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Bullberry Barrel Works
2430 West 350 North
Hurricane, Utah 84737
(435) 635-9866
8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm Mtn. time
Fax: (435) 635-0348

The 17 HMR "Match"
(22 WMR necked down to a 17 Caliber)

The Bullberry 17 HMR is a proven cartridge. Our test gun in the photo is a 3rd generation chamber. This 11" pistol using the new Hornady 17cal, 17 grain bullet finally satisfies our "World Famous Accuracy Guarantee."

Initially we had our reamer made to Hornady specifications, but were not happy with the results. The chambers were – by Bullberry standards – far oversized. A subsequent batch of about 8 barrels were chambered .002" smaller in diameter. Now, with a new reamer, our chambers are nearly .004" smaller in diameter than the original. This is giving us the accuracy we were looking for. And we're not having a ruptured case problem as was predicted by Hornady, by shrinking the dimensions to just accept the ammo.

Velocity tests were conducted on this barrel, as well as on a test barrel. Below is the chart based on this barrel. All velocity tests were conducted using a 5 shot group. Special Note: The average velocity of this 11 inch barrel is only 132 fps slower than the 22" carbine barrel shown in the next table.

About the accuracy in the pistol; I'd previously put 200 rounds through the gun to make certain we did not have a pressure related problem. But conditions in Hurricane, Utah did not lend itself to doing any accuracy test until Easter Sunday. The results are on the photo.

Groups #1 and #2 were shot with about a 5mph crosswind, left to right, in a rather intermittent manner. Then, unusual for us, the wind went dead calm for groups #3 and #4. Group #5 had an increasing breeze that was moving toward the target that caused the vertical lift on the last two shots, as I had my target box on an upslope of a dune.

Needless to say, I am happy with these results. I feel its a half inch shooter in calm conditions. My group # 3 that is okay at .438" had me excited. First four shots into one hole that measures .178". Then of course, I had to pull one out with a quarter inch gap. There will be those of you out there that will shoot some one hole groups. These were at 103 yards from a solid bench, off the rest, you see in the photo. This allows me to have the crosshairs of the 6.5X20 Leupold rifle scope dead still on target. Thats a 3" wide target forearm. Rest is constructed to allow vertical adjustment of sight picture by simply pulling or pushing up or down the "incline" of the rest. Pretty good system.

For a thorough run-through of velocity tests, please visit the 17 HMR velocity test page by clicking here.

Thanks for your interest in, and orders for this little performer. It has been the single most sought after caliber I've experienced in my 25 years making our Contender barrels.

Fred and Crew at Bullberry/Woodsmith