[Imgragael]

First, I want to thank the moderators for having a good and useful sight. Secondly, I want to thank anyone that helps me with this issue.

I have been wanting to get a good shooter for awhile, and because I am going to use this mostly for target practice, I am looking into small calibur weapons. My friend has a Savage Arms .17 hmr, and I spent a few days at the range helping him sight the weapon, and I have to say, I like it.

I have been looking into the Mossberg 817 with the vented thumb slot, and sticking a Simmons 3x-9x scope on the top. Is this a good combination for under $300, or are there better set-ups?

Also, does anyone have a bipod mounted on their .17? and which would you recommend?

Thank you again in advance.

Rusty
Iowa.

 

[hillbilly68]

First, welcome aboard!
Yes, the Savage is a good setup for recreational or just semi-serious varmint hunting. They have come a long way form the "Salvage" days, quality is prettty decent. My buddy had the same gun you shot, I really liked it. The bbl profile inpressed me and the trigger (although it looked like caca IMO) did its job very well. No experience with other 17's, just that one so I can't even guess at the rest of you rquestion (alternatives).
You can prolly find a setup for less than 300 though, search around. As far as a bipod, its your preference. Depends on what you want to do with the gun.
Good luck!

 

[Imgragael]

Thank you for the welcome.

The bipod is mostly for target shooting stability. I dont think I will be using the rifle much on animals, just want to refine my shooting skills and be able to have friendly competitions amongst friends, so the stability at the range will be nice.

Perhaps I will stop by the guy I am going to get the rifle from and see what he recommends.

but still very interested in learning what others have done for bipods for their .17's.

 

[sgtdeath66]

try harris or burris for your bipod, they have lots of options that will suit your needs

 

[Dillinger]

Personally, for what you want it for, I like the round. I don't expect it to be a multi-purpose round, but for plinking and ridding the yard of crows or squirrels, it's a great little cartridge. Especially for refining basic rifle skills without having to worry about getting worn out by recoil.

As for the bipod, let me ask you this, do you have a backpack? Everyone does these days and that will serve you INFINITELY better than a bipod will.

Why?

Because of an issue called "Cant" - and no, I didn't spell it wrong.

It's the tilting of the rifle on an axis along the bore because the legs of the bipod are independant of one another and have that ability.

Why?

In case you need to set it up on two different elevations, like a normal rugged terrain situation.

Now, they have a mount up add on that you can put on your scope, called of all things - an Anti Cant Device - that works like a level does for a carpenter. You set up the bipod, align the bubble and you are true to shooting, just like off the bench.

The bipod is going to cost you money, and the Anti Cant, if you choose to buy it, is going to cost you some more cash. Why not throw an old towel, or an old pillow or blanket in your backpack, throw it down and use it as your platform? A lot of snipers do exactly that, both for practice and for the real deal.

There is a guy here, truevil1313, who can tell you all about it. He be one of them trained, long range, you won't hear the shot that kills you types.

My vote, ditch the bipod idea and put a little more money into your scope choice. Better optics lead to better shooting. As does trigger control, breathing, practice, practice, practice, fire formed brass, round consistency, practice, wind reading, practice, mirage identification..... and the list goes on.

Welcome to the Forum - Hope you stick around with us for while. Now get an AV!

JD

 

[sgtdeath66]

Personally, for what you want it for, I like the round. I don't expect it to be a multi-purpose round, but for plinking and ridding the yard of crows or squirrels, it's a great little cartridge. Especially for refining basic rifle skills without having to worry about getting worn out by recoil.

As for the bipod, let me ask you this, do you have a backpack? Everyone does these days and that will serve you INFINITELY better than a bipod will.

Why?

Because of an issue called "Cant" - and no, I didn't spell it wrong.

It's the tilting of the rifle on an axis along the bore because the legs of the bipod are independant of one another and have that ability.

Why?

In case you need to set it up on two different elevations, like a normal rugged terrain situation.

Now, they have a mount up add on that you can put on your scope, called of all things - an Anti Cant Device - that works like a level does for a carpenter. You set up the bipod, align the bubble and you are true to shooting, just like off the bench.

The bipod is going to cost you money, and the Anti Cant, if you choose to buy it, is going to cost you some more cash. Why not throw an old towel, or an old pillow or blanket in your backpack, throw it down and use it as your platform? A lot of snipers do exactly that, both for practice and for the real deal.

There is a guy here, truevil1313, who can tell you all about it. He be one of them trained, long range, you won't hear the shot that kills you types.

My vote, ditch the bipod idea and put a little more money into your scope choice. Better optics lead to better shooting. As does trigger control, breathing, practice, practice, practice, fire formed brass, round consistency, practice, wind reading, practice, mirage identification..... and the list goes on.

Welcome to the Forum - Hope you stick around with us for while. Now get an AV!

JD

there is one company JD that has a bipod that does offer cant positions, unfortunatly i cant remember who it was

 

[sgtdeath66]

found it, well theres a couple, 1st is versa pod and the other is stoney point products inc., they have two models. hope this helps

 

[Dillinger]

^ True. But 1) The .17hmr rifles aren't that heavy and 2) you can take stuff to the range in your backpack, like granola bars, water, ammo that makes a day of shooting that much more enjoyable without any extra stuff...

Just a thought...

 

[sgtdeath66]

true, didnt think of it that way.

 

[Imgragael]

I want to thank you all for your input, Dillinger, the insight into the anti-cant bipods are a great help, I have noticed with my friends .17 that I couldnt get the scope to line crosshair with target cross.

But, on a different note, while I am still interested in getting a .17, I have set my sights on an M-1 Carbine (inland) with original stock as well as the paratrooper stock for $600.

I am still going to research the .17 so again thank you all very much.