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17 Hornet barrel length

k9hunter2

Silver $$ Contributor
I recently bought a model 25 17 Hornet with a 22" barrel that I'm going to have threaded for my DA 22 HD rimfire can. I'm thinking about having the barrel shortened to 20" when threaded but wanted to hear your thoughts first. I'll be using it as a 150yd and closer Pd gun to replace my 17wsm.
 
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What kind of velocity do you expect to see with a can on it? I cut a 204 from 24 to 20. Still shot fantastic and didn't lose a ton of velocity. Made it much easier to handle for a coyote gun. The 17 Hornet will surprise you at distance performance. But if you have to shed a bunch to make the can work that's where I would be out.
 
I left mine at 22" and added an aluminium over barrel silencer with a 5/8 24tpi thread. No issues. 3600fps and quiet as an airgun.
 
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I have two CZ 527 Varmint model 17 Hornets, the Varmint model comes with a 24in tube. My first one I had cut down to around 21.5 inches when it was in getting threaded and the second one is still close to 24. Shooting the exact same ammo, there is very little velocity difference between the two. I had my SS HB Bmag shortened up to 20 inches and it still shoots right at 3000fps with the 20's. Had one of my 17 HMR's shortened up to 20 from 22 and it seems to have actually picked up velocity, although it's kind of hard to tell if it's just the ammo because that stuff has such a variance in it.

The little 17 Hornet, like the 17 WSM, shoots so little powder as well as the powder you use in these things is fairly fast burning, it just doesn't take a whole lot of barrel length for them to still get nearly the same velocity as a longer tube.

Lets say you lost 100 fps, which you won't, shooting PD's at 150 and closer, you'll see zero difference, but, what you will notice is how much more convenient it is to shoot having a shorter barrel, especially if you're screwing a can on the end of it.

Also, I don't think those Savage Model 25's have a very large contour barrel on them so cutting it back a few inches will not only make it more rigid but it'll give you more shoulder for your suppressor to square up against.

Excellent choice on selecting a suppressor. The DA Mask is one of the best rimfire cans, that is also 17 Hornet rated, you can get. You'll love shooting your 17HH with a can on it. They're not very loud to begin with but you put a can on them and you'll giggle like a little girl every time you pull the trigger. :)
 
Thanks for your replies it's always good to hear firsthand knowledge. I'll have it cut to 20" like my 17WSM.
 
I guess I'm the opposite. I had a Browning A-Bolt II Micro Medallion in .22 Hornet converted to where I can switch from .22 to .17 Hornet with a barrel change. I have the .17 Hornet stainless barrel at 24" and it's threaded for a suppressor, a Silencerco Sparrow II. It's very accurate and lets me get .17 Hornet factory velocities with a little less powder and hopefully longer case life. As long as the expanding gas pressure can overcome bore friction and still accelerate the bullet you'll gain velocity. I wouldn't go shorter than a 20" barrel with .17 HM2 or 22" with the HMR. Why have these cartridges if you don't want to get all of the velocity?
 
Am I reading this right you’re going to out a rimfire can on a center fire catridge?
Not familiar with your can but if it’s the one I looked up may not be rated for it just be careful
 
I cut an Anschutz 17 Hornet to 20" and shoot thru a rimfire can here. 3600fps and accurate and quiet.
P dogs at 250 are easy...as long as the wind does not howl. enjoy
 
Barrel length on any rifle is a compromise between handling and performance. Shorter barrels handle better, longer barrels, within reason, increase velocity. They make .223 factory rifles with barrels lengths ranging from 10" to 26", each length chosen for a specific purpose/usage. I wouldn't choose a 10" barrel for prairie dog shooting, or a 26" barrel for house clearing.

Re rimfire suppressors, the Sparrow II is rated for .17 Hornet. Something lighter, like a Gemtech Alpine, isn't.
 
Am I reading this right you’re going to out a rimfire can on a center fire catridge?
Not familiar with your can but if it’s the one I looked up may not be rated for it just be careful
There's actually quite a few rimfire cans that are 17/22 Hornet rated. Pretty much anything that is FN5.7x28 rated will also be Hornet rated.
 
Ricky, It would be interesting to see chrono numbers if you’ve shot it over screens.
 
I guess I'm the opposite. I had a Browning A-Bolt II Micro Medallion in .22 Hornet converted to where I can switch from .22 to .17 Hornet with a barrel change. I have the .17 Hornet stainless barrel at 24" and it's threaded for a suppressor, a Silencerco Sparrow II. It's very accurate and lets me get .17 Hornet factory velocities with a little less powder and hopefully longer case life. As long as the expanding gas pressure can overcome bore friction and still accelerate the bullet you'll gain velocity. I wouldn't go shorter than a 20" barrel with .17 HM2 or 22" with the HMR. Why have these cartridges if you don't want to get all of the velocity?
I disagree with you on that one

 

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I recently bought a model 25 17 Hornet with a 22" barrel that I'm going to have threaded for my DA 22 HD rimfire can. I'm thinking about having the barrel shortened to 20" when threaded but wanted to hear your thoughts first. I'll be using it as a 150yd and closer Pd gun to replace my 17wsm.
Both of mine have 20" barrels, a T/C carbine and a rebarreled 77/22. Far as I'm concerned that's about perfect. Doesn't take much, that case only burns about 12-13gr powder an 18 or 19" barrel would be maybe even more perfect I think. A T/C contender carbine in that chambering makes a great window/truck gun.....very safe and very handy. But be careful not to kill the rearview mirror.
 

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