Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Why 22mag when 17HMR is so much better?

I have both and find the 17HMR to be way better. The main reasons are longer range and more explosive on impact. I use it to shoot small rodents and it's a 200 yard gun! The 17 gr bullet generally explodes on impact and really knocks them down. So IMHO it is way better.

The only applications where 22mag is better are shooting heavier bullets in the wind or when you need more stopping power.

I would not consider getting a new 22mag. Its 17HMR all the way. What do you think?

In my honest opinion the 17 HRM is a total waste. That is just one mans opinion.

I can't wait for this one to get going.

Time to put on the popcorn.

drover

It is the right mans opinion.

So what is it about 17HMR that you don't like? It is more accurate, has longer effective range and more destructive on impact. I guess 22mag could be better if you wanted to eat what you shoot and can't manage head shots.

The .17 shoots flatter, but the WMR hits harder. I don't have a WMR, the .17HMR suits me best on prairie dogs, crows and lightweight stuff, but I gotta say I think it's a bit light for coons, coyotes and other mid-sized stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I think the .17HMR is the berries for light stuff, mine shoots great, is way more accurate than it deserves to be, etc. but it doesn't hit very hard.
I MAY end up buying a WMR barrel for my new CZ 455, but I have a Hornet which will do all the WMR does, and more, so it would be just to see how one shoots. However, if I were coon shooting or coyote or bobcat hunting, I think I'd rather have the .22 Mag. I DO think the HMR is plenty for foxes, they aren't built too heavy, and are thin-skinned enough for the HMR to do it's thing.
Why not one of each? Might as well have a lot of fun with them all!

The 22 mag is much more effective on coyotes.

If you load down a 223 or 22-250 you could have the best of both worlds, 22 mag bullet weight and 17HMR velocity. If you use blue dot loads, and buy bullets in bulk they don't cost any more to shoot.

A rifle is like a tool. There are applications for a 22wmr and there are applications for a 17HMR. If I want to shoot paper or crows at 200 yards give me a 17HMR. If I want to hunting for coons give me a 22mag. Neither is better than the other. I just depends on what job you want it to do. I have both and will never get rid of either.

Reggie

I shot two coyotes at ranges from 25-35 yards, broadside with a 17 HMR, they were never found.

22 Mag with Winchester Super X 40g hp seems to hit 4x as hard as the 17 hmr.

For Richardson's ground squirrels, p. dogs, chipmunks, black birds, Crows the 17 hmr is a great round.

+1

But of course the real king of the rimfires is the 5mm remington mag. Maybe someone will announce a new rifle at Shot show in Jan

I didn't realize the .22 mag was less accurate than the .17? I've got two of each and accuracy appears to be directly related to price point. All will provide enough accuracy to wallop raccoons at 50 yards with enough left over for my lousy judgment of distance. Have never considered using them on anything larger. After purchasing a second rifle in each caliber and having apples to apples comparisons per price, the .17 has in fact gained ground on the .22 mag in my estimation.

I still prefer the .22 mag by a small margin. Further, I think its a mistake to pretend either is anything more than it really is. Modest range varmint eradication guns to be used on animals that don't require retrieval 100% of the time.

+1 on the old 5mm RRF being king of the rimfire hill.

I'd LOVE to have a CZ or a heavy-barreled Savage in the hot 5. Until then I'll just have to slum it with my 591M and 592M.

I just bought a Cooper in 17HMR for Sage Rat hunting.

The 17 is just right for these little "rodents"

Also have a 22 Mag. in a Winchester 94-22. It's better for bigger critters.

I like BOTH, for there intended uses, and couldn't have just one or the other.

Virgil B.

Dude, you still around?

Call me.

BMT

Why own a 9/16 wrench when a 3/8 is so much smaller, lighter, and easier to use in tight spaces?



Bruce

IMHO a wise man with a strong point

Hank

I've owned several .22 WMR's over the years and most have come and gone. Everytime I find myself without one, I always seem to think "wish I had a .22 mag."

That said, I ended up buying a S&W 48 no dash model with a 6" barrel and love to carry it when woods walking. I then wanted an accurate rifle so chambered as well. After researching the matter I ended up buying a new Marlin stainless bolt action/tube fed rifle with a laminated stock. I believe the model number is 883S. I installed a Pentax Pioneer 3x9 scope on it with the ballistic plex reticle and it flat out shoots!

I've been teaching my girlfriend to shoot, mind you she had never fired a gun before in her life. On the second trip to the range I took the Marlin and a dozen eggs with me as they do a lot of egg shoots at my club and so have the egg holders on top of the target frames. After teaching her to use that rifle, she proceeded to shoot 4 eggs straight at 100 yards! When that first egg exploded you should have heard the yell she let out!

For a plain ole hunting rifle, I think "minute of egg" is pretty good!

Keith

Even on sage rats, I like the bigger holes and additional "thump" of the 22 MAgnum. On Rockchucks and Raccoons - no contest. Have had several of both, only have a 22 Magnum now. Lower ammo cost as well.

For your intended uses maybe but you are brushing a large stroke and have obviously not shot a lot of stuff bigger then small rodents. I'd suggest keeping it that way. Ever think someone else may have a different application than yours?

Bottom line is the Hummer does have a great niche but it does not include killing larger small game like coons, fox, etc. reliably. Don't tell me yest it can cause you head shoot stuff. That is not a gauge of a cartridge.

The 22 magnum is a better tool overall...