The 17 hmr is a great round. Their have been test done comparing the 22 wmr to the 17 hmr in the wind and it wasnt affected anymore than the 22 mag. I have personally shot mine on a day with 15 mph winds at 100 yds. It seems like everytime I take it out is always so dang windy.[:@] my luck. I tried to catch the wind at its weakest and my whole 5 shot group hit about 2 inches to the left(the direction the wind was blowing). Now move that out another 10, 25, 50 yds and its just going to increase exponentially. As far as its noise level, it isnt in my opinion any louder than a 22 mag, its the same case, granted different powder. To my ears the difference is unnoticeable, now compared to a 22 lr it is a lil jump up. Hope that helped.