Savage B.Mag Sporter .17 WSM 22 in 8-Rd Grey Laminate

About this product

The Savage B.Mag Sporter .17 WSM 22 in 8-Rd Grey Laminate is a purpose-built bolt-action rimfire rifle engineered for the high-velocity .17 Winchester Super Magnum cartridge. It combines a compact receiver, a 22-inch sporter-weight barrel, and a stable grey laminate stock to provide a lightweight, accurate platform for long-range varminting and target shooting. This rifle is distinctly different from a standard .22 LR or .22 WMR setup, operating at pressures near 33,000 PSI to deliver flatter trajectories and superior wind resistance.

What is the Savage B.Mag Sporter .17 WSM used for?

This rifle is designed for long-range, precision rimfire work, specifically targeting prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other small varmints at distances from 100 to 250 yards. The .17 WSM cartridge pushes a 20-grain polymer-tipped bullet to approximately 3,000 feet per second, offering a trajectory that rivals some small centerfire cartridges. The rifle's 22-inch barrel, stable laminate stock, and adjustable AccuTrigger provide the foundational stability and trigger control needed to exploit that ballistic advantage effectively.

How does the Savage B.Mag Sporter compare to the Stevens 334?

The Savage B.Mag Sporter is a specialized rimfire platform, while the Stevens 334 is a budget-friendly centerfire rifle. For pure varminting under 250 yards, the B.Mag's .17 WSM cartridge offers dramatically lower ammunition cost per shot—roughly $0.30 per round versus $0.70+ for .243 Win—and significantly less recoil. The Stevens 334 in .308 Win is the better tool for larger game or situations requiring heavier bullets and power beyond 300 yards, but it weighs nearly 2 lbs more and has a heavier recoil impulse.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The rifle weighs 4.5 lbs unloaded and measures 40.5 inches in overall length. The 22-inch sporter-profile barrel contributes to a forward weight bias that aids off-hand stability, while the 1.5-inch thick laminate stock at the comb provides a consistent cheek weld. For comparison, a typical rimfire like a Ruger 10/22 carbine is about 5.0 lbs and 37 inches long, making the B.Mag slightly longer and noticeably lighter—a benefit when carrying it across prairie dog towns all day.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for general plinkers or those seeking a cheap .22 LR alternative. The .17 WSM ammunition, while effective, costs nearly triple that of standard .22 LR and is not as ubiquitous. It is also ill-suited for beginners unfamiliar with high-pressure rimfire cartridges and their specific cleaning requirements to prevent fouling. If your primary need is a 50-yard small-game rifle or a low-cost training tool, a Stevens 334 in .243 Win would be a more versatile, though more expensive-to-feed, choice.

What's in the box?

You receive the rifle with its 8-round detachable rotary magazine installed, one set of scope base mounting screws, and a basic owner's manual. The receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for a #6-48 scope base, which is not included. The muzzle is threaded 1/2"-28 to accept direct-thread suppressors or muzzle brakes, but no thread protector is provided—a minor but notable omission I address immediately with a $12 aftermarket cap to prevent damage.

Is the Savage B.Mag Sporter worth it at $550.99?

At this price point, it is worth it for the shooter who specifically needs the .17 WSM's ballistic performance and values the out-of-the-box accuracy potential of the AccuTrigger and laminate stock. You are paying for a specialized tool, not a generalist rifle. The investment is justified if you regularly engage small targets beyond 150 yards where standard .22 WMR energy drops off significantly. For less specialized use, a standard .223 Remington bolt-action might offer more versatility for a similar cost, though with higher ammunition expense.