Savage 93R17
The Savage 93R17 is the definitive .17 HMR bolt-action — combining Savage's AccuTrigger with the flat-shooting, high-velocity .17 HMR cartridge in a platform that has made the 93R17 the go-to recommendation for prairie dog hunters, varmint shooters, and rimfire enthusiasts who want more reach than .22 LR provides.
Read our full Savage 93R17 Buying Guide ↓
Why .17 HMR?
The .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) was introduced in 2002 and quickly became the most popular new rimfire cartridge in decades. A necked-down .22 WMR case driving a 17-grain bullet at approximately 2,550 fps, the .17 HMR offers a dramatically flatter trajectory than .22 LR or .22 WMR — making it significantly more practical for varmint hunting and target shooting at 100-200 yards. Wind drift is the cartridge's main limitation; the light bullet is more susceptible to wind deflection than heavier rimfire options. For calm-condition varmint shooting, the .17 HMR's trajectory advantage is compelling.
Why the Savage 93R17?
The 93R17 is the Mark II's .17 HMR sibling — the same platform architecture, the same AccuTrigger, the same detachable rotary magazine, chambered for the .17 HMR cartridge. Savage's AccuTrigger is the differentiator in the .17 HMR bolt-action market — user-adjustable from approximately 1.5 to 6 lbs without gunsmithing, it delivers competition-grade trigger feel in a production hunting rifle. No competing .17 HMR bolt at a comparable price offers the same trigger quality from the factory.
93R17 Model Variants
93R17 F — Standard synthetic stock. The baseline 93R17 and the right starting point for most varmint hunters.
93R17 FV — Heavy-barrel varmint configuration. The heavier barrel reduces heat buildup during sustained prairie dog sessions and improves front-end balance for supported shooting.
93R17 BTVS — Heavy barrel with a thumbhole laminate stock. The most refined 93R17 configuration for benchrest and precision rimfire shooting in .17 HMR.
93R17 XP — Comes with a factory-mounted scope — a complete, ready-to-shoot .17 HMR package for buyers who don't want to source an optic separately.
Ammunition and Range
The .17 HMR is available from Hornady, CCI, Federal, and Remington in grain weights from 15 to 20 grains. Hornady's 17-grain V-MAX is the most popular varmint load and the standard by which most 93R17s are tested. Effective range on prairie dogs and similar varmints is typically 150-200 yards in calm conditions — beyond that, wind drift becomes the limiting factor.
FAQ
What is the effective range of the .17 HMR?
150-200 yards for varmint hunting in calm conditions. Wind is the primary limiting factor — the light 17-grain bullet drifts significantly in crosswinds beyond 150 yards.
Does the Savage 93R17 have the AccuTrigger?
Yes — AccuTrigger is standard on the 93R17, adjustable from approximately 1.5 to 6 lbs without tools.
What magazines does the Savage 93R17 use?
Savage's proprietary rotary detachable magazine — 5-round standard capacity.
Is the Savage 93R17 good for prairie dogs?
Yes — the .17 HMR's flat trajectory makes it excellent for prairie dog shooting at 100-175 yards. The 93R17 FV heavy-barrel configuration is particularly popular for extended prairie dog sessions.