Under 100 yards you don't get much difference. But over 100 yards the .17 gains advantage. Some of the comaprison that i have seen from experts analyzing the two calibers essentially say that the .17 gives you at least 25 to 30 more yards of accuracy. I certainly know that i have killed crows at over 200 yards with my .17and would not have even bothered to try the shot with a .22 mag.