Advice wanted on .17HMR / .22LR rifle and equipment.

[crofthead 0]

Hello to all members of The Hunting Life community.

 

I am a new member and joined to try to glean some information on the best equipment for controlling corvids, rabbits and other pests on my farm in SW Scotland. After searching through quite a few pages I thought I would simply try asking the question!

 

After using shotgun only (Beretta Ultralight-deluxe) on a walked-up basis I want to try staying put and shooting the blighters at longer range. I have applied for an FAC for the two calibres mentioned, both with moderators.

In choosing any equipment I like to find what I call the "wise buys"; not the rubbish but not necessarily the most expensive. Equally as important, equipment from different manufacturers has to work together and this can be far from easy. I will be shooting during daylight/dusk hours at ranges from 50 yards to 200 yards. The rifle must be good with factory ammunition straight from the box. On the subject of noise, whilst this isn't a major issue I prefer to make as little as possible but the performance of the rifle is a priority.

 

Can any of you experienced shooters recommend a full setup to include rifle, scope, mounts, moderator, ammunition, bipod. Budget-wise I would like to keep it below £1250. I like the look of the short barreled Anschutz rifle in .17HMR which I believe is around £500 for the basic weapon. The Sako quad is also interesting but would changing barrels from .22LR to .17HMR be more trouble than it's worth?

 

The benefit of your experience would be appreciated.

[cyclonebri1 8]

I recently took out my FAC after about a 10 year break from shooting. I too wanted a .22, which I had before, and a .17hmr which wasn't around before. I had 2 sound mods put on the ticket. I'll tell you what I did but please don't ask how they shoot because I have yet to get scope rings/mounts etc sorted, plus the .22 came non threaded so thats away at the moment.

I think my set up came in at about the same cost as you are looking at in total inc sights, slips, etc.

 

For the .22 I got the Ruger 77/22 VBZ laminated stock 24" matt stainless varmint barrel. Had the alweather synthetic model before and loved it. Gun cost about £600. Tried a BSA side focus 6-24 x 44 scope on it but changed that to a BSA sweet 6-18 x 40 model

 

The .17hmr is the Savage mk 2 laminated thumbhole stock, 21" varmint brushed stainless barrel, looks gorgeous. Gun cost £450. Fitted a BSA sweet 17 6-12 x 40 scope.

 

Both guns fitted with SAK moderators. Decided not to fit more expensive scopes untill I reached the limits of these.

 

I looked at lots of guns but these felt right for me, plus I felt I would use the .22 much more than the .17 so spent the money there, trouble was I then saw the Savage and thought what the hell