embarrassing fix on Alaskan

[Oquirrh]

Scraped the bucks together and got a .17hmr.  
 
Unitl I can afford better, I Dug out an old scope I had around, an Alaskan 2.5x. I had no idea that it was not 1", its 7/8!
 
I made some bushings and put it in Weaver 1" rings Not as bad as you would think.
 
Will shoot this weekend.
 
Can anyone recommend a cheap servicable 1" scope? 4-6x fixed power wud be fine.

[scruffy]

I have a bushnell sharpshooter 4x32 that has served me very well over the years.  Very clear and bright for a less than $30 scope.  Bushnell also makes a sharpshooter 3-9 also.  I've never owned a bushnell sportsview, but I've heard of many people that like them.  I've owned a lot of bushnell banners and liked them, favorite being a bushnell banner 1.5-4.5x32 variable.  I think I payed $70 for it.  If you have a near $150 - $200 limit I'd get a Bushnell Elite 3200, I really love my 3-9x40 on my weatherby.  Extremely clear and bright.

If you can't tell, I'm a bushnell man.... :wink:

later,
scruffy

[Oquirrh]

Shot the .17 sportster today. Wow. The 2.5x doesn't do it justice. Might have to get at least a 3x9x40.

One small problem. About one in five times the shell extracted, but did not eject. I'm thinking this will correct it self as the gun breaks in.

[quickdtoo]

As long as you're into a new scope, you might consider more than 9x. I started with a 3-9x burris, then went to a 4-12x swift, ended up with 4-16x, 4-18x and 8.5-25x on my 17hmrs(3). My first day hunting with the 917VS with the 4-12x, I shot a gray digger at 158yds, decided for any longer shots I would like more power. Even on 12x he sure looked small. Depends on what and where you hunt though, but keep my story in mind while shopping.

[scruffy]

One small problem. About one in five times the shell extracted, but did not eject. I'm thinking this will correct it self as the gun breaks in.

Have you cleaned and degreased everything thoroughly?  The chamber may need a really good scrubbing.  Also, I'd spray the ejector with brake cleaner or something to hose it out and then reoil with Remoil or something to lubercate.

Some (well, probably most) of these rifles are shipped with excessive shipping grease and shavings that need to be cleaned out.  A really good cleaning fixes most initial problems like sporatic stuck cases.

later,
scruffy

[Oquirrh]

Good point. I'll toothbrush the works,  blow it out with compressed air and lightly oil.
   The solid  way these rifles are made, it will take quite a few hundred rounds to loosen it up. I plan to send it back to NEF for a .22lr barrel in a month or so. I'll have the trigger lightened and if the ejector is still a problem, i'll ask them to look at it.

BTW, the ejector problem was actually convenient sometimes. At the Utah DNR 100 -200 yd. range, which is exclusively for centerfire, they made an exception for .17hmr--but you have to pick up your brass.

A note: a range master told me that when the .17 mach ( or High Standard or Aquilla or whatever it will be called) hits the market, rimfire will be prohibited completely from the centerfire range.

[scruffy]

I think I'd be asking the range master who's making that decision and give that person a call and then follow with a letter.  Voice you opinion, but before doing so print off a bunch of numbers on the 17hmr's trajectory incomparison to the 22 hornet, 223, etc to 100 yards.  Include that information in the conversation and the note.  Maybe post information on how to contact that person in your local gun shop so more people can contact him as well.

Grass roots education.  It's up to us in the grass to educate those who make decisions.  

later,
scruffy

[MSP Ret]

Oquirrh, Don't use the compressed air on the action area of the gun. No matter how good a moisture filter/trap you have on the line you will most likely get some moisture in the action where you cannot wipe if off and where it will cause rusting. Try Carb or brake cleaner after removing all wood from the gun (the cleaner will destroy the finish on the wood), Good Luck. Also what is the reasoning for wanting to ban rimfires from the centerfire range? Could it be that the groups shot by the .17 rimfire shooters will make the centerfire shooters look bad? Also, why are they thinking of doing it after the .17 Mach 2 comes out and not now when the .17 HMR is out?....<><.... :grin:

[Leftoverdj]

Scruffy, the reason for the ban probably has nothing to do with ballistics. Rimfire cases tend to get left where they drop and can take unfixable plugs out of the tires of maintaince vehicles. A club to which I usta belong had to pay for several tractor tires.

If rimfires are restricted to a limited area, that area can be mowed by hand and the problem averted.

MSP. I've long used compressed air without problems. A shot of water displacing oil takes care of any traces of moisture. Alternately, you could sub a session under a heat lamp or a hair drier.

[MSP Ret]

DJ, Thanks for the tip. I used a friends air compressor years ago with rather rusty results a few weeks later. Of course he most likely did not maintain the water trap and filter like he should have. The water displacing oil and heat lamp hints are appreciated....<><.... :grin:

[Oquirrh]

Thanks everyone.
 
I tore down the Sportster, blew it out with carb cleaner. Carefully lubed with some PTFE spray.
 
Went to the range today.
Ejects perfectly--every time!
 
(Incidentally, shot great too.)
 
The range guy gave me his spiel again. Frankly, it left me confused.
 
he said: Now, 17hmr is cool on big bore 200, 100-yd range.  But when the new Aquila round comes out  even more folks will want to shot the new rimfires on the 'big' range. See?
 
Then, ALL the .22 lr folks, who are banned from the big range,  will start wandering over and the range volunteers will have to check if it's a 17 or 22lr.  
 
So, why's a 22lr, such a big problem? (I asked.)
 
ricochets, he says. "There's a lot of iron over there, and the 22s will start bouncing over the embankment. it's a safety issue." The 17 hmr, according to him disintegrates on impact, so its not a problem.
 
By then, my son was pulling me toward the range.
 
OK, What i know about ballistics would fit in a .22 short case, but do 22 lr ricochete more than anything else?

[Leftoverdj]

OK, What i know about ballistics would fit in a .22 short case, but do 22 lr ricochete more than anything else?

Kinda, sorta.

Low velocity lead round nose ricochet bad. I dunno that .22 lr ricochets any worse than .44-40, 9mm, .45 ACP, etc, but a lot more .22 lr get shot from rifles.

Don't point that out to him. It won't help you none, and it might hurt those who shoot that stuff.

[MSP Ret]

Oquirrh, If you are interested, someone in the classified section has just listed a set of rings for an Alaskan 7/8" scope. They may be something you can use. Were older .22 scopes 3/4" or 7/8" in diameter? In any event if the rings for sale in the classifieds are made to go with your Alaskan scope and are high enough they may be just what you need. Actually they may be nice to get just to go with the scope to put on another gun. Also, they may make your scope more attractive if you go to sell it and it comes with rings that fit it, especially if they are so hard to find nowadays. Good Luck....<><.... :grin: