Volquartsen or Alexander Arms for a 17 HMR semi-auto?

[rcmark]

Anyone have any experience with either or both?

 

[rmr]

I've wanted a volquartsen 17 since they were introduced. the issue for me in buying one has been the mixed reports on accuracy. +1MOA. I recently bought a 1727f, so the question is somewhat moot for me but I would still love to have a really accurate 17, with a 25rd magazine. I'm interested in the responses....

 

[Shynloco]

I don't but a close shooting buddy uses a number of Volquartsen barrels on his small caliber rifles, 17HMR - .22. If you don't have a source, might I suggest you get hold of Dan Killough at www.killoughshootingsports.com . My friend get his Volquartsen barrels from Dan.

 

[ND shooter]

Have a volquartsen. Bought it when they first came out. At first it didn't shoot very well I thought. 1 inch with Hornady. Then I used Remington 17 hmr ammo and that was the ticket. Very accurate. Half inch or better on some days. And it seemed to get better as it broke in with any ammo. Havent shot in awhile( have 6 other 17's). No experience with Alexander Arms. Just letting you know my experience with Volquartsen.

 

[Chfcemerson]

My opinion:
I belong to a club and we have our own range, hence we have a modest benchrest group of fellas. Several of these men have Volquartsen rifles (myself included). Every single guy that owns one has had to return them to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons. some....several times!! I have never seen one shoot with the accuracy they claim. They claim .50 but the best ANY of us has been able to acheive is 1.350. They even send targets back from customer service trying to convince you of their accuracy, which none of us has been able to reproduce even with the best bench rests and an indoor 100 yard range (no wind). We had a match recently and a standard off the rack bolt action kicked all our butts. I sent my Fusion back to Volquartsen a couple of months ago because of a feeding issue that resulted in bullets being pushed back in the cases and stovepipes. This problem actually ruined one of the two barrels that i have for the gun, bulge midway down the barrel that was most likely caused by a piece of brass that came out of a cartridge neck. They sent it back to me saying "there is nothing wrong but we changed the extractor" and added that they would be happy to sell me a new barrell. Upon receiving my gun I returned to the range with three different brands of ammo and the problems still exist. Granted, .17 cal rimfire ammo was never intended to be benchrest accurate, but for the high end cost of these guns one would expect more reliability and better accuracy. If they would just try and live up to their self professed reputation, I would not be writing this. I will be selling it and replacing it with a good quality bolt action.

 

[ND shooter]

My opinion:
I belong to a club and we have our own range, hence we have a modest benchrest group of fellas. Several of these men have Volquartsen rifles (myself included). Every single guy that owns one has had to return them to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons. some....several times!! I have never seen one shoot with the accuracy they claim. They claim .50 but the best ANY of us has been able to acheive is 1.350. They even send targets back from customer service trying to convince you of their accuracy, which none of us has been able to reproduce even with the best bench rests and an indoor 100 yard range (no wind). We had a match recently and a standard off the rack bolt action kicked all our butts. I sent my Fusion back to Volquartsen a couple of months ago because of a feeding issue that resulted in bullets being pushed back in the cases and stovepipes. This problem actually ruined one of the two barrels that i have for the gun, bulge midway down the barrel that was most likely caused by a piece of brass that came out of a cartridge neck. They sent it back to me saying "there is nothing wrong but we changed the extractor" and added that they would be happy to sell me a new barrell. Upon receiving my gun I returned to the range with three different brands of ammo and the problems still exist. Granted, .17 cal rimfire ammo was never intended to be benchrest accurate, but for the high end cost of these guns one would expect more reliability and better accuracy. If they would just try and live up to their self professed reputation, I would not be writing this. I will be selling it and replacing it with a good quality bolt action.

WOW that's a bad deal. Sorry to hear about your experience with them. I guess maybe I got lucky. And like I posted above, was one of the first ones, way back in late 90's if I remember correctly

 

[Chfcemerson]

Yeah!!! Especially when I talked to them at the Shot Show as a buyer.

 

[charlesasmith]

Yeah!!! Especially when I talked to them at the Shot Show as a buyer.

I bought an early production model - Stainless receiver and barrel. It bulged the case bases and eventually blew out part of the case above the rim. Blew the magazine out which shattered on the concrete bench and pieces bounced up and cut my nose. At 1st Scott blamed the issue on the Hornady ammo. Hornady stated that the batch of ammo used was not defective. Scott then stated he would build a new bolt for it. A year later I gave up waiting and insisted that he buy the gun back which he did. I have a 22 LR ultra lite that it is very accurate and performs without any problem.

Decided that a bolt gun was the only way to go for the 17 HMR.

Chuck

 

[hogpatrol]

There is a disclaimer on 17HMR ammo to not use it in an autoloader. If you really want one in that caliber, consider going with the Savage A17 and use the A17 ammo made for it.

 

[Chfcemerson]

Some of my buddies shoot Coopers and I have to say those are some awfully well made rifles. I think thats the route im gonna go this next time around.