Savage A17
The Savage A17 is the world's first reliable semi-automatic .17 HMR rifle — a technically significant achievement given the .17 HMR's high pressure for a rimfire cartridge. Using a delayed blowback action specifically engineered for the .17 HMR's operating pressure, the A17 delivers the flat-shooting varmint performance of .17 HMR with the cycling speed of a semi-automatic, backed by the AccuTrigger.
Read our full Savage A17 Buying Guide ↓
Why a Semi-Auto .17 HMR Is Technically Challenging
The .17 HMR operates at higher pressure than .22 LR — pressures that cause standard blowback semi-auto actions to malfunction or prematurely open before the bullet has fully exited the barrel. Previous attempts at semi-auto .17 HMR rifles had reliability problems for this reason. Savage solved the problem with a delayed blowback action that times the bolt opening to occur after pressure has dropped to safe levels. The result is a reliably cycling semi-auto .17 HMR that previous manufacturers couldn't produce.
Key Features
Delayed blowback action — Savage's proprietary delayed blowback system engineered specifically for .17 HMR operating pressures. The mechanism that makes the A17 possible and reliable.
AccuTrigger — Standard on the A17, adjustable from approximately 2.5 to 6 lbs without tools. The same AccuTrigger quality found across Savage's bolt-action lineup, now in a semi-automatic .17 HMR.
10-round rotary magazine — Savage's standard rotary magazine feeding reliably with the A17's delayed blowback system.
Target crown — Recessed target crown for muzzle protection and accuracy consistency.
A17 Variants
A17 Standard — Synthetic stock, standard barrel. The baseline A17 for varmint hunters and target shooters.
A17 Sporter — A more traditional sporter-stock configuration for shooters who prefer conventional rifle aesthetics over the tactical synthetic.
A17 Target Sporter — Laminate stock with target-rifle geometry for bench and precision rimfire use.
A17 vs. 93R17
The Savage 93R17 is the bolt-action .17 HMR. The A17 is the semi-auto. For precision target shooting and benchrest where every shot is deliberate, the 93R17's bolt-action format and potentially tighter tolerances may produce slightly better consistency. For varmint hunting where rapid follow-up shots on multiple targets matter — prairie dog towns where opportunities are plentiful — the A17's semi-auto cycling is a genuine advantage.
FAQ
What caliber is the Savage A17?
.17 HMR with a 10-round rotary magazine.
Is the Savage A17 reliable?
Yes — Savage's delayed blowback action was specifically designed for .17 HMR reliability. The A17 has a strong track record since its introduction, resolving the reliability issues that plagued earlier semi-auto .17 HMR attempts.
Does the Savage A17 have the AccuTrigger?
Yes — AccuTrigger is standard on the A17, adjustable from approximately 2.5 to 6 lbs without tools.
What is the effective range of the Savage A17?
Similar to the bolt-action .17 HMR — 150-200 yards in calm conditions for varmint hunting. Wind drift at extended ranges is the limiting factor for the light .17-grain bullet.