10/22 to .17rem conversion barrel

[91_4x4]

After reading all the threads about the .17 caliber, I thought i would chime in. Looking at my new Cabela's catalog, I noticed that they sell a conversion barrel to convert the 10/22 to a .17. Has anyone seen or shot one of these? Also, just out of curiosity, the .17 Rem. is a rimfire, correct? Some people are saying .17 centerfire. do they make a centerfire 17 cal.?
For what it's worth, I shoot all my varmint with a .22 hornet, but at 50 cents a shell, it adds up pretty quick.

[KN]

The 17 rem is a high power center fire cartrige. The 17 you are refering to is the 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire-(HMR). Its a necked down 22mag to 17cal rim fire. As far as conversions go I think you have to start out with a 10-22 mag to do the barrel swap. I would assume the magazines are different and a 17HMR would not fit a 10-22 LR mag.  Some one please correct me if I am wrong about that.   KN

[jhm]

KN:  I believe you are correct, there is a difference between the 22 and the 22 magnum magazine.   JIM

[rodgervich]

The advertised barrel is for the 10/22 MAGNUM to 17HMR. That is an excellent barrel swap. I made a couple 17HMR barrels before they were commercially available to convert a 10/22 Mag, worked GREAT! I read about converting a 10/22 LR to magnum and hence 17HMR, so I tried it just to see if I could do it. It worked, but not that great; broke the extractor, smashed the recoil buffer pin (mine is plastic), had to grind down the hammer a little, never got it to feed right either. It would shoot fair groups but it is NOT WORTH THE EFFORT. I switched it back to long rifle and it shoots just as well as it did before I cut it up.
The 10/22 MAG to 17HMR is a great switchbarrel combo, ammo is hard to find at decent prices at the moment but that should change soon. And you have to resight your scope every time you switch the barrels.