dob Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Getting a .17hmr as soon as fac hits the doormat, is there any advantage to getting one with a heavy barrel, ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I love my varmint but if I was after another I'd happily have a standard or varmint barrel. Performance wise I don't think it makes any difference on a rimfire, its more a personal preference thing. Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 It's so you can shoot more without the heat building up and effecting accuracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay222 Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I've got a standard barrel hmr and my mates got the varmint barrel on his, both shoot the same. Just get whichever you prefer the look of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snipers eye Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 (edited) heavy barrel for better accuracy Edited June 20, 2013 by snipers eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 heavy barrel for better accuracy Yep, all to do with barrel harmonics but I don't know if it'll make a noticeable difference out in the field. I prefer heavy barrels, heavy guns but I also have to lug them around the fields all day! One day I'll find a slave for that though! Heavy barrels take longer to warm up but also to cool down. As has been said, just go with whichever you like best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deiseboy Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 I have a heavy barrel, If i was to buy again I would go for the normal barrel. I dont see any advantage of the heavy barrel and free hand shots will be easier with the lighter barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 free hand shots will be easier with the lighter barrel. Not quite true; my feinwerkbau weighs about 11lbs iirc and I could, in my hay day, hit the 0.5mm bull more than 9 times in 10 standing at 10mtrs. You do need the right technique though. Match rifles are heavier because it steadies the rifle, that's why the rules state a maximum weight and even production rifles are pretty close to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 I have a heavy barrel, If i was to buy again I would go for the normal barrel. I dont see any advantage of the heavy barrel and free hand shots will be easier with the lighter barrel. with a HMR there are no real benefits in the field, but then they aren't actually that heavy compared to some of the centerfire offerings that are seriously heavy. My American is heavy barrel but its not an issue carrying about though its not far off the weight of my .243 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgun jimmy Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 When I shot hmr i had a sako quad varmint and a sako quad with the lighter barrel, think it was the hunter it was called. Both shot the same! 1/2-1" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I had the CZ455 heavy varmint barrel and switched to the CZ452, I much prefer the 452, hugely lighter and fabulously accurate. Although it would seem I had a duffer in the 455 as the accuracy was terrible, I would see no reason why they wouldn't be the same. I had a practise a couple of evenings ago when there was virtually no wind and the best group of 5 was, 1 snatched. and the other 4 covered within a 1p group at 105 yards. It wouldn't matter what HMR I picked up, I wouldn't be able to improve on that accuracy..so very happy with the lighter barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 In a caliber like 17HMR there is no advantage at all. And you have to carry it !! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenj Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I have the 16 inch heavy barrel on my CZ452 HMR and can't fault it. I now have a sling (courtesy of Dekers) which makes for easy carrying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I've got a Varmint in .22 and a Silhouette in .17. I much prefer the .17 as it's lighter and easier to carry. It's just as accurate(when you get the scope zeroed properly ) in fact I'm seriously thinking of swapping the Varmint for another Silhouette in .22! GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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