.17 HMR vs 22 MAG

[Ljungman]

I can hit beer stoppers at 100 yards with my Marlin 25MN in .22WMR. I don't need a rifle any more accurate than that. I'm not hunting srews.

I've shot the 17hmr and liked it for targets but would never take it hunting. The .22WMR has all the hitting power you need. I actually think they are just right for yotes up to 100 yards as they've been known to drop bigger up to that distance.

 

[higdon]

17 HMR for seals

My two cents, but bearing in mind that I haven't shot a .22 mag in years, and have never shot a .17:

However, I spend alot of time doing field work throughout Nunavut, and the .17 hmr is probably the most popular rifle up there for seal hunting. Some folks use a .22 mag, others even rountinely pop ringed seals using a .22 LR, but most hunters absolutely LOVE the .17 HMR. They are dynamite on ringed seals, and some folks even use them for bearded seals, which can get upwards of 700 pounds or more! Hunters in the Belcher Islands (southeast Hudson Bay) have told me they'd trade their .223s, 22-250s and .220 Swifts for a .17 hmr in a second!

 

[Levi Garrett]

Well yes, thats cause of the Latitude , and its effects on Ballistics Not to mention the cold

 

[reg]

I bought a really nice custom .17hmr from a fur hunter in northern Ontario.
He told me the .17 is popular because it makes a smaller hole in the pelt, and kills with no exit wound.

 

[Levi Garrett]

I know for certain it makes a 30 cal hole in a penny at 100 meters

 

[6mm Shooter]

I've got both and I take the 22 mag out more often than the 17. I have an Anchutz in 22 mag that shoots 1/2" at 100 yards and with the 33gr accumark bullets from Remington it has more of an impact on small game at 100 than the 17. The energy drops quicker but because of the larger frontal area it just transfers the energy quicker and therefor the impact is more dramatic. I am looking to sell my Savage 17 HMR if anyone wants it.

 

[biggerair]

It seems the .22 mag would take larger game than the .17,100 yards would be the max distance for me. So .22 mag it is. Thanks for the info.

 

[popcan]

I would love to find one of those older TC nickel carbines like Varmint Al's, with the 17hmr barrel. Looks like the ultimate rimfire walking gun to me.

Just gotta keep looking!

 

[ben hunchak]

It's strange but true...the 17HMR seems more accurate on average than the .22 Mag.