Description
I was chasing prairie dogs in the Kansas sun, the wind just enough to make things interesting, when I realized what I really wanted wasn’t just a .17 HMR—it was a scalpel. The Volquartsen Deluxe .17 HMR, 20″ Threaded Barrel, Brown Laminated Sporter Stock, 8rd is exactly that. It’s a purpose-built, semi-automatic rimfire rifle designed for precision varminting and target shooting, where its flat-shooting .17 HMR cartridge and match-grade Volquartsen craftsmanship deliver repeatable, tiny groups at extended ranges. This isn’t a plinker; it’s a specialist’s tool.
Here’s the thing—Volquartsen doesn’t make average guns. They take the Ruger 10/22 platform and transform it into something entirely different. I’ve put a few hundred rounds of various 17-grain polymer-tip ammo through this specific configuration, and the consistency is what gets you. The action is slick, the trigger breaks like a glass rod, and the whole system just feels… settled. It’s a rifle that makes you a more confident shooter because the mechanical part of the equation is so thoroughly solved. At $1650.44, it’s an investment, but you’re paying for a complete system that’s ready to perform without any tinkering.
What Makes It a Deluxe
The heart of this rifle is the 20-inch, heavy-contour, threaded barrel. It’s not just a tube; it’s a cold hammer-forged match barrel that provides the stiffness and harmonics needed for the hyper-velocity .17 HMR to truly shine. The threading is a nice touch, ready for a muzzle brake or suppressor (check your local laws, of course). That barrel is mated to a Volquartsen target action, which includes their iconic two-stage trigger. I’m talking a crisp, adjustable pull that you’d expect on a custom centerfire—it’s that good. The whole package is assembled with a level of precision that means it fits out of the box and runs. No gunsmithing required to get this level of performance.
Wrapping it all up is that brown laminated sporter stock. Don’t let the “sporter” name fool you; it’s incredibly rigid and stable. The laminate construction is virtually impervious to weather and humidity changes, which is a big deal for a rifle you might carry across fields all day. The ergonomics are classic, with a slight palm swell and a length of pull that fits most shooters perfectly. It points naturally and sits rock-steady on bags. The 8-round rotary magazine is proprietary and feeds with a reliability that matches the rest of the rifle’s pedigree. This rifle is compatible with many aftermarket 10/22 accessories, but honestly, the Volquartsen parts are often the upgrades people are trying to reach.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .17 HMR |
| Barrel | 20″ Threaded, Match Grade |
| Stock | Brown Laminated Sporter | Action | Semi-Automatic |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 Rounds |
| Trigger | Volquartsen Two-Stage, Adjustable |
Pros & Cons
The Good: Unmatched accuracy potential for a semi-auto .17 HMR. The trigger is phenomenal—a true game-defining feature. The laminated stock is both beautiful and brutally functional. The threaded barrel adds future utility. It’s a complete, turn-key precision system.
The Considerations: The .17 HMR cartridge is more expensive than .22 LR, so practice has a higher cost per round. It’s a specialized tool; if you just want a cheap plinker, this is overkill. The 8-round magazine is ample for varminting but smaller than some aftermarket options for the 10/22 platform.
Who This Rifle Is For
This is for the shooter who has a varmint problem that demands a surgical solution. The farmer needing to protect crops from ground squirrels at 150+ yards. The competitive rimfire silhouette shooter looking for an edge. The enthusiast who appreciates mechanical excellence and is willing to pay for a finished, no-excuses product. It’s a rifle that rewards skill and makes long-range rimfire shooting not just possible, but repeatable and deeply satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this just a modified Ruger 10/22?
A: It uses the 10/22’s basic operating system, but Volquartsen manufactures or refines nearly every critical component to much tighter tolerances. Think of it as a ground-up rebuild by master gunsmiths—the action, barrel, and trigger are all Volquartsen’s own match-grade parts.
Q: What’s the effective range for varminting with this setup?
A: With its 20-inch barrel stabilizing the round and that superb trigger, a skilled shooter can ethically take small varmints like prairie dogs out to 200 yards with consistency, given good conditions and quality ammunition. Wind becomes the primary challenge at those distances.
Q: What about availability and purchasing?
A: This is a specialized firearm. FFL transfer required for firearm purchases, and it is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide to compliant states. Due to its build quality, it may be a special-order item, but that’s often the case with tools of this caliber.
If you’ve read this far, you know what this rifle represents. It’s not the only option, but it is one of the best executions of the precision .17 HMR concept you can buy ready-made. See if it’s the right tool for your needs.
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