.17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

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?

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I don' t know about the rest of the world but I' ve never owned an accurate .22 WMR. The .17 HMR on the other hand seems to deliver accuracy no matter what company makes it.

To me it' s not a power thing...it' s an accuracy thing

If I could get a 1" at 100 yards group with the .22 WMR I' d not want a .17.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I have a Marlin 25MN that holds 1" at 100. Also shot my ex father-in-law' s Marlin that did the same. However, I had a chance to shoot a Ruger 77/17 the other day and if I hadn' t have seen it with my own eyes I wouldn' t have believed it. The group was an honest half inch at 100 yards. It was a calm day so I wonder how the wind affects it. I am slowly coming around to the 17 HMR especially since LA is being gracious enough to let us shoot crows now. Oh, for those of you that shoot the 17 and have shot the 22 mag, does the 17 seem a little quieter to you or was it just my ears playing tricks on me?

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

Frizzellr,
I find the .17hmr a good bit quiter also. I havn' t shot a semi in it yet but in the bolts and single shots it is quiter. Also with the wind, the wind will play heck with the little .17 grain round.

I agree with the accuracy. I have shot both an Anschutz and a NEF/H&R and both guns were very accurate. Much more so then my Marlin 25mn.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I have an old Chucktser 22 mag. It will shoot 1/2 - 5/8 inch groups at 100 yds. Its of course a 22 mag. I myself can see no use in the world for the 17 HRM. Thats just my opinion and I see no reason for anyone who can find a nich for this little critter not to buy one. I can ussually think of a reason to give the wife for another gun but to me this one is usless. If the 22 mag won,t do it I will reach for the 223. Much cheaper to shoot than either of the above.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

Matt, I have to agree with you. I picked up a Savage heavy barrel .22 WMR 2 years ago and I am VERY happy with it and it' s performance. I looked at the .17 and did some comparisons also, I talked to some guy' s who had th .17 and they all agreed that it needed a litlle more " service" than the .22 WMR. They found it was quite accurate, but they needed to clean the barrel quite a bit to keep the accuracy. I was having a bit of accuracy problems with my gun until I decided to try every brand and type of bullet on the market and sight the gun in wiith the best round for the gun. Well let me tell you, I found the TNT' s shot amazing groups at 50 and were just as good out to 100 yds. I have a Simmons .22 MAG 3-9 AO on top of my gun and I wouldn' t get rid of it for any reason. I use it for gophers and it pops them in the air and kills quick. My cousin has a .22 hornet and when we shoot beside each other, there isn' t a gret deal of difference of how it kills the thing. His is a bit faster and louder however. The other thing is .22 Mags are so much easier to find and are a bit cheaper, so if you shoot alot it can add up. I think the .17 is a bit of a fad since it' s primarily new and people like new stuff. I' m not saying it won' t last or it isn' t a good cartridge, I just think the .22 WMR is a proven performer and works wonderfully for me. JDinAB

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I have a Marlin bolt 22 WMR and it shoots awesome for me. I can take squirrels with head shots up to 100 yards with a good rest. 22 WMR are great rifles.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I have to agree totally with this statement. I had a Marlin 25MN for a couple years and couldn' t get very good accuracy from it. I tried bedding it and everything. No Good! I got a Marlin 17VS and the accuracy is fantastic.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

What would you really use the 17HMR for as far as animals go? Is it too much gun for calling raccoons at night, would it be better than a 22 Mag for this use? I' m looking at getting a 22 Mag to use when calling coons but now I' m wondering if the 17 HMR would be better. Does anyone know what kind of fur damage would result?

I' m wondering now after reading some other comments on the 17HMR if it would be enough gun for taking coon. The light 17 bullet might not be enough.

RE: .17 HMR VS. .22 WMR (What' s the big deal?)
 

I think I' d go with the .17 as well. Most articles and posts about this little rimfire all speak highly about the accuracy factor, and that' s the name of the game for a rifle shooter. True the .22 mag has a heavier bullet, and at shorter distances that might make a difference depending on what game your shooting at, but for sniping crows, groundhogs, etc. that .17 has to pure fun!!;)