17 HMR synthetuc vs laminated

[mikedb]

I am planning on getting a 17 HMR, probably a Savage, and was wondering if there is a difference in the accuracy between a synthetic and laminated stocked rifle??  What about between bull and sporter countour barrel?  Ammo suggestions also appreciated.

[victorcharlie]

I doubt there will be much difference in accuracy......the real difference will be with weight......laminate will be heavier.......the bull barrel is thought to be more accurate because it's stiffer and heavier.......I'm not sure that the bull barrel is more accurate, but it heats up slower so it can be shot more without cooling the barrel.

That said, I've never shot the barrel hot on my 93 BVSS which has the heavy barrel.  My buddy has the sporter weight and it doesn't seem to get hot either........I'm not sure there is a real advantage to a heavy barrel in the HMR but I like mine.....

As for ammo, my gun shoot the Hornidy 17 grain vmax the best.....federal shoots about the same.......the CCI isn't quite as good, but still not bad.....

[mangulator]

victorcharlie correct the laminate is a little heavier. I have the Savage 17 HMR in the synthetic because I do a lot of hunting in the snow and can cover a lot of miles in a day hunting varmints. So, I like the lighter weight rifle for that reason. My 93 can shoot dime size groups at 100 yds with no problems. 

[mikedb]

victorcharlie correct the laminate is a little heavier. I have the Savage 17 HMR in the synthetic because I do a lot of hunting in the snow and can cover a lot of miles in a day hunting varmints. So, I like the lighter weight rifle for that reason. My 93 can shoot dime size groups at 100 yds with no problems. 

I assume you have the bull barrel?

[mangulator]

I have the a sporter barrel but I have never heated it up to the poijnt it was causing problems with accurracy. 

[mikedb]

I have the a sporter barrel but I have never heated it up to the poijnt it was causing problems with accurracy. 

I guess that probably settles it I wil get the synthetic. Maybe even the sporter barrel.

[mangulator]

One reason I use synthetic is I hate to get my wood rifles dirty and I have several, love them to death but the type of hunting I sometimes do is ruff. I use ATV's get mud slung on my rifles and the snow and damp weather seems not to cause many problems with the synthetic stocks..But iIknow the laminates are tough too...

[victorcharlie]

I mostly shoot mine off a bag or rested on something......I don't usually carry it very long so the laminate and stainless bull barrel works good for me......

[Bob_VT]

I would say it is a personal preference.  I like wood over tupperware anyday.  The wood is quieter and just feels better in my hands.

[bsbowles]

I am partial to laminated because it just looks better and in my case it shrank my groups to from 1/2" to 1/4". My Marlin 917V bull barrel weighs 9.5 lbs now with the new laminated stock so it is not something I will be carrying around much. I only use it from a bench. Synthetic is great for a walking/hunting gun.

[mangulator]

I love the wood or laminate guns they do look good. But I also like the synthetic if you are out hiking all day. Yes it is a personal preference.

[bscman]

The laminate stock should be more rigid--i.e. better accuracy...
however, with the light recoil of the round i doubt you'd notice much difference.

I'd spend the extra for the laminate, however. It just looks SO much better....and you can always refinish it in a few years if it gets damaged!