(GunReports.com) — The Gun Tests Houston test unit obtained a Browning T-Bolt Target/Varmint No. 025176270 17 HMR, $799, and a Ruger 77/17 Rotary Magazine Rifle K77/17VMBBZ No. 7027 17 HMR, $969, and tested them in the September issue.
Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine said, “We had no trouble finding a variety of loads for the rifles, including one from Hornady Manufacturing that was topped with a 15.5-grain NTX (non-toxic) bullet. We also purchased Winchester’s 20-grain GamePoint (hollowpoint) ammunition. Finally, we chose Federal Premium ammunition that launched a 17-grain TNT hollowpoint made by Speer to represent the caliber’s traditional bullet weight. We wondered if the small difference in bullet weight would make a big difference in accuracy.”
He added, “Would the Browning’s straight-pull T-Bolt prove to be a gimmick, or would it provide a distinct advantage? And, given the variety of bullet shapes, specifically at the tip of each slug, would both guns be able to smoothly cycle all three choices of test ammunition and produce superior accuracy?”
Gun Tests Editor Todd Woodard said, “Short of promises made by the new 17 Winchester Super Magnum ammunition, 17 HMR is the fastest commercially available rimfire ammunition. We tried two bolt-action rifles chambered for the little bottleneck cartridge to see if they could produce minute-of-angle accuracy.”
The Gun Tests team found out that the Browning’s straight-pull bolt action required only about 1.6 inches of travel forward and back. Thanks to linear action of the bolt, it was very easy to refill the chamber with minimum disturbance to the sight picture.
The 17 HMR may not be a typical rimfire cartridge, but neither is the Ruger 77/17 a typical rimfire rifle. This was a 7.4-pound rifle (without scope) with a lengthy 24-inch barrel housed in a full-length laminate stock.
To see which rifle offered the best performance and value, check out the September 2013 issue of Gun Tests magazine.
Gun Tests subscribers should receive their printed magazines around the August 25. Subscribers with electronic access can also check Gun-Tests.com to read about this matchup, Publisher Tim Cole said.
