Finally arrived at my range yesterday with .17 HMR barrel on rifle AND some ammo.
The NEF bull barrel makes a sweet handling varmint gun! One problem though; I noticed that NEF sent a longer screw to hold the forestock on the .17 bull barrel than they did with the .22 LR barrel. I soon found out why!
with the longer screw, it left the forestock clearing the barrel slightly; when I used the shorter screw and pulled the forestock up more (it resisted some), the barrel would not lock up every time I closed it because the tail end, where it meets and pivots on the action, tended to bind up!
Realizing this, I just use the longer screw and allow the clearance.
At the range, I had 2 types of ammo....CCI and Hornady. My rifle seemed to like Hornady, another sportster may like the CCIs better.
My groups, at 75 yds were no "great shakes" 5/8" to 1", but still better than the same rifle with .22 Mag barrel.
On a day when I have had less coffee or am steadier for any other reason, I'm sure the groups will improve.
I Used a Tasco 3-9X40 World Class....
Today, I went out for woodchucks. I said hello to 2 of them , both at about 80 yards.
Just two groundhogs does not form a complete study....but here is my
very UNscientific opinion.
The flatter trajectory and more accurate nature, gives the hunter more confidence....and it is FUN to shoot!....But then, almost all guns are fun to shoot....
Actually that bull barrel on such a short rifle, just a hair over 38 inches, makes a very nice handling piece.
In both cases, I sneaked up on the 'hog from through the woods. With the flatter shooting round I felt confident about shooting through the small openings between the brush and twigs.
One observation that I had...
Both were down, grazing when I hit them, one broadside, the other butt side.
Neither one killed stone dead immediately! The butt shot one I can understand... a rather unpredictable result can be expected in any case .
The broadside one, I took straight in at 90 degrees into the left shoulder.
Although he pitched forward onto his face, he wasn't " stone cold dead" and rolled to his back wheezing before he expired.
Chucks of the same size, that I have shot the same way with the .22 mag (1910 fps, 40 gr.), I believe were "deader sooner".
Contrary to what I have heard some say, I noticed little difference between the .17 HMR and the .22 Mag as far as recoil and noise are concerned...just me maybe..
If I were going for something bigger such as fox or coyote...I would take the .22 Mag barrel along. Just my $ .02...
Yet, the NEF Sportster in .17 HMR is a beauty for it's flatter trajectory, great accuracy and the sweet handling qualities the bull barrel gives.
For the $63 that NEF charges for the barrel ( $55 for the LR) makes them one of the best bargains in the firearms industry, as I see it!
BTW; I had my CZ Special along to my range yesterday. It is presently wearing a cheap, 4X BSA scope.
I fired it at the same 75 yard range using several brands/types of ammo.
high velocity, hyper velocity, standard, & target.
Best single group that day...3 shots...1/4" wide X .22 cal. high...
This was done with CCI Mini-Mag HPs.
