Here at Guns and Shooting Online we have had the opportunity to review a number of .17 caliber rimfire rifles, and we are continuing to do so. We believe that the .17 HMR cartridge is the best thing that has come along for the recreational shooter in about 50 years, and we review .17 HMR rifles whenever possible.

In the course of our rifle reviews we ordinarily test for accuracy using at least four brands of ammunition and tabulate the results. This concludes with an average overall group size for all types of ammunition. Typically, groups with each rifle are fired for record by three or four Guns and Shooting Online staffers.

The 17 HMR loads we use include ammunition from CCI with 17 grain TNT bullet, Federal Premium with 17 grain TNT bullet, Federal Premium with 17 grain V-MAX bullet, Hornady with 17 grain V-MAX bullet, Remington Premier with 17 grain AccuTip-V bullet, and Winchester Supreme with 17 grain V-MAX bullet. All brands claim a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2525-2550 fps and in our chronograph testing actually delivered average MVs of 2550-2650 fps, depending on the load. (See the article "Compared: .17 HMR Varmint Ammunition" for more details about .17 HMR ammo.) Our .17 M2 ammunition is limited to Hornady brand using the 17 grain V-MAX bullet at an advertised MV of 2100 fps.

.17 rimfire rifles are normally tested with a good quality telescopic sight set at a magnification of 9 power or higher. All recorded groups are fired from a Caldwell Lead Sled rifle rest sitting on a solid bench rest at an outdoor rifle range. These are 5-shot groups fired at 100 yard targets.

This steadily mounting accumulation of data makes the following list possible. We will continue to update this list as new rifles are reviewed and additional data becomes available. Following are the Average Overall Group Size test results for the various .17 caliber rimfire rifles reviewed by Guns and Shooting Online (measured in inches).

1. Anschutz Model 1717 D Classic - 0.92"
2. (TIE) CZ Model 452-2E American - 1.06"
   Anschutz Model 1502 D HB - 1.06"
3. Anschutz Model 1717 D KL - 1.08"
4. (TIE) Remington Model 547 Custom C Grade - 1.13"
   Marlin Model 917VS ("A")* - 1.13"
5. (TIE) Remington Model 504-T LS HB - 1.16"
   Remington Model 597 LS HB - 1.16"
6. Savage Model 93R17-BVSS - 1.19"
7. Thompson/Center Contender G2 - 1.21"
8. Marlin Model 917VS ("B")* - 1.25"
9. Savage Model 93R17 Classic - 1.31"
10. Weatherby Mark XXII - 1.32"
11. Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("A")* - 1.44"
12. Stevens Favorite Model 30R17 - 1.46"
13. Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("B")* - 1.54"
14. Savage Model 93R17-BTVS - 1.56"
15. Henry Golden Boy - 1.75"
16. Winchester 1885 Low Wall - 2.05"

Remember, the above accuracy results are averages with all brands of ammunition tested. If the rifles are compared based on the average group size achieved with their favored brand of ammo the results are as follows.

1. Remington Model 547 Custom C Grade - 0.69" (Remington)
2. Anschutz Model 1717 D Classic - 0.73" (CCI)
3. Thompson/Center Contender G2 - 0.80" (Remington)
4. Remington Model 597 LS HB - 0.84" (CCI)
5. Anschutz Model 1717 D KL - 0.93" (Remington)
6. Weatherby Mark XXII - 0.94" (Hornady)
7. CZ Model 452-2E American - 0.96" (CCI)
8. Remington Model 504-T LS HB - 0.98" (Federal)
9. Marlin Model 917VS ("A")* - 1.0" (Hornady)
10. Savage Model 93R17-BVSS - 1.0" (Remington)
11. Anschutz Model 1502 D HB - 1.06" (Hornady - M2)
12. Marlin Model 917VS ("B")* - 1.13" (Hornady)
13. (TIE) Savage Model 93R17-BTVS - 1.17" (CCI)
    Savage Model 93R17 Classic - 1.17" (Winchester)
14. Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("A")* - 1.25" (Hornady)
15. Stevens Favorite Model 30R17 - 1.27" (Hornady & Remington - tie)
16. Henry Golden Boy - 1.40" (Remington)
17. Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("B")* - 1.47" (CCI)
18. Winchester 1885 Low Wall - 1.5" (Remington)

* We tested two different Marlin Model 917VS and Ruger K77/17VMBBZ rifles.

Note: Complete reviews of all of these rifles can be found on the Product Review Page.