It's a beauty isn't it? Even with the fluted barrel, it's got target grade weight.

It’s a beauty isn’t it? Even with the fluted barrel, it’s got target grade weight.

I just got my hot little hands on the Big Daddy of rimfire rifles: the Volquartsen .17 Winchester Super Magnum Deluxe. It’s a semi-automatic with an 8-round rotary magazine much like those on the venerable Ruger 10/22. This rifle is all Volquartsen, however, even though it shares similar design attributes to the Ruger 10/22 like the receiver, bolt and magazine release.

20 and 25 grain tipped projectiles from Winchester and American Eagle.

20 and 25 grain tipped projectiles from Winchester and American Eagle.

This rifle shoots the (relatively) new .17 caliber Winchester Super Magnum rimfire cartridge. I’ve tried two types of ammo so far: Winchester Varmint 25-grain tipped, and American Eagle 20 grain tipped. The heavier Winchesters clocked in at an informal average of 2,590 feet per second while the 20-grain Eagles averaged 2,995 feet per second. That’s smokin’ from a rimfire rifle.

A 50-yard, 5-shot group using the American Eagle cartridges.

A 50-yard, 5-shot group using the American Eagle cartridges.

Will it shoot? Check out the photo and you be the judge. It’s louder than a .22LR of course, but the beautifully machined muzzle brake unscrews to allow the addition of a suppressor (1/2 x 28 threads) if you like.