New guy with questions

[layusn1]

Hi everyone, I am new to the world of NEF firearms.  I have always wanted to try something in 17 so I went to my local Sportsmans Warehouse and asked them what an entry level 17HMR would run and the guy pulled out a NEF.  I have heard the name before but never good or bad reviews but when I asked the he said despite the $149 price it was a very accurate rifle and the 17 HMR is a very accurate round so together they make a great combination.  I really liked the feel of it.  The barrel was nice and heavy and the balance is awesome.  I figure the weight should keep it on the sandbags pretty well.  The design is interesting and having to take the rifle off the bag for each shot will be different but again, for the price, I can deal with it so I figured why not for the price.  I bought it and a Bushnell 3-9x40 and some scope rings so she is ready to shoot.  I figured now that I went ahead and spent the money I better figure out what to expect from the little rifle.  I went to their website and looked at the section with my rifle and saw another one that said it shoots 22 S, L, LR (SS1-022), 22WMR (SS1-M22).  I'm thinking...a dream come true because I bought a brick of the Super Colibri rounds but dont have anything that shoots 22 shorts so I am feeding them 1 by 1 into my Marlin model 60.  If this new rifle shoots as well as my model 60 I will be thrilled.  It appears there is an association between Marlin and H&R so I'm hopeful.  Anyway, the Super Colibris are awesome, shoot well, and are dead silent out of my model 60 but feeding them that way is seriously annoying.  I would love the NEF that shoots the 22 S, L, LR (SS1-022), 22WMR (SS1-M22) combination.  I read somewhere that you can change barrels?  If that is true could I put one of those barrels on my rifle?  Is it always going to be 22 if I do that or does it end up having interchangeable barrels like the uppers on AR15?  I couldn't seem to find a link for info on their website so if this is possible, how much would it cost?

I'm sorry for such a long post but greatly appreciate any answers and/or pointers in the right direction.

Leonard

[MSP Ret]

Welcome aboard buddy, yes you can put a .22 LR, .22 Mag, or .17 Mach2 barrel on your .17HMR Sportster but if you figure out the cost of the barrel plus fitting and shipping you like myself and others may decide to just buy another .22 LR Sportster (about $119 at WalMart for the .22 LR) or even try to find a barrel here in the classifieds and fit it yourself, it's easy. I also use the .22 Colibris and shoot them from my Marlin Model 60 as well as my .22 Sportster and other guns. Try loading them in the magazine tube of the Model 60 and working the action by hand, be sure the action is fully forward or you might get some misfires, this occurs from slowlky bringing the action forward when you work it. It makes it much easier to shoot the Colibris out of the Model 60...good luck, it works for me....<><.... 

[layusn1]

Dang, I just told my wife I wouldn't have to buy another rifle.  For some reason she thinks the 12 I already have are more than plenty...women folk...sheesh.  Actually, I tried feeding them through the tube but they would never feed right into the barrel so I just lock back the bolt and drop them in one by one.  I figure might as well get a 22 that can shoot them all, opens up a whole new world of 22 possibilities.  Thanks for the advise.  I have been digging through the forums now and gaining more knowledge about the new rifle, I think I will be happy.

Leonard

[MSP Ret]

It's no problem, I loaded my Model 60 singly with the Colibris until about a month or so ago when someone on another thread asked me if they would work through the magazine tube, I had never tried it but I did and it worked slick!!! I must be lucky with mine. It does occasionally foul up but it is a lot better than what I did for over a year and load them one at a time into the chamber while holding the bolt back. It's great to have you here with us and another H&R or 2 won't be to bad, they are fun and addictive....<><....

[layusn1]

Well, I don't know if they are fun and addictive yet but I know the other 11 rifles I have are.  Its getting expensive to feed the family, even with reloading.