whats the better Varmint/pest cartridge?

The better rimfire cartridge for Varmints/pests

  • 17HMR

    Votes: 32 50.0%

  • 22Magnum

    Votes: 32 50.0%
  • Total voters
    64
Fenix.NZ

Fenix.NZ

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Hamiltron - City of the Future , New Zealand
ok so im choosing between 17HMR and 22Magnum .. the .22mag comes out to be cheaper...rifle and ammo..

but i have a feeling the 17HMR is a more accurate round ?

can you please vote and also give your reason why you chose the option you did.

shooting out to 250m
 
Last edited:
I love the 22 mag for rabbit hunting. Good knock down power. But for varmints, get the 17hmr. Flat shooting, reaches out far, and more destructive. Yes, the wind knocks it around some, but it does for the magnum as well.
 
Have owned both. For that shooting distance the .17 HMR wins hands down. For small pets they both knock them for a loop however the HMR is more accurate period. Yes, ammo and what not are more expensive but you pay for performance.
 
The .17 is an accomplished gopher getter out to 200 yards with a good setup. Many will pipe up saying they can shoot much further I am sure, but it ain't no .204 Ruger or .223 Remington (or any other center fire for that matter).

The .22 Win mag is a winner in my book because it will do anything the .17 HMR will do and more, up to and including ETHICAL coyote control out to 125 yards.

Compare the rounds and you will see what the difference is. Choose the one that suits your needs best.

The .22 win mag is suited to varmints and small game up to coyote out to 125 yards. Better ammo selection makes it a winner in my books

The .17 HMR is great for rabbit or smaller sized game out to 200+ yards depending on you abilities and setup.

***edit*** On second thought you should buy both....
cciA.JPG
 
Last edited:
It depends on what exactly you mean on varmints.

17 hmr for gophers for sure.

Anything bigger than that and you will find that the 17s dont penetrate far enough.

Out to 250 on anything bigger than a gopher I dont think that you will have much joy with either.
 
im talkin crows, magpies, rabbits, NZ possums, hares and the occasional turkey. 250m i would probably target shoot at.. 200 would be the extent of my varmint shooting range

at 200m the projectile would still be traveling at 1000-1200fps roughly .. that should be enough to still drop a rabbit
 
Fenix.NZ said:
im talkin crows, magpies, rabbits, NZ possums, hares and the occasional turkey. 250m i would probably target shoot at.. 200 would be the extent of my varmint shooting range

at 200m the projectile would still be traveling at 1000-1200fps roughly .. that should be enough to still drop a rabbit
Click to expand...


For that kind of broad range of shooting need you need a .22 Magnum.
Plastic tipped 30 gr V-maxes for pest control.
40gr FMJs or 45gr SPs for hunting Hares and Turkeys.

.22 Magnum all the way.

.17HMR is for blowing the legs off gophers and that's about it.
 
22mag all the way!!!!! Unless you will only be shooting at paper and gophers, anything bigger will need the heaver weight of the mag. My reg barreled 597 out shoots my buddies heavy barreled 17 EVERY time we go to the range but I guess that could just be the shooters :D:D Way more bullet selection with the mag as well.
Slayer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom