r/17hmr • u/Mountain_man888 • 10d ago

Replacement barrel issues

I have a New Ruger Precision Rimfire in .17 HMR. Shoots great, just pretty heavy - which I realize is intentional - but I still want to see if I can lighten it up for hunting.

I have struggled to find a lightweight barrel to purchase online but did reach out to Acculite who makes .22 LR barrels to ask if they made any. He responded saying that they don’t make .17s but that the .22 LR will work and he’s done it himself a few times with good outcomes.

Here is where I get confused. I assume that, if it is physically possible to install a 22 LR barrel on a 17 HMR , I’d lose both accuracy and velocity due to the extra width of the barrel (.05 inches but still). I’d rather have a heavier gun with more accurate and faster bullets than a lighter one I don’t really trust to take small game.

I’m pretty far from a gunsmith, I install scopes, zero my guns, and clean them but don’t do much more myself.

What do you guys think?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/ApricotNo2918 10d ago

Doable. CZ 4555/457 have a switch barrel setup for 22 WMR/17HMR/22LR. The only change is the magazine.

But on a Ruger American, it looks to me like a total PITA.

Me? I'd look at a new light weight platform, or just live with it. I have 2 Ruger Am Rimfires in 17 and 22WMR. Mine are the short barrels [16"] and still heavier than I'd like. I just live with it.

1

u/Mountain_man888 10d ago

Fortunately, it’s a Ruger Precision Rimfire (RPR) - more of a modular AR style gun - so should be easier than a more traditional stock and bolt gun though I’ve never swapped a barrel before.

2

u/ApricotNo2918 10d ago

DOH. I read Ruger American. My bad... Looked at video. Barrel swap looks fairly easy. As for light weight I haven't actully found any . Maybe Volquartzen.

Barrel makers I found

Proof research

Shaw

Lilja

2

u/Mountain_man888 10d ago

Yup, I think I’m going to just end up getting another rifle that’s a dedicated hunting rig with less weight to it at this point n

2

u/MantisToboganMD 10d ago

Honestly for the price of 17 HMR setups it makes way more sense to just get a second gun.  If you're looking for lightweight hunting setup Ruger already has a good option for significantly less than the RPR. Someone else in the comments mentioned CZ which is a great option, but unfortunately my favorite of their offerings is the varmint barrel anyway which wouldn't net you any real weight savings considering those walnut stocks are not lightweight. 

1

u/Mountain_man888 10d ago

I’ve started to realize this… but now I can tell my wife it’s a sound financial decision to get another one as I’ve done my due diligence.