i was looking at the cheaper end of the 17hmrs, you know savage, marlin something like that. i dont care much about if its a wooden or plastic stock. but i would like the metal work to be stainless and would prefer a heavier barrel contour.

Paul, I have recently bought a Marlin 917 M2S which is a Stainless Heavy Barrel with a grey laminate stock and in my opinion looks really great with grey and stainless.

Mine is .17HM2. I have a .17 Ackley Hornet and .17HMR was too close but same rifle is available in HMR and I think the latest ones are even fluted barrels. See Marlin website.

Mine on first day out shot 50 metre 5 shot groups of .300" to ,430" which for first time out and within first box of 50 rounds I found amazing. Shooting lying down and using sandbags.

Oh, and a blowfly that was stupid enough to land on the target was converted into a .17 hole surrounded by a few blood splatters. I had a bit of luck on my side too but pretty pleased to do this in front of witnesses watching through binoculars!

Mine has had barrel channel scraped out to free float barrel and I fitted a Rifle Basix trigger I ordered off their website. Has about a 1 1/2 lb pull and very crisp.

I reckon shooting off a bench and with new scope I am going to fit I can get close to above groups at 100 metres.

I am impressed by the general engineering but did a bit of finishing by sealing all internal surfaces of the stock with several coats of marine spar varnish including under butt plate. They didnt appear to be sealed at all. In NZ's damp conditions I reckon this is a good idea.

Glass Bedding doesnt seem to be necessary and the receiver on mine sits solidly in the stock but is an option if I decide to pursue greater aaccuracy 1 day.

About NZ$840 for rifle and US$89.95 for trigger came up on credit card statement at NZ$139 odd.

I also shortened barrel to 18" and fitted an MAE silencer. Had a good crown put on when barrel shortened.

Going to hit the local possums and rabbits like never before!

See also www.rimfirecentral.com and www.varminter.com

Have a look at the CZ 452 American. Absolutely great looking. Accurate. Reasonable too.

Either the Marlin, or the Savage, laminated, heavy stainless barreled 17 HMRs should work. I have a pre-AccuTrigger Savage 93 R17BVSS that is the most accurate "out of the box" factory production rifle that I've ever owned. Several people have shot their personal best groups with it and have been impressed enough to buy 1 for themselves. I also have the 17 HM2 version, the Savage Mark II BVSS, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I looked at the Marlin and bought the Savage because the Marlin's magazine protrudes quite far below the bottom of the stock and it didn't feel "right" in my hands. That said, every Marlin in 17 HMR that I seen at the range was capable of making good groups.

Jeff

Jeff, Marlin are now supplying 4 shot mags for HMR and while I have never seen them I believe they sit almost flush with the bottom of the stock.

I understand that the latest rifles are shipped with both 7 shot and 4 shot mags.

That might have made a difference for me. I'm very tempted to buy a stainless/heavy barrel/laminated stock Marlin in 17 HM2, as the local Scheel's has 1 on close-out for $230+/-. I am really impressed with how well the 17 HMR and 17 HM2 shoot.

Jeff

I have a CZ 452 American in 17 HMR and I like it. Good looking rifle. However, it will need some trigger work, nothing major though.

Don