I can't speak for the F\A. I'm sure this quality gun shoots well. All I can tell you is I once owned a Smith 17hmr and after 2 trips back to the factory, it put such a bad taste in my mouth over the 17hmr caliber that I will never own that rimfire in handgun or rifle again. Now, remember....that's just me.
I will tell you that I worked with this revolver for 6 months....determined to make it a Pa. groundhog killing machine. I had a Leupold 2.5-8X EER scope on it, and I will say that after the second trip back to Smith, it would shoot MOH (Minute of Hog) out to 200 yards! But....the biggest issue was...because of the short 8" barrel (maybe 8.25"...I don't recall that exact dimension) and the fact that the revolver lost the push because of the chamber to forcing cone jump, any ammo that I tried (and I tried 'em all....I think I spent a fortune on ammo)...the best speed that ran across my chrony never broke 2,000 fps.
And I think for this little 17gr. to do it's dirty work past 50 yards, it's gotta have speed.
I've "fixed" this issue as I now have a re-barreled Savage in 17 Fireball (centerfire 17) that pushes a 35 grain Berger pill at 3600 fps. Man....that drops 'em right now!!!!!
Iff'in I could buy a F\A revolver chambered in 17 Fireball.....I think I'd snap that one up in a heartbeat!!! Now you would be talking some serious 17 firepower from a revolver!!!
I'm not trying to slam the F\A 17hmr, as I've not shot one nor have any experience with their model. I'm just giving you my experience with my Smith. Maybe it will help you ask some questions.
Dave
