my first 17hmr, range report & questions

[nipprdog]

finally gave in and got a NEF rimfire to go along with my 2 centerfires.
got the 17HMR bull barrel sportster. rifle will just be for range use. Gander mountain has them on sale for $119.

first, I had to give it the standard "remove all the factory oil and stuff" cleaning. also the standard "remove scope rail, clean, loctite and replace".

tested the trigger and was breaking at 3& 1/2 -3& 3/4lb.  :grin:

then I put on an old tasco 4x16x40 scope(for now) and headed to the range.



these were the 2 types of ammo I used.



started off with the CCI. after a few sight in shots I tried some groups.

the best 5 shot group with the CCI was 1& 1/4" at 50 yds. :eek:

the fed was better, though.  had a couple groups about 5/8".
though groups were not as consistent as I hoped.

fired a total of 60rds.

my questions;

1. do these little rifles take a couple hundred rounds to settle in like many others?

2. does the o-ring trick help these like they do some of the centerfires?

3. what ammo might do better?  wanted to get some Hornady, but they were out. as mentioned, its just a range toy to be used mostly at 100yds.

thank you.

[quickdtoo]

I'd recommend polishing the bore with JB or Flitz to reduce the break in time. Then try all ammo available to you, each rifle is different and what shoots great in one won't necessarily be best in another.
There are many options in 17hmr ammo....

Federal 17gr Vmax and TNT/Speer hollow point

CCI 17gr Vmax and TNT/Speer Hollow point

CCI 20gr Gamepoint

Hornady 17gr Vmax

Hornady 20gr XTP

Remington 17gr Vmax or Accutip(name change mid production!)

Winchester 17gr Supreme Vmax(New, not available yet)

[greenjeans]

Quick, what do you use for polishing/cleaning the .17? No body around here seems to have anything that will fit the .17. Did find a one piece rod, but no acc. Like nipprdog I just picked up the .17 hmr yesterday. Cleaned what I could and mounted a 4 x 12 x40. Hope to shoot next weekend. Thanks.

[quickdtoo]

I use a patchworm, it works real well with just a patch. I don't use rods on my .17hmrs, the rods flex too much and I'm afraid that they might damage the throat. That's a non-issue with the patchworm. If you want a mop for your rod, an airgun mop will work, Kleenbore makes em. You can make a temporary "patchworm" with some weed eater line with a knot or melted knob on the end, sharpen the other end with a nail clipper.

www.patchworm.com

[nipprdog]

thanks, quickdtoo.

going to pick up some different brands and weights this week.

hopefully,  I'll get out this weekend for round 2.

 :grin:

[greenjeans]

Thanks

Will make up a temp. patchworm until can get the real thing ordered.

[rp]

Again I have found something I can use on this site. Thanks!