Which inexpensive 17 HMR bolt gun? - Page 2

myarmor · 04-15-2005, 10:34 AM

I have both a 22Mag and a 17HMR. I love them both, but in the long run I would pick up my 17 first over the Mag. However, both of these rifles have their place.
As for the 17M2, I personally wouldn't bother. I would rather spend a little more on the 17HMR and have a faster, flatter bullet.

Snakebite · 04-15-2005, 10:47 PM

That little .17 gets the job done with ease. I was one of the most skeptical people there ever was when the .17 came out. I figured what in the world can a tiny bullet that only weighs 17 grains do?
I'm a believer in it now. Incredibly accurate and the Hornady poly tip bullets will destroy anything within 100 yards.
I bought mine before people ever heard of them and ammo wasnt even available at most stores.
I do not believe the stories about taking prairie dogs and such out to 300 yards. Maybe a lucky hit but after 150 yards the energy isnt much.
Its my pick over the .22 mag and I have fired millions of 22 mags. That was the first gun I bought my step son about 10 years ago and taught him to shoot.
My Savage isnt pretty but dang it shoots! I had to rework the lousy trigger though.
A 10/17 huh? Yep. That may be my next.

myarmor · 04-16-2005, 09:38 AM

Only if the weather conditions were great, would I take my 17(again) shooting past 200yards. I know it can do it, but in an open field with the wind gusts cracking it's out of it's application. But if you go in a place were wind isn't too bad, like a field between forests, or something the like, then you can't go wrong.

ruger22com · 04-17-2005, 07:52 AM

I love my marlin 17
there are pictures and a review of it at http://17caliber.com

practical · 04-29-2005, 05:09 PM

I live and work in the prime of prarie dog country. An early trip to the range mad e my NEF seem quite promising out to 100yds. As soon as I left my relatively wind shielded range though, the 17hmr became nearly worthless. So I got a Savage 22-250.

The NEF now lives with my folks in NE. They have crows destroying their yard. My dad is now destroying the crows. He says there is just a big puff of feathers and they fall over. That's with the hornady loads. I think this is exactly what the gun is for.

All in all, the NEF is a great gun for the price. It is equipped with a $35 simmons 3x9 which is absolutely perfect considering the extreme lack of recoil from this gun and the relatively short ranges. It is quite heay for a gun this size though and definitely recquires a rest or bipod. Nice and quiet too.

Beware of your barrel changing aspirations though, because there are several different NEF chassis and this one can only be converted to other rimfire calibers, and I already have enough 22's and don't really want or need a 22mag.

All this said, the much more expensive and powerful Savage is just as accurate, and doesn't just kill prarie dogs, it sends them flying in pieces out past 200yds. I'm shooting the Winchester Varmint Pack ammo(40gr JHP @ 4000fps) through it all the time.

04-17-2005, 07:52 AM	#24
ruger22com Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mobile Alabama Posts: 719 Trader Rating: (0)	17 I love my marlin 17 there are pictures and a review of it at http://17caliber.com __________________ www.CheapGunParts.com http://ruger22.com/art/banners/tiny.gif Home of the "YELLOW JACKET" Bolt Buffer and Takedown Bolts! Free Shipping & Lifetime Warranty!

04-29-2005, 05:09 PM	#25
practical Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA/Casper, WY Posts: 736 Trader Rating: (0)	I live and work in the prime of prarie dog country. An early trip to the range mad e my NEF seem quite promising out to 100yds. As soon as I left my relatively wind shielded range though, the 17hmr became nearly worthless. So I got a Savage 22-250. The NEF now lives with my folks in NE. They have crows destroying their yard. My dad is now destroying the crows. He says there is just a big puff of feathers and they fall over. That's with the hornady loads. I think this is exactly what the gun is for. All in all, the NEF is a great gun for the price. It is equipped with a $35 simmons 3x9 which is absolutely perfect considering the extreme lack of recoil from this gun and the relatively short ranges. It is quite heay for a gun this size though and definitely recquires a rest or bipod. Nice and quiet too. Beware of your barrel changing aspirations though, because there are several different NEF chassis and this one can only be converted to other rimfire calibers, and I already have enough 22's and don't really want or need a 22mag. All this said, the much more expensive and powerful Savage is just as accurate, and doesn't just kill prarie dogs, it sends them flying in pieces out past 200yds. I'm shooting the Winchester Varmint Pack ammo(40gr JHP @ 4000fps) through it all the time. __________________ Eric "The secret to life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made"

04-15-2005, 10:34 AM	#21
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147 Trader Rating: (0)	I have both a 22Mag and a 17HMR. I love them both, but in the long run I would pick up my 17 first over the Mag. However, both of these rifles have their place. As for the 17M2, I personally wouldn't bother. I would rather spend a little more on the 17HMR and have a faster, flatter bullet.

04-15-2005, 10:47 PM	#22
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,837 Trader Rating: (0)	That little .17 gets the job done with ease. I was one of the most skeptical people there ever was when the .17 came out. I figured what in the world can a tiny bullet that only weighs 17 grains do? I'm a believer in it now. Incredibly accurate and the Hornady poly tip bullets will destroy anything within 100 yards. I bought mine before people ever heard of them and ammo wasnt even available at most stores. I do not believe the stories about taking prairie dogs and such out to 300 yards. Maybe a lucky hit but after 150 yards the energy isnt much. Its my pick over the .22 mag and I have fired millions of 22 mags. That was the first gun I bought my step son about 10 years ago and taught him to shoot. My Savage isnt pretty but dang it shoots! I had to rework the lousy trigger though. A 10/17 huh? Yep. That may be my next.

04-16-2005, 09:38 AM	#23
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147 Trader Rating: (0)	Only if the weather conditions were great, would I take my 17(again) shooting past 200yards. I know it can do it, but in an open field with the wind gusts cracking it's out of it's application. But if you go in a place were wind isn't too bad, like a field between forests, or something the like, then you can't go wrong.