Description
Imagine you’re at the range, watching a guy with a custom varmint rig that probably cost three grand. He’s hitting tiny targets at 200 yards with boring consistency. You want that kind of precision, but your wallet just flinched. That’s the niche the Franklin Armory F17 V4 Rifle, .17 WSM, 20″ Bull Barrel, 10rd, A2 Stock fills—it’s a dedicated, purpose-built platform for the .17 Winchester Super Magnum cartridge, offering serious long-range small-game and target performance without the custom-gun price tag. It’s a complete, ready-to-shoot rifle designed to maximize the flat-shooting potential of the .17 WSM.
Here’s the thing—most .17 WSM options are built on modified .22 Magnum actions, which can be a compromise. Franklin Armory engineered the F17 from the ground up for this specific high-velocity round. The heart of the system is that cold hammer-forged 20-inch bull barrel. It provides the rigidity needed for accuracy while managing the cartridge’s heat, and its 1:9 twist rate is optimized to stabilize the .17 WSM’s lightweight, high-BC bullets. The result is a rifle that’s drop-in ready and capable of sub-MOA groups right out of the box, no gunsmithing required. You get a dedicated precision tool, not an adaptation.
The build uses a familiar and robust A2-style fixed stock, which offers a solid cheek weld and consistent length of pull shot after shot. It’s a practical choice that prioritizes stability over adjustability, keeping costs down where it counts. The rifle feeds from a proprietary 10-round magazine, a sensible capacity for its intended varmint control or target shooting roles. At a price of $1704.77, it sits in a interesting spot—more than a plinking rifle, but significantly less than a full custom benchrest gun. You’re paying for a specialized, no-compromise action and barrel system.
| Caliber | .17 Winchester Super Magnum (.17 WSM) |
|---|---|
| Barrel | 20″ Bull Barrel, 1:9 Twist, Threaded 1/2″-28 |
| Overall Length | Approx. 39.5 inches |
| Weight | Approx. 8.5 lbs |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 Rounds |
| Stock | A2 Fixed Style |
Pros & Cons
The biggest pro is performance per dollar in its specific niche. You get a true, purpose-built .17 WSM rifle that handles the round’s 3,000+ fps velocity with authority, offering laser-beam trajectory for dispatching pests or punching paper at extended ranges. The bull barrel and A2 stock make for a steady, recoil-light platform. The con? It’s a specialist. Ammo cost and availability for .17 WSM is higher and spottier than .22 LR or even .223 Remington. It’s also a single-caliber platform—this isn’t an AR you can swap uppers on. The weight, around 8.5 pounds, is great for the bench but less ideal for long carries in the field.
Who is this rifle for? It’s for the serious varminter who needs to reach out past the effective range of a .22 WMR, or the precision-minded shooter who wants to explore an inherently accurate cartridge without building a custom rifle. It’s also a solid pick for Missouri farmers dealing with crop-damaging pests at distance, where the round’s minimal ricochet risk is a benefit. This rifle is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, following all applicable FFL transfer requirements for firearm purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the .17 WSM compare to a .223 Remington for varmints?
A: The .17 WSM fires a 20 or 25-grain bullet at very high velocity (over 3,000 fps), resulting in an extremely flat trajectory and explosive impact on small game—with far less noise and recoil than a .223. It’s more specialized, with less wind-bucking energy at very long range, but it’s devastatingly effective within its optimal range.
Q: Is the barrel threaded for a muzzle device?
A: Yes, the 20-inch bull barrel comes threaded 1/2″-28, allowing you to attach a muzzle brake or suppressor (where legal). This is a great feature for managing what little recoil exists and for making an already quiet round even more discreet.
Q: Can I use cheaper .17 HMR ammunition in this rifle?
A: Absolutely not. The .17 Winchester Super Magnum (.17 WSM) is a longer, more powerful cartridge than the .17 HMR. Firing a .17 HMR in an F17 V4 is unsafe and could cause catastrophic failure. Only use ammunition specifically marked .17 WSM.
If you’ve been looking for a dedicated, high-performance platform to unlock the full potential of the .17 WSM cartridge, the Franklin Armory F17 V4 represents a focused and value-conscious solution. See the full details on our product page.
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