Converting 10/22 into 10/17 Has anyone done this!?

[NewAgeRanger]

Volquartsen sells the bolt and barrel on their website for converting a ruger 10/22 from 22LR into 17 Mach2.
Has anyone tried this with theirs? Since it's from Volquartsen it must be a reliable and precise product. I personally would love to have the option of shooting a different round out of my beloved SR-22 but don't want to jump the gun until I hear from first hand experience. Here's the link:


https://www.volquartsen.com/products/132-17-mach2-cnc-machined-bolt-for-10-22

 

[tactical_tech]

I don't have any experience with it, I've looked into it before and found mostly negative things about it. There's a reason you don't really see many semi auto 17 rifles. I think it has something to do with the 17 being a bottleneck cartridge that doesn't react we'll with a blowback system as it won't self clean like a .22. From what I remember a 10/22 can be converted to a .17hm2 and a 10/22 magnum can be converted to a .17hmr. I'm sure others with a lot more knowledge then me will chime in, I'm going off memory from a few years ago.

 

[trevj]

The rapidity of the pressure rise in the .17 rimfires has caused a fair few cases to split. Enough that most of the manufacturers have edged away from them. Remington recalled theirs.

Wear safety glasses, be aware of the guy that may be beside you, etc. If you still wanna go there...

The wisdom seems to be that a stronger spring and some added mass, like a heavier bolt handle, are in order.
VQ pretty much has the kit sorted, by most accounts. Piecing a conversion together from different catalogs may be more of a chore to get right.

Your money, your call.

Cheers
Trev

 

[albertacoyotecaller]

I have a converted Ruger using an Eabco kit. Two observation on mine. I basically can only run Hornady in mine because of split necks in both the CCI and Eley. I thought it would run the banana shaped 25 round magazines but the case shape won't work with those mags so I am stuck with 10 shot mags.

It was worthwhile but there are issues.

Greg

 

[Dr.Lector]

What about the ammo availability?
Where do you buy it, what selection is out there,
and how much do you guys pay?

 

[stubblejumper]

Ammunition is available, I buy in bulk from Prophet River each spring. As for the conversion, I had one myself, but I didn't keep it very long. If you don't keep the chamber extremely clean, the gun can fire out of battery, which will rupture the case and spray debris.

 

[quackquack]

If you're interested in switching back and forth I would get a CZ with the two barrels.

 

[Farmer Harv]

I've had excellent results with my conversion, though as mentioned split cases are a possibility so always wear eye protection. The barrel and heavy bolt were both purchased here on the EE, and it's a very accurate and reliable rig that's guaranteed death to gophers out to 125 yards or so.