For 100 yards and less I would go with the 17HM2. Consider the Marlin.

IMHO peep sights on a 17 would not be a good set up for the most in accuracy.

 

a used cz 452 in either caliber is in that price range. I picked up a 17 varmint at a show a couple of weeks ago for 275 - they're great rifles.

If you're going to shoot out to 100, the m2 costs less to shoot, and is very accurate out that far.

 

If you have not fired a Savage with an Accu Trigger, try one. I can justify buying a Marlin, Ruger or CZ and having to replace the trigger when Savage offers a great trigger on their inexpensive rifles.

There are nicer looking guns, but no better value than the Savage IMHO.

If you are shooting at less than 100 yards and not hunting, then go with the 17M2. No need to buy the higher priced ammo.

Peep sights are my favorite sights. You will not get scope accuracy from peep sights at 100 yards, but you can come pretty close at 25 yards. I enjoy peep sights on a plinking gun.

Get a Savage in .17m2 and get a williams receiver or foolproof peep sight. You will have to have a taller front sight if you use a peep sight though.

 

You will not get scope accuracy from peep sights at 100 yards, but you can come pretty close at 25 yards.

Depends on the quality of the peep sight and the experience of the shooter. My uncle shot for the Army team at Camp Perry back in the early 60's, shooting an O3-A3 .30-06 with peep sights out to 500+ yards. It can be done. You just need a quality sight with a good aperture, fine adjustment, and no wobble.

 

I've never fired one of the accu triggers, but I've read alot about them, and every thing I've read so far is good, its one of the reasons (other then the price) that has them at the top of my list.
ok, so I've settled on a hm2, and I'll probably just stick with a regular scope if the peep sites aren't good out to 100 yards.

I'll look into the cz and marlins some more.

 

I think if you are not going to absolutely blow up varmints, then the m2 is the way to go. plus ammo is half the cost so that is good, if you shoot continuously , like me.
As for the rilfe, I like marlin, nef, savage, and cz. I know the nef an marlin personally, and like them both, but i bet savage with accutrigger, and the cz with set trigger , are just sick! I would proly choose between one of those two.

 

oh yeah, peep sites. they rule!!!! it is so cool to be able to hit sub 1 inch groups at 50 yds, sitting next to a guy with a scoped rifle, and he looks at you like you are a space alien. Also there is something to be said for the overall pleasantness and aesthetics of a rifle that looks ancient, and has no scope on it, modern type or otherwise. plus an unscoped rifle is so much easier to carry in the field, it is night and day, really. you need two things though, a peeper with a nice small hole, for target shooting, and good eyesight. Some folks make peeps that will fit tang style rifles, but if you have a 22, you can allways get a williams peep , which will usually fit most dovetail rails.

 

I still wanna give the peep sites a try, any one know what they cost, or where to get them? is there something specific that I should be looking for.

theres a gun show this weekend in albuquerque, I'm gonna look around there and see what I find.

 

Which peep sight you use depends on the rifle you buy. I forget the name of the company, but there is one that mounts to a Weaver rail, and costs about $85. I've not used it, so I don't know anything about it's quality or function.

 

type in williams peep sites.

 

cool man, thanks!

midway has a ton of them and they seem to be all over the internet, now its just up to picking a rifle.
I think i'll try and get one that I can attach a differnt front sight too. I like the fiber optic sights.