Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires 17 Winchester Super Mag

Had a synthetic-stocked B-Mag for a while (had to try one despite the so-so reputation), and finally had to put it in a Boyds laminated stock and use some bedding tricks to get it to average 5 shots anywhere near an inch at 100 yards. (The syn-sock was way too floppy to be any help.) Most groups were closer to 1.5". Tried several kinds of 20-grain ammo and it all shot about the same, at around 2900 fps. The only time any chronographed around 100 was on a very warm day.

In my CZ .17 HMR the A17 ammo groups under 3/4" for 5-shot groups at 100, right to the same POI as "standard" 17-grain V-Max ammo, at a muzzle velocity of around 2850, so I sent the .17 WSM down the road.

On the other hand, one of my buddies has a Ruger 77 in .17 WSM that REALLY shoots, and he likes it a lot. So I gave him my leftover WSM ammo.

If somebody would come out with a rifle priced somewhere between the B-Mag and Ruger that shot consistently well, I suspect the .17 WSM would become pretty popular. But haven't heard of anything yet.

I would think even if the velocities of the A17 17HNR loads were virutally the same, the downrange ballistics the 17 WSM 20g loads would have to be better due to it's heavier weight and better B.C.

My biggest problem with the 17WSM has been the scant number of rifles chambered in it and the mediocre accuracy in many eifles.

Without consistent MOA or better accuracy , nothing else about the rounds really matters.

Yeah, there's a difference, but very little out to the typical ranges most of us use a rimfire on, say, prairie dogs--which is all I ever shot with my .17 WSM--say 150-175 yards. Beyond there I get out the .17 Hornet--which IS noticeably more gun.

That said, one of the big reasons for the .17 WSM was hunting coyotes in the East where (and when) centerfires aren't legal. It may very well be significantly better for that use. I dunno, having never shot a coyote with either a .17 HMR or WSM.

Yoder - I don't know what kind of velocity a ".22 WSM" would yield, but I'm guessing 40 grain bullets around 2300 to 2400 fps. Especially since RWS was once turning out 2100 to 2200 fps loads using the WMR case (or so I hear). Who knows, maybe some new powder like Lil Gun would be just the thing for it too.
Its fun to think about I just don't know if there's any reason to market a bigger .22 magnum rimfire.

I would like to see what that case could do with a .204 bullet though. Seems like that bullet would be a better match to that case than a .17

Just thinking out loud.

John, was you B-Mag a sporter barrel?


Surprised to see your 2850 with 2650 on the box. I'll have to get a 17HMR after all. Figure either will be perfect for fox.

I keep hearing about how bad the b mags suck. I was getting a 3/4" group on Sunday. I really need to try out the Federal ammo if I can find some.
I've heard about the accuracy bedding fix too... I need to figure out how to take that dang stock apart...lol.

The 17 Whizzum is a KILLER chambering.

The Ruger 77 is far and away the best bolt gun route. i'm rather hip on my Franklin Krunchenticker too. Salvage sucks serious fhuqking ass.

Hint.............