Thread: 17 HMR - best buy

I am looking for a rifle/optic platform to deliver consistent 100m moa accuracy and reliability from a bench or prone position.

So far the rifle contenders are:
Tikka T1
Ruger Precision
CZ 455
CZ 457

Is the Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 the best optic in this price range?
Would appreciate guidance from those who know a lot more than I.

Open to any suggestions within budget of $1800.00

Best accuracy I have achieved was a CZ455 22LR in an MDT LSS Chassis, with a Bushnell AR22 on top, and that consistently put 5 through the same hole at 75yards.

I would say, a CZ455 17HMR in an MDT LSS plus a VX-Freedom, VX3 or VX3i should be able to match that at 100yards.

Anschutz and Weihrauch are the most accurate Ive owned,

CZ 455, really happy with mine in 17hmr. Have the extra .22 and .22 mag barrels but it usually stays as a 17. Nice inch or less groups at 100m with cci ammo.

most people like there savage too if you want to add that to the list.

everything i've seen pretty much puts those rifles as a dead heat - really go into a shop that has them in stock and see what feels best in your shoulder pocket, what fits your frame or can be adjusted to easily - get that and a few different boxes of ammo to find what it likes

I'd take a T1x over a CZ 452/455.
The 90 degree bolt lift, non adjustable trigger and backwards safety are annoying.

The CZ457 on the other hand fixes all those issues, I've not used one before but it'd be worth checking out if I were in the market.

@Shadowsol and @Beetroot both make great points. I had a CZ452 which is a classic rifle, great quality, but I sold it and got a 457 which is fantastic. Mine is a 22LR but I see a 17hmr in my future as well.

I was loaned a T1X in 17HMR for a couple of months - also a brilliant rifle for different reasons. Shot it with the Hornady 17gr ammo - easily under an inch at 100 metres. I was astounded by how good a bog standard factory rifle with factory ammo was! As a hunting rifle it is superb.

The stocks on the rifles are very different - getting your hands on them is the very best advice given so far.

I love my CZ452 22LR, but the length of pull is really short. I ended up putting a Limbsaver on it as a quick fix

As others have said, definitely worth handling these rifles before buying.

Tikka. Optics is a harder call. Ideally minimum of 4x out to say 12x to 16x.

Put 4 shots from from tikka t1x into 1/2 inch the other day. I was rapt. And surprised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZhU...ZXYU5kQQz7PeWM

@Dago you find a gun you like?

Ide go with a .223
more range
less wind drift
less noise ( i found the 17hmr to be way more absurd both suppressed )
Can be used on bigger game and doc land
cheaper ammo

@bigbear - very impressed by the Tikka and CZ 457, with VX Freedom Leupold 4x12 as optic. I had hoped the Ruger Precision would have been natural selection but sadly its reputation for accuracy (without any personal experience) is not up there.

My Savage 17hmr is awesome the only thing I would consider swapping it for is a 17 Hornet lefty (unicorn poop). I believe they made Model 25's in left hand but must be rare...