With the rising cost of ammo a reality everywhere Winchester have pulled what may prove to be a game-changer out of the hat. The .17 WSM.
Winchester may be best known for ammunition [sadly also knives and flashlights of dubious distinction] but they long ago diversified into 'powered fasteners' AKA 'Nail Guns' which happily gave the Recessionista's at their R&D lab an already up-and-running production facility for larger cased rimfire ammunition!
Launching a 20-grain pill at 3,000 fps, or a 25-grain one at 2,600 fps with energy at the 400 foot-pounds and 375 foot-pound mark. That's 150 pounds more than the 17 HMR and 60 foot pounds more than the phattest .22 Winchester Magnum load. Some pundits are claiming that when it comes to wind drift and drop, the .17 Win. Super Mag. will beat the .17HMR by 50%, and leave the wind-challenged .22 Win. Mag. flapping about in the breeze.
All together now:
"No honey I'm not 'spending' money I'm SAVING money, I'm a Recessionista"
Centrefire effects for rimfire prices? Sounds good to me.Whacha reckon?
More Soon
It's an interesting addition to the rimfire world, but dammit, with a .22lr and a .17hmr already in the safe, it's gonna be a tough sell to add a whole new rifle just for whacking squirrels and rabbits.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking very dubious that the SHOT Show will happen for me this year, but if I can make it to the Range Day at least, I'll definitely be standing in line to play with this thing.
Phillip
ReplyDeleteEr yes, and that's the up hill struggle they face, this isn't just a barrel swap, due to the size of the case it has to be a whole new rifle.
Personally i'd love one, but my guess is we're not talking 'cheap and cheerful' for a while yet.
I'd love to commission Cooper to make one for me, but that's a lot of money for a Rabbit gun.
happy new year
SBW
I'm pretty interested in it as a fox and lynx rifle. The .22mag is usually outranged and the 17hmr is a little lacking but this might be just right with the heavier bullet.
ReplyDeleteThe small centerfires like the .204 and .223 are too much gun and pelt damage is a problem.
I'm interested to see what kind of iron they're going to put this in since Winchester hasn't made a decent rimfire since the defunct M52...
Hodge
ReplyDeleteRifle fans dont need a reason, but we enjoy thinking one up. That having been said... as the only rimfire in a minimalist battery it makes a lot of sense. :-)
SBW
I'll pass, but then again I'm a rimfire traditionalist crank. Don't own any .17s, though the guys that do seem to like them.
ReplyDeleteLast batch of new calibers Winchester came out with didn't do so well. Maybe these will do a bit better...
Chad
ReplyDeleteJust how many rimfires do you own? Go on be honest.
SBW
PS the way you said 'any 17's' gave you away
I can't see the point of it.
ReplyDeletePlenty of .17 centre fires around that will out perform it and you're not limited to a single rifle manufacturer, Savage, for your choice of weaponry.
The retail price for bullets will be in the region of $15 a box, or £13 a box in the UK. That's if you can find anyone that stocks them.
Personally I'd be looking hard at a 17 Fireball, MachIV, or 17Rem.
Anon
ReplyDeleteYes the .17 fireball is a fascinating round, being a Rimfire the .17 wsm is, in my current understanding Schedule E in spain. Which would suit my current plans rather well. that being said the .17 fireball will be easer to 'keep on the road' as time and tide do their work and some new rimfire becomes the must-have round.
SBW
I own...several.
ReplyDeletegreat post -- been after a 17 for a while. just makes sense.
ReplyDeleteshoot on.
Yes the .17 fireball is a fascinating round, being a Rimfire the .17 wsm is, in my current understanding Schedule E in spain. Which would suit my current plans rather well. that being said the .17 fireball will be easer to 'keep on the road' as time and tide do their work and some new rimfire becomes the must-have round.
ReplyDeleteSbw
The .17fireball has some very decent performance characteristics.
I have no idea how the Spanish categorise firearms. In fact I'm surprised that they even have such a think.
Plenty of Brits scampering back home having had a taste of Spain.
With Spains near bankrupt national economy you can hardly blame them.
Very cool round. I want one, but New York magazine restrictions say eight is one too many, thus making it an illegal weapon. The Great Obama may do the same for it at the national level, though, so it will be reduced to seven. That will open up the possibility of owning one and undoubtedly save the lives of hundreds, possibly thousands of innocents.
ReplyDeleteagreed....tough sell to add a whole new rifle for small game.
ReplyDeleteIt isnt a money saver, rimfire cant be reloaded at home, .17 HMR is pricy, when the .17 gets down to .22 rf price then it will have landed.
ReplyDeleteWont stop me using it though as not every critter needs a 300 yard wind beating shot!