17HMR Rifle. Bull Barrel vs. Tapered

None imo. A short stiff bull will theoretically be more accurate than a long tapered barrel. But in a 17hmr I doubt harmonics come in to play a great deal.

I really don't have a clue. Both of mine have bull barrels and thay make little bitty groups even with me shooting them.

doubleh said:

I really don't have a clue. Both of mine have bull barrels and thay make little bitty groups even with me shooting them.

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Same here.

The barrel weight in these is really about shootability more than inherent precision.

I do know that my Savage 93r 17HMR is probably one of the best cheap rifles I own especially after doing a trigger job. ( it now breaks like glass at 3.5#) Do like those little tiny groups that it will produce with rounds it prefers. I do believe it has the "varmint" barrel but whatever it sure does get the job done. Too bad I've got to get my right eye done tomorrow morning, cataract removed, or I'd place a couple targets up on that shooting challenge.

If shooting targets from a rest, get the bull barrel, but if it's going to be carried and sometimes offhand/position shooting, the regular barrel may be best. My CZ with the standard barrel carries very well and still shoots fine from a rest. I hefted a bunch of rifles with bull barrels and they didn't balance well, IMHO.

I agree with Picher. Shorter bull barrels are stiffer, But if you are not bench rest shooting it doesn't matter much.

Frankly, any barrel with a mere .17 bore diameter will be plenty stiff. If I could do it over, I would trade the heavy fluted barrel on my .17 HMR Savage 93R17TR for a lighter profile barrel. You really don't need more than a sporter contour barrel when the hole in it .17 of an inch in diameter.

I have a 93R also with the heavy barrel. Great $240 rifle. Unfortunately I don't have another $240 to spend on a tapered barrel model for comparison. Now if one of you guyz wants to finance my research project, I'll be glad to oblige you.
The only complaint I have with this rifle is that I can't shoot it in a cross wind.

I had a Savage with its bull barrel and it was good shooter. But seemingly muzzle heavy. I replaced it with a Steyr RFR. While actually a bit heavier, it too is a good shooter but I like the balance better. Not really a tapered barrel, but not a bull by any means.

The only complaint I have with this rifle is that I can't shoot it in a cross wind.[/QUOTE]

Why?

doubleh said:

The only complaint I have with this rifle is that I can't shoot it in a cross wind.

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Why?[/QUOTE]
He is probably referring to the effect of wind on the tiny 17 or 20 gr bullet. The .17 HMR is flat shooting and a laser compared to a .22 LR, but those light bullets really get pushed around by gusty winds.

Orion8472 said:

.how much more [if any, realistically] accurate will a bull barrel be than a tapered barrel, given the same manufacturer and design?

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Here are two .17HMR rifles. At top is an Anschutz varmint model with 23.5" medium heavy straight taper barrel. Scope is Leupold VX-II 4-12X. total weight with scope is 9lb. Bottom rifle is Weatherby XXII, action and barrel made by Anschutz. Barrel is 23" with sporter contour, Scope is Leupold VX-I 2-7X. If tested and compared by an average shooter, firing from benchrest, he would probably declare the top rifle more accurate for three main reasons: (1) better trigger pull (2) more precise aiming due to higher magnification scope and(3) more stable aiming due to greater weight. However, if same test conducted by shooter with a well-developed benchrest technique that compensates for these advantages/disadvantages he would demonstrate that there is no "realistically" difference in accuracy between the two rifles.

2ndtimer said:

Why?

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He is probably referring to the effect of wind on the tiny 17 or 20 gr bullet. The .17 HMR is flat shooting and a laser compared to a .22 LR, but those light bullets really get pushed around by gusty winds.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it is flatter shooting than a 22 LR. It also doesn't get pushed around as much by wind as does the 22 LR. In a10 mph cross wind the 17 HMR drifts 3.17" while a 22 LR HV drifts 5.27".

Hey Orion....I've had both thinner sport barrels and heavy target barrels. Which is more accurate depends on a few things, but in general the heavy will be more accurate...my opinion. I had a Ruger 77/17 Sporter with a sport barrel. It was accurate until the barrel heated up as it will with busy target shooting or a busy day at the prairie dog town. The latter being the case with me. I was hitting dogs steadily until I wasn't and thought the scope got bumped off or something, so put it away until I could take it to the range. Upon shooting it the first couple times at the range, it was right on. Curious. But, as I continued shooting the problem became clear. As the barrel heated up the groups grew to 3"+ at 50yds. Not good for a hot day on the prairie so I sold it and bought an Anschutz 1517MPR, which has a longer heavy target barrel. It also has a great trigger. Problems solved...exceptional accuracy no matter the conditions or the ammo. But, too heavy to carry to the woods. So, I bought a Sako FinnFire II 17HMR. It has a sport barrel and much lighter than the Anschutz, but heat does not affect accuracy. Again curious. Took it to the prairie dog patch and killed 18 dogs with the first 20 shots. This was a short time span with lots of dogs and the barrel got heated up, but shot no different. It too has great trigger. So, I think the barrel can make a difference both in terms of barrel heat and weight. A heavier barrel is simply easier to hold steady, it certainly is for me. I can shoot my Sako almost as well as my Anschutz, but takes a bit more patience. I think the Sako is better than the Ruger...my opinion, the barrels were almost identical in terms of weight and shape, both sport barrels. Triggers can make a significant difference too. The Anschutz trigger is the best out of the box trigger I've ever had. The Sako is almost as good.

total recoil said:

I have a 93R also with the heavy barrel. Great $240 rifle. Unfortunately I don't have another $240 to spend on a tapered barrel model for comparison. Now if one of you guyz wants to finance my research project, I'll be glad to oblige you.
The only complaint I have with this rifle is that I can't shoot it in a cross wind.

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I bought a used CZ .22 Magnum at Kittery Trading Post and after shooting it for a couple of years, bought a .17 HMR barrel and installed it. It fits/shoots fine, without adjustment!! That's a great benefit to buying a CZ, but wish I had the new model that has a safety that is compatible with all my other rifles.