Dogman -

A longer barrel will not increase the inherent accuracy of the firearm.....
A 6" scoped revolver will be as accurate as an 8" scoped revolver.

The longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius;
that gives better accuracy with open sights.
You will get a bit more velocity from the round.

More recent 617's have been drilled and taped for scope mounts from the factory. You have to remove the rear sight. If you open the cylinder and look at the underside of the top strap, you will see two holes if your's is scope-ready.

I tinker with all my firearms; I just like to make them work a bit better! I have not found the tolerances on Ruger revolvers to be as close as those on S&W's. For this reason, my preference in revolvers is Smith & Wesson. Here's what I've done to my 617:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90270

The two best hunting .22's I've ever owned:
My current 6" S&W 617 with open sights.
Ruger Mark II with 5 1/2" bull barrel; red dot scoped, it was absolutely deadly!

Have Fun!

me!

 

Does no one have a HUNTER! That says something right there! :1t

 

Does no one have a HUNTER!

I just got a SS hunter in .22 for Christmas from my wife (Santa), but I've been sick so I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

It is a very pretty gun, with the shiny stainless finish contrasted by the black wood grips. It is suprisingly heavy for its relatively small size. The trigger was a bit gritty at first, but after dry firing the crap out of it the past few days it has broken in very nice, and now is very smooth. The cylinders change out very fast without tools.

As for accuracy, I won't know until next week at the earliest. Gunblast.com did a review of it a while back and was impressed with it however. http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Hunters.htm

My wife got a great price on mine $375 NIB, which was less than I paid for my MkIII Hunter.

 

There's a few things to remember in this comparison.
1) The Model 17 in all it's different configurations, still ranks as one of the most, if not THE MOST accurate revolver ever chambered for .22LR. Not many will come close to it.

2)Ruger has, with the exception of a few models, many, many years ago, always used a "compromise" bore size on their .22 revolvers, to accomodate the use of .22LR and .22 mag ammo in the same gun. I used to know what the specs are for each and now I can't remember it. There's not a huge difference in measurement, but the accuracy of the .22LR suffers when not in a bore properly sized and it likes. The Single action design, can, in most cases be less accurate than a double action revolver, which also puts the Ruger behind the 8 ball against the 17. When you pull the trigger on a double action revolver, the hand and bolt are both opposing each other to hold the cylinder rigidly during firing, assuming a well tuned revolver. On a single action you will have the bolt only, and it requires a loose fit in the cylinder for easy lockup when cocked, (long story,short explaination). Suffice it to say, you hardly ever, if ever, saw a single action winning lots matches in the days revolvers ruled the target world.

So, in the real world, the inherent accuracy of the Ruger is not in the same league as the 17. That's not to say that with manufacturing tolerances what they are, that the odd one will shoot fantastic now and then. It's just to say that the average run of the mill gun won't be up the taking on a model 17.
They're fun guns, nice to shoot, and for hunting prairie dogs and such you'd have few problems, but comparing the two is not in the cards.

 

Don't own one but was impressed when I got to try one a while back. Feed it what it likes, do some trigger work and scope it and it should pop sparrows at 50 yds.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Hunters.htm

 

Scope the 617 if you must. I have a 6" 10 shot and I believe it is the best 22lr revolver on the market. For a scoped pistol I may do that myself, as I have been looking for a MK2 target model to no avail.
Jim

 

Any HUNTER guys out there? Just wondering why the SS Hunter is not doing well....

 

I got that HUNTER bug again....any HUNTER owners out there??? CHIME IN!:harry:

 

I don't know anyone that owned one, but if your 617 is shooting that good, you should stick with it. I went through two different 617's two years ago, and they would not shoot for nothin. My Single Six would out shoot it. I got rid of it. There seem to be many with good ones, but I got two bad ones I guess. Awesome triggers and all, but could not shoot inside a 4" circle at 25 yards off a rest. Thats pretty bad. Now thats with iron sights. My Single Six with iron sights will shoot right at 1" at 25 yards. At almost double the price it sure didn't shoot like it. Glad you have a good one though. Back on the Hunter... There must not be many if any here who have one. This thread has been here awhile. Don't know why.

 

I got a Single Six Hunter for Christmas and really like mine. Accuracy is pretty good though my MKIII has a edge over it. Have only shot mine at 25 yards so far.

Here is a write up on mine before I had to leave for work. Just got in a couple days ago and haven't got to shoot it yet this time in.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204043

All I have done to her is a poor boy trigger job (lower one end of the trigger return spring), polished the chamber mouths.

I have never shot a S&W rimmer so I really can't compare the 2. I would say my Hunter is worth the money and a nice revolver.

 

Time to resurect this thread. I just bought a single six Hunter yesterday. I have yet to shoot it. However, the reason I bought one is that I love the one my dad has. It will shoot sub 3/4" 5 shot groups (scoped from a rest) at 20 yards with cheap bulk pac Federals. I've never had a chance to test different ammo types to find out what it really likes.

I've never shot a 617, but my dad has one on his wishlist. So maybe someday I can compare the two.

 

Any .22 sixgun that shoots under an inch at 25yds is definitely a keeper! I had a first-run S&W 648 that I had fitted with a Weigand full length scope mount and with a 2x scope, it cut sub-2" groups at 50yds. For some unknown and stupid reason, I traded it away. Never make that mistake again.

 

Having been .22 addicted since my teen years and having owned many of both of these guns, I'll give you my opinion.
There is no Single Six I've ever come across that can shoot with a 17/617, not on any day of the week, ever. That's not opinion, that's from shooting plenty of both. I think the potential is there for the single six, but Ruger doesn't seem to be interested in extracting it. 17's on the other hand, will shoot much better than the nut behind the trigger in almost every case. When I was in my '20's I could clearly see bullet holes at 25 yards, and with a vintage 17, I chould hit them regularly.
My first handgun was a Single Six and I loved that gun and it shot pretty darn well for a SS, but I could not depend on it to hit tiny things at 25 or 50 yards like I could with my brother's 17.
The Ruger compromise bore size is more than likely the culprit to top accuracy, and for it's intended use, it's probably not a big deal on the Ruger. The Ruger is more of a hunting gun, the 17's are more target oriented. I can remember the day that a K22, K32 and K38 ruled the matches as the top target guns. To this day, it irks me that now that I could afford all three of them, and mind you a good K32 would run you a cool $3-4K, I can't see well enough to take advantage of their sights, so they're wasted on me.
I love Rugers and the Single Six is a cool, fun and durable gun, with enough accuracy for 90% of the shooters out there, but a good S&W 17/617 is the top .22 revolver in my mind, without any competition. I've read where Colt's old Diamondback was a good gun, but never had the chance to shoot one, and with the S&W's being less than half the cost and all the accuracy, I never much cared. The only other revolver in the class is the old Colt Officer's Model Match, and it's a dandy, well able to keep up with a 17, and at about the same cost. I still see them from time to time, but again, I can't see open sights, so they aren't in my future. I've had a couple of them in the past though, and they're really good guns. I like the S&W trigger slightly better, but the Colt's will shoot.
If you haven't guessed by now, I literally grew up with a 17 in my hand, one that belonged to my brother, and I shot it far more than he did, and that includes when I was old enough to have him buy me a SS. I would still use his gun when he wasn't shooting it.

 

Single Six

I bought my Single six when they were $63.25 so you know how old it is.
From day one it couldn't consistantly hit a beer can at 25 yds. It will no way compete against my Ruger MkIII hunter.
It is a fun shooter at 25 feet though.

 

I'd buy a single six hunter in a heartbeat IF I could find one used at a good price. They are just beautiful handguns. Plus, The 22 mag option is a considerable one for hunting varmints out past 50 yds. However, If I wanted a just a accurate 2.. lr pistol at 50 yds, I'd likely go with a Ruger MK II with a 6.8" tube or S&W 17/617.

 

Had a SSix Hunter for a while. The sights suck big time. Could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. I have a 6" S&W 10 rd. older model 617 that I dolled up with target hammer and trigger and a beautiful set of custom made Hogue grips. This revolver is extremely accurate at longer ranges, but so far, has not outshot my 1975 vintage 9 1/2" "Star" Super Single Six. Big Larry

 

Man I love the Hunter sights: very accurate. In fact I modified my 5.5" with a v-notch and front bead. To each his own I guess. My dad's hunter will shoot sub 3/4" groups consistently from a rest at 20 yards (scoped) with Federal bulk pack ammo. I like it so much I bought my own. I haven't had a chance to shoot mine yet. They are great guns.

 

I'm a huge s & w fan and have owned many of them over the years, have 2 k-22's right now.

I have only owned 1 ruger single six and that was many years ago. I bought it used, it was a arrow model (22lr only). I shot the heck out of it for years. It was extremely accurate, rugged and was a great camp gun. After 10+ years of abuse the timing started to go, spit lead bad. So I sold it for $75 more than I bought it for and it looked alot worse for wear.

I would recommend these little jems to anyone, there's alot of pistol there for the money.

 

The Hunter is way too bbl. heavy and does not balance like a S&W. The sights are too big to draw a fine bead. Less than 50 rds. out of my Hunter and off to the gun show to sell it. I have a 10 shot 6" M617 pre lock and I like it so much, I bought all target accessories for it, as well as a set of custom made rosewood Hogues. Not to mention a $300 custom holster and belt from Ted Blocker. I can pop cans at 50 yards with it and that is certainly good for me. The quality of the S&W must much better too. Big Larry

 

Mike: Let me know how things work out (based on our PMs).

Larry: I tend to agree that out-of-the-box Smith quality is generally better than Ruger's. However, a little work can go a long ways. For example, most of my Ruger SA triggers are as good or better than my 686's (which is still spectacular). My 5.5" Single Six can take out pop cans at 50 yards too.

 

The man behind the gun is also a factor. Most folks cannot hit the barn door at 50 yards offhand. 50 yards is generally what separates the men from the boys. I have 6 single sixes, the 4 5/8"er will out shoot them all, but they do not hold a candle to my 22 Masterpiece or my M617. Big Larry:t:t:t:t:t

 

The K Framed S&W revolvers are hard to beat. In order to beat them in 22 caliber you will have to go to a Colt OMM in DA or a Freedom Arms in SA.

 

Wow, I first posted to this thread back in 2005 when I first got my SS Hunter!

Since that time I've added a bunch of guns including a 6" 617. I find it kind of funny that the 617 and Single Six are compared, because it is kind of like comparing a bolt action rifle to a semi auto.

As for accuracy, I'd agree that it is shooter dependent to a degree. Personally I group more consistently with the 617, but have more confidence in the "single long shot to impressive your friends" with the Single Six Hunter.

Both guns are muzzle heavy, but it helps keep the nose down when firing hotter .22 ammo.

I wouldn't get rid of either.

 

Paochow has it right. The best situation is to just buy both and not worrry about which is better.:bthumb:

 

There is no Single Six I've ever come across that can shoot with a 17/617, not on any day of the week, ever. That's not opinion, that's from shooting plenty of both.

Well I now have a Single Six Hunter of my own (the one I mentioned earlier was my dad's) and just acquired a 617. Now it's too early for me to say what my 617 will do, but... My Hunter is AVERAGING 0.62" 5 shot groups at 20 and25 yards, 1.52" 5 shot groups at 50 yards, and 2.29" 3 shot groups at 100 yards (obviously this is scoped from sandbags). From what I've read that it probably better than the average 617. Now maybe I just got an exceptional Hunter. But my dad's shoots almost that good (at least at 20 -25 yards). OUT OF THE BOX, I would agree that most 617s are going to be better shooters. The reason for that is S &W triggers are very good to excellent right out of the box. Ruger SAs (including the Hunter) are typically garbage out of the box. My reworked SSH has a considerably better trigger than the new 617 (which is still very good).

 

Well I now have a Single Six Hunter of my own (the one I mentioned earlier was my dad's) and just acquired a 617. Now it's too early for me to say what my 617 will do, but... My Hunter is AVERAGING 0.62" 5 shot groups at 20 and25 yards, 1.52" 5 shot groups at 50 yards, and 2.29" 3 shot groups at 100 yards (obviously this is scoped from sandbags). From what I've read that it probably better than the average 617. Now maybe I just got an exceptional Hunter. But my dad's shoots almost that good (at least at 20 -25 yards). OUT OF THE BOX, I would agree that most 617s are going to be better shooters. The reason for that is S &W triggers are very good to excellent right out of the box. Ruger SAs (including the Hunter) are typically garbage out of the box. My reworked SSH has a considerably better trigger than the new 617 (which is still very good).

Have your 617 worked on to have an equivalent trigger and then give us a report as to which one is the most accurate. If you want accurate, Freedom Arms is probably the way to go.

 

I'm a numbers guy, so I'd be interested to see what the actual differences are between the S&W and Ruger SSH, both with their favorite ammo and both scoped.

I'm very happy with my SSH and I think a few tweaks here and there will get my 25yd groups consistently at or below 0.5".