 WSM's last week and they are NO LONGER visible on the racks - I assume they have sold.
That makes 4 of these that have sold in this small town of 4,200 (but LOTS of Hunters/shooters) in a very short time.
My rancher/gun trading friend that bought one and had it scoped up with a 3.5x10 Nikon Monarch has been busy with farm chores and he wants me to sight it in for him - I can't wait to do so!
I will report back as soon as he brings it over and I get to shoot it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thats all I need. Another rimfire caliber to play with. LOL

Would like to see some carnage pics when folks have had a chance to test them out on tiny targets.

Come on guys! How about some reports on this "little hottie" from Ruger. Does it shoot or what?

Mine as well as my father in laws both shoot. Both shot -1/2 at 100 yrds. I watched a coon meet it's demise at 289 yards. Hard to believe the performance of this rimfire. If you see one on a rack you better grab it. The bmag isn't even in the same galaxy as this rifle.

Thanks for that feedback. I have a BMAG and mine shoots pretty darned good. I would prefer a Ruger 77. Anyone hear of any other rifles chambered for the WSM???

LCHunter1 I picked up another Ruger 77/17wsm for my son with out asking him. I just didn't want to let it get it away. Turns out he doesn't want it. So I have an extra one I'm not going use and is now have for sale. It's never even been out of the box. I just want to recoup my money. So if your interested $835 shipped is the price.

PM sent

Wally World nearest me has had 15 boxes of Winchester ammo for a month. Yesterday saw they actually had a BMag for sale. Ammo is $14.99 a box which is cheaper than HMR around here.

Onliest thing interesting at this point.

Kinda regretting I got the CZ 455 Varmint in .22 Mag instead of HMR last month due to zero WMR for sale around here. Got it zeroed and am only gonna shoot it at live targets with my remaining rounds.

I keep waiting on Ruger to offer the American in WSM...

your wait will be long......

Why so?

Because it takes a Hornet length action. And THAT ain't available in the American. And last I heerd, Ruger has no plans to introduce one......

50vmaxshooter: I still have NO range results to report to you folks on my friends Ruger 77/17 WSM.
He is now right in the midst of crop cutting and baling.
Anyone else have a Ruger 77/17 WSM range report?
Should have some info from my guy in a week or so hopefully.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I got 10 boxes of Hornady 20 Gr ammo 500 rounds and two boxes of Winchester 20 Gr ammo 100 rounds to try out in my new Ruger 17 WSM rifle. The rifle cost $ 814 including tax. Havent got a scope for it yet. I m a 17 caliber fan and now have a 17 HM2, 17 HMR, 17 WSM, 17 Hornet, 17 Fireball, and 17 Remington rifles. Other than sighting my rifles in off a bench rest most all of my shooting is at prairie dogs. In a week or so I my get to see how the 17 WSM shoots five shot 100 yard groups off a bench rest.

Bracer (and all): I now have the aforementioned Ruger 77/17 WSM in MY possession!
My rancher friend is so busy hayin and stackin and truckin he hasn't shot it at all yet so he brought it to me late this morning to sight-in for him.
Alas it was to windy here all day for proper testing - so hope to get to it tomorrow (July 14th) early.
He brought two brands of 17 WSM ammo with it - both are 20 grain loads (Hornady and Federal).
The scope is a Bushnell 3.5x10 power with A/O.
I won't try the trigger for pull weight and crispness til it actually gets fired - I have no 17 WSM snap-caps or fired cases so no info there yet.
Wish me luck for tomorrow.
Bracer, be sure and let us know how your Rifle shoots.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The Ruger 77/17 WSM heavy barrel got 40 rounds put down the tube yesterday by me.
It shot VERY well.
My friend wanted it sighted in at 75 yards (I don't know why?) and at the range I measured one group with my steel ruler there at the range and five shots was just under 1/2".
Normally I measure and record groups down to about .001" but my friend called me before I could get the targets back home - and met me in town to pick up his Rifle the ammo and the targets.
So I did not get to try the trigger out back at home with fired cases and my Schrader trigger gauge.
Nor did I get to precisely measure the targets.
But the trigger was pretty good and was crisp but a tad heavy (I am guesstimating at 4 1/2 pounds).
The recoil was just about non-existent and I found an unbroken clay pigeon on the grounds of our range and took it out to 130 yards or so and set it up in sage brush I hit it dead center (it did not break on the first shot as shown with my 40 power range spotting scope).
The second shot broke the clay pigeon and I easily saw that occur.
Someone had set up a bulldozer blade tooth on top of our 100 yard stantion and I easily plinked it - knocking it off the target frame with gusto!
I have handled these heavy objects at our range before and IIRC they way about 6 or 7 pounds.
Overall I was quite impressed with my friends 77/17 WSM - especially with its accuracy.
The Rifle functioned flawlessly - feeding, extraction and ejection wise.
I inspected the fired cases and saw NO signs of pressure or other abnormalities.
The ONLY area of criticism I could find with the Rifle or with the function was the bolt was rather stiff in its closing and opening - I assume this stiffness will wear in or wear away somewhat.
It was rather noticeable though.
I am "up in the air" whether to buy one for myself - ammunition around here and on my travels of recent seems to be quite available - of course that is the way it was with 17 Mach2 ammo at first - and I now have three Rifles in that caliber that I am having a VERY tough time feeding anymore!
I only fired the Federal ammo and did not break into the Hornady ammo.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy