I too was intrigued by the reference to longer barrels in .17 HMR. Especially "page 85." Well, I have the larger sized Reference Guide that I use,, not the pocket sized booklet. On page 85, of the large book, there is nothing about the .17 HMR.
But on pages 41, 42, and 45, is information on the .17 HMR models, and nothing there references and barrel length other than 7-1/2, except the promo picture which was likely airbrushed, and the fact a 6-1/2" was shown at SHOT in 2003.
Except, that the FoNRA Editions have a 6-1/2" barrel length.
Maybe I'm missing it,, but no reference to any barrel length over 7-1/2"
