.17 HMR or .22 WMR?

esk

esk

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Alright fella's lets discuss,

I've read the stickies, I've done my own research and now I coming to you guys for your opinions between these two calibers.

More than anything Im looking for a long range plinking caliber. I've often heard that it doesn't matter what you shoot, as long as your out shooting you'll improve. Since I don't enjoy plinking off with 1$ a shot shells, I'm looking into this.

Besides, I find these rimfires pretty cool.

Any opinions or tips would be appreciated. As well as possible firearm choices. In all I'd like to keep my selection under 400$ but you may as well throw anything at me if you've got it.

Thanks.
 
choices

esk

I have 1 WMR that groups real nice at 100 yards but with only 1 type of ammo.
I have 3 17HMR's that all shoot better than my WMR, these are all CZ's, but I understand that the Savages and Marlins and most other brands of 17 shoot very well as well, not so much with 22 mag. FS
 
As long as you are well aware of the price of .17HMR ammo in your area, I find mine to be a ton of fun to shoot. I set up 500mL water bottles at 200 Yards, aim for the cap and hit them in the centre. Beats lobbing them in with a .22LR. I have managed an honest <1" group with my Savage 93R17FV at 100 yards. I am a bit of a cheapskate though, and when ammo at CT went up to 19.00 a box, I only put a handful of rounds through it last summer.
 
The .22 magnum has been around forever. When I think of the 17 HMR, I remember the 5mm Remington Magnum and wonder if it might have the same fate.
 
trebor2880 said:
The .22 magnum has been around forever. When I think of the 17 HMR, I remember the 5mm Remington Magnum and wonder if it might have the same fate.
Click to expand...

Like it or not, it's here to stay. I would bet it's the most profitable (per box, not total sales) rimfire cartridge out there.
 
i love my 17 HMR, shot for shot i've had more fun shooting further with it then haphazardly shooting with a 22 WMR. besides the ammo seems to be a far bit more plentiful ive never had a issue (except at xmas) securing a brick or 2 of .17 for around 130-150 a pop. also has a few more options for different types of ammo and manufacture.
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for the great information and the quick responses. Its greatly appreciated.

Any firearm choice ideas?
 
I was trying to make the same decision as you for the past month.

All things (that mean something to me) considered
-accuracy
-price (i'll pay for accuracy)
-blow up power on gophers
-being able to confidently shoot past 75 yards at the range or at gophers

I went with a savage 17hmr. I bought the cheap synthetic stock with the intent of putting on a nice laminate from boyds.

I took it to the range for the first time today. Very happy with my decision.
 
It's hard to beat the 17HMR for accuracy, but the 17mach2 is about equal, with ammunition that costs half as much. The 17HMR adds 25 to 50 yards more effective range over the 17mach2. I would never even consider the 22wmr.
 
Well, when I hear "long range" I think .17 HMR, when I hear "plinking", I think .22lr. At $.30 a bullet, I don't shoot pop cans with my HMR. OK, I have, but I don't make a habit of it. 75 yard shots "feel" like long-range shots from my .22lr, so that satisfies my own long range/plinking desires. As for having more punch and more range, I really like the HMR. Having shot this caliber for 2 years now, I like it even more. I hunt small game with mine, but like the rifle so much (a CZ) that I'm half-tempted to make all my future rimfires CZs as well.

So, HMR or .22WMR~good question, but it sounds like it might be an HMR you're after. I'm considering a .22 WMR for the first time this spring, but unlike HMR, I don't think I'll shoot it THAT much. So, I'm considering an entry-level .22 WMR bolt as my first (only?)...and am waiting to see what the new Marlin XT-22s look like. For $202, I may very well take the chance on one. Not as a plinker though. :)
 
Well I have both while the 17hmr is more acurate the wind effects it far more than my 22mag also it is hard to see the bullet impacts when shooting the 17 to be able to adjust for wind drift when shooting gophers while on a calm day with a bipod and a good scope 200+yrd shots can be made . the 22mag has more weight and impact and the new lighter balistic tipped bullets take it up to 2200fps with a bullet double the weight of the 17.I like the 17hmr around the barns because you seldomly get a ricochet when the bullet hits it disintegrates.
 
Well I have both while the 17hmr is more acurate the wind effects it far more than my 22mag a
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The 17HMR actually drifts less in the wind than the 22wmr.
Have a look at the tables at the link.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397440
 
I bought a Browning T-Bolt in 17 HMR a while back, lots of fun. I debated btw 22mag and 17 for a while as well for that gun.
I'd have to say the sole noticeable difference is that the 17 is more "explosive", therefore has a higher fun factor IMO.

Check out the t-bolt, kinda like a poor man's Blaser R93.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Well, when I hear "long range" I think .17 HMR, when I hear "plinking", I think .22lr. At $.30 a bullet, I don't shoot pop cans with my HMR. OK, I have, but I don't make a habit of it. 75 yard shots "feel" like long-range shots from my .22lr, so that satisfies my own long range/plinking desires. As for having more punch and more range, I really like the HMR. Having shot this caliber for 2 years now, I like it even more. I hunt small game with mine, but like the rifle so much (a CZ) that I'm half-tempted to make all my future rimfires CZs as well.

So, HMR or .22WMR~good question, but it sounds like it might be an HMR you're after. I'm considering a .22 WMR for the first time this spring, but unlike HMR, I don't think I'll shoot it THAT much. So, I'm considering an entry-level .22 WMR bolt as my first (only?)...and am waiting to see what the new Marlin XT-22s look like. For $202, I may very well take the chance on one. Not as a plinker though. :)
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What you've said really rang true for me. Originally when I started looking into this, I was looking at a high end 22lr bolt gun for long range plinking. Mainly for ammo availability. However, the more and more I started thinking about it, the more I figured that I'd be shooting this rifle at ranges that would be to for a 22 (100yrds). More than anything Im looking for a rifle that I can shoot accurately at these ranges. As well as have the ability to take small varments.

Besides, I already have a 22. :)
 
bearkilr said:
I bought a Browning T-Bolt in 17 HMR a while back, lots of fun. I debated btw 22mag and 17 for a while as well for that gun.
I'd have to say the sole noticeable difference is that the 17 is more "explosive", therefore has a higher fun factor IMO.

Check out the t-bolt, kinda like a poor man's Blaser R93.
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks.
 
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