17hmr or 22wmr
- Thread starter coyote1664
- Start date
OP,
I originally had all four barrels for my Quad, but ended up selling them and getting two Lilja barrels in .22LR and .17 HMR after doing a bunch of comparison testing on paper and critters.
The .22 WMR is the better option if you're primarily going for smaller fur bearing animals (larger than groundhogs) withing 100 yards. The .17 can do it, but bullet selection and shot placement is critical. Ribs become the issue; you need to overcome them and still create a large enough wound channel for an efficient kill. The .22 WMR does that well within that distance. With the .17 HMR, you're better off doing head shots with one of the 20 gr. bullets, which is more challenging, especially if he's on the move.
For your application the .17 HMR is the better choice. It's generally more accurate, flatter shooting and bucks the wind better. It really shines on small animals up to a groundhog size. I've killed many out to 188 yards, the trick is to lung shoot them with the 17 gr. VMAX bullets. It stones them every time. If you need to take out the odd larger animal, it can be done. Just keep it within a practical distance.
Get a scope with turrets so that you can dial in your shots precisely.
I originally had all four barrels for my Quad, but ended up selling them and getting two Lilja barrels in .22LR and .17 HMR after doing a bunch of comparison testing on paper and critters.
The .22 WMR is the better option if you're primarily going for smaller fur bearing animals (larger than groundhogs) withing 100 yards. The .17 can do it, but bullet selection and shot placement is critical. Ribs become the issue; you need to overcome them and still create a large enough wound channel for an efficient kill. The .22 WMR does that well within that distance. With the .17 HMR, you're better off doing head shots with one of the 20 gr. bullets, which is more challenging, especially if he's on the move.
For your application the .17 HMR is the better choice. It's generally more accurate, flatter shooting and bucks the wind better. It really shines on small animals up to a groundhog size. I've killed many out to 188 yards, the trick is to lung shoot them with the 17 gr. VMAX bullets. It stones them every time. If you need to take out the odd larger animal, it can be done. Just keep it within a practical distance.
Get a scope with turrets so that you can dial in your shots precisely.
Those must be some awful strong side winds you're shooting in. More of an elementary physics problem than something that's going to keep you from hitting a magpie. Does wind change heading 180 degrees minute to minute where you're at? When it starts to happen here I'll make sure I run to the nearest gunshop and pick up a .22magnum.
Takujualuk
CGN Regular
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
I have a CZ American in 17HMR and a CZ Lux in 22WMR. Neither are much good in a heavy wind....the Ballistic Coefficient makes a lot of difference and neither are too high in this department.
The 22 Mag hits noticeably harder... The 17HMR is easier to hit with past 125 yards. The 20 grain game bullets in the 17 hang together very well and give the 17 some versatility as a game round but the 22Mag with 40 or 50 grain bullets is much better at edible game shooting.
Accuracy wise both my CZ's will crowd inside MOA with the right ammo.
If I needed to choose I'd likely take the 22Mag...if all I did was hunt gophers it would be the 17.
The 22 Mag hits noticeably harder... The 17HMR is easier to hit with past 125 yards. The 20 grain game bullets in the 17 hang together very well and give the 17 some versatility as a game round but the 22Mag with 40 or 50 grain bullets is much better at edible game shooting.
Accuracy wise both my CZ's will crowd inside MOA with the right ammo.
If I needed to choose I'd likely take the 22Mag...if all I did was hunt gophers it would be the 17.
And one more point: did you consider the smaller surface area... and the smoother surface of the 17?
Didn't think so.
I have killed the big adult prairie dogs and big rock chuck marmots with 22LR Quickshock. And they don't make it back to the hole.
The 17M2 and 17HMR are pitiful in stopping power on the big rodents at long range.
But then I can't hit anything at long range with the 22LR.
The 17M2 and 17HMR are pitiful in stopping power on the big rodents at long range.
But then I can't hit anything at long range with the 22LR.
