hometheaterman

For some reason I've had the itch for a .22 mag ever since shooting a buddy's Ruger. It shot great and I just really liked it. However, after reading about the .17 HMR I'm wondering if it's not a better round. Out of the two for small game hunting up to about 100 yards which is a better choice? Is the price of ammo of either worth it over regular .22 ammo? I'm not ready to get either but just looking for opinions incase I ever decide to get one or the other.

elgallo114

I love my 17HMR. But they definitely do more damage. If you're looking to keep pelts and such, stick with the .22mag. And I'd say the .17 is a little louder. Has a very distinctive "crack" to it. But I've found my .17 is a little more accurate, at least with me behind it. But they are two different rifles, so that could have more to do with it. Either one is fine. I'd go with the rifle you prefer. If it offers both calibers, then you have a tough decision to make.

One thing I've heard an awful lot is that the .17 is not great in a semi auto. Remington's having big problems with that now if you haven't heard.

Either way, that question could start a war!

hometheaterman

Yeah I can't decide either. Keeping the pelts isn't a big issue for me.

If I get one I also don't plan to get a semi auto. I'm usually a huge semi auto fan but for some reason I've gotten the bug to get a bolt action rifle. I guess I want something that at 100 yards or so is very accurate and bolt actions seem to be the way to go for that. I don't really know why I want a bolt action other than I do really. Usually like I said I don't really like them.

Wal-Mart has a Savage and a Marlin I really like and both are in .17hmr. Savage makes a .22 mag I like too but I've yet to see it in person. They seem to be less common right now.

jimmy the foot

i like the .22 better. .17 is fast but very light and cross winds can throw you off fairly easy at extended ranges. plus with the .22 you can shoot 40gr ammo all the way up to the 60gr subsonic ammo. both are very affordable to shoot. and with a scope the .22 can be just as accurate as the .17 if you take the time to see what ammo works best.

hometheaterman

Are you saying .22 mag or a .22 LR?

elgallo114

I'll tell you this, since you don't want to keep pelts or anything, the .17 sure tears 'em up!

The Savage is what I have. Love that little rifle. Very accurate. And out to 100 it's awesome. And crosswinds have not been a problem out to that far for me, but it is a very light round.

zrexpilot

I like the .22 mag but i think the .17 is more accurate. I was shooting shotgun shells out to 200 yds with my .17. It is definately a long range small game gun.
I really dont think its affected much by wind at a 100 yds.
Neat little guns if you keep it to rabbits and such.

13pointjomc

If you have enough $$$,git both!I'm about
to buy a marlin 17 hmr next month.

Anthony T.

Ive shot 22mags all my life and have only recently shot 17hmr but I like the 17 alot better. Seems nore accurate to me and should have more range. I wouldnt really call it superior to the 22mag but better IMO.

Centaur 1

I have both, the .22 mag has just been collecting dust since I bought my .17HMR. I have the Marlin 917V from Walmart, but if it was offered at that time I would have paid the extra $50 for the thumbhole stock on the 917VT. This caliber deserves good optics, it does make a difference since you'll be aiming at small targets. zrex says he shoots shotgun shells at 200 yards, thats because he has a Mueller scope on his. I have the same scope on mine and it's awesome, at $115 it won't break the bank either.

http://www.muelleroptics.com/products/MAPV451440.html