17HMR vs .22LR @ 50M

[johNTO]

Here's an option.....
If you're concerned about noise you should consider a PCP air rifle (FX makes some accurate ones).
One hole all day long at 50yrds and will take out pests without too much concern about what's behind them.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

My 2 cents:

1) .17HMR is hard to find at times, especially if you find that your rifle prefers one bullet weight over another
2) .17HMR is more expensive
3) .17HMR is louder than a lot of subsonic match .22 ammo that barely requires ear protection
4) .17HMR shooters WAY flatter and thus it is much easier to hit targets at unknown distances
5) .17HMR has the edge in accuracy but not by much if you know the ballistics of your .22
6) .17HMR seems to get really blown around by the wind at around 200m but then again .22 barely goes past 200m

Having said all that, I both and have found that I much prefer plinking with my .22lr. If you don't plan on shooting past 50m I would stick with the .22lr. The .17 will get boring quick at that range and finding ammo may become a problem.

1) I find 17hmr easier then match 22lr.
2) well, maybe by a dollar or two... Eley match is 22 a box of 50 at my lgs, 17hmr is 23 buck last I looked.
3) yea, it is louder...
4) Yes it is flatter, but unknown distances out to what? after about 150 yards it drops like a brick.
5) Bucks the wind and drop way better... Ballistics are a science, adapting to them is the shooter
6) well, yah...

I "plink" with my 22lr bolt guns that cost the same to shoot as the 17hmr ammo. From "know your limits" targets to shooting match sticks or fly's... It definitely always stays challenging.

I have used both, 17hmr is just less picky with ammo. Much more reliable. Never seen a "bad shooter" 17hmr. Even with ammo it doesn't like it usually out preforms a lot of 22 rifles at 50... Not to mention 100 and past.

Its just a preference thing. Locality and ammo availability.

I personally love the 17hmr and have talked myself into needing another.