.17HMR and .22LR ?? (First few questions of many)

[pr_s14]

Well, I've decided that I really want fire the .17HMR. So, I've been eyeballing the Marlin 17VS.

But, I love the ability to customize (with endless possibilities) the 10/22 and it's ability to fire both the .17 and the .22. (with different setups, obviously) The .22 is a cheap round and I wouldn't mind firing them when my budget doesn't allow the purchase of the .17

My questions:

1) Should I go with the Marlin and say "to hell with the .22" ?

or

2) Should I go custom 10/22 and shoot both?

The differences being higher initial cost (10/22) vs higher overall cost (expensive .17 rounds for Marlin)

Also, if I do go the 10/22 route, how would I go about firing both of these rounds?

[ss1]

The .17 HMR is a necked down .22 magnum which is a much larger case and rim than the .22 LR. Keep in mind that I don't know this off hand as I haven't looked at doing a conversion and I'm blocked from most firearms related websites at the office, but I don't think you can just do a barrel swap on the 10/22 as I think you also need to change the bolt and mainspring as well. Fortunately, you can buy pretty much every single part on the 10/22, especially in .22 LR form, so buy the .17 HMR 10/22, and then you can slowly acquire the parts necessary to convert it into a .22LR tack driver. You won't be able to do as much with the Marlin except maybe a stock change or have a custom barrel made.

[Cris]

Thanks for the info Phil, I was curious about this after he brought it up.

[ss1]

Thinking some more about it and now I'm not so sure that the .17HMR and the .22 receivers are the same. Since the cases are almost a 1/2" longer on the .17, it would be reasonable to "assume" that the ejection port would be enlarged on the .17 if the original .22 doesn't have the necessary space. The ports need to be designed to eject an unspent round and the length of a .22 magnum is almost 1.4" where a .22 LR is generally under an inch. With the added length of bolt travel, I have to guess that the two rifles have slightly different receiver lengths.

[pr_s14]

Well guys, I finally ended up going with a Savage 93R17 BTV (gotta love that accu-trigger). It came with a Cabela's Pine Ridge Tactical .17 3-12X40mm scope.

Haven't got any rounds through it yet but it sure is a looker (IMO). Hopefully it shoots just as good.

[GT03235]

According to what i have read there is a conversion for the 10/22 to .17HMR but i read that there were cycling issues! I have experience with both .22lr and .17hmr and for me the .17HMR wins hands down every time. The bullet (projectile) is mostly 17 grains in weight up to around 20 grns and as mentioned in an earlier post it is a necked down .22 winchester magnum cartridge. The .17HMR is a far faster flatter shooting bullet than the 22 lr because of the bullet (projectile) is a minimum of 30 grains to an average of 40+ even with a lighter 30 grain you will only get around 1700FPS yet with a .17HMR with a 17 grain bullet you will get over 2500FPS and is very accurate to 250 yrds after that it starts to drop. My 17hmr is a savage 93r is super accurate at 150 yrds you can shoot 1" groups all day. My 22lr rifle is a marlin 60 and its no where as accurate as the 17hmr. The only downsize with a 17hmr is the cost of ammo goes up a lot compared to 22lr. 50rnds will cost you around $12 to $17 dependant on brand. Another downsize is if you like suppressors the 17hmr is harder to moderate.
YouTube - savage 93R and new scope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Hz5npF2QI)

And here's the .22L/R Marlin 60
YouTube - marlin 60 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FI8qrwPmx8)
Hope this helped