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Marlin 17 HMR

Marlin 17 HMR

The gun in this test leaves me in two minds –  it’s not the prettiest rifle around and I do not like the feel of it, however, it shoots as well as the more expensive 17HMRs and is very well priced. So at the end of the day it’s doing its job and you can’t ask for more than that, well apart from cosmetics!

The rifle in question is the Marlin XT-17R, which is a basic bolt-action, though it comes from a larger family all using the same action but offering options on stock material, build, barrel types and finishes. For example the 17R is the entry-level gun, top of the tree to my eyes is the XT-17VSL with its thumbhole, grey laminate furniture and heavy barrel in stainless steel.

SONG REMAINS THE SAME!

So what you are getting is their standard rimfire action and the choices of various barrel, stock and finish configurations, so in many ways the entry level 17R is a good guide to general ability and performance. Regardless all models come fitted with Marlin’s new XT Pro-Fire™ Adjustable Trigger. Which to me looks and feels like the Savage Accutrigger and probably is, given that both companies rimfires bear an uncanny resemblance to each other!

The 17R comes as a package deal from importers Edgar Brothers with an EB 3-12x50 scope, Sirocco SM11 moderator, Harris-type 9” bipod and both 4 and 7-shot magazines. Naturally the barrel is threaded ½ x 20 UNF for the moddy and comes with a protector. Odd is the fact the rifle has its front sight but not the rear unit, they might as well have removed the irons completely for the use they are likely to get!

The build shows a steel, tubular receiver which is grooved for scope mounts. The basic push/pull safety is on the right and moves forward to FIRE and backwards for SAFE. At the rear is a cocked action indictor lug with a red ring, which is the tail of the bolt. The trigger shows the Glock-like, blade-within-blade layout of the Savage Accutrigger, which means unless your finger depresses the central lever the whole thing, is locked. Pull was a pleasing 3 lbs combined with a crisp break and is adjustable from 3 – 6 lbs with no chance of going too light.

The medium weight barrel is 22” long and has a 1-9” rifling pitch, this and the action are blacked. The stock is a black synthetic with palm swell, stippled gripping areas and moulded-in sling eyes. The forend is of medium build and floats the tube to a degree. The rifle weighs 6 lbs and measures 41” butt to muzzle. Pretty it ain’t, functional it is!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Along with the rifle Edgars supplied some Remington 17HMR ammo, with its ballistic-tipped, 17-grain bullet, producing around 2550 fps, regardless of manufacturer this is the standard load we use in the UK. The heavier, 20-grain hollow point seems to have been phased out and the lighter, 15.5-grain, Hornady, non-lead NTX though accurate does not expand well!

The bolt is quite clunky and the basic nature of its build along with its skinny, cranked handle did not do a lot for me. Equally the single column magazine and primitive release catch at the rear of the well work well enough but feel cheap. I like the fact Marlin includes a spare mag, not sure if it’s the 4 or 7-shot, but I would have preferred two sevens! What I did like was the mag platform is red so an easy check to see if you have rounds left.

Bombing up the mags was easy though as you insert them into the well you have to ensure that the lug at the rear engages with the release catch. Feed was 100% and pleasingly smooth and no problems on ejection either. Accuracy well the 17HMR is a shooter and the Marlin XT-17R proved no exception with easy ½” clusters at 100-yards the gun inspires confidence. This is on par with my Ruger M77/17 All-Weather, though today the basic Marlin (less package) is 40% cheaper. OK my Ruger feels like a real rifle but is now around £1000, which is a lot…

GOOD PERFORMER

In general the 17HMR in most makes of rifle will take you out to 170-200 yards without too much trouble. All you have to do is know how to shoot and understand the trajectory, which is the trick!

Though not liking it, the polymer stock offered a decent length of pull and a high enough comb to give a comfortable head and eye/scope position. On that point the cranked bolt handle when up is a bit high and I found that taller scope mounts are to be recommended. I was not struck on the scope as I found at high magnification out at 100 yards focus was a tad fuzzy. An optic included in the cost is not to be sneezed at but I would not want to push this one much past 100 for head shots!

The package deal makes a lot of sense for those perhaps getting into 17HMR shooting, as it will set you back just over a pleasing £600. The rifle on its own is a steal at £420 and if it were me I’d add my own accessories. Out of interest the 17-VXL thumbhole, laminate stainless is just £710, which is about £300 cheaper than my Ruger. Physically I still do not like the XT-17R however, I cannot deny it does the job very well indeed and would be a good choice for those looking for a cost effective, working 17HMR.

  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

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  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Marlin 17 HMR - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Marlin XT-17R Package
  • Calibre: 17HMR
  • Capacity: 4 and 7 (DM) both included
  • Barrel: 22” (threaded ½ UNFwith protector)
  • Weight: 6 lbs
  • Length: 41”
  • Adjustable trigger: Y
  • Includes: EB 3-12x50 scope Sirocco SM11 moderator Edgar’s 9” bipod
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