Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires .17 wsm vs. .17HMR vs. .22 Mag

I've flirted with the idea of a 17HMR for a long time. Finally went down the local SW and picked up one in the RAR Compact. For the price I don't see how I can go wrong.

On the ammo front, the only thing I could source today was Hornady 17gr Vmax ammo. I think it'll be fine but I was hoping to snag some 20gr as well.

Anyone with acase of Hornetitis should get hold of the pair of articles Ross Seyfried wrote in Rifle and Handloader about 2000 or 2001 or so. Good stuff. MuleDeer has done some good stuff as well.

I just ordered a Browning T-Bolt Sporter in .17HMR and a few hundred rounds. I really looked at getting the CZ 455 but ultimately spent a little more for fit and finish. Some guys say the CZ is a little more accurate but lets face it...it's not a bench rifle. I plan on plinking and crows up to 100 yds. I'll let you know how it shoots in a couple of weeks when I have time to sight it in and take it out.

Gavin

A .17HMR in a CZ is just about perfection. Although I've had luck with my Ruger 77/17s also.

On small game, they do some nice work and you and usually find ammo anywhere.

Not so much for the .22WMR.

The .17WSM is intriguing but I would be concerned of it going the way of the .17HM2 if better rifle and ammo options don't take hold.

At the least we all have good options with all three rounds. Something for everyone? I went with 22 mag simply because it excellent at the magic 100 yds. I can just always get to that range (my mini grand). Often, much closer on G-hogs! But, I enjoy stalking them and trying to get close as possible. My closest shot was at 3 yrds, with 22 mag single six ( my plan B). Here in Maryland my shots are seldom beyond 100. If I lived out west where critters were farther away, one of the 17s would be in the mix.

17 HMR.




Travis

When we hit the gopher field it is in groups.....
22 mag ricochet......alot.
17hmr can too......rarely.

HMR ammo is cheaper at halfwaygaymart (Bi-Mart for you libs), center of mass beyond 100 and never was in shortage.

17HMR.....i shoot gophers(richardsons ground squirrels) more often than prairie dogs by far and its been ideal.....plus i noticed around here atleast, while 22LR was hard to find i could get ahold of all the 17HMR i wanted.....to me its a significant improvement over the 22LR for what small varmint hunting i do.....

.22 mag ammo is way harder to find around here and 17 hmr is everywhere. the cool thing about a .22 mag is you can shoot .22wrf in them too. Its a more versitle chambering but ammo availability is a pita. I would go with a 17 hmr myself.

.17 HMR gets My vote here.................Hb

I'd wait to see what happens with the 17wsm. Maybe if Ruger has success with it more rifles and loads will become available. It's definitely the best round as far as the numbers go. As it is right now the options are extremely limited either really expensive (Franklin AR) or cheesy (b.mag). The B.Mag seems rushed and just thrown together with little quality control. The fit and finish is even subpar for a Savage firearm. The accuracy definitely doesn't do it any favors. I think people are really excited about this kind of power in a rimfire and is the reason it's not dead already. Sad that Savage put a contract on the cartridge and put such a crappy product to support it out. I guess if you are the only one that can make it you don't have to care if it's good.

Also since you are already have a 10/22... why not look at the 204, 22 hornet, or 22-250?

I have a B Mag and I love it. It is a handy little thing that really packs a wallop. I have only shot mine out to 50 yards but the groups at that range are very good. Everyone that shoots it loves it.