.17HMR vs .22WMR

The.22guy

The.22guy

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A nice place to discuss the vantages of both rounds in
-Target shooting.
-Hunting.
-Cost.
-Availability and Availability of different types and brands of rounds.
-Accuracy.
-Plinking.
-Personal opinion and stories.
-And all else.
 
Target shooting: 17 HMR
Hunting: up to 75 yds 22mag, past 75 yds 17 HMR
Cost: 22 mag
Avaliablity: They are equal in most areas now
Accuracy: 17HMR by far!
Plinking: 17 HMR, though the 22 LR seems to be the obvious choice

I have to admit that I have very little experience with the 22 mag but I did a lot of research before buying my 17 HMR. I too looked at all these factors before deciding which I wanted.

I hunt lots of small game with my hummer. Crows are my usual prey. I have taken many as far as 250 yds, the 22 mag just isn't capable of such accuracy. I've also taken coyote, squirrel, rabbit, porcupine, coon and beaver with my HMR. When it comes to targets and long range plinking (200 yds) the 17 HMR is so accurate and predictable that you won't want to put it down lol. U'll just keep moving targets further and further away until you cant hold the crosshairs on a pop can anymore.

The 22 mag is about $10 per box while the HMR is about $16. Personally I think the extra cost is worth it.

Ultimately I'm very happy with my hummer.
 
I bought a Sako Quad a few years back. The .17hmr is the best gopher round I've had, although I like to use the .17mach2 barrel every now and again, mostly cause I bought 5000 rounds of the stuff. The .22 cal barrels are rarely mounted these days.
Like HMR-HOUND says the hmr beats the wmr hands down, even on beaver.
When I first shot the .17hmr, I figured the .22 to be obsolete. But being a trapper, I still need a .22.
 
The.22guy said:
Very nice info!.Do you have the thumb hole stock if so is it nice ?.
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Mine is a Savage GV. It is a standard walnut stock (blued), I like it better than the laminate but I do wish it was a thumbhole stock sometimes. I think the thumbhole would be a good idea for the gopher fields, but for general hunting I think the thumbhole may get in the way when taking quick shots. Maybe it would just take getting used to.

I am very satisfied with my Savage, I wouldn't expect anything more from a CZ at double the price or even a Cooper at four times the price.
 
I've gotta go with the .17 HMR on this one. My CZ is deadly accurate, is absolutely devastating on gophers out to 175 yds or more. I got a wicked bulk deal on Federal 17gr TNT ammo and the CZ loves it. I ended up paying just under $110/500 rds so the price for me is the same or better for .17.

Some proclaim that once it's windy that the .17 becomes ineffective due to its light bullet weight. I haven't noticed this yet, and if it was that windy, I'd upgrade to my .223 or 22-250 anyway. I don't shoot my .17 competitively so a little wind doping adds to the fun for me, and also sharpens my skill for hunting with my centerfires.

Just my opinion based on my experiences with the .17 HMR. I may be purchasing a .22 mag shortly so my opinion may change...but I doubt it. ;)
 
I have a 22 mag in savage model 93. It shoots MOA at 100 yards in my hands, and I am not that good. I have shot both quite often. The 150 yard mark makes the difference. The 22 mag drops like 4 inches more then the HMR. I have put my 22 mag up against 2 HMRs one ruger, one savage, and they all shot the same size groups. The HMR is a little faster, and drops less but u don't get the foot pounds, and the shells cost more. Both do well at harvesting tasty (or annoying) critters, as well as paper. Both shoot VERY well out of a good barrel. I suggest u just buy a rifle in both. One can always use another firearm!
 
The.22guy said:
110/500 I assume a one time deal with a local shop ?.
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Yup, bought the last batch from a local store. Apparently it wasn't selling well so I went in and made an offer. I was told that they wouldn't be getting any more in stock due to lack of sales. I bought 2500 rounds, should be good for a couple of years at least.
 
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I recently acquired a Savage 93R17 TRR. I'll post pics of the groups later. At 50 yds, they were shooting the same holes. One target had three visible holes for 5 shots, all right on top of each other. At 100 yards the group widened to about 1.5", but I attribute it in part to me getting used to a new trigger. At 200 yds I fired approx. 50 rounds and only hit the target twice (8" x 3.5" target). It was very windy though.
 
Another vote for the .17 HMR. I have a Savage 93R17 BTV and love it. I have enough experience with it to say that it's more accurate then I am...I'm very impressed so far.
 
The.22guy said:
Hey did you steal my name lol ?.
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No, you stole his name...he's been here 8 months longer than you. ;)

Back on topic. I also love my HMR and wish ammo was cheaper. I ended up with an NEF sportster in .17 HMR. As it is a single shot, it forces me to make every shot count as follow ups are not possible. I can take an egg with confidence at 100 yards, crows well past 150. I'm lucky if I can find a wing sometimes, lol.
 
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Hi guys thought I would weigh in here...

I have a .17hmr for 2 reasons, first I like pushing the limits at the range and enjoy shooting out to 200 yards accurately with a rimfire. Second I only get to use it maybe once a year on actual critters (being from Victoria) and when I do I like the 125 to 200yard reach for gophers. That being said if I lived where critter hunting was plentyful I would go for the 22mag simply because 17hmr is ridiculous for cost. 500 rounds of rimfire from 150 - 200 dollars?! If I lived near fields full of gophers there is no way I could aford it for long but for one trip a year the cost is ok. But if I hit the lotto its 17 all he way!!
 
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