Why would someone buy a .17HMR?

I looked at the 17 and 22 mag, but decided to stick with the old 22lr, due to the much cheaper cost of ammunition, and the fact that all I could use these rounds for is hunting gophers, grouse and snowshow hare with, and the 22lr does all that just fine.

If someone put out a nice, tactical 22 mag with 30 round mags I might bite, but otherwise, I won't move away from my 22lr.
 
The cost of ammunition is not a concern to me. I have a 10/22 with the hammer forged bull barrel and laminated stock and I like it very much. I also like the savage in .17. For what I use these rifles for energy is not a big concern. Paper never goes down and gophers go down easy. I like the extended range and flatter trajectory of the .17.

A tactical rifle in 22 WMR? Really?
 
i think what makes the .22lr so superior is the fact that you can buy ammo that ranges from 700fps to 1700fps. it can be as simple and quiet as a pellet gun or very nearly as powerfull and destructive as a .22mag, and everything in between. i bought one because .17hmr bullets look so dam cool, and it is cool but very much a niche gun.
 
mikeystew said:
i think what makes the .22lr so superior is the fact that you can buy ammo that ranges from 700fps to 1700fps. it can be as simple and quiet as a pellet gun or very nearly as powerfull and destructive as a .22mag, and everything in between. i bought one because .17hmr bullets look so dam cool, and it is cool but very much a niche gun.
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That being said I think I am going to get my .22lr and try different types of ammo. Unless I really feel the .22lr is lacking for what I need I'm gonna try and make it work.
 
Try CCI Quickshocks

I think they call them fragmenting or segmented hollow points nowadays.

They are the same velocity as a stinger, and the lead splits into three on impact.

They are great for gophers, and cheaper to shoot than a 17 or 22 mag.
 
Quote from Joe NWT:
If you buy in bulk, you can still find it for $13-14ish a box. I want to see people reload for $28/100. $18 for bullets $3-4 for primers. Add some powder and you will sit at the reloading bench for $4@hr?

If that's the going rate, I'm hiring!

Joe,,

who are you buying your bulk 17 HMR ammo from?, and I may go by another 17 HMR for the gopher carnage this summer
 
To answer the original question,Im in a business where I use the hmr alot for shooting fox, racoons, beaver,and anything smaller it is by far the best gun I have ever owned for the job,its deadly accurate,flattens what ever it hits,and is nice and quiet.I have never paid more than $15.for shells.Compare the $15 to the cost of a box of beer and it is pretty cheap entertainment.
 
Well, I own several .17HMR rifles. I do not own a 22mag, nor will I ever. I grew up shooting squirrels with .22lr and yes, ammo is real cheap... for the crap stuff. Start looking at doing some real target work and the ammo you need to match the performance (accuracy wise) of the HMR is several times (read 10x) what you are probably paying for the bulk American Eagle etc. I just bought 2000 rounds of AE.22lr at UFA... the rebate I got on my lumber covered it so I don't know what it cost. I don't care either, cuz even if it was free I'd still shoot my 17hmr. I've never seen a cat or a squirrel walk away from a hit, even a poorly placed one. More accurate, better reach, no hassle of reloading when you just don't feel like it. If its snowing and I wanna blast some coyotes I don't have to worry about where the brass is landing or wait till spring to find it. Is it a niche rifle/ammo? Sure. Is it the perfect choice for someone on welfare? Probably not. Do I love mine for their accuracy, low noise and reach? Hell ya. Will my .204's and .223s hit a lot harder further out? Ya. Lots of people said it'd never replace the .222's, the .22lr, etc etc. It wasn't meant to. If you've got a truck and a bicycle do you really NEED a quad? I mean anything you cant do on a bike you can do with your truck. :jerkit:
 
Couldn't agree more. :agree:

canuckgunny said:
Well, I own several .17HMR rifles. I do not own a 22mag, nor will I ever. I grew up shooting squirrels with .22lr and yes, ammo is real cheap... for the crap stuff. Start looking at doing some real target work and the ammo you need to match the performance (accuracy wise) of the HMR is several times (read 10x) what you are probably paying for the bulk American Eagle etc. I just bought 2000 rounds of AE.22lr at UFA... the rebate I got on my lumber covered it so I don't know what it cost. I don't care either, cuz even if it was free I'd still shoot my 17hmr. I've never seen a cat or a squirrel walk away from a hit, even a poorly placed one. More accurate, better reach, no hassle of reloading when you just don't feel like it. If its snowing and I wanna blast some coyotes I don't have to worry about where the brass is landing or wait till spring to find it. Is it a niche rifle/ammo? Sure. Is it the perfect choice for someone on welfare? Probably not. Do I love mine for their accuracy, low noise and reach? Hell ya. Will my .204's and .223s hit a lot harder further out? Ya. Lots of people said it'd never replace the .222's, the .22lr, etc etc. It wasn't meant to. If you've got a truck and a bicycle do you really NEED a quad? I mean anything you cant do on a bike you can do with your truck. :jerkit:
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mechanic1908 said:
Why would anyone want a .223 when they can have a 22-250?
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That's easy to answer...

Price and availability are 2 great reasons for .223 over .22-250. Another good reason is the variety of mil guns that are available in .223. Can one even get an AR or other combat rifle in a .22-250?
 
mossyoak23 said:
I have a .22 lr that I use for smaller game like squirrels and rabbits. I love it for target shooting and plinking as well because obviously its dirt cheap to shoot.

I'm continuing a search for a rimfire rifle with a little more punch than an 22LR for groundhogs and foxes.

This search has brought up the question 17 hmr or 22 mag.

When comparing the ammunition prices at local stores as well as on www.basspro.com I have come to the conclusion that they are very close in price for a 50 round box.

With price aside I've looked at the specs between the 2 rifles.

17 hmr-----20gr----2350fps----250ft#
22mag-----30gr----2200fps----322ft#

Is there any reason in my situation that I should consider the .17hmr? Shots would be under 150 yards.

Aside from the old "you can always use another gun" I can't see a reason someone would purchase a rifle chambered in .17hmr.......
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Theres a lot of points being brought up that aren't valid. The only positives that I've heard is long range accuracy which in my case wasn't even a requirement and a tad quieter than the .22wmr which I can deal with.
 
mossyoak23 said:
Theres a lot of points being brought up that aren't valid. The only positives that I've heard is long range accuracy which in my case wasn't even a requirement and a tad quieter than the .22wmr which I can deal with.
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Go with the calibre you like,but I will say your post said long range wasnt a requirment I would consider 150 yards long range with a rimfire.
 
I have had a Marlin model 793 .22 mag for years. First gun I ever bought, and over the years have shot hundreds of groundhogs, squirrels and such. Great accuracy, still cheap to shoot. I also have a Sako chambered in .243 Win. which I handload, for longer shots and now my new pastime, calling mutts. My opinion would be to go with the .22 mag, but I will say I do not have alot of exp. with the HMR. so I'm biased to the .22 mag.


cheers

R/W
 
I own an Anschutz 1717 (.17 HMR) and it is the most accurate rifle I own at 150 yds. (on a reasonably calm day). I own a few high end .22's and I never find time to shoot them anymore. When I go out gopher shooting I bring a .17 HMR, a .223 and a 22-250. These three calibers handle all my shooting needs from 50-450 yds. for small varmints and target. I used to have a .22 mag but found the .17 flatter shooting and more accurate so I sold it. Phil.
 
Your right very seldom can a 22mag compete with a 17 hmr.



P of PDent said:
I own an Anschutz 1717 (.17 HMR) and it is the most accurate rifle I own at 150 yds. (on a reasonably calm day). I own a few high end .22's and I never find time to shoot them anymore. When I go out gopher shooting I bring a .17 HMR, a .223 and a 22-250. These three calibers handle all my shooting needs from 50-450 yds. for small varmints and target. I used to have a .22 mag but found the .17 flatter shooting and more accurate so I sold it. Phil.
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I bought a 17hmr in cz 452 american. It was a beautiful rifle and accurate but not very humane. I wounded a few coyotes and killed a fox with it. I shot 2 lynx on the trapline with it, killed em both but slow death, the first one I actually choked to death with my foot in the end. I sold it and bought a ruger 96 22mag. The first thing I shot was a wolf in the neck and dropped it instanly at about 80 yds. I've killed three lynx with it, very quick deaths 40 gr. behind the shoulder. Killed 2 foxes with 22 mag close shots, instant death but a bit explosive. I've killed 3 or 4 coyotes with it.. not so effective, I had one get away but I think I hit him pretty far back. I would recommend a 22 mag any day, but not the 17 hmr unless used on really small stuff.
 
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