Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires 17 HMR or 22 WMR

A month ago a graybeard at the range was shooting an A17 and did not know the trajectory. I pointed out that the information may be on the box and I would shoot it over the chrony to see how close it was to reality.

I fired three shots at 200 and I was quite surprised, a perfect 3/4" group. That was my first and only experience with any 17 and it gave me the bug.

Right now I have a Single Six convertible and a few boxes of CCI WMR, I expect that far more 22 LR will be fired than WMR. I bought a Predator WMR from SAS but sold it due to the WMR shortage and picked up a RAR 22 LR threaded Compact.

I searched Midway this morning for the Hornady 30gr WMR and noticed 2 out of 25 options were on hand, both CCI so I figure the shortage is still an issue.

I want another RAR compact, maybe two but one for now.

The purchase has nothing to do with need, just a want.

What do ya'll suggest, WMR or HMR?

Just me, but the only .17 I shoot is the Rem. 17 centerfire..

I've had a number of customers come in with issues re: the .17 HMR ignition; too many duds.. I hope the ammo-makers have fixed THAT.

Part of your answer may ride with what you're using it for. Small varmints at closer ranges? P-dogs? Calling in Fox/Coyotes?

Also - what ammo is plentiful there? .22WMR has been truly scarce for some time, although S&G had a hundred+ boxes of one type a few days ago. ( http://www.sgammo.com/product/22-ma...ter-30-grain-v-max-ammo-s22m2pt-limit-20 )

On the other hand, I've been shooting the .17 HMR from a CZ 452 since 2003. Cannot remember a dud round, but have experienced a bunch of FTF's with various .22 rimfires in that time.. And I shoot the CZ considerably on ground squirrels and prairie dogs every year.

For such varminting it's about ideal, and it works all right on somewhat larger varmints too, up to about 10 pounds. But I still prefer the .22 Magnum for those, and they don't use up nearly as much ammo.

The 17 HMR is a far more accurate round, but I prefer the WMR for hunting anything larger than squirrels.

Better bullets in the HMR and more accurate.

RDW: No question - go with the 17 HMR!
I have now killed three Coyotes with my 17 HMR's all with one shot apiece!
I have also killed Wild Turkey, Badgers, Fox, large Rock Chucks and large Porcupines with the 17 HMR along with all manor of smaller game and Varmints.
I have used 22 Magnums in all varieties for decades and began using the 17 HMR in 2,003 - the 17 HMR is more lethal and more accurate for me.
Plus the trajectory is better in the 17 HMR out to the ranges I shoot Ground Squirrels and prairie Dogs with them anyway.
The 17 HMR (A17!) is a VERY impressive rimfire cartridge!
Try one I am sure you'll like it.
By the way how was the velocity of that A17 ammo?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

17 HMR for me

I would not hesitate to go .17 HMR.




Dave

I like both.. Haven't shot the 17that much. Killed a big jack with it tonight.. Good job.. I didn't have mine for last years gopher shooting, but killed quite a few p. dogs with it.. I feel the 40 gr. 22mag has a bit more thump on dogs, but the 17 killed well.

I was leaning towards the HMR based on WMR availability. I am buying WMR as I find it but I bet buying a case of HMR would not be a problem today.

VG, not one of the three rounds registered on the chrony.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../1/Hang_fires_with_Hornady_17HMR_#UNREAD


Note that the ammo he used was about 5 yrs old.. IIRC, it was about then and for a time after that I had noted ignition issues with the .17 HMR.. Roughly 20% would FTF.

I'm hoping (but have zero knowledge of) that the manufacturers of the ammo have solved that problem..

I have owned a bunch or rifles chambered in both the 17 HMR and 22 WMR.

The 17 is definitely the more accurate of the two. It shoots flatter and bucks the wind better as well. The downside is the 17 is a bit much for edible small game and not nearly as a reliable killer for varmints much over 10 pounds. One time a groundhog or raccoon will drop like rock, the next time they shake it off and run. The 17 hmr is just about perfect for ground squirrels and prairie dogs though, I think.

The 22 mag is a shorter range proposition but anchors bigger varmints with more authority than the 17 out to 125 yards or so.

That pretty much sums it up

+2

Same experience here. For yotes a 40-50gr JHP beats a 17-20gr every time

RDW,

This is a side issue: I'm guessing is you were using an actual Shooting Chrony, and not using "chrony" as a generic term for chronograph, as so many do these days. Shooting Chronys are notorious for "missing" shots, especially with smaller calibers--one reason I haven't owned one in years. I cannot remember any of my other chronographs (including Oehler, ProChrono or Magnetospeed) missing a .17 caliber bullet.

One other thing about .17 HMR's: I've yet to encounter any ammo that wasn't accurate in my CZ, and the same is true of everybody else I know that owns any brand of .17 HMR. Not saying it can't happen, but the odds are low. This isn't true of .22 Magnums: Many only prefer a couple specific types of ammo, and those brands may not be the one you find. It took me quite a while to find a .22 Magnum rifle that shoots just about any ammunition reasonably accurately, but even then it doesn't shoot as well as my .17 HMR with ANY ammo.

My Annie .17 HMR is super accurate, CCI, TNT's shooting best. Even with other ammo it's still sub MOA, mostly near half MOA.

IME, the .22 WMR generally won't group with the .17 HMR. But, in my case, it's a .22 WMR "T" bolt against a 1717 Annie, probably not a level playing field.

The .17 HMR uses center fire type bullets, the .22 WMR uses rimfire type bullets. That may make a difference.

The .17 HMR wins on LR, the .22 WMR has more whallop on bigger critters. The .17 HMR with FMJ bullets, however, is a pretty good hog killer, better than one would think. You can get FMJ .22 WMR ammo, too. Haven't tried those on hogs, yet...

DF

It's a great little round for the gray fox here in Arizona.

Fun little jack rabbit gun too.


I've never had a single issue with a failure to fire.

Mule Deer, it's a Pro Chronograph and did begin to act up recently, something is loose inside, the case may be glued together and I have not had time to cut it apart to make the repair.

I will probably buy both with the HMR first picking up WMR ammo as it becomes available. The RAR is cheap and threaded, I have the money and love to shoot even if I don't have a lot of time.

I'm a huge .22 WMR guy. With that said, go with the .17 HMR. It's more fun.