Patriot:

I did a good bit of shooting with various 17HMR's this weekend. I have the Savage stainless bull barrel synthetic stock. One of my friends has the same gun but the blued model and my other friend has the Marlin heavy barrel stainless with a laminated stock. We shot a variety of ammo (plastic tips from Federal, Remington, CCI and the CCI TNT's). The TNT's proved to be the most accurate in all three guns. The best 3 shot groups at 100 yards were as follows: My Savage .45 the Marlin was .50 and the other Savage turned in a .25. These groups were not flukes either, as many more went well under an inch. I might add that we were shooting from a standing position using hay bales as a rest. I love Rugers, but I couldn't justify paying twice as much for one when I know the Savages and Marlins are typically more accurate. Hope this helps.

Paul

 

I have both the 917V and 917VS, and my hunting partner has a 917V also. Bench shooting on a good rest will yield .5"-.7" 5 shot groups with 3 or 4 of those touching if there is no wind. With a little wind those groups will open to an inch or a little less. This is after 300-500 rounds or so down the bore for a good break in. I have Rifle Basix triggers in both of mine and that helped a lot in reducing group size, the factory triggers are a bit heavy with a fair amount of creep. The VS barrel was floated from the factory, the V required a bit of sanding to float it completely. From what I've read, the Savage is just as good, the Rugers, some shoot well, but require trigger work also. For the money, I don't think you can beat the Savage or Marlin. I'd get either and put the rest of the money you saved by not buying the Ruger, towards good glass.

 

I have a 917V and it shoots tiny little groups straight out of the box. The trigger is not as good as they promote (and has some side to side movement) but that can be fixed with a Basix aftermarket trigger.
A lot of the accuracy comes from the barrel free floating, plus its design (around .820 thick) with a very nice crown. I have a review and some photos if you want to check it out at http://17caliber.com