17HMR rifle recommendations?

[Phil P]

Ok, so just on with sorting my fac out and looking to get a 17HMR for vermin control (crows, pigeons, rabbits etc).
And before anyone starts I don’t need a debate on whether or not I’ll a fac granted or not as already had the office out to check our land which he’s passed up to .243 and it’s the same guy coming back to do my interview in a couple of weeks and he said he can’t see any issues.

So anyway, had plenty of air rifles in the past but this will be my first “proper” rifle so looking for recommendations?
I know a lot comes down to personal preference but currently have no idea what to look for. Probably going to buy used to save on some of the expense getting set up and don’t see the point in spending a fortune on my first rifle that I may not get on with once in the field.
So next question is anything to look out for when buying used?
Doing a bit of Googling and CZ seem to get good reviews? Also local gunsmith also has a used Savage Arms 93R17 with scope and mod for pretty reasonable money, worth having a look at?

And can we not turn it into a .22 is better than 17HMR etc thread as well please.

Thanks

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Ok, so just on with sorting my fac out and looking to get a 17HMR for vermin control (crows, pigeons, rabbits etc).
And before anyone starts I don’t need a debate on whether or not I’ll a fac granted or not as already had the office out to check our land which he’s passed up to .243 and it’s the same guy coming back to do my interview in a couple of weeks and he said he can’t see any issues.

So anyway, had plenty of air rifles in the past but this will be my first “proper” rifle so looking for recommendations?
I know a lot comes down to personal preference but currently have no idea what to look for. Probably going to buy used to save on some of the expense getting set up and don’t see the point in spending a fortune on my first rifle that I may not get on with once in the field.
So next question is anything to look out for when buying used?
Doing a bit of Googling and CZ seem to get good reviews? Also local gunsmith also has a used Savage Arms 93R17 with scope and mod for pretty reasonable money, worth having a look at?

And can we not turn it into a .22 is better than 17HMR etc thread as well please.

Thanks

I've been VERY pleased with my Sako Quad in .17hmr but they aren't cheap.

It's WAY more accurate than I'm capable of (rabbit head shots at 150m are very comfortable).

A friend had a.17hmr Winchester T-bolt and that was excellent too (and a bit cheaper). His also came with a pair of 8 shot 'figure 8' magazines whereas the Sako only had a single 5 shot vertical magazine (Sako magazines are expensive). Both are great guns.

What distance will you be using it at? If only 80 to 100 yards then cheaper guns would be fine.

 

[David.]

Have used a CZ 527, and it was very accurate and handleable. Triggers, etc can be improved if desired with easily obtained kits.
As it happens it was a centrefire .17 Hornet, but we were taking gofers reliably in still conditions, out to 250yds.

 

[Kidds]

CZ with 16" barrel screw cut for a moderator.
Second hand is unlikely to be worn out, just get the least knocked about one you can find. Nothing wrong with new if you are happy to pay a bit extra and nothing wrong with used either. Most won't have done much.

 

[David.]

Quick Google suggests 527 discontinued in 2021
But I'd take a CZ all day long as an everyday tool.

 

[Phil P]

I've been VERY pleased with my Sako Quad in .17hmr but they aren't cheap.

It's WAY more accurate than I'm capable of (rabbit head shots at 150m are very comfortable).

A friend had a.17hmr Winchester T-bolt and that was excellent too (and a bit cheaper). His also came with a pair of 8 shot 'figure 8' magazines whereas the Sako only had a single 5 shot vertical magazine (Sako magazines are expensive). Both are great guns.

What distance will you be using it at? If only 80 to 100 yards then cheaper guns would be fine.

We have a few fairly bigish fields so finding cover can be an issue especially when trying to get whily crows so easily 100-150 yards+
My next question will be what’s a half decent range finder?

 

[Jerry]

CZ with brooks trigger kit.

head shoot rabbits at 150m with right glass on top

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

My next question will be what’s a half decent range finder?

No idea, never used one!

.17hmr is quite forgiving unless you really test the range due to the flat trajectory.

Beware gusty wind though.

 

[David.]

Is .17Hmr ammunition freely available again now?
Which brand do you find suits your CZ Jerry?

 

[Sprinter 10]

Anshutz, CZ, Browning T bolt and if you want a gem. Sako. Don’t scrimp on optic. Cheap scope is false economy.
As for range finders. My Hawke matched a friends Leica which was 3 times the price. But Crows and the like often don’t have the manners to hang around to be ranged and doped. Practice, practice, practice. Pick things out whilst field walking, judge distant and count paces.

 

[Clive]

I have a CZ (floating american barrel version) - does the job, accurate and reliable

spend the money on optics

 

[Jerry]

Is .17Hmr ammunition freely available again now?
Which brand do you find suits your CZ Jerry?

I like the Remington brand but hard to get hold off . I bought 1,000 rounds pre Covid and still got plenty to see me thru for another couple years.

CCI are crap. Winchester ok.

Ive shot more foxes with my HMR than by 243. It punches well above its weight.

 

[Kidds]

Practice, practice, practice.

Surprising just how valuable this is, not just for rangefinding but for accuracy too. A very big part of rifle shooting.
When I am in practice I can judge holdover accurately right out to 130 yards with a .22. Even hitting moving targets at those ranges (when safe to do so) all down to practice.

 

[robbie]

I've got a CZ 452 America with the thick floating competition barrel.
Its a lovely gun to us, I bought it 2nd hand with bi pod and a good scope for very sensible money. It's had the trigger modified to a very light pull and has a 5 sh!t and 10 shot mag. The 5 shot is best when shooting from a vehicle as the 10 seems to catch on things very easily and seems cumbersome.
My brother has a cz 17hmr not sure if the model but it has the thumb hole stock and shorter barrel and is much better to use free hand, mine really needs either the bi pod or a pair of sticks to perform best.

17hmr is a very accurate flat shooting easy to use gun and I don't think you'll be disappointed with one of any make.

 

[Phil P]

Surprising just how valuable this is, not just for rangefinding but for accuracy too. A very big part of rifle shooting.
When I am in practice I can judge holdover accurately right out to 130 yards with a .22. Even hitting moving targets at those ranges (when safe to do so) all down to practice.

I quite enjoy a bit of target shooting as well. I picked this used bsa ultra up the other day at pretty reasonable money. Couldn’t believe how accurate it is. Was easily putting the pellets through the same hole at 25-30 yards. Quite looking forward to getting out and doing a bit of ratting with it.

 

[Laggard]

CZ

 

[Will Blackburn]

I quit enjoy a bit of target shooting as well. I picked this used bsa ultra up the other day at pretty reasonable money. Couldn’t believe how accurate it is. Was easily putting the pellets through the same hole at 25-30 yards. Quite looking forward to getting out and doing a bit of ratting with it.
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I’ve be shooting rats with .17HMR with a Pulsar thermal scope. Get down to McAvoy guns, they’re closer to you than me. Have a look at a few, CZ are the kiddies but see what else they got to look at.

 

[Phil P]

I’ve be shooting rats with .177 HMR with a Pulsar thermal scope. Get down to McAvoy guns, they’re closer to you than me. Have a look at a few, CZ are the kiddies but see what else they got to look at.

They’re going to be my first port of call

 

[grainboy]

Have this available as giving up license,
Ansultz left hand, .17
Open to offers

 

[C.J]

My next question will be what’s a half decent range finder?

Have you thaught about what scope ? Some 4k day and I.R night scopes have built in LRF