Savage A17 A Series 20in Button-Rifled Carbon Steel
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Savage A17 A Series is a .17 HMR sporter rifle built around a 20-inch free-floating button-rifled carbon steel barrel for precision varmint and small-game hunting. It's engineered as a dedicated, reliable semi-automatic platform for the .17 HMR cartridge, balancing practical accuracy with field-ready durability. This model distinguishes itself through its mechanical focus on the high-velocity rimfire round, offering features typically reserved for centerfire rifles at a more accessible price point.
What is the Savage A17 A Series used for?
This rifle is designed for varmint control and small-game hunting at ranges out to 200 yards. The .17 HMR cartridge's flat trajectory and minimal recoil, paired with the 1:9 twist rate barrel, make it ideal for precise shots on prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar-sized pests. Its 10-round rotary magazine supports controlled follow-up shots in field conditions, and the synthetic stock resists weather and rough handling better than wood.
How does the Savage A17 compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle in .243 Win?
The A17 is a specialized tool, while the Stevens 334 in .243 Win is a versatile generalist. For pure varminting under 200 yards with minimal noise and recoil, the A17's .17 HMR is superior and cheaper to shoot, roughly $0.25 per round versus $1.00+ for .243 Winchester. For larger game like coyotes or deer at longer ranges, or if you need one rifle for multiple roles, the Stevens 334 in .243 Win is the better choice due to its greater power and effective range.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded and without optics, the rifle weighs approximately 5.5 pounds. The overall length is 39.5 inches, with the 20-inch barrel contributing to a balanced 17.5-inch sight radius when using iron sights. For comparison, a typical AR-15 platform in a similar role will often weigh over 7 pounds, making the A17 significantly handier for extended carry sessions in the field.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for hunters pursuing game larger than coyotes, or for shooters wanting a multi-caliber platform. The .17 HMR cartridge lacks the energy for ethical takedowns of deer-sized animals. Furthermore, the fixed-barrel design and proprietary action mean it cannot be re-barreled to other calibers like a bolt-action Stevens 334 can. If your primary need is target shooting beyond 250 yards, a rifle in .223 Remington will offer better ballistic performance.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 10-round rotary magazine, and a set of two-piece Weaver-style scope bases. The bases are critical, as the rifle ships without iron sights, requiring you to mount an optic immediately. You will need to supply your own scope, rings, ammunition, and a case. The lack of iron sights is a common cost-saving measure on modern sporters, but it adds $100-$300 to your initial setup cost for a quality optic.
Is the Savage A17 worth it at $398.99?
At just under $400, it represents strong value for a dedicated .17 HMR semi-auto with a precision-rifled barrel. The user-adjustable AccuTrigger and free-floated barrel are features that directly enhance accuracy and are often absent on competitors in this price range. When you consider that a comparable-quality bolt-action .17 HMR often starts at $350-$450, the $50 premium for the semi-automatic function and the smoothness of the rotary magazine is justified for its intended rapid-fire varmint role.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 20-inch button-rifled barrel provides consistent 1.0-1.5 MOA accuracy with quality .17 HMR ammunition.
- Weighs 5.5 lbs — over 1.5 lbs lighter than many AR-platform .22 LR trainers.
- 10-round rotary magazine feeds more reliably than stacked box magazines in dirt-prone environments.
- User-adjustable AccuTrigger allows pull weight reduction to approximately 1.5 pounds for precision work.
Trade-offs
- No iron sights included — requires immediate optic purchase and mounting, adding $100+ to cost.
- Proprietary semi-auto action is more complex to clean than a simple bolt-action like the Stevens 334.
- .17 HMR ammunition is more expensive (~$0.25/rd) and sometimes less available than .22 LR.
Key attributes
| upc | 062654477003 |
| manufacturer | Savage |
| manufacturer part number | 47700 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | MATTE BLACK |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .17 HM2 |
| capacity | 10 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 42 |
| model | A17 |
| number of magazines | 1 10 rd. Rotary Magazine |
| package height | 3.2 |
| package width | 6.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Thumb |
| shipping weight | 7.15 |
| sights | No |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with a standard .223 Remington scope?
- Yes, any scope with standard 1-inch or 30mm tubes mounted in Weaver or Picatinny rings will work. The .17 HMR's trajectory is very flat, so a scope with a simple duplex reticle and adjustable parallax down to 50 yards, like many models from Vortex or Leupold, is ideal. You do not need a highly complex ballistic reticle designed for larger centerfire calibers.
- Is the magazine compatible with other Savage .17 HMR models?
- No, the rotary magazine for the A17 A Series is proprietary to this specific semi-automatic action. It is not compatible with Savage's bolt-action .17 HMR models like the 93R17, which use a different detachable box magazine. Spare magazines are available directly from Savage or through authorized parts distributors like MidwayUSA.
- Can the barrel be threaded for a suppressor?
- The factory barrel is not threaded. Having it threaded by a qualified gunsmith would cost approximately $100-$150, plus the cost of a thread protector or muzzle device. You must also consider the NFA paperwork and tax stamp for the suppressor itself. The .17 HMR is supersonic, so while suppression reduces noise significantly, it will not be 'Hollywood quiet.'
- How long does it take to adjust the AccuTrigger?
- With the provided tool and following the manual, you can adjust the pull weight from its factory setting (around 2.5-3 lbs) down to about 1.5 lbs in under 5 minutes. It's a simple, wrench-based adjustment performed with the action removed from the stock. I recommend testing the safety function thoroughly at your desired setting before live firing.