Marlin 917's ?

[DalesCarpentry]

Well guy's I am bound and determined to buy a 17 HMR here shortly. Hopefully in a couple weeks. I like the 917's alot and want to know what you guy's think of them? What kind of 100 yard groups are you getting? What ammo is working in yours? I would also like to know the pros and cons of the 917. Is there anything that you don't like also tell me what you do like. I definitely want a bull barrel and I would also like the synthetic stocks but they don't come in Monte Carlo so I guess I have to go with the Walnut finished Monte Carlo's. Just let me know what you think of them in general thanks in advance.    Dale

[quickdtoo]

I've got two of em, a 917 and a 917VS, both in laminated stocks, you'll probably want a Rifle Basics trigger for it, the T-900 trigger isn't much of an improvement over the 17 trigger, just a better safety, the Savage with an Accutrigger would be a good one to get for not much more money, otherwise you'll want to spend another $60-$70 for a trigger. Both of mine shoot moa or better, and they don't shoot the same ammo, typical of rimfires, they like what they like, you'll have to find out what that is by shooting different ammo.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,68603.0.html

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,87951.0.html

[DalesCarpentry]

Well Tim we seem to be running in the same direction. We both seem to like many of the same guns. After this I have the Marlin 45/70 in mind!!!!!!!!! thanks Dale

[Wynn]

I work on a ranch a good part of the day and carry a Marlin 917vs in the truck along with a 30-06 and a old SxS shotgun. The Marlin routinely handle most jobs short of putting down a sick cow or the odd wild boar. On coons, coyotes, feral dogs & cats or crows, it puts them in the dirt if I do my part. Mine likes the 20 grain Hornady stuff.

[huntersmurf]

A few months ago I too was in the market for a 17hmr, looked at the Ruger (too expensive) CZ (nice looking, better than Ruger IMO) ended up with a Marlin917V. Compaired to the Savage the Marlin was a work of art, the metal was polished and nicely blued, had a wood stock with checkering. Then I went over to www.rimfirecentral.com and read up on all of the guns. The Marlin is reported to have best accuracy out of the box (over the Savage). The Savage reports were spotty, some having fantastic accuracy and others not good at all. The trigger can be fixed, I did the ink pen spring trick and it reduced the pull a lot, nice and crisp now, well it was crisp before just had a heavy pull. The CZ is a nice gun too but cost $150 more. So far this Marlin likes CCI 17 grain and 20 grain HP's and Hornady 20 grain HP's, with the 17 grainers having an edge. Best 50 yd 5 shot group so far was .290" at 50 yds.

[bscman]

Huntersmurf and I have something in common.
My 917v is a great shooter as well...sub MOA with 17 grainers, and about 1-1.25" with 20's...surprising it shoots both so well.

I too did the the spring trick, and a polish job. Not super light, but great for a multi-purpose field/target rifle...mine sits at a crisp 3.5-3.7lbs...
The riflebasix trigger is sweet (yes, I've tried it on a friends rifle) but I prefer something  a bit heavier around the farm and I still shoot well enough with a heavier trigger.

I say GO FOR IT on all accounts. The marlins are just a touch better than the savages, IMHO...though the accutriger is nice.

[DalesCarpentry]

Well guy's one way or another I will bring one home in a week or two. I just posted an add in the classifieds for one. I can pick one up for a little less than $200.00 but I would like to see if I could do better. I am cheap!!!!!!!! this is where you can get one for under $200.00.  http://www.thegunsource.com/store/Items.aspx?QID=3697&PN=2

[quickdtoo]

RR has a little less shipping and the syn sporter model priced at $177.

Tim

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G917

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks Tim. What I am really looking for is a bull barrel. I would not mind the synthetics but they are straight stocks and I don't know how your eye would line up with the scope? So I guess I am looking for wood Monte Carlo stocks seeing as that is the only way they come In Monte Carlo. If anyone out there can come up with a better price I would appricate it. Thanks Dale.

[quickdtoo]

All of the syn stocks are the same style, regardless whether the rifle has sights or not, that shouldn't be an issue. If you think so, it would be best to have some hands on experience to check them out.

Tim

http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/17HMRMagnum/917Vr.aspx

http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/17HMRMagnum/917s.aspx

http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/17HMRMagnum/917.aspx

[bscman]

Mine was purchased from walmart for under $200 (bull barrel, wood stock) the synthetic is special order through walmart for about 180.

[Keith L]

If you like the synthetic stocks but want the cheekpiece then there are several brands of add on ones that glue/screw to the stock and can be sanded to the right height for your cheek.  I added one to a Savage 17HMR when the large objective scope i put on prevented me from getting a proper cheek weld.  I got mine at Gander Mountain for less than $20.00. It even color matched the stock and it took a close look to tell it from factory.

[huntersmurf]

Wow, good prices. I bought mine from WalMart, cost $209 for the 917V wood stock bull barrel. Put on a Bushnell 4-12x40 Dusk n Dawn scope with AO. Total cost was less than a CZ.