I was contemplating a similar question about a month ago. Short answer is that I went with the B17. Several factors pushed me towards the B-series over there 93-series:
- Mags. There are lots of reports of problems with the 93-series mags, but the rotary design of the B-series mags is similar to the time-tested Ruger design. A big improvement, IMO.
- Bolt design. The B-series bolt design is closer to the 10-series. It does retain the same or similar front section as the 93-series, but the mainspring/cocking/main screw setup is easy to understand and disassemble and reassemble.
- Safety location. I prefer the rear tang slide switch of the B-series to the side-of-the-bolt lever of the 93-series.
- Barrel attachment. The barrel uses a barrel nut and a conical breech making it much easier to replace if desired.
In my research I didn't find many complaints about the accuracy of either rifle. Most of the complaints I found about the 93-series had to do with the magazines. Another thing that pushed me towards the B-series had to do with the difficulties reported with pillar bedding the 93-series. Apparently they inletting of the Boyd's stocks for the 93-series leaves very little material supporting the action screws, making pillar bedding tricky. I have bedded my 10-series into a Boyd's stock and might consider doing so for a 17 HMR so that was a consideration also.
I ended up going with the B17FVSS and have been pleased with it so far. The synthetic stock isn't terrible and only needed a little time with the Dremel to ensure the barrel was completely free floated. I did some cleanup work on the bolt assembly to break the sharp edges in the cocking slot and polish the interface between the front and back halves of the bolt, which made the bolt action much smoother. Even so, it's a Savage, with a shorter bolt lift than the centerfires, so it's not a particularly light or easy bolt lift but it's not unreasonably difficult to operate.
My B17 shows a preference for the CCI A17 ammo, but it shoots pretty much anything from CCI pretty well. My kids love destroying golf balls, Mandarin oranges, eggs, or pretty much anything else that reacts or explodes at 50 yards with it - it's accurate enough that with a 14x scope they seldom miss, even with the crazy Oklahoma wind.
I've not shot the 93R17, so I can't really tell you which is better. The above is just a summary of why I decided the way I did and my impressions of my B17 so far. I hope it helps, I honestly don't think you can go wrong either way.
