Some long range shooting for a 17 WSM.

[Millerish]

I purchased a Savage B mag, reaching out to 250 yards for varmints is casual shooting. As long as I do my part and place it in the right area of the neck or ear, the coyotes drop! Highly underrated cartridge!

 

[skookum]

I had the opportunity to buy one at a local sporting goods store when they first came out. They had them marked down to $200 and the only reason why I didn't buy it was because the guy behind the counter educated me on how difficult it was to find ammo for. I kick myself for not getting it but he was not wrong about the ammo. Seems like there was only a year or two where it could be found with any regularity.

As far as varmint rounds though, what kind of varmints are you wanting to shoot? Coyotes? Or the ground dwelling type? .223 is hard to beat for either and dirt cheap to shoot. .204 is great as well. I recently went to a 6 BR due to being able to load 55 gr bullets going over 3700 fps and also load 105gr bullets going 2800-2900 for the longer shots, not to mention the round lives up to its name in the accuracy department.

 

[Old Hickory 45]

I had the opportunity to buy one at a local sporting goods store when they first came out. They had them marked down to $200 and the only reason why I didn't buy it was because the guy behind the counter educated me on how difficult it was to find ammo for. I kick myself for not getting it but he was not wrong about the ammo. Seems like there was only a year or two where it could be found with any regularity.

As far as varmint rounds though, what kind of varmints are you wanting to shoot? Coyotes? Or the ground dwelling type? .223 is hard to beat for either and dirt cheap to shoot. .204 is great as well. I recently went to a 6 BR due to being able to load 55 gr bullets going over 3700 fps and also load 105gr bullets going 2800-2900 for the longer shots, not to mention the round lives up to its name in the accuracy department.

I just received my second WSM, an A17 Sporter a few days ago and haven't started setting it up yet

I have over 2 bricks of 20gr ammo and a partial box of 25gr. I hope my A17 likes the 20gr!

My old Savage BMAG WSM likes both.

First on the list for the A17 is clean the bore and lube the bolt. Shipping oil on the bolt seems really dry.

There are a lot of opinions of the A17 and I hope my luck holds good.

As for a scope and sling, am going to rob one of my retired rifles. The Sporter is friendly for we left hand people.

 

[Old Hickory 45]

I had the opportunity to buy one at a local sporting goods store when they first came out. They had them marked down to $200 and the only reason why I didn't buy it was because the guy behind the counter educated me on how difficult it was to find ammo for. I kick myself for not getting it but he was not wrong about the ammo. Seems like there was only a year or two where it could be found with any regularity.

As far as varmint rounds though, what kind of varmints are you wanting to shoot? Coyotes? Or the ground dwelling type? .223 is hard to beat for either and dirt cheap to shoot. .204 is great as well. I recently went to a 6 BR due to being able to load 55 gr bullets going over 3700 fps and also load 105gr bullets going 2800-2900 for the longer shots, not to mention the round lives up to its name in the accuracy department.

It sure is! Mine is the first model on the market and required some aftermarket parts and work but is a nail driver now. My Iowa legal limit of six last year. Works good for varmints such as coyotes, groundhogs, bobcats, badgers, and feral cats. I use it mostly for squirrel hunting.

 

[woodnut]

Sure hope they was all head shots! Lol. My Ruger is very mean on prairie dogs and groundhogs.

 

[DMP25-06]

Nice Shooting !!!!

It sure is! Mine is the first model on the market and required some aftermarket parts and work but is a nail driver now. My Iowa legal limit of six last year. Works good for varmints such as coyotes, groundhogs, bobcats, badgers, and feral cats. I use it mostly for squirrel hunting.

 

[Old Hickory 45]

Sure hope they was all head shots! Lol. My Ruger is very mean on prairie dogs and groundhogs.

Yeah, were all head shots and 6 for 6.

 

[Old Hickory 45]

Nice Shooting !!!! Thanks, DMP! A couple of my BMAG .17 WSM squirrels at my favorite hunting place.

 

[Laser Man]

I too am a big fan of the 17 WSM, as I have owned four different guns. Each gun shot good groups with the ammo that was available. I finally settled on a Volquartsen because of the follow up shots on prairie dogs. When you have five or six walking around a den, follow up shots are very productive. I have a 6.5x20 Leupold on the gun as it does shoot quite well out to 300 yards on a calm day, and you have to see them in order to hit them. I shot about 2500 prairie dogs this past summer, and many were shot with the 17 WSM, and yes ammo is not easy to find. I also used it on coyotes last season, and the 25 grain Winchester ammo worked well. I hope the ammo situation improves as the caliber has proven itself many times over.

 

[Laser Man]

Just a follow up. I wish Savage would thread the barrels on their 17 WSM, 17 HMR and 22 WMR rifles.

 

[woodnut]

Nice report, Laserman. I thought about the volquartsen, but couldn't get it. I think he quit making it?
I did something I don't think anyone else has done. I have a Ruger #1 in 17WSM! Like my Ruger 77, it shoots very well. Like Laser man, the 17WSM has been my favorite prairie dog rifle. Out to 300+ yds
It's deadly.

 

[Old Hickory 45]

Those Ruger #1 rifles are great rifles!