Rimfires

[SIG34]

17HMR ! More reliable

 

[No_Regerts]

For ground squirrels, I would definitely go 17 HMR. More pop on impact. I like a bullet that opens fast. A 17 or 20gr plastic tipped pullet at 2500 fps does well.

 

[Kruel J]

.17HMR. Shoots flatter, hits harder, and is typically more accurate, especially if calm, wind-wise. I suppose an argument could be made if favor of the .22 mag for larger critters, but if larger critters are on the menu, the .223 Rem is a far better option. I like the .17HMR for ground squirrels in populated areas where noise is a concern. .22 long rifle has too many crawl offs, where the .17 HMR can sometimes even launch them!

Up to 100 yards or so, the .22 WMR actually hits harder. At 150 yards, the .17HMR is probably a better choice.

 

[Kruel J]

Here is a really good comparison with lots of technical data:

Compared: .17 HMR and .22 WMR (Magnum)

 

[MrMillspecer]

I would choose the 22wmr. I had the 17 and while impressive it's easily pushed around by the wind. I ended up using my .22 lr more sage rat shooting. A .22wmr is on my short list because of the wide range of ammo available. And I have never owned one. As much as I like my cz452s I think the Ruger American in 22 wmr will be next. Some of the 30 grain loads are over 2200 fps 320ft/lb. Not bad.


I do have a single six convertible with the .22 mag cylinder. But never have owned a .22wmr rifle, yet. Just to clarify.

 

[2ndtimer]

Another consideration is ammo availability. During the recent rimfire run, when .22 lr was nowhere to be found, or obscenely expensive, .17 HMR ammo was considerably more available. Sometimes, it was even on sale! During that dark period, .22 Mag ammo was virtually unobtainable. Of course, if you choose that route, and have the means, just buy a couple thousand rounds and rest easy. I am pretty well set for .22 lr, and have a good stock of .17HMR, although I don't anticipate any problem acquiring additional .17 HMR ammo in the future. If push comes to shove, there is always a 40 gr V-MAX bullet with 8.0 gr of Blue Dot in a .223 bolt gun. Accurate and pretty much duplicates .22 Mag performance (and noise level).

 

[po18guy]

With a .22 Mag Colt Frontier Scout, a D/C .22 New Frontier and a Mossberg 640KB, I'm pretty much committed to .22 Mag. For the first time in decades, I recently picked up some CCI 30 grain TNT .22 Mag from Academy Sports for $11.99/box. With free shipping at $25, I have no idea how they make a buck - but that's their problem I guess.

I can see the allure of .17, but that is a caliber that has always had trouble catching on.

 

[BAT338]

For shooting small game, I much prefer my 17 WSM over any other rimfire.

 

[Pandaz3]

For shooting small game, I much prefer my 17 WSM over any other rimfire.

Even harder to find than any other rimfire at local outlets, but it can be had online. I think it has the best potential, but it has a pretty shallow following

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

Neither. Both are too expensive for me to want to shoot. I used to love .22mag, but now it is the same price as 556. 22lr is the only rimfire I will buy.

22mag is a great round and I have personally seen it drop a deer or two when neck shots are involved. But I mainly plink, and for that purpose it's 556 for me.

 

[RVTECH]

but now it is the same price as 556

And how much is 17 HMR compared to .22 Mag?
Regardless I don't think either can compare to .556 bulk price.

 

[MrMillspecer]

Neither. Both are too expensive for me to want to shoot. I used to love .22mag, but now it is the same price as 556. 22lr is the only rimfire I will buy.

22mag is a great round and I have personally seen it drop a deer or two when neck shots are involved. But I mainly plink, and for that purpose it's 556 for me.

Around here it's $10+ for 50 rounds in .17hmr or .22wmr about the same price as 9mm ammo. And also know of .22 mags taking yotes as well as deer. Not by me, but it's a capable round with a wide variety if weights. With the 17 you have 17 or 20 grain. And even though they explode sage rats I want the extra weight the .22 wmr has. 30-50 grain bullets i think.

But the good old .22lr in an accurate rifle is my favorite so far. Far more friendly around cattle and such than hi power center-fires. And holding over out at 100 yards and hitting with a .22lr is a more rewarding shot for me than my .556. Its just good fun blowing through .22lr ammo hunting sage rats or at the range. They are great for small game and most varmints .And still the cheapest way to shoot firearms and keep your skills up.

But I still want a .22 mag rifle with irons as well as a scope.

 

[BAT338]

Personally, I don't think any rimfire is particularly well suited for coyote size game but going by the numbers, the 17 WSM easily trumps all others by a land slide.

17 WSM is 400 Ft. lbs. at the muzzle, 279 Ft. lbs. at 100 yds, 188 Ft. lbs. at 200 yds (20gr bullet)

22 MAG is 312 Ft. lbs. at the muzzle, 170 Ft. lbs. at 100 yds, 102 Ft. lbs. at 200 yds (40gr gamepoint ammo had the best #'s found)

 

[Argonaut]

One of my son's is a huge devotee to the 17 WMR, has killed several coyotes on his California ranch with it. The thing I have always found attractive about the 22 WMR is the use of jacketed bullets in the ammo. Otherwise, I am a 22 LR guy.

 

[MrMillspecer]

Really depends on the load and barrel length.

 

[MrMillspecer]

Personally, I don't think any rimfire is particularly well suited for coyote size game but going by the numbers, the 17 WSM easily trumps all others by a land slide.

17 WSM is 400 Ft. lbs. at the muzzle, 279 Ft. lbs. at 100 yds, 188 Ft. lbs. at 200 yds (20gr bullet)

22 MAG is 312 Ft. lbs. at the muzzle, 170 Ft. lbs. at 100 yds, 102 Ft. lbs. at 200 yds (40gr gamepoint ammo had the best #'s found)

What 17 ammo is 400 ft lbs ? CCI lists 245fpe on their sight

CALIBER BULLET WEIGHT (GR) BULLET TYPE BOX COUNT
17 HMR 17 Poly-Tip V-Max 50

Velocity, ft/sec
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
2550 2220 2064 1915

Energy, ft-lbs
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
245 186 161 138

Trajectory if sighted at 100 yards
25 YARDS 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
-0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0



CALIBER BULLET WEIGHT (GR) BULLET TYPE BOX COUNT
22 Win Mag 30 Poly-Tip V-Max 50

Velocity, ft/sec
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
2200 1866 1714 1571

Energy, ft-lbs
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
322 232 196 164

Trajectory if sighted at 100 yards
25 YARDS 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
-0.2 0.5 0.6 0.0

CALIBER BULLET WEIGHT (GR) BULLET TYPE BOX COUNT
22 Win Mag 35 JSP 200

Velocity, ft/sec
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
2100 1816 1685 1561

Energy, ft-lbs
MUZZLE 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
343 256 221 189

Trajectory if sighted at 100 yards
25 YARDS 50 YARDS 75 YARDS 100 YARDS
-0.2 0.6 0.7 0.0



The .22 WMR holds its energy far better.

 

[Argonaut]

When I studied 22 WMR nearly 5 decades ago, it had the same energy as a 38 Special. One of the reason's I bought the convertible Colt revolver afterwards.

 

[BAT338]

What 17 ammo is 400 ft lbs ? CCI lists 245fpe on their sight

You're looking at 17 HMR data, I'm talking about the 17 WSM.

The 17 HMR and 17 WSM are both rimfires but they are two entirely different cartridges. CCI doesn't make 17 WSM ammo, it's all made by Winchester, regardless of the label on the box.

 

[MrMillspecer]

You're looking at 17 HMR data, I'm talking about the 17 WSM.

The 17 HMR and 17 WSM are both rimfires but they are two entirely different cartridges. CCI doesn't make 17 WSM ammo, it's all made by Winchester, regardless of the label on the box.

16-18 bucks a box or so and non reloadable ? Yikes i thought the other ammo was spendy. i have never seen it on the shelfs. Wonder if it will catch on. Or is it a hit already ? No wonder others said it was as much as .223. Ya I was thinking HMR and won the argument with myself. lol

 

[BAT338]

It's definitely not nearly as popular as the 17 HMR.

I go through a pretty good amount of it every year so I usually order mine online and don't pay those big prices. It can regularly be had for right around $10 a box and sometimes under 10 bucks if you watch for sales. Places like ammoseek and gun.deals can save you a lot of money.

You likely have never seen it on the shelves because you didn't know it existed and weren't looking for it. I've never, not, seen it on the shelves and anywhere they sell 17 HMR ammo they pretty much always have 17 WSM ammo as well.