Savage 93R17 .17HMR

[b4uqzme]

I have no clue what sparked it but I really want a bolt rifle in .17HMR. It would be too easy to go and buy a new Savage. Any great used ones out there I should look for first? Requirements:

Heavy target barrel
wood stock
good trigger


Thanks!

[Bawanna]

The Savage is a great rifle, I like mine very much.

[b4uqzme]

Yes, I've been interweb researching and the Savage keeps popping up as a favorite. And it's pretty inexpensive to boot. Now it's time to go handle a few. Thanks!

[340pd]

Check the Ruger American Rimfire. I have one in 22lr and for the money it is a great rifle with an adjustable trigger.

If you have young shooters the changeable butt stock modules are a great feature.

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/index.html?r=y

[Bawanna]

Yes, I've been interweb researching and the Savage keeps popping up as a favorite. And it's pretty inexpensive to boot. Now it's time to go handle a few. Thanks!

Well come on over you can hold mine all ya want.

[b4uqzme]

Check the Ruger American Rimfire. I have one in 22lr and for the money it is a great rifle with an adjustable trigger.

If you have young shooters the changeable butt stock modules are a great feature.

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/index.html?r=y

Thanks. I'm a fan of their 77/ rifles. I got a good deal on a 77/357 a while back but I had to put a wood stock on it. I'm not sure the American Rimfire is worthy of that expense. But I'll take a look.

[b4uqzme]

My only beef with the Savage is the stock. I'm a sucker for good looking walnut and you just cannot get that with the Savage. So I'm ratcheting up the ladder looking at laminate, stainless barrels, etc. and the price is edging up over $400. That makes it time to look at other more expensive options. The T-bolts are beautiful and the action is really slick. But their interweb accuracy reputation isn't that stellar. My biggest concern is I will spend more money and be less satisfied. Any reasons I should stay away from a Browning?

[Bawanna]

The stock on that Savage is actually wood, I know I was surprised. I don't know what's under that black paint, I've been tempted to look. My guess is it's probably Birch which makes a fine very strong stock, some say better than walnut but sometimes isn't visually appealing.

I had one fella bring me an old winchester 22 and wanted the stock refinished. It had that fake looking stain to make it look like wood grain? It had the most beautiful walnut stock under there, it was a crime to paint over it.
It was presentation grade big time. He was so happy.

If I thought there was a 1 percent chance of finding something like that on my Savage I'd be stripping paint now.

[340pd]

If you want to spend a few more $ look at the CZ lineup. Accurate, nice wood, a few configuration options.

http://cz-usa.com/product-category/rifles/rimfire/

[b4uqzme]

If you want to spend a few more $ look at the CZ lineup. Accurate, nice wood, a few configuration options.

http://cz-usa.com/product-category/rifles/rimfire/


Great recommendation. I own a 527 in .223 and really like it. The set trigger is GREAT and the accuracy is very good.... BUT... the bolt action is pretty rough and the receiver is kinda weak. If you snug down the rear scope mount, the CZ bolt starts to bind pretty bad. Back it off until it quits binding and the mount is loose. With that in mind, I strongly recommend their carbine models for those who want to shoot open sights. I'm sure the bolt will get smoother in time. But, for scoped shooting, I am looking for something else.

[b4uqzme]

...more on the scope bases. For that reason, I prefer receivers tapped for bases vs. integral dovetails. Exception = Ruger. Their 77/ receivers are stout and the proprietary mounting system works very well. The Savage comes with the Weaver bases already installed. One more + for the Savage. It really is a well thought out rifle for the money.

[hardluk1]

If you want nice wood And a fine shooter get a CZ . If you a nice laminate stock and a fine shooter get a savage . Then there the others .
Savage has two model with wood and stainless steel BTVSS or BVSS are bug hole shooters .

And theres always the 17wsm B Mag Target !!

[b4uqzme]

^^^ No CZ for the reasons mentioned above. But I do want a good walnut stock if I can find one. Thanks. The Savage is way in the lead so far assuming I don't find something that really calls to me. Just exploring options for now. Thanks for all the input. It really helps.

[b4uqzme]

... And theres always the 17wsm B Mag Target !!

:D:cool:

[b4uqzme]

I already know the perfect gun = Weatherby XXII = absolutely beautiful wood + an Anschutz barrel and action. But I'll never find one and wouldn't be able to afford it anyways... :o

[b4uqzme]

...handled an Anschutz today. Slicker than butter. I still haven't seen a Browning yet and I'm scouring the internet for a Weatherby. I just might treat myself. Meanwhile, I was checking out the Savages and they are certainly acceptable. The laminate stocks don't look too bad for the $$$. The action is rough but I suspect that can be worked out.

[gb6491]

The Savage is a great rifle, I like mine very much.
I like mine as well:)
http://oi59.tinypic.com/2zghieu.jpg

[b4uqzme]

GB,

What did you do to smooth out the action? All the ones I've seen so far felt like sandpaper. Thanks!

[gb6491]

GB,

What did you do to smooth out the action? All the ones I've seen so far felt like sandpaper. Thanks!
A little polishing on the bolt smoothed mine out. See post #6 in this thread, http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230883 (http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230883), for particular areas to look at.
Bolt disassembly procedures can be found here (there's also discussion on polishing the bolt later in the thread): http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78552 (http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78552)
Regards,
Greg

[b4uqzme]

Thanks GB! I still have a lot of searching to do but those links will be helpful. The hunt is the fun part. I figured it was pretty easy to get those Savage bolts running smooth. Anything special need done to the inside of the receiver?

Also: did you refinish that stock? It doesn't look like any of the ones I saw today at the LGS.

[gb6491]

Thanks GB! I still have a lot of searching to do but those links will be helpful. The hunt is the fun part. I figured it was pretty easy to get those Savage bolts running smooth. Anything special need done to the inside of the receiver?

Also: did you refinish that stock? It doesn't look like any of the ones I saw today at the LGS.
I didn't do anything to the inside of my receiver, but I've read of some folks who have.
You've a good eye, that stock has been refinished with Watco Danish oil.
Regards,
Greg

[b4uqzme]

The finish looks great Greg. Kinda softens up the contrasts... Thanks for your help.

[b4uqzme]

As soon as I tried the T-bolt, I was sold. The straight pull action is smoother than anything else I tried except the used Anschutz I saw at 2x the $$$. And it's different...I thrive on being different. :o Turns out I hit the LGS on the first day of a sale too. Even the ammo was on sale. They had the sporter (medium barrel) in stock and it wasn't worth (to me) waiting and/or the extra $$ to order a heavy barrel version. I splurged and bought the Browning scope mounting system and several different types of ammo: CCI hollowpoints, soft points and jacketed + Remington Accu-tip. They had Savages and lots of others on sale too. I can tell you that the next best bolt action I tried was the Ruger American. I'd recommend that to anyone not stuck on wood stocks like me. Just try the Ruger trigger first...it might be a bit heavy. I put a Nikon 4-9x40 on it and cannot wait to sight it in. Probably Friday at the soonest. It's gonna be a good weekend. :D