What about .17 Centerfires?

[Scootter]

Like the 17 Mack IV or the 17 Remington? Has H&R ever chambered a HR barrel in either of these two calibers?

I'd like to try a .17 but I'm not big on rimfires (Except the .22LR) because of the price. If they haven't done this then I guess I've got something for the wish list.

Scootter

[djw]

Scootter,
Don't know if they've offered it from the factory.  I suppose, if the bore is the same, that you could take a 17HMR barrel and ream a new chamber (and fix the ejector).  I believe the bores on all the barrels are centered on the firing pin of the rifle/shotgun frames, which is why you need a special offset barrel to fire rimfire on these frames.  The sportster frame has the firing pin offset to strike the rim.
Don

[quickdtoo]

Trotterlg rechambered a .17hmr rimfire barrel to .17 Remington, then fitted it to an SB2 rifle frame. It's not a factory offering and I doubt it ever will be.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,70889.msg434860.html#msg434860

[Scootter]

It's not a factory offering and I doubt it ever will be

They could make alot of money if they'd cut barrels to your specs instead of just what they currently make. They have the barrel blanks but don't cut the chambers I want in the barrels I want. I would buy a .308 Win bull if it were SS. The same with the .204 and the 22 hornet.  They have the barrel blanks. They are already cutting the chambers in blued barrels. Why won't they cut you a SS barrel if you want it? It doesn't make sense to me.

Since the 17 Rem isn't currently cut by them I can understand that one. I just don't understand why they won't custom cut you a barrel when they are set up to do it already.

Scootter

[quickdtoo]

It's not a factory offering and I doubt it ever will be

They could make alot of money if they'd cut barrels to your specs instead of just what they currently make. They have the barrel blanks but don't cut the chambers I want in the barrels I want. I would buy a .308 Win bull if it were SS. The same with the .204 and the 22 hornet.  They have the barrel blanks. They are already cutting the chambers in blued barrels. Why won't they cut you a SS barrel if you want it? It doesn't make sense to me.

Since the 17 Rem isn't currently cut by them I can understand that one. I just don't understand why they won't custom cut you a barrel when they are set up to do it already.

Scootter

The place for that topic is the H&R Wish list which can be found down the page or in the FAQs, it's only been discussed a bazillion times.

Tim

[Scootter]

I'm sure it has. I stay out of wish list threads because I have enough ideas already and some of those threads send me looking for gunsmiths to get the work done.

Like I said, It makes no sense. I'm not planning on buying anything else from them because they don't offer or won't make what I want. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Scootter

[quickdtoo]

Have you read the wish list? If you do, you'll see why it's there. Whether it will do any good, that's anyone's guess, but it's our best shot at getting anything new.

Tim

[alan in ga]

I've bullt 3 17 Ackely Hornets on CZ bolt rifles. My main rifle has 4,000+ rounds thru it so far and still can produce [not always] a 0.34" 5 shot group at 100 yards. This particular barrel was a Remington 700 Stainless sporter in 17 Remington before I fit to the CZ 527 [got plenty of pictures if you're interested]. Old chamber was cut off at the shoulder/body junction for 'full clean up'.
I WAS bulding a 17 Ackley Hornet using a Handi rifle centerfire action. I purchased [new] a Sportster in 17 HMR. I fit it's barrel to the centerfire receiver and was satisfied of bolt/lug fit. Lucked up with an excellent fit. However, I test fired the HMR barrel with HMR ammo on an indoor 50 yard range using a benchrest. All I could get was 3/4" at best for 3 or 5 shot groups. So I dumped the project. I still would like to build one but I'm just too lazy to go find another 17 HMR barrel and hope for a succesful 'fit' to my centerfire .357 Mag action/rifle I bought the other day. Also would like to get better accuracy in the 17 HMR version before all the work of changeing to 17 Ack Hnt.
I've owned 17 Mach IIs, 17 HMRS, 17 Ackely Hornets [my FAVORITE], 17 Mach IVs [just finished a new on using PacNor Stainless Match barrel], and 17 Remingtons.
I still like the 17 ACKLEY HORNET the BEST. I think it would make one heck of a fun rifle in the HANDI. I did call NEF/H&R [?] and no, they would NOT send me an unchambered barrel in 17...something I found out after reading the FAQ here, too. But a 17 HMR PROPERLY FITTED to a centerfire late hardened Handi receiver,,fitting a 22 Hornet extractor [milling the recess?] and you would have what I consider the BEST of all the 17s.
Alan in GA.

[Scootter]

Have you read the wish list? If you do, you'll see why it's there. Whether it will do any good, that's anyone's guess, but it's our best shot at getting anything new.

Tim

I did break down and read it after I posted. There are some good ideas in there but they get watered down by others that are just silly or stupid.

I don't believe the wish list is your best shot. Here are two better ideas.

Has anyone asked them about group buy specials? For example, find 15 or more guys who all want a .204 Ruger 24" bull barrel. Then they all order at the same time as a group so the company knows there really is a demand. That might open thier eyes. My problem is that I don't want to send my action in 3 times for three barrels. I'd like to nail out all three in one order.

Or maybe instead of a wish list on a forum (That I doubt they ever read) some like minded guys could call CS and have a short polite conversation about their desire for what ever product it is they want. If enough of the calls wer made with SIMPLE and EASY requests you might see a change.

Just a thought,
Scootter

[quickdtoo]

H&R doesn't sell firearms retail, they only sell to distributors. Several members have talked to H&R and Marlin on more than one occasion, you can bet that we've all been there, done this before, your ideas are worthy, but have been thoroughly discussed several times over.

Marlin and H&R reps read this forum regularly, count on it, they just don't participate, for the most part.

Tim

[Scootter]

They don't sell firearms to the public, but they do sell and fit barrels. It seems to me that the people making the decisions are not thinking clearly.

They make 24" barrels.
They make bull barrels
They make Stainless barrels.

They chamber barrels in three calibers I'd like. OTOH They are not in the length, style or matterial I want. How hard could it be to simply add to the lineup? They already have the machines and tooling. It might take a little more waiting time, but that's no big deal if you're getting exactly what you want.

I'd bet dollars to do-nuts I'm not the only one out there who thinks this way. Americans want an inexpensive American made firearm. Like I said before. If they offered what I was looking for I'd buy all three in one shot, no questions asked. I'd even reconsider and maybe go with blued steel if they'd offer that option in the length and Cal I want.

So I'm wondering why it's not already in process is all.

Scootter

ps, If a factory rep does happen to read this I'd LOVE a response. Even if it's just a PM. I'm not trying to be insulting or rude. I am simply wondering why something so simple isn't already being done.

[quickdtoo]

Like I said, you aren't asking any questions that haven't been asked before. The H&R/Marliin eyes on this forum are read only, you won't get any response from them, trust me. Diana Lynch was the only person that I know of that went to bat for us that I can mention, she didn't get too far with Marlin execs and then she had health problems, but at least she had our attention.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,76426.msg471439.html#msg471439

[Fred M]

alan in ga
A 17 Hornet or for that matter a 17 Hornet AI is not in my opinion the best 17 there ever was. The 22Hornet brass was never a high pressure brass.

This is why Remington went with the 17 Remington using an off spring 222Rem Mag case.

It is not surprising that the 17HMR produced poor accuracy since these 17 barrels are very difficult to make and barrel making has never been an H&R strong point.

The 50 yards groups you got with the 17HMR I can better them at 100 yards with my Win Low Wall. But that rifle cost 4x as much as a Handi.

I know Trottrig gave up on his conversion; a barrel does not simply get any better by stoking it up with more fuel. I doubt H&R will ever chamber a 17 in center fire. They need to get their barrel making operation up to spec first.

To convert any H&R barrel to a wild cat one better make sure the barrel is according to specs and will perform accurately in the standard chamber.

[alan in ga]

Fred,,,
I believe some of the Handi 17 HMR barrels are very accurate,,,,just a gamble on 'which' one. I still think the 17 Ack Hnt project is a viable one.
Don't go just by my 17AH experience. I used to think the same as you as far as the Hornet case being 'weak'. But,,,I've shot about 5,000 plus 17AH rounds if you include all the 17AH rifles I've had. Then you would need to include the owner of Williams Precision [custom]Rifles. He has built a few dozen. He owned SIX CZs in 17 Ackley Hornet for his own collection at the time I decided to build mine. Then, include another friend who has I believe 3 17AHs,,,another who has ONE [new last year] and one more that owns one. We all go to Montana for LOTS of shooting each year. THe 17AH reigns 'highest' rank as best all around gopher/ground squirrel round/rifle. So much performance and so littel powder.
We've never had any problems with "weak" hornet cases. We buy new Winchester brass, tho. It brings the Hornet into a healthy state I guess.
I wanted to build one for about 10 years. As soon as I talked with the Williams'Pre. owner,,I was convinced it's a super,,UNderrated round. By the way, he's one of the Montana 6 that go with me. His opinion weighed heavily!!
One more,,,,when the SHOT Show was here in Atlanta,,I asked Walt Berger{Berger Custom Bullets] and his wife what was their favorite cartridge when they just "wanted to shoot"? Without hesitation they said,,,you guessed it.
We do take other rifles to Montana,,but the 17AH is THE rifle.
It's just a super fun round that IMO should be a factory offering.

You HAVE a good point,,the Handi with it's less than bank vault tight barrel/receiver lockup may be a bit too sloppy for the Hornet case. I've never had a Handi in 22 Hornet,,,how do they do??
Good points...
Alan in GA.

[Scootter]

Like I said, you aren't asking any questions that haven't been asked before. The H&R/Marliin eyes on this forum are read only, you won't get any response from them, trust me. Diana Lynch was the only person that I know of that went to bat for us that I can mention, she didn't get too far with Marlin execs and then she had health problems, but at least she had our attention.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,76426.msg471439.html#msg471439

I guess I am whipping a dead horse then. That makes my choice that much easier though. I'll buy a Contender and Encore frame and go from there. If the folks at Marlin/H&R don't want to listen I'll take my money somewhere else. I was looking for a less expencive (Not cheep) TC to work with. Now that I know they won't work with me I'll move on to a firearm that is really worth tinkering with. I can use the HR as a loaner. It's inexpencive enough I really don't have to worry about it.

It's sad to have to say that. I was planning on spending some money with these guys. Maybe I'm just to picky, but I doubt it.

Scootter

ps. This is not in any way ment as a rant about this forum. There are alot of good people with boundless amounts of knowledge. I am thankfull that the forum and the posters are here.

[Fred M]

Scootter.
I know Walt Berger, used to drop by his shop on Camelback road and pick up a supply of bullets. He sold his business in Phoenix and moved to California.

Walt is a famous BR shooter and so is his wife. If they were using 17Hornets it would not be an H&R barrel or in a Handi rifle for sure. He will be in Vegas next Feb at the Shot Show. I always stop by his booth and ask him about the
17 Hornet.