SPORTING ANSWERS
Which magnum is better?
RIFLES
Q I am interested in the Savage B.Mag rifle in .17 Winchester
Short Magnum (WSM) calibre. Is it any better than a .17 HMR?
A I am a small-calibre fan, so when the .17 WSM was first announced in 2013, I was excited. I love the .17 calibre cartridges, but prefer the reloadable .17 Hornet, .17 Fireball or .17 Rem and, indeed, the .17 PPC to the smaller rimfire .17 HMR. But the .17 WSM stood out as a really cracking .17 rimfire cartridge with real potential for the reloading-shy shooter.
The .17 WSM has an overall length of 40mm, with a neck diameter of 4.96mm and bullet diameter of 4.33mm (0.1705in). The case has a diameter of 6.81mm all the way to the shoulder.
By comparison, the .17 HMR is shorter at 34.54mm and the neck is slightly smaller at 4.86mm. The bullet diameter is also smaller at 4.15mm (0.1635in) and so is the case diameter, at 6.07mm from base to shoulder.
Believe it or not, the .17 WSM round is based on the .27
