Bearcat 17 Mach 2 conversion

Hi all you conversion experts! does any one make or do a conversion of a bearcat from .22 LR to 17 Mach 2? Seems like a nice little match.

Would there be anything prohibiting it? Like maybe the polymer tipped Mach 2 too long for the cylinder?

BisleyBuff

I would think the .17 barrel might be a roadblock.

I have a .17 HMR Single Six with an aftermarket .17 Mach 2 cylinder, it's a handy little gun and I feel like it's the perfect size for the .17 calibers. It's a mini me for my .30 Carbine Blackhawk

.22 WMR seems like a natural for a regular production Super Bearcat instead of the rare batch Ruger made. My Bearcat feels just about right with Stingers but it could use more pop.

The short barrel of the Bearcat might not really make much use of the .17 Mach 2's need for high velocity and complete powder burn

NAA tried a .17 HMR and Mach 2 Mini but the case pressure caused issues .

That's what I've been thinking about but the mach 2 should have the same pressure as a 22lr.
the wsm has higher pressure than the mach 2.

the Taurus comes in a 2 1/2 mach 2 version but looks to be too big a gun for the round.

I chose the mach 2 to base the conversion on because I figured it would lose velocity but not as much as a 17 HMR in a short 4-5" barrel.

I'll keep looking for custom gunsmiths, found one who machines 17 cylinders but not barrels.

A couple of flies in the pudding: The 17HM2 is a nice little varmint round-IN A RIFLE LENGTH BARREL. In a handgun length barrel, not so much. All the 'pluses' of the cartridge are lost in the conversion(other than having something different).
I had a 17HM2 conversion in a 10-22 for use in critter removal work. It worked well enough but was a 'one trick pony' unless you're a dedicated squirrel hunter or have a gopher infestation.

Interesting idea. If it goes further I have a 17 cal. Barrel I'd part with. It would have to have a new throat cut. It it would be necessary to sleeve and rechambered the cylinder though. That may be problematic.