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Author Topic: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?  (Read 895 times)

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Offline encore58

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17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« on: January 19, 2008, 11:10:10 AM »
I have a 23" barrel I was thinking about cutting down to around 18.5 inches. This is where the cartridge has the most velocity and minimum spread between shots fired based on some research performed.
Has any other forum members had barrels shortened in 17HMR and if so what were the results and were you satisfied? How did the rifle carry and handle?
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Offline rural17

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2008, 01:56:00 PM »
Hey Encore58,  Sorry I haven't cut my 23" 17hmr contender barrel yet, but I have been planning on cutting it down to 18" because the 23" with a composite stock is so front heavy. I figured cutting it down would make it handier to carry around. Thanks for bringing this subject up. I'm curious too

  Jeff
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Offline encore58

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2008, 02:05:28 PM »
Jeff,
Here is a link to a set of must read 17HMR data concerning barrel length and muzzle velocity.
I love a carbine length barrel between 16 and 20 inches - especially in Encores and Contenders so this table made me especially happy. I have been talking barrel length at length with several sources lately and am finding out that many times we are carrying around extra weight for nothing. I personally don't need my rifles to be muzzle heavy for balance. I like a lightweight handy rifle whenever possible. And, a shorter barrel is usually more accurate than a long whippy barrel.
Ed

http://bullberry.com/HMRdata.html
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Offline tigmaned

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2008, 03:44:24 AM »
looks like after you get to 18" your not gaining much fps.
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Offline rural17

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2008, 07:28:47 AM »
Thank for the link Ed, makes me feel even better about wanting to cut the old 17hmr down. If I were only going to use it on a bench I wouldn't worry about it, but I think 5" would make it much more practical to carry.

Jeff
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Offline KN

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2008, 02:17:13 PM »
I cut mine down to 18". Tack Driver!! One thing I noticed was that with the 23" barrel, shooting with a bi pod off the bench, the rifle tended to rock a little to the right with each shot. After shortening it stopped doing that. Not sure why, but just an observation. As a side note, this rifle is outstanding out to around 225yds.   KN
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Offline rural17

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2008, 02:28:16 PM »
Sounds Great KN Thanks for being the guinea pig  ;D

Jeff
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Offline encore58

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2008, 02:58:26 PM »
Dropped mine off today at the gunsmith. Probably be several weeks before I see back home.
Having it cut to 18.5"
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Offline tigmaned

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2008, 06:21:32 AM »
has anyone seen a test like this for a 22 long rifle t/c contender carbine barrel?? i have 23" on the way and was thinking how many inches i don't really need hanging off the end? i have seen alot of 18" and 20" barrels on 10/22's
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Offline DropTheHammer

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2008, 08:10:02 AM »
this is a great and timely post! 

I have a 23 inch .17HMR that i've been contemplating cutting down for awhile now.  Mine will be going to the smith shortly for a trim back to 18 inches.  Haven't looked at the previously posted data yet, but I'm Just curious as to why you picked 18.5 inches?

I've also been wanting a carbine .22LR Match.  Was going to get a 23 inch and cut it back to 16.25, but ended up just pulling the trigger recently on a T/C Custom Shop 16.25 in high gloss...  Lookign forward to receiving this one...
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Offline encore58

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2008, 08:45:55 AM »
Quote from: DropTheHammer on February 04, 2008, 08:10:02 AM
this is a great and timely post! 

 Just curious as to why you picked 18.5 inches?

 

19" had slightly more velocity and the 18" had the less deviation from the mean velocity so I picked between the two. In reality. 18 or 19 will be very close to one another. Gunsmith still has mine. Can't wait to try it out.
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Offline DropTheHammer

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2008, 02:29:23 PM »
Called up my local gunsmith on the way home to arrange the .17HMR barrel shortening...  His lathe is not capable of getting a contender/encore lugged barrel cut less than 22.5 inches...  Back to the drawing board.  Anyone know of another smith in Southwestern PA that i can get ahold of for this type of work?

How are y'all re-crowning your cut jobs? 11 degree target?....
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Offline tigmaned

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2008, 03:26:51 PM »
tell your gunsmith to make a sleeve out of about 2" or 3" aluminum round stock then bore a little tapper cut inside about the same diameter as your barrel and then cut a slit in the sleeve length wise. then you install the barrel in the sleeve and clamp it in lathes chuck. that's just how i cut my 10" down to 7"and then re crowned it.

let me know how your 22lr custom shop barrel shots at that length!! like said i have 23" on the way but i am thinking about a shorter length for it. maybe 18.5 also, with the .5 for the chamber and still have 18" of full length rifling.
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Offline 30-06man

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Re: 17 HMR rifle barrel length?
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2008, 05:05:55 PM »
Quote from: DropTheHammer on February 04, 2008, 02:29:23 PM
Called up my local gunsmith on the way home to arrange the .17HMR barrel shortening...  His lathe is not capable of getting a contender/encore lugged barrel cut less than 22.5 inches...  Back to the drawing board.  Anyone know of another smith in Southwestern PA that i can get ahold of for this type of work?

How are y'all re-crowning your cut jobs? 11 degree target?....

Use this link to find a gunsmith.

http://www.midwayusa.com/gunsmithlocator/home.aspx?utm_source=gunsmithlocator&utm_medium=URL
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