I have been eyeing off a nice Marlin varmiter they look OK but the one I was looking at appeared to have the crowning off centre kinda put me off it a bit
anyone using a 17 HMR how have you found it?

smlekid,

I bought the Left-Hand Savage .17HMR heavy barrel a couple of years ago when the L/H option initially hit the market.

Couldn't be more satisfied, accurate, quiet, fun to shoot and kills way out of proportion to cartidge size.

Can't imagine the Marlin would be much different.

I don"t have one, as I"m happy with my .22wmr, but all the 17"s I"ve seen are extremely accurate.
If I was"nt shooting anything bigger than rabbits, I would deffinatly get one. I stick with the .22 magnum as the heavier bullets are capable on foxes out to 150yds. I feel the 17 does"nt have the bullet weight and is too explosive.
good shooting

I have a H&R NEF in 17hmr. Single shot, break action.
These things are less than 400 bucks, have a heavy barrel, sight rail, hammer extension and a synthetic stock included.
It's a solid lump of iron and I just love the darn thing. I don't think you could do better for the price.

The 17hmr will do anything a 22 mag will do and shoot a lot flatter into the bargain.
It's a true 150yard cartridge unlike the 22 mag.

There is a fair bit of BS going around that these little rounds lack power or are too explosive etc but whenever I shoot something with it it invariably goes tits up.
You just have to remember that it is still just a rimfire, it's no Hornet or 222 by any stretch.
I have shot foxes, hares and rabbits so far with no trouble, very effective.
Like Gerry said, it kills out of all propotion to its size

The only downide I can see is the cost of ammo, between $18 and $25 bucks a box.

My $1100 22lr never gets used anymore even though it is a fine and very accurate rifle (Sako P94 Varmint), the 17hmr is just lightyears ahead of the humble 22lr. No more riccochets either.

Try one and I can just about guarantee you'll buy one.
The best thing that has happened on the rimfire scene for 50years IMO.

I've got a CZ 452 American, great rifle. The 17HMR is an amazing little round. I think every serious rifleman should have one, and I doubt you'll regret aquiring one, whatever the make.

Wow, $18 to $25 a box! If I converted right that's $13 to $19 in US dollars which is pricey. Average price here on this part of the West Coast seems to be around 9 bucks a box.