My crazy 17hmr idea

[Polar Man]

Hey guys, I was reading through the backpacker 20g thread over in the hunting and sporting shotguns forum;
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=360405
And I started thinking of a similar project using a H&R sportster in 17hmr.

It has a 22" bull barrel, so cutting 3.5" off may not be necessary, but it might be a fun challenge to square the end and recrown the barrel, then chop the stock and fill the hollow with foam fill then some jb weld or something like that.
You would end up with a non restricted target pistol perfect for backpacking and taking out whistle pigs and squirrels.

OK, keeping in mind it's a 200$ rifle, what do you say about chopping the barrel? What optic to use, or what iron would attach to the rail, if i had a front dovetail made? Will an 18.5" barrel affect velocity very much? Is the idea a bubba-bomination?

 

[Polar Man]

One thing I am just thinking is that a bull barrel, even at 18.5 inches is going to be pretty heavy, so possibly a bipod would fit the bill, like a ruger charger.

 

[Polar Man]

Bumping for my need of positive reinforcement.

 

[Wrong Way]

Sorry PM....the heavy barrel is the deal breaker. Now....if you sent the barrel out to have it turned to a sporter profile, you may be on to something, but speaking as a guy who owns one: That thing is going to be HEAVY....to heavy for what you are proposing.

 

[Polar Man]

Yeah, I figured as much, but that bipod has me thinking still.
Maybe there's a better option out there somewhere.
I won't give up on the idea just yet!