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17 wsm
Geri
Member Posts: 2,100 ✭✭✭
Any one heard or seen anything about the 17 wsm being opened to a 22 wsm?
Comments
I have neither heard about or read about this being done, although I don't doubt that some daring experimenter has tried it. The American male is an indefatigable wildcatter when it comes to modifying ammunition which is why I don't doubt that it has been tried.
But, and this is a stern admonishment, do not attempt to try this on your own without an advanced knowledge of ballistics and a specialty in rimfire ammunition. The .17 WSM is a unique cartridge made from a case used to make nail gun cartridges and operating at a significantly higher pressure than the any other rimfire cartridges. Simply pulling a bullet,necking up and seating a new bullet in .22 caliber will be harmful to your health. As the great man said; Do NOT try this at home!
Best.
Thanks.
The 17 WSM probably isn't all that popular, probably in part because it's not a 22. Hoping that changes.
Twenty cents a pop.
But would like to see something a bit more powerful. I wish tikka t1x was chambered for the
22 wmr. Just on my wish list.
Releasing this cartridge in the .22 caliber design would not necessarily improve the notoriety or market share.
Quite the contrary actually. The lack of acknowledgement that most perceive is due more to the lack of rifles being chambered for the .17 WSM. So far we're limited to the Savage and Ruger products with some barrels thrown in by T/C or MGM. I've shot both mainstream manufacturers and their models are less than acceptable both in design and accuracy. Neither impresses me at all. But there are 4 major ammunition manufacturers producing cartridges for over the counter sales. Hornady recently entered the market and I can guarantee you that they wouldn't put the dollars and effort into this as the 4th supplier if the market wasn't going to grow.
I've has several brief conversations with CZ regarding using one of their smaller but substantially designed actions for this cartridge but so far they are holding off and will not commit to the assurance that any one action would be a safe design.
Volquartsen and Franklin Armory have released semi-auto versions in the .17 WSM without any real advance in accuracy. Realize that the Volquartsen is basically a $1,300 rifle in what they state is a semi-custom... :roll:
The custom market is strangled by the lack of reasonably priced action only suppliers and buying a Savage or a Ruger is not inducement enough to add a top of the line barrel, stock and trigger to the fray. You could buy a new or used Winchester 1885 Low Wall and re-barrel to the .17 WSM but at a little over $1,000 for the new one, then add a new barrel plus gunsmithing, puts this idea over the Volquartsen in price.
The solution is just not as simple as it should be. The Mini-Mauser actions, CZ small caliber actions, the older Sako A1 actions or even those Howa Mini actions would be the right scale of size and manufacturing for this cartridge without breaking the bank price-wise. The trick is to convince the manufacturers that the investment will pay off in a reasonable time frame. It would also yield a far bigger and broader market in which to grow the demand.
The obvious solution to the custom situation is to buy a Stiller or Vudoo custom rimfire action which start you off in the hole price-wise for the just the action. McMillan and Manners make stocks for these and there are 4 barrel makers on hand for those custom made barrels which will now run you 3-6 months in wait time. The end result is a rifle costing just as much as a centerfire custom. :shock:
Other potential rimfire without regard to price (all over $900/each):
10X
Falcon
Turbo
Best.
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I think I found the forums you were reading:
http://www.varminter.com/forums/topic/17759-wildcat-22-17wsm/
Best.
I'm encouraged to hear that CZ has been looking at the rimfire WSM as suitable for their line of rifles. I have more than a fair share of them and can see the challenge - the 452, 455, 457 line is probably insufficient while the 527 line is overbuilt, if there is such a thing when it comes to handling a cartridge safely. Whatever they might come up with, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Regarding the current slim offerings, I think rifle manufacturers would come on board if the cartridge were available in 22 caliber. Along with 35 calibers (I like & have them, but I also like & shoot the 7.5 French too ...) the 17s just don't seem to find purchase with the rifle shooting public.
Perhaps the new caseless, non-reloadable centerfire ammo will have an impact. I suppose we long ago left "needing" a new caliber or cartridge and that things more complicated than just what we'd like influence new offerings.