I was able to run a couple of hundred rounds through the A17 yesterday, and have declared this rifle a keeper.
After cleaning the gun thoroughly, as per the instructions, it got a light coat of grease on the sliding areas of the bolt. The Accu-Trigger was backed off to the lightest setting, about 4-5 lbs. A budget 4-16x scope was attached to the factory mounting points via Weaver rings, and we were ready to make some very small holes in stuff.
It took no more than ten rounds to sight in the scope, using the CCI A17-specific ammo. Sighted in at 100 yards, there was about 3/4 inch - or less - of drop at 150. The longest shot at about 165 showed this little round's laser-like trajectory. A 17gr Spitzer bullet, cruising along at almost 3000 fps is no joke ! Judging by what happen to a SPAM can, these tiny things would punch a fist-sized chunk of meat out of anything unfortunate to end up in the crosshairs.
At full 16x magnification, it was a hoot walking cans back, shot after shot, at 150yds plus. The ten-round mags provided reliable operation, as long as they were fully seated. The only failure of any kind I experienced out of 200 was one dud round. Since these are high-pressure rimfires, the dud was pitched rather than another attempt made at ignition. All subsequent rounds fired without issue.
I will be surprised if the aftermarket doesn't respond favorably to this little rifle. Price wise, it's a small step up from a 10/22, but the .17 HMR is so much more of a cartridge than the .22lr that it's worth it IMO.
Try one, you'll probably like it !
