Considering a 93r17 BRJ

[Little Dutch]

I have been considering high-grading my standard-barrel Savage 93r17 for a while now. I think what I've currently got is the 93r17 F model. I like the cartridge and want something with a better stock and a heavy profile barrel. I'd like it to be as accurate as possible.

There's a 93r17 BRJ up for consignment that looks pretty solid. It would cost $470 out the door. That model doesn't have a threaded barrel though, and I'm really torn on if that's a deal breaker. There're a few options out there that do come with heavy profile threaded barrels. Tikka and Ruger American are the two that immediately come to mind. If it's incredibly accurate I'm inclined to buy it and sell my current 93r17.

93R17 F | 17 HMR Bolt Action | Savage Arms (https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=96709)

93R17 BRJ | RIMFIRE | SAVAGE ARMS (https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=96770)

Anyone with a very positive experience with the BRJ model?



I like to shoot very small groups on paper, but this one may also make it out to a prairie dog field one day.

[sportbikeco]

My Tikka 17 outshoots my Savage B17 easily.

I don't have a Ruger American 17 but do in 22lr, the Tikka is a noticably nicer action.

17hmr suppresses so well threaded is definitely a requirement of mine.

If the Tikka had a 16" barrel it would be perfect for hunting use, which is why I keep the B17. (OAL of 16" vs 18" + savage cost a bit less )


Also on my MKII I had to ditch that same factory stock on the 93r17 F, it is bad. Replaced with one from higher grade Savage from ebay, boyds also makes new ones.

[Little Dutch]

I appreciate the reply. Saw it last night and you kept me from settling on something without a threaded barrel.

Looking at this B17 BNS-SR model currently, deciding between it and a Tikka still. The flat rotary magazine has a certain value for me, and I like the 18" barrel for the 17 HMR.
https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=70849

I spent a bit of cash this week so I'm not in a huge rush to make a decision and get it ordered; there's time to ponder and ask for experiences.

[sportbikeco]

Common problem with savage stocks is the comb is too low, that BNS-SR looks to have a really low comb.

If accuracy is what you want get the Tikka. I'm sure all Savages will shoot pretty good with their favorite ammo but if it doesn't like it groups open considerably. The Tikka will shoot pretty good with most ammo and great with their favorite.

Mine all preferer 17GR TNT, would like to try some of the new VNT to compare.

[Little Dutch]

Common problem with savage stocks is the comb is too low, that BNS-SR looks to have a really low comb.

If accuracy is what you want get the Tikka. I'm sure all Savages will shoot pretty good with their favorite ammo but if it doesn't like it groups open considerably. The Tikka will shoot pretty good with most ammo and great with their favorite.

Mine all preferer 17GR TNT, would like to try some of the new VNT to compare.

This is interesting. The stock on my current 93R17 is bad. It's the basic black plastic. I don't like anything about it. Low comb, sized for a youth rifle, cheap flexible plastic feel, etc... I have also been terribly disappointed with the accuracy on this 93R.

I went to Bass Pro today and bought 6 different types of .17hmr ammo and booked an hour at Whistling Pines West. The results varied wildly. Hornady and most CCI's were floating between 1" and 1.5" five-shot groups at 100. Absolutely unacceptable. Then I shot the Winchester and got a half inch. Then I shot the CCI V-Max and got a .25 inch. so I shot 3 more of the CCI V-Max and got one ragged hole. The difference in ammo on a standard-profile barreled 93R is wild.

Now that I know it's capable of shooting a decent group, I've got to decide whether to pursue the Tikka or dump money into a stock for the 93R I currently own.

[buffalobo]

"Now that I know it's capable of shooting a decent group, I've got to decide whether to pursue the Tikka or dump money into a stock for the 93R I currently own."

Duh, both.

[sportbikeco]

I'd run back to where you got that CCI and snatch up what shot best (you could check lot #s if you wanted to be real particular)

But 17 hmr ammo is always going to be the frustration if you are punching paper as it is inconsistent. Even the favorite ammo is going to have flyers.

You could sort ammo by weight perhaps, or switch to 22lr with match ammo or .223 (handload). But I consider 17hmr more of a hunting round than suitable for real target group chasing due to the ammo.

TNT and VMax work very well on p-dogs.
The round seems particularly suspectable to wind drift I have noticed.
Performance with suppressor is surprisingly good, quieter than a suppressed 22lrHV imo due to the tiny bullet and it getting downrange so quick.

[Little Dutch]

"Now that I know it's capable of shooting a decent group, I've got to decide whether to pursue the Tikka or dump money into a stock for the 93R I currently own."

Duh, both.
<Smacks Forehead/> The solution was so obvious!


I'd run back to where you got that CCI and snatch up what shot best (you could check lot #s if you wanted to be real particular)

But 17 hmr ammo is always going to be the frustration if you are punching paper as it is inconsistent. Even the favorite ammo is going to have flyers.

You could sort ammo by weight perhaps, or switch to 22lr with match ammo or .223 (handload). But I consider 17hmr more of a hunting round than suitable for real target group chasing due to the ammo.

TNT and VMax work very well on p-dogs.
The round seems particularly suspectable to wind drift I have noticed.
Performance with suppressor is surprisingly good, quieter than a suppressed 22lrHV imo due to the tiny bullet and it getting downrange so quick.

I probably should go back up and buy whatever is left of both those lots. Good idea.
I'd love to have the barrel threaded on this 93r17 F. I need to go talk to a smith to see if there's enough meat to do it.

[Little Dutch]

Update on this if anyone is dying for a follow-up.
I had a smith thread my 93R17. He did a great job. Accuracy did change, with some ammo shooting better and some worse, and it was overall a wash on accuracy change. It suppresses quite well, as noted above. The Federal Speer TNT ammunition now seems to be the most reliably accurate at distance in the wind.
After having it out twice shooting prairie dogs I'm glad I didn't pick up a second .17 HMR. It's a fine cartridge, but range is an issue. At 200 yards I don't trust the bullet to have enough left to get reliable instant kills on the little rodents. Maybe it's not the bullet, but bullet placement and accuracy issues at 200, either way I quit shooting at anything past 175 with it. There's surprisingly little wind drift on the cartridge, to end it on a positive note.

[whitewalrus]

I have found the same on pdogs with the 17. If you are much further than about 200 it doesn?t kill unless shot is placed in head or chest. I wouldn?t shoot them much further than that with the 17 anyway. However it is a great round for shooting in volume, and the difference between it and 22LR on pdogs is very noticeable even at 100.


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[Little Dutch]

I have found the same on pdogs with the 17. If you are much further than about 200 it doesn?t kill unless shot is placed in head or chest. I wouldn?t shoot them much further than that with the 17 anyway. However it is a great round for shooting in volume, and the difference between it and 22LR on pdogs is very noticeable even at 100.


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Quit trying to talk me into a .204 Ruger!
I've been looking at the .204 recently, specifically for prairie dog hunting, debating on it for longer range shots with no recoil. Ruger American Predator, transfer fee, Vortex Viper HS 30 mm scope, Vortex Pro medium rings, 100 count of Hornady 32g bullets, brass, Hornady custom dies, Lee factory crimp die, and a spare magazine comes to $1225.96. That's a chunk of money to spend on prairie dogs...
Then I would probably need a TBAC 6.5 suppressor for it, that's going to double the cost of the build. Gets expensive fast.

[whitewalrus]

Could always use 223 and build a smooth shooting gun. I have a rifle length 18? with adjustable gas block and the A5 buffer system that I use the H0 in. Makes a very smooth and low recoil gun.


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