I just don' t get it.........maybe it' s just me?
Why would anyone want to shoot the .17 HMR over the .22 WMR?
With the .17 HMR CCI round you have a tiny 17gr bullet going 2550fps
With the .22 WMR (CCI HP-Maxi, or Federal Speer TNT) you can have a 30gr bullet going 2200 fps?

Why would anyone want the .17? I see absolutely no advantage whatsoever, and I would think the .22 to be the superior cartridge out to 150yds and beyond?
How much punch is a little 17gr bullet going to have at 150 yards? The .22 is almost twice the weight at 30grs and leaves the barrel only 350fps behind? It will carry more downrange velocity and energy with a pretty similar trajectory?

What are people shooting with these things?

I recently purchased a Ruger 77 Varmint/stainless/laminate .22WMR and topped it with a Bushnell Trophy 4-12X 40 scope and a Harris Bi-Pod.
I wanted a rifle that I could hunt called in Red Fox and Groundhogs at ranges out to 150 yards maximum. I have no desire or plans to shoot any further.
I also plan to use it now and then on the occaisional squirrel hunt while I scout for new deer spots.

I was seriously considering a .17 HMR but after comparing the 2 side by side.....I could see absolutely no reason to pick the .17 It' s only a tiny bit faster, a whole lot lighter bullet (like 45% lighter!), and the guns and ammo are way more expensive.

Anyone else have a take on why this new .17 HMR is so immediately popular?