At the recent SHOT Show, Savage Arms announced a new semi-automatic rifle chambered for the .17 HMR round. The new Savage A17 rifle was specifically designed for the .17 HMR, so it is expected to avoid the problems that Remington experienced with the 597 rifles.
Let’s take a look at the new A17 rifles…
According to Savage, the company designed a unique delayed-blowback system to properly control and use the pressures and bolt velocity generated by the .17 HMR round. The 17 HMR has been particularly troublesome for some manufacturers to get right in an auto loader. See the “semi-auto problems” section below for more information.
These rifles use a polymer stock – black being the only color initially. I would expect some of the standard hunting camo patterns would be available later if the guns sell well.
The A17 uses a 10 round rotary magazine. The adjustable AccuTrigger is standard on these rifles. Take a look at the following video from IraqVeteran8888 about the A17 rifle:
New CCI A17 Ammo
Savage states the A17 rifle will safely and reliably work with any standard 17 HMR loads. However, Savage Arms worked with sister company CCI to develop a special load for this rifle. The new CCI A17 ammunition is said to be 100 fps faster at the muzzle than loads from other ammo companies.
Using a Varmint Tip bullet – a 17 grain polymer-tipped hollow point – this round generates 2,650 fps at the muzzle. Although it is still a bit out of reach, this does put the 17 HMR closer to the 3,000 fps generated by the 17 Winchester Super Magnum that uses a 20 grain polymer-tipped bullet.
Savage A17 Specifications
| Caliber | 17 HMR |
| Barrel Length | 22″ |
| Twist Rate | 1:9″ |
| Overall Length | 42″ |
| Weight | 5.41 lbs |
| Action | delayed blowback |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Finish | high luster black with matte black stock |
| MSRP | $465 |
Semi-Auto Problems
Savage is not the first to bring a semi-automatic 17 HMR rifle to the market. Previously, Remington sold the semi-auto Model 597 in .17 HMR. Unfortunately, there were problems with this gun, and Remington recalled all of the rifles without any repair options. Likewise, rifles made by Magnum Research and others were pulled from the market.
The higher pressure and nature of the pressure curve generated by the 17 HMR is such that simply modifying existing .22 LR rifle designs have failed. Savage engineers redesigned the operation of the rifle to account for the pressure differences. This video explains the problem and how the company addressed it:
Currently, Volquartsen sells the semi-auto TF rifle in 17 HMR. According to the Volquartsen website, the rifle uses a counterweight system to handle the pressure and bolt velocity.
Alexander Arms also builds a semi-auto 17 HMR gun. The AAR-17 is an AR-style rifle that was built from the ground up around the cartridge.
The problem with both the Volquartsen and the Alexander Arms rifles is the price. The Volquartsen carries a retail price of $1,200 while AA is asking $1,210 for theirs. While both of these guns are exceptional rifles, most consumers will find the Savage Arms A17’s street price much more palatable: around $400.
Update
Just weeks before the 2016 SHOT Show, information about two new A17 rifles have leaked from Savage Arms. Both rifles have wood laminate stocks that are gray in color. One of the two is a thumbhole type stock, while the other is more traditional. As more details come out, I will make sure to update this page.
Last Update: October 17, 2022
52 replies on “Savage Arms A17: Semi-Auto 17 HMR Rifle”
I was also intrigued by A17 as have Ruger 77.17, Win 94.17, Stevens Favorite, Weatherby/Andchutz and Taurus Tracker in this cartridge and it is a delight to shoot. Savage A17 fires perfectly and metal work is beautiful but magazine, stock not nearly as substantial as a Ruger 10.22
…which also has a terrible trigger. Savage AccuTrigger on A17 is different from bolt guns and is a one lever trigger as on a single action revolver or an AR15. The nose of the trigger fits in the seat notch of the hammer
So you do as one does with a stock single stage AR15. Stone the notch on the hammer to reduce wear engagement and the top if the trigger to be sure trigger does not have to can the hammer back when pulled. This will eventually get you a nice crisp SONGLE SHOT trigger. THEN you must stone the tip of the disconnecting to move the upper hook forward so it catches the hammer upon recoil. Get it right by hand, THRM LOAD TWO ROUNDS in a msg at the range, NOT A FULL MAG, cuclkke the action to load first round and fire gun. If you did it right one round fired and the second is chambered. If not, you get a second burst shot. To back and stone more off the top of the disconnecor until it catches the hammer when trigger is held back and action is allowed yo slam shut on empty chamber. This will get you a clean breaking trigger and the safety will work fine nut understand that the trigger blocker on the middle of the trigger lever will most probably not be useful……and nose your time until one of the aftermarket people come up with a trigger as a replacement as this A17 Dis going to be hugely popular as was the Ruger 10.22. Look for that dealyed blow back in small concealed carry pistols like the Taurus 738 to allow .22 LR WITHOUT weight or heavy recoil springs most women can not rack the slide with
Good Luck.
Savage is replacing my trigger with an updated version and trying to get the mags to work. I hope to get it back someday??????
I was at a gun show last weekend and there was 2 A-17’s at dealer tables. I asked about the mag issue and they said they knew or heard nothing about it. I put in the empty mag and charged it and it fell out of both rifles at 2 different dealer tables. Looks like Savage knows there is problems and don’t want to cut it off. Would rather sell no good rifles and the take forever to repair them back at the factory? REAL GOOD COMPANY!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info, I think it will be a while before they fix this
problems, I’m is surprised they still selling faulty rifles and getting away with it, it does not say much for this company. I saw a rifle that appears to be the A17 in American tactical call 1SSC SPA for $499.00 the rifle has a different magazine and it says refurbish, I wonder if this are A17 that this company updated.
Although I’ve only put 300 rounds through mine I’ve had zero problems. Shooting CCI A17’s and Hornady 17gr. less than 1″ groups at 50 yds. So far so good. Never an issue with mag. falling out. Maybe they got some of the bugs worked out prior to mine being manufactured. I’m happy with mine!
HI, HOW LONG AGO YOU BOUGHT YOURS
June, probably 600-700 rounds by now, still ZERO problems, not 1.
I am surprised that you think a 1 inch group at 50 yards is good. A 1 inch group at 100 yards is barely acceptable. I am glad that you have enjoyed your A17. I sold mine and will wait for improvements. A bedded Boyd’s stock may improve your accuracy.
“Less than 1″ groups”, maybe that’s 1/2″ groups, maybe that’s 1/4″ groups!
The trigger on the A17 does not help you much. Neither does the plastic stock. I am sure that it’s not all the shooter nor all the gun. The A17 ammo is probably the least accurate of the HMR ammo as well. I sold mine for accuracy reasons (mostly). I did not want to invest another $130 into a stock to get an unknown improvement in the groups. The main (only) appeal of the A17 is the semi auto, and I rarely find a need to rapid fire a 17hmr. I see it more as a precision rimfire caliber and my bolt guns will do just fine. My groups with semi auto 22lr are less than half the groups in my A17 at 100 yds, so I will use them when a semi auto is needed. Over all, I was very disappointed with the A17. I purchased one of the first, so I may reconsider the A17 in the future when they work out many of the issues. I was REALLY hopeful when it was introduced. I am glad to hear that you are happy with yours and hope that someday you will be able to report those 1/4 inch groups consistently. A good bag or a bi-pod should get you there. Never a fan of the Lead Sled. Best wishes for a fun, safe and successful shooting new year.
All I was using was my range bag on the hood of my truck, all I know is the gun is more accurate than I am. By the way, 67 years old with essential tremors.