Vudoo V22M - 17HMR

[Js9088]

I am not seeing much about the Vudoo magnum, certainly it is new and I am sure 90% of the rifles that go out the door are still 22LR. I am not trying to write a formal review but thought I would start a thread about my experience thus far. To start I am not unfamiliar with Vudoo, I currently have a 18" Kukri and a 18" Proof CF in 22LR and this new 18" Kukri in 17HMR.

I will try to add some pictures at some point but my current 17HMR build is a 18" Kukri barrel (the 17's are Lothar Walther). I currently have it in a Manners Compact Mini Chassis. TT Special trigger. NF NX8 4-32 with a 40MOA rail. Typically suppressed with a SilencerCo Sparrow.

I have fired right at 500 rounds thru it at this point. I ran a few patches thru it before I fired it but have not cleaned it since. Function has been good, I would say not quite as smooth as the 22lr but certainly more than adequate. One of my aluminum mags is much smoother than the other but I have not taken the time to study and understand the difference between the two. As we all know there is no "match" ammo for the HMR but the accuracy has been very impressive in my opinion. I have fired 4 different manufacturers/lots of the 17gn plastic tipped, though they are all manufactured by CCI as I understand it. The accuracy has been decent with all of them, 2 were very good and 1 was exceptional. I really attribute this to the lots not the name on the box since they all come out of the same factory. I have been mostly shooting 5-6 shot groups vs. 10 shot with my 22LR, primarily because that is what the mags hold. Typical groups have been ragged bugholes (.25" to 3/8") at 50 yards and consistently sub MOA at 100 (pretty typical .6-.9, fired several in the .3-.5 with one particular lot. Honestly very few groups over 1 MOA. I did have 2 lots of different hollowpoint ammo. They were NOT good. Fortunately I didn't have much of it and it is now all gone. I do intend to do some work with the chronograph the next time out and shoot some longer range groups for giggles.

I have a lot of experience with the HMR and have always found it to be accurate, even with lesser rifles. I am surprised at how well it is shooting at 100. I know they are different animals, 5 shot vs. 10 shot, etc. but it is easier to shoot great groups at 100 than with my 22LR's using match ammo.

Only thing I would share for sure is you will get some split case necks. That is a typical problem with HMRs and even the tight Vudoo chamber will do it. I have not seen it really impact accuracy. I spoke to Vudoo about it and they felt like it wasn't a risk to the rifle and to just shoot it. Some lots seem to be significantly worse than others. I will say that lot for lot the Vudoo splits less cases than my other 17HMRs, I assume because of the tighter chamber.

I am a big fan and will update as I shoot it more.

 

[Hellbender]

Looks pretty comparable to better quality 22LR as far as accuracy, but probably easier to shoot because of faster speed.
I'm sure MUCH more deadly on varmints...LOL!
Have you got to shoot it at any longer distances? Wonder how well it will make the transonic jump...and how far til it does?
22LR seems not to be affected by the jump, in my experience, but that little pointy bullet may be.

 

[Js9088]

I will try some longer range soon but have not yet.

 

[Frankr]

I would love to see their 17hmr vs 17hm2 at 50 and 100.
Always wondered what something like a vudoo could do with these calibers

 

[Js9088]

Would certainly be an interesting comparison. My guess would be it is all about the lot of ammo. Find lots they both like and I’d guess they are nearly identical, just velocity at that point. Still think it’s a shame no one makes any match ammo.