Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints What’s with .17 prices?

So I have a .17HMR I’m really enjoying so far, and am casually eyeing a centerfire .17. I’ve looked at them before, most notably a CZ527 in .17HH several years ago, but didn’t really live somewhere useful for it so I waited.

The CZ is discontinued so I understand the price jumps on those. But so far the only rifle I can find under $800 chambered in literally any .17cal is the Savage 25. I don’t have anything against Savage per se, but if I’m going to spend that much money I’d prefer something a little nicer. But anything over that is north of a grand, often WELL north of it.

I’d love a .17HH or a Fireball, but I don’t have $1600 to spend. I realize the .17 is a fairly specialized caliber, but these prices are crazy. Even vintage rifles in .22Hornet (that I’d likely use for a re-barrel to .17HH) are crazy expensive. Anybody know what gives?? It’s like varminting is a rich person’s activity now or something lol.

I don’t know why 17s are so scarce, I presume lack of demand killed to manufacturing of them.
I have shot 17s for 30 plus years, mostly 17 Rem, but also 17 fb and some 17 ackley hornet. Just bought a 17k hornet in a Kimber 82.
Like you, Savage just does not do it for me..

Ruger has several models of the American in 17 HMR.

Yep, and based on a sample of one they shoot very well. My wife shot my CZ a little last summer during ground squirrel season, and wanted a .17 HMR of her own, and our favorite LGS had two RARs in stock. It shoots just as well as the CZ, as in 5-shot groups around .6 to .7. (This didn't surprise me, as I've had an RAR .22 Rimfire Magnum for a while now, which is the most accurate--and ammo-tolerant--.22 Magnum I've ever owned, including some that cost $1000 or so.)

NM. Read again and your wanting the centerfire.

I have one of the green stock, heavy barreled guns.

16-18" barrel. It's always in the truck and goes on a lot of walks with me.

My only complaint is the bolt opens too easy, handle sticks out a bit. I have lost a few rounds of ammo so I have to be careful how I sling it over my shoulder.

Buddy has a 22 LR and has same complaint.

IMO, it's pure supply and demand on a free market. All of the prices on CZ527 models have skyrocketed since CZ stopped making them. Based on what I'm seeing for selling prices, the 17 Hornets probably lead the pack with the 221 FB not far behind. I have 527s in 17 Hornet, 221FB, 222Rem and 223Rem, and it stuns me sometimes to estimate their worth at current market prices.

Haha, no worries! I appreciate the comments regardless, I’ve heard great things about the RAR and may consider it in the future if I want another rimfire (I still need a .22WMR…).

As for the centerfire .17’s, MT_DD_FAN is probably correct. I mean, he’s ABSOLUTELY correct with regard to the CZ527, they’ll continue to rise in price until they find their natural equilibrium in the market. I still plan to re-add several in the future at some point (especially a nicely figured 527FS in .223!), one of which will be a .17Hornet.

As for the other CF .17s, they’re probably just not made in enough numbers to bring the price down. I’ll keep saving my pennies and watching the classifieds and try to snag one. I may have to cave for a Savage 25 (gotta read up on them first to make sure they’re worth it) unless I find the .17HMR to be enough for now. I’d also gladly build one out, but the specialized bolts, magazines/followers, and other stuff will likely make it a longer-term option. In my mind though, it’ll totally be worth it, they’re just such a cool and unique caliber!

The 17 Rem. is about as much fun as you will ever have. Load it up, load it down, whatever the need. 20gr. bullets for small varmints, 25 - 30gr. for Fox/Bobcat/Coyote.

Make one.

I am a Kimber fan, but I wanted a 17Rem.

I bought a perfectly good Kimber M84 Montana 223 and had a Lilja 17 Rem barrel installed.

We think alike. LOL
Kimber fan here also. I bought a Kimber Montana in 204 and had a Lilja 17 Rem. installed.

Love the 17 HMR and the 17 Hornet. I have 2 of each and they have killed hundreds of p-dogs.

I have a Grade I Rem. 700 and a ULA, both in .17 Rem. Just a fun varmint gun and not many others that are 4000 fps. with factory loads.

Did a 17 Fireball on a Savage Axxis platform...

handloading it, is really not that expensive...bought bullets when they were on sale right after Biden was sworn in...
like 4,000 plus of them...Fireball takes same powder I use in the 223s I have...

Don’t be deterred the 17 fireball is a thing of insane addiction. I had McGowan put a 17 fireball barrel on my 527. I had the barrel cut to 18 inches and threaded. It’s retired my 17 hmr. It launches 20’s at 4100 fps. It will explode starlings into a puff of feathers. Suppressed it’s got less recoil than a 22lr. It’s my. favorite rifle. In less than a year I put about 1150 rounds through it.

I cannot tell you how much I love the gun. My joy for it is that much

The reason I went with a Savage Axxis, and I liked the barrel balance that came on the rifle chambered in a 350 Legend.. it balances well...

I've probably ran about 600 rounds thru it so far...the barrel I have on it is from Douglas...its accurate as hell.. same contour as the Legend.

Just received another barrel for it from Douglas in 6 x 45 with a one in 8 twist...
that will be spun on there also... both will be for varmint hunting..

the 17 Fireball Barrel is 18 inches... the 6 x 45 is 20 inches...

Running a suppressor is the secret sauce for the fireball. It’s almost like the gun has super powers. It kills way above its weight. That little recoil. Exploding varmints, power to over 360 yards to kill varmints. It’s pure magic

I haven't really been shopping for another .17, BUT I have been looking around on GB, and the OP is correct, the prices these days are insane. Glad I got on the .17 bandwagon a few years ago. About got the caliber covered from A to Z.

IMG_20230303_091626279 by .com/photos/156405073N02/]Tim Richard, on [bleep]

Whatcha got there? Let me take a stab at it:

-HMR
-Hornady Hornet
-Ackley Hornet
-Fireball/MKIV
-Remington
-.17-204

Am I close?!

-HMR
-Hornady Hornet
-Ackley Hornet
-Fireball/MKIV
-Remington
-.17-204

Am I close?! smile

Nailed it, although I no longer have the hmr. It just never tickled my fancy, but yet I still have a little ammo for one.