.17 Winchester Super Magnum rifles

What was the problem exactly? Well I mean, why is it a problem specifically with those rounds [in semiautos]?
Click to expand...

Because of the tiny 17 caliber bore, the pressure drops very slowly. This means the pressure curve remains high until the bullet leaves the barrel. A blowback (read inexpensive) action relies on springs and inertia to keep the action closed. Sometimes the action will open and begin extracting the case while the bullet is still in the barrel. The unsupported brass isn't strong enough to contain the pressure and KABOOM! the brass ruptures, spewing brass fragments and lots of hot gasses, often hard enough to blow the magazine to pieces.

This was a problem with 17 HMRs. Remington tried it and took the gun off the market. Magnum Research tried it and took the gun off the market. Ruger wouldn't even touch it.

The 17 WSM has more capacity and runs higher pressures so it would be even worse. If anyone builds a 17 WSM semiauto, it will have to have some means of delaying the action opening until the pressure has dropped. This is certainly possible, but will be more expensive than a simple blowback.
 
Indeed they do, but they utilize some sort of counterweight system attached to the bolt which I assume delays the blowback long enough for the bullet to get out of the barrel. It as a rifle built around the 17 HMR cartridge instead of a rifle adapted to the 17 hmr cartridge.

If there will be an autoloader on the market for .17 WSM, this design might be the solution they are looking for. I bet volquartsen owns the patent, and this might slow down and constrict who makes them. Volquartsen will want to come out with the first one before they let anyone else do it.
 
Btw, those Volquartsen TF rifles are beautiful! I guess worth the money if it's your thing.

Also, I'm assuming that problem doesn't exist in the .22WMR, as there are quite a few .22wmr semi-autos on the market... But do you think the problem could be present in a (hypothetical) .22WSM semi-auto, considering the pressures would be quite a bit higher than the .22 WMR?
 
Since this round is based on the .27 nail gun rimfire, I'd like to see a .27! With the right bullet, this could be a thumper and a real boon to the lever action crowd.
 
It's just dang near impossible to get range and thump outta a rimfire. There are times I need one, times I need the other and times I need both. Personally I have no interest in a 5mm version. It's just a comprise between the 2, not as good as the .17's or the .22's at either. Basically, I'm not willin to lose the trajectory we'll see in the .17 with out significant increase in thump. A 30gr 5mm just ain't gonna add much. Regardless they had better be pushing 35 (5mm) to 40(.224) grs. to get anywhere near the SD and BC a we need. Basically, light for caliber bullets sucks in any chambering. 30gr for 5mm is too light.
 
Last edited:
Creek Henry, a .27 sounds cool and all, but I have to agree with tjh on the .20. Going back to my airgun days (even though I still shoot them).

Some of you may have a a Sheridan Blue Streak, they started way back, WAY before my 17 years of existence... I believe they were the first to introduce a .20 caliber pellet.

.177 pellets, offers a better ballistic coefficient than .22 caliber pellets of equal weight. The problem is that .177 is affected by wind way too much, considering it's weight. A good compromise is making a slightly larger projectile, while having the heavier weight of the .22 caliber pellet. This means little wind drift and less forward wind resistance (best of both worlds of the .177 and .22) and a pellet that can move further than the .22 with very similar knockdown power. I probably didn't explain this too well, but most people probably know about this anyway, or at least people who have experience with the Blue Streak.

I think this same concept could be revolutionary in the rimfire world. In fact, I wish they would come out with the .17, .20, and .22, but that would be a pipe dream, I'm sure. Either way, the .17HMR and .22WMR both seem to have their own markets and most people who own one, don't own the other (as a general rule), so coming out with a larger caliber round, they would still have a pretty large market.
 
the old 5mm rem mag. with 36-38gr. bullet kicks the 22 mag's butt but Rem .screw the pooch in marketing it.
 
17 wsm

The 17 wsm sounds great but speed doesn't equate to punch. Winchester supreme 22 mag ammo is just below the 17 HMR as far as fps. The 34 grain hp has a lot of smack. If ya got a 22 mag laying around collecting dust. Try a box of these baby's and you just might find a new gun in your closet you didn't know you had. And you can"t argue about the price . Nope ya can't!
 
I think the .17 Hornet will over take it and you can reload the ammo. Anyway that's what I was thinking when I got my .17 Hornet.

If they made a .22 version too of the new Winchester rim-fire mag, it would give a boost to those that have a rim-fire only hunting season but I don't have that here.

Expensive, non-reloadable ammo that I may not be able to buy in 5 or 6 years down the road just doesn't do anything for me...

Tony
 
Good points all of that BUT when you look at the difference in the price of the rifles I can use the money difference and stock up and a lot of ammo.
Plus 17 Hornet is $18.50 a box of 25!!
 
Man not another bushy taled limb rat popper! Worthless! Sorry my 0.02. I just don't get the little bitty bullet thing. My. 22 lr/ 22 mag are small enough IMHO. To each his own I guess.


Boomer
 
Yes 17 Hornet is $18.50 a box of 25 but you can reload the brass or sell it to someone that does.

I bought 3 boxes of live ammo and I'll have a set of dies and reloading supplies by the time I shoot all that up...

I've always thought that .17 caliber rifles were interesting but the .17 rem is nuts over bore and while the .17/.221 is better, I think the .17 Hornet makes the most sense. Did I need it? Hell no but that could be said for 25 of the guns in my safe...

Tony
 
Tony, how many reloads do you think the 17 Hornet case will handle? I reload also but not sure about that little tiny bullet. I do like the 17 Remington.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top