I'm thinking of buying either a 22LR, 17HMR, 17HM2 or 22WMR bolt action rifle this spring. Probably a CZ 452 with a scope. Most I'd ever do with it is shoot gophers and punch paper. I've been checking the price of ammo, and it doesn't look like there is a significant difference in price between 17HMR and 22WMR, something like a range of $9.00 to $16.00 a box for the various loads. It looks like the 17HM2 is the cheapest of the three, at around $5.00 a box. Am I on the right track here for figuring price of ammo? Are any of them being phased out or short in supply? Is there a significant difference in accuracy between 17HM2, 17HMR and 22WMR at say 100 yards? Is it a matter of flip a coin, you can't go wrong? How much better is 17HM2 at splitting a gopher in two at say 75 yards compared to a hot 22LR hollow point? Or will I be disappointed in the difference?
Accuracy, pricing of the rimfires
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
I have all the rifles you are looking at , except the Mach2. If I plan on shooting nothing but longer shots and I'm in some wind, I'm shooting the 22 mag, not much wind 17 HMR. Any other gopher shooting I have done that has been inside 75 meters its always the .22.
My 22 mag is a very accurate gun, despite what alot of other folks feel about the round.
Based on your info, if I had to pick just one it would likely be the Mach2. FS
My 22 mag is a very accurate gun, despite what alot of other folks feel about the round.
Based on your info, if I had to pick just one it would likely be the Mach2. FS
I don't think the Mach 2 has gained much traction, although I could be wrong. I had a 17HMR and really liked it and have never owned a .22 mag. I now have a 10/22 that's been heavily modded and a .223 for the longer shots. Reloading .223 can be done for about $0.20 per round (with used brass and it's fun).
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I think you would be happiest with 22 wmr or 17 hmr. I don't think the hm2 is going to die off but a lot of manufactures have dropped that cal from their line up. In my experince 17 hmr ammo is also easier to find. If you're looking at a cz 452 i don't think you'll be dissapointed. I don't have one but from everything i've heard they're tack drivers.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
With what big rimfires are costing, you may as well reload centerfire and have ALL the performance you want.
If you do some careful shopping, you can load up reduced 223 to under 20cents per bang which is the same/less money then the magnum fires. Full loads are still around 25cents.
You can duplicate their performance and also have normal ammo for LR blasting.
I looked long and hard at these a few years ago but the economics didn't pan out.
ALL of the rimfires tank beyond 150yds. My 223 or even a hornet can easily add another 100yds in light load form. My 223 loaded with 75gr Amax can plink all the way out to 1000yds all at the same costs.
My 223's are more accurate and buck the wind so much better. Then there is the whole puff thing that a rimfire can never match.
Jerry
If you do some careful shopping, you can load up reduced 223 to under 20cents per bang which is the same/less money then the magnum fires. Full loads are still around 25cents.
You can duplicate their performance and also have normal ammo for LR blasting.
I looked long and hard at these a few years ago but the economics didn't pan out.
ALL of the rimfires tank beyond 150yds. My 223 or even a hornet can easily add another 100yds in light load form. My 223 loaded with 75gr Amax can plink all the way out to 1000yds all at the same costs.
My 223's are more accurate and buck the wind so much better. Then there is the whole puff thing that a rimfire can never match.
Jerry
IMHO, the .17HM2's days are numbered. Just can't see a permanent niche for it. Wife shoots a .17HMR which I steal once in a while and I shoot a CZ .22WMR. The bolt broke on my 60 year old Hiawatha .22 3 years ago, and I'll probably never fix it, because the other 2 rimfires are so accurate and fun to shoot it's almost obscene! Hard to outshoot a good .17HMR - almost any brand - but the CZ in .22WMR is my favorite. Half the fun of shooting gophers in the wind is guessing cross drift - hell, we don't shoot them to eat. Rimfires are a hoot and sure a .223 will blast gophers way out there. So does my .243 with 58 grain Varminators, but that's not the point. Rimfires are all about quieter closer range (but don't against a good rimfire shooter at a couple hundred yards on a calm day no matter what you're packing) fun shoots.
