.17 HMR vs .22 HMR

salukipv1 · 11-15-2011, 08:16 PM

.17 HMR vs .22 WMR

.17 HMR
17@2550
20@2375

.22 WMR
30@2200
40@1910

What's your preference?

Any reason to get one over the other?

I figure both will plink/kill squirrels, and what can the .22 WMR kill that the .17 HMR won't?
So go with velocity?

oldsmellhound · 11-15-2011, 08:59 PM

The .17 is fine for very small varmits- i.e. groundhogs and smaller. But for all-around use I would pick the .22 mag. That way, if a coyote (which, by the way is the most common varmit in my parts) comes around, you can pop him too....

skb2706 · 11-16-2011, 05:53 AM

I dont have alot of experience with a 22 mag but I have spent alittle time shooting both thru a chronograph. Lots with the 17HMR.

In my rifles the quoted fps for the 17 HMR was actually considerably lower than what I got. My 17 gr. Vmaxs were going 2650 and more. I love the accuracy of the 17 providing there is no wind...like a dart.

I never had that kind of accuracy with either of my 22 mags and normally the bullet speeds were not up to specs falling 100-120 fps short of what it says on the box for 40 gr. bullets.

With all that I would still rather have the 22 mag if I thought I would be shooting anything over 12 lbs or so.

scottycoyote · 11-16-2011, 05:57 AM

i love my hmr, but its really destructive on small game like squirrel. I think if squirrel and rabbit and plinking are your main plans for the gun, go 17hm2...less destructive, cheaper ammo, nice flat shooting round out to 100 yards.

Sheridan · 11-16-2011, 09:14 AM

For accuracy and speed, hard to beat the .17HMR out to 100-150 yards.

I agree that it's intended for varmint & small game under +/- 10 lbs.

BTW - I rarely see coyotes walking through the area where I'm shooting (ground squirrels in my case) my .17HMR/.22lr or my .204 - for those long shots !

richwrench · 11-20-2011, 03:30 PM

I've personally watched my buddy kill several hogs at over 100 yards with his .17. If I ever get a second rifle that will be my caliber.

Ridge Runner · 11-20-2011, 06:19 PM

for any game larger than foxes, I use a 22 mag loaded with federal 50 gr hp's, smaller stuff the 17 hmr gets the edge.
RR

Centaur 1 · 11-22-2011, 04:03 PM

My opinion, fwiw. The .22mag can definately handle larger game, but if I had that need I would probably get a .22 hornet. Anyone who hunts small game with a rifle NEEDS a .17hmr. Yes it does quite a bit of damage to squirrels, but I don't eat the heads or ribs anyway. It's just awesome to be able to snipe at squirrels out to 150+ yards away. A lot of guys will balk at the cost of ammo, but it's not fair to compare the .17 with a .22LR. The .17hmr performs more like a centerfire that you can't reload, and they're no more expensive than buying a box of .38 special or 9mm rounds.