Ruger 10/22 : 17HM2 conversion?

[Zodiac]

Greetings,

I am considering a trade for a Ruger 10/22 with a 17HM2 conversion done and I know very little about this conversion other than it is a barrel and a bigger bolt and that the 17HM2 ammo shoots flatter for greater distance with more knockdown power and is about $10 per 50 rounds.

Can anyone add any personal experience/knowledge on this conversion and the ammo.

Opinions welcome...

 

[comfisherman]

I have done a couple conversions, ammo becomes an order necessity. If you are willing to purchase large quantities online its about 6$ a box.

To date the top 2 conversions I've done were a 16.5 inch green mountain sporter barrel with a heavy handle. The other is a Magnum research with the heavy hadle from skeeter. Both were light weight builds and shot very well. The magnum research rifle has inspired no less than 5 friends to do similar hm2 builds.

They should come with a warning about how addictive they are, and with ammo like it is, its an expensive addiction.

As for on game performance there is no 22lr that compares, and as a recovering rimfire junkie I can say that with confidence. Its the closest thing to 17hmr, and 22mag power in a standard 10-22. Bullets do wonders on whistle pigs and put grouse and ptarmigin down beautifully.

 

[Browninglover1]

Do you need to do any modifications to the action to allow proper functioning of the 17 m2 or does it just require a barrel swap?

 

[comfisherman]

The general consensus is that a heavy handle is all that is needed. I did one with a 10-22mag spring and it seemed to work just fine. Some guys tried drilling the bolt and adding tungsten rods, but I can't imagine what it would take to put that big of holes in a hardened bolt.

I can't off the top of my head remember the exact weight needed but it isnt much. I have shot a few boxes through an action with a rear reciever pin that was stuck without the heavy handle. However skeptical of the heavy handle in the begining, after that it was fairly convincing. 1 box and the pin slid right out, and I wasn't able to pound it out wiht a punch prior to that.

My magnum research rig has 1000+ rounds with no problem, the green mountain probably only 500. A buddy has one of the shaw heavy handles and tubes and I'm pretty sure he does well over 2000 rounds a year shooting whistle pigs and its held up just fine.

 

[Zodiac]

I have done a couple conversions, ammo becomes an order necessity. If you are willing to purchase large quantities online its about 6$ a box.

To date the top 2 conversions I've done were a 16.5 inch green mountain sporter barrel with a heavy handle. The other is a Magnum research with the heavy hadle from skeeter. Both were light weight builds and shot very well. The magnum research rifle has inspired no less than 5 friends to do similar hm2 builds.

They should come with a warning about how addictive they are, and with ammo like it is, its an expensive addiction.

As for on game performance there is no 22lr that compares, and as a recovering rimfire junkie I can say that with confidence. Its the closest thing to 17hmr, and 22mag power in a standard 10-22. Bullets do wonders on whistle pigs and put grouse and ptarmigin down beautifully.

Thank you for your feedback

I will have to look up Green Mountain, Magnum Research and Skeeter. This particular gun's barrel is stamped "E. Arthur Brown Company" and I suspect this is the kit that was used, before it was discontinued http://www.eabco.com/hornady17hm2.html

your feedback sounds promising in regard to the rounds' capability. I found Hornady rounds for it through a local outfit for $6.09 for 50 rounds.

 

[comfisherman]

Green mountain Is a custom build, they didn't want the liability of the 17's. Mine was built with a 96/17 barrel. The eabco was one of the origional conversion kits, I'ts pretty good. 6.09$ is a great price for hornady ammo, boy I wish thats what they were here.

 

[rash powder]

Take a look over at RimfireCentral.com - Rimfire Community!

You will find all the info on this that you could ever want, as well as a large group of amazingly knowledgeable and helpful individuals.

Matt N