Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Opinions on 17 WSM

I just saw a savage rifle and some box of Winchester 17 WMS ammo, 20 grains at 3000 fps!

I guess I am glad I never got a 17HMR, because this is screaming faster. Not looking for any 17 right now and just as well given the performance of the WSM. What you guys think of this. Opinions for the future, which 17 should dominate? Any experience with accuracy and performance of the 17WSM?

I cannot help but wonder if there might be a screaming hot, 22 rim fire just over the horizon. The WSM could be the basis for a hotter 22rf.

If this is covered already, a link will suffice. I did not find that with the search tab. I did find this with Google:

http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-Bmag.htm

Not enough Manufacturers making Rifle or Ammo for it to survive

My thinking as well. I'd rather invest in a center fire that I can at least reload.

Yea. A potential problem: Savage designed or heavily modified a new gun for the larger diameter case rim. New bolt, magazine and special firing pin for much higher pressure. A lot more than a simple barrel swap for new 455 CZ, for instance. Any 22mag can handle the HRM.

With CZ and Hornady on board, then it would probably be off to the races. That might be shooting themselves in the foot.

The ballistics are impressive, which would seem the whole point of the 17HMR. I am pretty conservative and satisfied with 22 WRM. Just trying to get into the heads of the 17HRM fans. This will shoot longer with heavier wind resistant 20gr bullets. In theory, killing bigger critters at greater ranges than HRM. Wait - HRM also mysteriously more accurate then 22mag. Do you believe in magic?

It tough to know what will succeed and what wont. Just like trying to pick a good stock.

Part of the reason for the development of the .17 WSM was some eastern states prohibit the use of centerfires for varmint hunting on public land. The only choices were the .17 HMR and .22 Magnum, and the .17 HMR is a little light for coyotes (especially eastern coyotes) and the .22 Magnum limited in range. Thus the .17 WSM.

It has encountered several problems so far, not least of which was its introduction around the same time Obama Panic II started. Then there were problems with the first rifles, and apparently there are problems with ammo.

I bought some ammo to test in the rifle a friend bought, but then his rifle was recalled. Another guy recently contacted me, saying he'd bought a rifle but accuracy sucked, with groups running around 3" at 100 yards, and wondered what I knew. All I had was ammo, so I tested the bullet concentricity and it was all over the place--and .17's are particularly sensitive to bullet misalignment.

WV recently changed the rules for nightime coyote hunting to allow rimfires .22 cal and smaller, centerfires .22 and smaller, and shotguns using #2 shot and smaller. I was hoping that they would legalize the T shot loads like Dead Coyote, but they apparently figured that might be too dangerous, unlike somebody slinging a bunch of .223s around in the dark.

I'd like to see the .17WSM make it, but it's a little early in the game for me to jump in. A switch-barrel gun would likely be the cheapest and safest way to go now, but I'm currently without one.

I was one of those all hot to trot on this new rimfire as we were limited to rimfire for predators during deer season (which covered about 2/3 of predator season). Just before the WSM hit the market the DEC changed the rules to allow smaller than .22 center fire during deer season, so I bought a 17 Remington and never looked back.

I might still buy one if NEF or someone came out with a single shot, but I think that's doubtful at this point. I think the marketing plan pretty much killed any chance it might have had.

I m an old timer and over the years have found it interesting to shoot various brands of firearms and trying new rifle cartridges. After first reading about the Winchester 17 Super Mag 20 Gr bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,000 ft/sec I wonted to find out which brand rifles were made for the cartridge. I have shot quite a few prairie dogs with a very accurate 17 HMR rifle so a rim fire that had about 100 yards more range appealed to me. I have found comments on some of sixteen different web sites dealing with the shooting sport. I found few comments about the Winchester WSM chambered single shot rifle which is priced at about $ 1,400. There were a lot of comments found about Savage new design B Mag bolt action 17 WSM rifle $ 300 and few posting about the newer model with the heaver barrel and stock $ 400. There were a few who liked the accuracy and problem free action of their B Mag WSM rifle . Most comments were about the inaccurate rifle and problems with the action and plastic stock. Some had returned their rifle which was replaced by Savage. Some were purchasing Boyd laminated wooden stocks because the plastic stock was of were poor quality. Some found 17 WSM ammo which indicated the need for improved quality control. Unless some better rifles and ammo are made I ll pass on getting a WSR. This cartridge may die off like the Remington 5 MM rim fire did years ago.

Read an article in a predator hunting mag a while back that featured one of the new 1885s. It did the job on coyotes, but not impressively. I don't recall any criticism of the rifle or load except lack of power for that particular job. Of course, for someone limited by law to rimfires, it's possibly the best choice, but I dunno if I'd be willing to drop $1200 or $1300 bucks on one just yet.

Sounds like a great idea with poor timing and some quality control issues. The idea of a smoking fast .17 rimfire for semi urban rock chucks is very appealing but 3" accuracy at 100 yards is a deal killer. Getting any rimfire ammo currently takes some luck - a new cartridge that is even harder to find than .22lr think I'll have to pass. I may get another .17HMR just because ammo for them is on the shelves once in a while.

Probably the correct answer.

There was a brief flurry of 5mm activity not too long ago, with T/C barrels and Aguila/Centurion ammo. Just checked Midway and of course the ammo is out of stock.

I shot my new Savage in .17 WSM today and I really liked it. I mounted a crappy old scope in record time and headed to the range. All my groups were under 2" with the 20 grain ammo. There is no question that the groups will get better with a little effort. It functioned perfectly as well. I shot a bottle of water when I got home and I was surprised with the result. IMHO it is a fun little rifle and the kids will love it too.

A well designed 22 WSM would be very interesting....... Couple this with some good rifles, you would be cooking with grease.