What about the popular .22 Hornet? With a 35-grain V-Max—with a BC of .109—at 3,100 fps, considering a 150-yard zero, the bullet impacts 1-inch high at 100 yards and 3.5-inches and 10.4-inches low at 200 yards and 250 yards, respectively—not too bad. Wind deflection is where this cartridge takes a turn for the worse; those measurements are 2.9 inches, 13.7 inches and 23.4 inches, which are inline with the .17 HMR and telling.

As for the .22 WMR, a just comparison cannot be made; it could be said that it’s not comparing “apples to oranges,” but rather “apples to durians,” and the external ballistics bear out the latter. Due to the projectiles’ blunt profiles—and resulting BCs—at distances beyond the 150-yard zero, wind deflection numbers are nearly double those for the .22 Hornet, thus negating the .22 WMR’s use at moderate ranges.

Just as important as external ballistics is accuracy. Last September, I had an opportunity to test prototype .17 WSM loads from a prototype B.Mag bolt-action in Illinois. That said, on the unusually calm day, three-shot groups with the 20-grain load (the only one on-hand) at 100 yards, 200 yards and 300 yards measured 0.266 inches, 1.33 inches and 1.83 inches respectively.

So, who is .17 WSM ideal for? The .17 HMR owner looking for more, the high-volume prairie dog shooter, the routine varminter? “All of the above,” said Criner. “This will take the rimfire guy out to 200 yards and beyond, and it will allow the center-fire guy to shoot more rounds at longer distances at a lower cost.”

After crunching the numbers with regard to external ballistics, and seeing its accuracy potential firsthand, Winchester has proven the rimfire platform is still relevant, if not ideal, for certain applications. The .17 WSM will fulfill the needs of varmint and predator hunters alike, negating center-fire necessity at distances within 250 yards, perhaps farther. Best of all, the increase of capabilities comes at cost consistent with existing “high-performance” rimfire cartridges. It’s a formula for success.

“When we saw the huge potential of this cartridge [.17 WSM]—substantially higher performance at only modestly higher price—it was an easy call,” explained Bill Dermody, director of marketing for Savage Arms. “But, we didn’t just want to chamber the round; we wanted to make the rifle that would roll it out.” The rifle that emerged, the Bolt.Magnum, (B.Mag) took approximately 18 months to go from concept to completion. Why? The cartridge’s unusually high maximum average pressure (MAP), dimensions and construction created a quagmire for the company’s engineers.

Timing for the project was fortuitous; the company was already considering modernizing its rimfire line when approached by Winchester Ammunition. “We were working on a project to redesign what we call our ‘E-receiver,’ which is the foundation for our .22 Long Rifle, .22 WMR and .17 HMR rifles,” reported Dermody. “We wanted to make something more compact, with some updated features, such as a rotary magazine. At that point, we knew we’d have to backpedal somewhat to make the design suitable for the new cartridge.

We didn’t have a rimfire receiver designed for that kind of pressure—33,000 p.s.i. (.17 WSM) compared to 24,000 p.s.i. (.22 WMR) and 26,000 p.s.i. (.17 HMR)—and we didn’t want to ‘punt’ and chamber it in a center-fire gun such as a Model 25 or 110,” expounded Dermody. “So we just made a more robust rimfire system.” The key word here is “system,” as no single feature enables safe, reliable firing of the high-pressure cartridge in the scaled-down rifle.

First, the thick, yet malleable, brass of the cartridge’s rim—required due to the elevated pressure levels—mandates significant striking force be applied by the firing pin for trouble-free ignition—a feat the company’s previous designs could not accomplish. The answer: an atypical cock-on-close action. However, such a design had its detractions, too.

“The challenge isn’t hitting it hard enough,” explained Dermody. “The challenge is hitting it hard enough and still having a bolt that is easy for the shooter to operate. [Cock-on-close actions] provide more leverage, the benefits of which are realized whether shooting from the bench, prone or freehand.”

On the sample B.Mag the force required to close the bolt measured 22 pounds—enough that some young or small-stature marksmen might have difficultly without applying direct pressure from above, while simultaneously snugly holding the rifle or resting it atop a solid object (such as a bench) or on the ground (in conjunction with a bipod). The unusual, non-functional design of the bolt knob—reminiscent of the original Browning T-Bolt, as created by Jack Donaldson—exacerbates the problem; a traditional, checkered round or, better yet, flat, knob would prove to be a superior choice.

The B.Mag has dual-opposed locking lugs at the bolt’s rear—another measure to counter the increased pressure. Further, the bolt face is deeply recessed, and the extractor is of a quasi Sako-style/hook-type configuration. Ejection is provided by a fixed ejector positioned behind the magazine. Lastly, the bolt shroud is uniquely contoured so as to afford unobstructed access to the two-position safety. The bolt-release button is located on the left rear of the receiver.

The petite receiver is of a new design, measuring 513⁄16 inches in length and 0.95 inches in width. Attached to the rear is a die-cast trigger housing containing an updated version of the AccuTrigger that enables pull weight adjustment without the removal of the barreled action from the stock and exclusive of special tools; simply turn a plastic dial to decrease or increase pull weight within the 2-pound, 8-ounce to 6-pound range. A mousetrap-type spring on the front face of the housing provides downward pressure on the magazine for easy removal. Forward of the magazine cutout is a dual-purpose polymer tab. First, it serves as a “catch,” with the rear side securing the magazine via a corresponding flat. The forward face ensures the polymer bottom unit is held in place. A circlip prevents the piece from falling off the threaded stud, which also acts as a recoil lug, and grooves in the receiver minimize side movement. Because the barrel is devoid of iron sights, the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope bases. According to Dermody, the B.Mag’s base configuration is unique; those for other Savage models will not work.

Attachment of the B.Mag’s barrel also differs from its rimfire brethren, mimicking that used on the company’s center-fire rifles. Immediately noticeable are three grooves near the receiver’s front. According to Dermody, “The barrel grooves disguise our headspacing system, as it needs a range of ‘adjustability’ to set the perfect headspace. On this rifle the threads are countersunk into the receiver so this ‘range’ in the threads is not exposed, but this leaves a visible gap between the barrel and receiver. We incorporated this gap into the design by enlarging it and adding two more. Additionally, the difference [between the traditional locking nut system and the B.Mag’s] is that there is a stud underneath that keeps the barrel from rotating, rather than a nut around the barrel.”

As for specifics, the slender, 22-inch free-floating steel barrel measures 0.860 inches at the receiver and tapers to 0.520 inches at the muzzle, where it ends in a radius crown. Because of the volume of propellant consumed, as well as a reduced bore diameter combined with high-velocity bullets, it is recommended that the button-rifled barrel be cleaned frequently. “If you let it get too dirty you could have extraction issues,” he explained. “These are easily resolved with a bore brush and a little solvent or even lube, however.

Everybody makes guns to be shot,” said Dermody. “The Savage way is to also design them to be manufactured. Accuracy always comes first, we’re Savage, that’s who we are. But manufacturability comes right after that.” Nowhere is ease of manufacture more apparent than on the B.Mag’s synthetic stock.

With the exception of stipple patterns and fore-end designs, the B.Mag’s stock closely follows the lines of the Axis. Like its center-fire predecessor, the B.Mag’s stock has a separate, one-piece bottom unit with integral trigger guard, which is easily removed without tools and hides the two action screws. “It keeps a slender profile, with no visible action screws,” emphasized Dermody. Strangely, though, when the detachable, eight-round-capacity rotary magazine is in place, there’s not only a 1/16-inch gap behind it, but the back portion of the cutout snags the hand, largely negating the bottom unit’s streamlined advantage. Finally, the stock is fitted with dual sling-swivel studs and capped with a ¼-inch-thick rubber recoil pad, which is appropriate for the chambering.