17HMR Suggestions please?

[ThermionicValveTech]

Hello everyone,

I do a lot of vermin shooting (mainly Rabbits) I have the following rifles (see below) for their particular jobs and an open slot for .17HMR with the intended application of long range vermin control, looking for suggestions within a budget of around a grand for the rifle & mod, thanks in advance.

Bit of a trigger snob, most likely this rifle will be shot prone using a bag or bi-pod, can be of heavier style as will not be a walk & stalk rifle, can use the 22LR for this.

Hope this makes sense..

Used slots:
.22LR - Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr II (Specific to one permission due to noise constraints)
.17HMR - Browning T Bolt (Night Vision Vermin Control)

Open slot:
.17HMR - ???? (Day Time Long Range Vermin Control)

 

[Leupsak]

Anschutz thumbhole stock with 18" barrel and a Sak mod makes a lovely package, well I like it

 

[valtratom]

Swap the browning for an anschutz , use a pard for nighttime remove for day and swap one hmr slot for something properly capable of long range vermin control

 

[landkeeper]

Savage is a accurate bit of kit accutrigger works well

 

[old keeper]

Swap the browning for an anschutz , use a pard for nighttime remove for day and swap one hmr slot for something properly capable of long range vermin control

Totally agree with this. if you can find one an Anschutz 17/17 17HMR is an excellent rifle, splash out for a 17Hornet (possibly a CZ) for long-range small vermin control but if foxes are on the menu 223 will do the job rather better.

 

[ThermionicValveTech]

Totally agree with this. if you can find one an Anschutz 17/17 17HMR is an excellent rifle, splash out for a 17Hornet (possibly a CZ) for long-range small vermin control but if foxes are on the menu 223 will do the job rather better.

Variations of this have been considered, a small CF calibre such as 17 Hornet etc.

It maybe the case I do "replace" the Browning T Bolt and then simply vary that open slot for something else suitable for long range, but that may also be a 308 if I ever pull my finger out and do my DSC1.

But either way I need suggestions for a 17HMR first..

 

[Liveonce]

.17hmr is not a (reliable) long range vermin rifle, especially as you have not defined long range.

Go for a .17cf if you want long range in .17cal.

 

[ThermionicValveTech]

.17hmr is not a (reliable) long range vermin rifle, especially as you have not defined long range.

Go for a .17cf if you want long range in .17cal.

Okay, that's an interesting concept. I thought the whole idea of 17HMR was to extend the distances of rimfire vermin control? By virtue of it's flatter trajectory and expansive performance.

What constitutes long range on Rabbits you ask?

They're pretty small and I've hit them out to 165 yards with 17HMR reliably, I don't have a need to shoot them much beyond that kind of range, but I certainly aren't using my 22LR at those distances (albeit some can, I don't).

I think based on the nonsense this forum has kicked up so far in terms of advice on what 17HMR to buy, I'll just go ask my RFD. I wasn't asking for calibre suggestions or comments on the performance of a calibre. Just which guns were good within my budget.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Morkai]

I have a CZ 457 heavy barrel, not the most expensive rifle in the world but it works very well.

Very accurate, cycles well, the bolt throw has plenty of clearance for the scope.

 

[gixer1]

I wouldn’t be using HMR at much past 130-150 yards to be honest - plenty videos with gel blocks showing expansion. As someone said above - if you want longer range get a 17 hornet or the like as it blows the HMR out of the water at the 150 and above ranges.

If you are around the 75-125 yard range they work well and having just bought a T1X (16” barrel) - they take a bit of beating, adjustable trigger….especially when compared to the savage r93 which to be was a rough cycling bugger of a thing that seemed to have regular bolt jam ups.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Len the dog]

I can definitely recommend the T1X, 16" barrel even with a SAK on the end is easy to point out of the vehicle window.

 

[Puds]

My T1X with 16” barrel has been faultless.

 

[Smellydog]

I have a 457 and a 455. Both are superb with some trigger fettle.
If you can shoot the t bolt you will find the cz triggers sublime!
I shoot mine in excess of 150yds on small vermin. Tend to stay under 130 for fox.

 

[landkeeper]

Have to disagree about the savage 93 had one in stainless thumbhole stock and heavy barrel extremely accurate , must have put 10k through it , cycled faultlessly never had a jam or malfunction apart from ammunition problems ,trigger is adjustable and excellent

 

[ChesterP]

What do you class as "long range"?

I always considered my HMR to be a 150yd rifle max and far less for fox.

If you're pushing it beyond 150 yds, you're better advised if purely for vermin control maybe moving to a .204 which is far more effective. That or a .223. For your budget I'd be looking at a CZ 527 which is available in either calibre.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Okay, that's an interesting concept. I thought the whole idea of 17HMR was to extend the distances of rimfire vermin control? By virtue of it's flatter trajectory and expansive performance.

What constitutes long range on Rabbits you ask?

They're pretty small and I've hit them out to 165 yards with 17HMR reliably, I don't have a need to shoot them much beyond that kind of range, but I certainly aren't using my 22LR at those distances (albeit some can, I don't).

I think based on the nonsense this forum has kicked up so far in terms of advice on what 17HMR to buy, I'll just go ask my RFD. I wasn't asking for calibre suggestions or comments on the performance of a calibre. Just which guns were good within my budget.

Thanks anyway.

Ask hundred different people.........................

 

[BenBhoy]

I swapped a t bolt for a 457 - very happy.

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

When it comes to rimfires of any calibre I find it hard to see past a CZ they just do what it says on the tin and they do it well, other than that I would be looking at a Tikka

 

[GWP]

Sako quad 22 and 17hmr cnm mod forget the sak to bulky and not very long lived shot mine out with less than a thousand rounds

 

[Liveonce]

Okay, that's an interesting concept. I thought the whole idea of 17HMR was to extend the distances of rimfire vermin control? By virtue of it's flatter trajectory and expansive performance.

What constitutes long range on Rabbits you ask?

They're pretty small and I've hit them out to 165 yards with 17HMR reliably, I don't have a need to shoot them much beyond that kind of range, but I certainly aren't using my 22LR at those distances (albeit some can, I don't).

I think based on the nonsense this forum has kicked up so far in terms of advice on what 17HMR to buy, I'll just go ask my RFD. I wasn't asking for calibre suggestions or comments on the performance of a calibre. Just which guns were good within my budget.

Thanks anyway.

if you have your hart set on another hmr then so be it, however I think a 17WSM still a rimfire or a .17hornet cf would in the long term be a much better idea for distances over 150yards.

The variation is free.