Savage 93R17 BTVS 17 HMR 21″ Thumbhole Rifle
About this product
The Savage 93R17 BTVS is a specialist's rimfire, a dedicated bolt-action rifle chambered in .17 HMR, engineered from the ground up for precision varmint and target shooting. This isn't a multi-caliber platform; it's a single-purpose instrument for shooters who demand mechanical consistency and are willing to feed it premium ammunition. It combines Savage's proven AccuTrigger system with a heavy, vibration-dampening barrel profile and a rigid laminate thumbhole stock.
What is the Savage 93R17 BTVS used for?
This rifle is built for precision rimfire applications where shot placement matters more than speed: groundhog and prairie dog control out to 150 yards, disciplined target shooting, and small-game hunting where pelt damage must be minimized. The 21-inch heavy barrel stabilizes the hyper-velocity .17 HMR cartridge, maintaining consistent point of impact through a 50-round magazine and mitigating heat shift better than a sporter-weight barrel. Its 5-round detachable magazine is adequate for most varmint scenarios, avoiding the bulk of larger capacity magazines that can snag in a shooting rest.
How does the Savage 93R17 BTVS compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Savage 93R17 is purpose-built for rimfire precision, while the Stevens 334 Rifle is a budget-centric centerfire hunting platform. The Savage's laminated thumbhole stock and heavy 21-inch stainless barrel (weighing approximately 8.2 lbs unloaded) provide superior stability for bench shooting, whereas the Stevens 334's synthetic stock and lighter barrel are optimized for carry weight and maneuverability in the field. The Savage's AccuTrigger offers a user-adjustable pull that can be set down to a crisp 2.5 lbs, a feature the Stevens 334 does not possess, making the Savage demonstrably better for deliberate, precision-oriented shooting.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle has an overall length of 41.5 inches with its 21-inch barrel, and it balances at a weight of approximately 8.2 lbs unloaded. The distance from the trigger to the end of the buttstock (length of pull) is 13.75 inches, a standard dimension for adult shooters. The heavy, button-rifled barrel measures 0.920 inches in diameter at the muzzle, a full varmint contour that adds significant mass forward to dampen recoil impulse and barrel harmonics.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for the casual plinker seeking a low-cost .22 LR or someone needing a fast-firing pest control tool. Its specialized .17 HMR chambering means ammo costs roughly $0.30-$0.40 per round—five times the cost of bulk .22 LR—and its 8.2 lb weight makes it a poor choice for all-day carry hunting in thick brush. Furthermore, left-handed shooters should look elsewhere, as this model is configured exclusively for right-hand operation.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle with the 5-round detachable magazine inserted, two-piece Weaver scope bases pre-installed on the drilled and tapped receiver, and a set of pre-attached 1-inch swivel studs on the stock. There is no optic included, a deliberate choice as serious shooters typically install their own preferred glass, nor is there a sling. A basic owner's manual and a lock are standard compliance inclusions.
Is the Savage 93R17 BTVS worth it at $511.99?
At this price, you are paying for the integrated heavy barrel/thumbhole stock platform and the AccuTrigger system, not a bare-bones rifle. When you factor in the cost of a custom barrel and a quality aftermarket stock for a standard rimfire, this factory configuration represents a significant value. For the shooter dedicated to mastering the .17 HMR cartridge's ballistic potential from a stable platform, the investment is justified over a more generic rifle that would require hundreds in upgrades to match its out-of-the-box capability.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- AccuTrigger is user-adjustable down to approximately 2.5 lbs for a crisp, predictable break.
- Heavy 21-inch stainless barrel (0.920" muzzle diameter) provides superior thermal stability and harmonics over sporter barrels.
- Laminate thumbhole stock adds 12-14 oz of stabilizing weight compared to synthetic stocks, improving bench-rest stability.
Trade-offs
- Exclusively right-hand configuration; no left-hand model is offered in this BTVS variant.
- .17 HMR ammunition costs $0.30-$0.40 per round, making high-volume practice sessions 5x more expensive than .22 LR.
- Weighs 8.2 lbs unloaded; too heavy for comfortable all-day carry hunting compared to lighter options like the <a href="/products/stevens-334-243win-20-3rd-black/">Stevens 334</a>.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 062654962004 |
| manufacturer | Savage |
| manufacturer part number | 96200 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | Satin Stainless |
| barrel length | 21" |
| caliber/gauge | .17 HM2 |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| color | No |
| length | 42 |
| model | 93R17F |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. Detachable Box |
| package height | 3.4 |
| package width | 6.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Manual Thumb |
| shipping weight | 8.7 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope mount?
- Yes, the receiver comes from the factory drilled and tapped with 8-40 threads, and it includes pre-installed two-piece Weaver-style scope bases. This is a standard pattern that will accept virtually all common rimfire scope rings from brands like Warne, Leupold, and Vortex.
- What is the thread pattern for the swivel studs?
- The factory-installed swivel studs are a standard 1-inch quick-detachable pattern, with the rear stud set into the laminate stock approximately 4 inches from the buttplate. Most common QD sling swivels from Uncle Mike's or Magpul will attach directly without modification.
- Does this rifle accept aftermarket Savage 93 magazines?
- Yes, it uses the standard Savage 93-series detachable box magazine. The factory 5-round polymer magazine is included, and higher-capacity 10-round metal magazines are available from third-party manufacturers like ProMag and Savage for approximately $25-$35.
- What is the thread pitch on the barrel?
- The barrel is not factory-threaded for a muzzle device or suppressor. The muzzle is a standard crowned contour. Adding threads would require a gunsmith to cut and re-crown the barrel, a job typically costing between $120 and $200 depending on the shop.