[fortyeleven]

Does anyone know a source of buying one? Discontinued a number of years ago by Remington.

 

[kludge]

There are 6 of them on www.Gunbroker.com right now.

And, Welcome!

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

I don't know why they stopped making them in favor of the 17 fireball. The 17 remington is the better round in every department except barrel life. But how many of us will notice the difference between 4000 rounds and 4500 rounds?

 

[Shawn Crea]

Welcome forty. I don't know of any std offerings from any manufacturers for the 17 Rem, so you're probably faced with a custom-shop bill, or, similarly, a gunsmithing bill. Or the used gun market. I'd be very careful there as the barrel life on the cartridge is not known to be very good.

I got a 17 Rem used many years ago, and - surprise! - the barrel was shot out. No big deal to rebarrel, which I had done and I have a great light varminter. If I were you, I'd shop the used 223 market (same case base dimensions) since those are relatively plentiful, then rebarrel. You'll likely get one of those much cheaper than an actual 17 Rem that may already have a shot-out barrel.

 

[hillestadj]

If I was in the market for one I'd be looking at these real hard.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=202268278
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=201208899

I know that Cooper also makes varmint rigs chambered in 17 Rem.

 

[Shawn Crea]

Those are nice rifles. At $1800 and $1400...ouch! If you just had to have one now, worth it I'd guess. If you can wait, a good used rifle that you have rebarreled, with a really nice barrel, and half that cost. Even a new rifle, like a mod 700 rebarreled for < $1000.

Cooper would be a nice choice, though at some significant $$.

 

[hillestadj]

Those are nice rifles. At $1800 and $1400...ouch! If you just had to have one now, worth it I'd guess. If you can wait, a good used rifle that you have rebarreled, with a really nice barrel, and half that cost. Even a new rifle, like a mod 700 rebarreled for < $1000.

Cooper would be a nice choice, though at some significant $$.

No doubt finding a donor action and going with a rebarrel would almost certainly be the more economical way to go about it. On the other hand a Sako is always going to be a Sako . I think the "lower end" Coopers (if there is such a thing) can be had for somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700-2000 dollars, which is a lot of scratch, but again they are going to send you a target with one hole along with the rifle so you know its absolutely on you if the bullets dont go where you want them to.

It all comes down to if the OP wants to do it on the cheap or really throw some money out there. He didnt really specify so I took some liberties .

 

[Shawn Crea]

It all comes down to if the OP wants to do it on the cheap or really throw some money out there. He didnt really specify so I took some liberties .

That's certainly true. Glad that we have those choices to make!

 

[fortyeleven]

Thanks to all for the information

I thank each of you for the information in your responses. I had no idea the risks of barrel burnout or that you could "easily" re-barrel. My dad owned a .17 Rem that I shot prairie dogs with on a couple of occasions. Through the years, the gun was sold, but he had about 200 rounds of handloads and all the dies and lots of brass. I have missed the little gun for years and have been thinking it would be fun to have one again. I really don't want to spend a lot of money, and I was thinking I might be able to find a used one for a reasonable cost in the $400 range. But now, I can see that buying a used one could lead to higher cost than anticipated. I know the .223 is a much more versatile cartridge, and I guess I will do some search in that area as well.

 

[coopercommando]

budsgunshop.com sells a dandy little C-Z 527 in .17 Rem. for a good price. You might be able to find a used Cooper in that cal., too, but it probably won't be for less than a grand. Oh, look around for a (discontinued) used Remington LVSF, also; one of these might be close to your price range. www.saubier.com forums are small-cal. rifle "experts".

 

[coopercommando]

FWIW: A like-new Rem. was seen at the Reynoldsburg, OH Gander Mountain. (614)856-0056. $550, I think.

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

Fortyeleven, I think that Shawn Crea (I'm not trying to speak for him, but..) was saying to get a .223 and then put a 17 rem barrel on it. That would certainly be the cheatest option of getting a good quality 17 rem without paying a big big for a "virgin" (if that's the right word) rifle. The rim diameters are the same so there would be minimal work to do so.

 

[Shawn Crea]

Fortyeleven, I think that Shawn Crea (I'm not trying to speak for him, but..) was saying to get a .223 and then put a 17 rem barrel on it.

Yes, that is what I meant. IIRC, I bought my used Rem Mod 700 17 Rem for $280 or $300, then had a gunsmith rebarrel with a 'medium quality' Shaw barrel for $275 or so. You could do the same with a used 223 Rem rifle. You can pay less for a new barrel, or quite a lot more, depending on what you desire.

Another consideration is ammo cost. If you reload, then no worries. If not, factory 17 Rem is quite a lot more than, say...223 Rem.

 

[hailstone]

If I were looking for one first thing would do is buy a new or used Savage or Stevens in 223 Remington. Then order a barrel from E.R.Shaw for $225 delivered too your door. Now you have the best of both worlds - 223 Rem & 17 Rem. Few tools plus the headspace gauges and your set. Course this may become addictive. Ask me how I know....

 

[oloutlaw]

why not a .19 Calhoon ? .... :

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/19caliber.php