.17 HMR or 22?
- Thread starter NunGutz
- Start date
tymarshall
Member
- Location
- Didsbury, Ab.
Both!
If it's only for gopher, get the .17. It shoots flatter & faster. It will frag a gopher at 200 yds. Personally, I like the .22 for the cost of ammo & versatility but I don't chase gophers too often. When I do, I take the .223
I have both, although I am yet to shoot gophers (I know sad) I prefer the 17 for work like that. The other day at the range I was smashing a ~10" rock at 300 yards over and over. I know people can do better than that with it!
On the other hand for just general shooting holes in stuff all day the 22lr is the way to go simple on cost.
So like the second guy said, you NEED both.
On the other hand for just general shooting holes in stuff all day the 22lr is the way to go simple on cost.
So like the second guy said, you NEED both.
arcstarter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lethbridge, AB
I just bought myself a .17hmr and it is by far more accurate stock then my 3 .22lr rifles. I always take both with me for gopher hunting. 17 for the >100yd shots and 22 for the shots under 100yds
The two have different purposes. If you want shots over 75 yards, the 17 HMR is the way to go. Not cheap to shoot at all, but very accurate and flat for shooting pests in your kind of situation. Ammo runs on average 15 bucks for fifty at my Bass Pro in Tennessee to give you a rough idea, since our money is trading about the same now.
22LR you can shoot all you want very cheap and out of a good bolt gun it will give you accurate hits short range. I have a CZ 452 Varmit that will give me dime sized groups at 50 yards with Winchester subsonic ammo.
If you can afford it both, or have access/ability to borrow one you may not own, that would be ideal.
Savage makes quality guns in both calibers that won't break the bank and leave money for quality glass. I have a Weaver scope on my CZ. I can borrow a 17HMR when I want to thankfully.
22LR you can shoot all you want very cheap and out of a good bolt gun it will give you accurate hits short range. I have a CZ 452 Varmit that will give me dime sized groups at 50 yards with Winchester subsonic ammo.
If you can afford it both, or have access/ability to borrow one you may not own, that would be ideal.
Savage makes quality guns in both calibers that won't break the bank and leave money for quality glass. I have a Weaver scope on my CZ. I can borrow a 17HMR when I want to thankfully.
For accuracy, I prefer the .17 and for cost the .22. I have taken more animals with my .17 than with any other gun I have owned. Largest animals I have shot were 3 nice sized beavers with this gun, all with minimal pelt damage (small entry hole only). Not to say the same for smaller game like squirrels. Massive damage to hydes.
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17HMR all the way. I have a Savage 93R17FVSS and I don't regret buying it at all. I started with an H&R Sportster in 17HMR and fell in love with the cartridge. I wanted a bolt repeater, so I dumped the H&R and bought the Savage.
Unfortunately, I haven't had it out past 100 yards yet, but I can hit gopher sized things with it consistently. I'm just waiting to pick up my bipod this morning, and looking for somewhere to take it to 200 or more.
Unfortunately, I haven't had it out past 100 yards yet, but I can hit gopher sized things with it consistently. I'm just waiting to pick up my bipod this morning, and looking for somewhere to take it to 200 or more.
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Don't know that .22lr and .17HMR really can be compared, I think they're very different "animals" so to speak. I love .22lr, probably my favorite caliber...but it lacks the killing power, range, and accuracy of .17 HMR. If I read anything to the contrary, I think I'd question the amount of experience they have with these 2 calibers. (leaving out match-grade rifles/ammo. where accuracy is concerned, but they aren't meant for, nor used for hunting)
So, I'll avoid the temptation to comment on the "cost of .17HMR" aspect of this, because I think it's laughable. The caliber is WAY more effective on gophers than .22lr, and at greater ranges and YES, at a higher cost. It's your call. You likely won't have any get back to their holes having been hit by a .17grain V-Max round. The same can't be said about .22lr, unless you can get a head shot every time.
There is economy in .22lr, and if you have a CRAP-load of them to shoot, you shoot allot, and economy is a deal-breaker, .22lr might be your best choice. If you're a weekend hunter with a little breathing room in your budget for ammo., I think you'll really appreciate the terminal effect of HMR on small targets like gophers.
Good luck with whatever you choose, and have fun!
So, I'll avoid the temptation to comment on the "cost of .17HMR" aspect of this, because I think it's laughable. The caliber is WAY more effective on gophers than .22lr, and at greater ranges and YES, at a higher cost. It's your call. You likely won't have any get back to their holes having been hit by a .17grain V-Max round. The same can't be said about .22lr, unless you can get a head shot every time.
There is economy in .22lr, and if you have a CRAP-load of them to shoot, you shoot allot, and economy is a deal-breaker, .22lr might be your best choice. If you're a weekend hunter with a little breathing room in your budget for ammo., I think you'll really appreciate the terminal effect of HMR on small targets like gophers.
Good luck with whatever you choose, and have fun!
Between .22LR and .223, I personally don't feel a need for the .17 HMR. The .22 is far less expensive for close range, high volume shooting (as well as plinking) and I can reload more capable .223 ammo for only slightly more than the cost of .17 HMR. Using Blue Dot to make reduced .22 Hornet level loads requires less powder and results in a cost comparable to .17 HMR.
That said, I think that .17 HMR fills a niche for the non-reloader who wants something more capable than the .22LR. In that case I would pick the .22LR for the possibility of cheap plinking if it were my only rimfire, with the .17 HMR as a second rifle.
That said, I think that .17 HMR fills a niche for the non-reloader who wants something more capable than the .22LR. In that case I would pick the .22LR for the possibility of cheap plinking if it were my only rimfire, with the .17 HMR as a second rifle.
I picked up a t-bolt in .17hmr and a new ruger 10/22 about a month and a half ago. Other than my .12 gauge these are my 2 work horse's killed many a squirls and pesky rabits with bolth. if .17hmr was cheeper id shoot that ALL day long over any gun in my safe.
arcstarter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lethbridge, AB
Marlin makes some great rimfire rifles
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Yes, Savage mags can have issues. accu-trigger....no issues
Savage clips don't like to be inserted when the bolt is closed, with the bolt open it is smooth as silk and pushes in effortlessly.
CZ's are beautiful guns but they can be quite heavy if you get the heavy barrel.
Buy a cheap semi auto 22lr (Like a savage 64F) and bang away at short distance targets get a 22wmr or 17hmr if you want to practice marksmanship
CZ's are beautiful guns but they can be quite heavy if you get the heavy barrel.
Buy a cheap semi auto 22lr (Like a savage 64F) and bang away at short distance targets get a 22wmr or 17hmr if you want to practice marksmanship
