When I started jonesing for an accurate .17HMR a few months ago, there was nothing available around here. Well, one left hand bolt Tika, but other than that, zip. None of the dealers I frequent would even order one in todays market. Everything is 'allocated' now. Nothing else but luck of the draw... so I played on that. I told several dealers to put my name down, and if something matching my criteria came in, to call me for a definite immediate sale.
My criteria was a short list of makers, the caliber, a heavier barrel, and a threaded muzzle.
As luck would have it, I found it myself at Bud's, and leaped at ordering it myself. A week later it's in my hands and I'm happily pew-pewing away. That rifle is a Savage 93v17 'Minimalist', and I quite like it.
Now, regular readers will know that I are an idiot. Yup, you guessed it... I didn't cancel my buy orders.
One of those shops did get examples of things I asked for, but neglected to make the call. So be it. The other shop got something too, and did their part. They let me know it came in.
Well Craaaaap..... hoist by my own petard. I don't *need* two .17 HMR rifles that fill the same niche, but damnit... I said I would be a buyer, and I need to keep my word.
Papa now owns a Savage B-17 Precision, in a one piece aluminum chassis, with a heavier barrel and stiffer action than the other Savage. Also graced with an Accu-Trigger coming in around 1.5 lbs, and a factory installed rail for mounting optics.
The scope came off the Minimalist, and found a home on the Precision. Today I hit the range to sight it in.
Now, as range days goes, today is not bad, but it's *not* the day for doing my best accuracy work. Just off chilly, with a steady wind around 10-12 mph gusting to 20-25 mph.
At the club, I chose the most sheltered rifle range, with banks and trees fully around it. That still left me with a variable facing wind and swirly gusts. Not choice air for a tiny little .17 bullet, but one takes what one gets. I just tried to shoot between gusts... ya know?
That particular range is only 50 yards, but with the wind I was okay with that.
It took 10 rounds of CCI A-17 to sight the rifle in. I left it about .5 inches high at 50 yards, and I'll make fine adjustments when I get it on the 100 yard range. Final zero should be dead on at 100, which will let me use the scope at it's best.
How does the B-17 precision shoot? Welllll........ allow me to simply say....... HOT DAMN!
I tried four brands/offerings of .17 HMR ammunition, all with 17 grain bullets. Frankly, I'm lucky to have that many right now, in today's market.
- CCI A-17: Groups just under .5"
- CCI VNT: Groups just over .5"
- Hornady V-max: All the holes touch!
- Federal Premium V-shock: High, Right, flier off the target.
Given the shooting conditions today, I'm happy with that. The rifle is a shooter. Clearly so.
I'm hoping for more conducive weather tomorrow. Warmer, and hopefully enough still air to give this beastie it's best chance at mimicking a laser.
The Savage Minimalist won't go to waste. Herself has declared it 'beautiful', with more words that sounded like 'It's mine now, right?'
Harumph.
1 comment:
I love shooting it! It is so much fun. So accurate too. And I offered a bounty of payments 4 kisses, 1 decent foot rub, and a pan of brownies. Seems fair!
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