Gifted the "wrong" gun: Single-Six in .17 HMR (wanted .22LR)

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PaladinX13

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
747
What do you do in this situation?

My uncle, God bless him, got me a Single-Six as I've been wanting one for a while. One should hardly complain getting a free gun, but the salesman at his shop convinced my uncle buy the .17 HMR over the .22 LR. So it's not like my uncle was confused and didn't know what he was getting... he was excited about the benefits of the .17 HMR round.

For my purposes, I figure .22 LR is more versatile, far cheaper, and sufficiently deadly to small-game out to practical ranges that I can reliably shoot off-hand. .17 HMR is flatter shooting, sure, but too expensive (for plinking) and hard to find! I wish he would at least got the .22 MAG which- I believe- can be converted to .22 LR.

I can't sell/trade it off, because he knows the caliber, so tell me what's good about .17 HMR out of a 7.5" Single-Six so I don't feel as bad!
 
For our first Christmas together, my wife gave me a Colt SAA (2nd Generation) in .357 Mag. Had she asked me, I'd have said "Get it in .45 Colt."

But that revolver is worth a lot more now that a .45 Colt version would be -- and it's just as good (if not better) as a back-country carry gun.
 
Paladin,
I wish I had an uncle like that, but I tend to agree with your with your original choice for a Single Six.
If I were in that situation, I think that I would keep the .17 NIB (explaning to my uncle, the reason for doing so is that his gift meant so much to me) & save up the $425 to $670 MSRP & get the .22LR/.22Mag I wanted.
Regards, Hud
 
Can't you use .17M2 out of a .17HMR?
Click to expand...

Sure if you want to split cases. Not a good idea!

Now...while i'm not a huge fan of the .17 HMR it does have it's palce i guess. it's a great little small critter cartridge. Yeah, it's a bit more for ammo but not so much to make it a major investment when shooting it. Keep it and enjoy it. Chances are that chambering won't lst much longer in the Single Six. It's not a highly popular combo. On the other hand, there's so many .22 cal Single Sixes out there, you can pick one up for little money, have the gun you did want and still retain the nice gifted one.
 
Sounds like a fun gun and it was a gift so enjoy it. Maybe blast some rodents?

I'd still get a .22LR single six at some point :)
 
I've got both .32 Mag and .22Lr/Mag in the Single-Six and it's a truly great gun, I intend to pick up the .17 as well but it hasn't made it to the top of my list yet. I'd keep the .17, shoot and enjoy it while saving up to buy a .22Lr/Mag to add to it.
 
I have found the 22 to be ineffective on say groundhogs and such. I have shot groundhogs only to catch them later with the bullet hole still in them.
With the 17HMR, they usually do not run away like with the 22.
You mentioned 22 mag, a very good round, but almost as expensive to shoot as a 17HMR, 7.50 to 9.00 a box - 17HMR, 8.00 to 12.00 a box.
I really like the 17HMR, a good round.

Just keep it. After all it is a gift.
 
Yeah you gotta keep it, my wife did the exact same thing for Christmas. I dont like the cost of ammunition, it is my only 17 anything, but I shoot that gun more accurately than any handgun I have ever shot. and because I dont shoot it very often it will always look just like it did on Christmas morning. My wife was so happy and proud of herself for finding a great deal on a Single-Six, no way I could get rid of it.
 
The .17 HMR Singlesix is a wonderful gun up to coydogs(little small for them but works within 50 yards-trust me!). I have a Colorado Centennial Single Six Convertible .22/.22mag and I like the .17 Single Six Hunter better than the .22mag for performance. No it's not a cheap plinker but yes it is a superior varmint gun in every way.
 
The .17 HMR singlesix is a wonderful gun up to coydogs(little small for them but works within 50 yards-trust me!).
Click to expand...

.17 HMR has had my interest for sometime now. I just have not seen a good enough deal on a firearm to buy one. But to use it for Coyotes? Thats a bit light isnt it?
 
boy thats to bad you dont want to trade it off. i have a NIB single six stainless 22/22M 5" convertable i would ahve traded you with the adjustable sights....
 
Single Six

Paladin13x: Sir; how fortunate you are:) Your Uncle must be one heck of a man.:D It is obvious that you care. All things given; you do have a fine gun.
I have Single Sixes and looking to add. NO safe Queens. Shooters only. I am looking for a Single Six .17hmr and until I get one; Blue of course:) Double check your length. Unless you have a ?special? it is 6 1/2"
Good shooting:D
 
You can buy quite a bit of ammo for the .17hmr with the money saved from not buying the gun.

The price was right so keep it and pick up a .22lr/mag version down the road used for a good price.

I picked up a Single-Six a couple of months ago with only a .22lr cylinder for less than $200 OTD.
 
Generally speaking, to get the accuracy you will achieve with the .17HMR, you will have to feed high end match grade ammo through a .22lr. At that level, ammo price is a wash. Plus, you will extend your range with the .17HMR.
 
I'd just go with it. A single-six or Bearcar in .22lr is on my "on the lookout for used at gun shows" list. When I first saw the post I felt your disappointment. But the more I think about it, the more fun I think a single six might be in .17hmr. All of a sudden I'm thinking of looking for one of those instead of a .22. Probably won't find one used, but yeah, you've already got it.

Fun round, and like the pp said, for good accurate rounds, the prices aren't all that far apart. Count your blessings and enjoy. Wish someone would give me a revolver...
 
I may be a jerk but when my wife asked me about the possibility of a gun I wanted for Christmas I told her I need to pick it out so she let me. My Dad got a rifle from my Mom one year didn't like it so he took it back he still gets crap about it 25 years later. Don't ever take back a gun a loved one gave you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Ruger Single-Six in 17hmr
Replies
4
Views
1K
javjacob
J
T
  • Locked
Tuarus tracker .17 HMR???
Replies
5
Views
777
JImbothefiveth
J
S
  • Locked
Another Ruger single six question
Replies
7
Views
635
DMK
DMK
C
  • Locked
Will the .17 hmr last?
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
trickyasafox
T
tuckerdog1
  • Locked
Ruger Single Six 17 HMR
Replies
6
Views
714
ronto
R
Back
Top