For those that have used both of these rimfire cartridges shot out of rifles on game/varmints, which do you think has the edge in killing power?

Thanks, RS

I've had a few of both and prefer the hmr. Not sure I've noticed a big difference in killing power, but I definitely noticed a difference in accuracy. Seems every hmr I've had has been a tackdriver out to 125-150 yards. Every 22mag has been ok to about 50 yards then the groups open up tremendously after that. Only reason I'd go for a 22mag now would be if I needed a heavier bullet for close-in larger game.

Oh no, not this chit again....

is it popcorn and soda pop time again ?

Only experience are with crows and prairie dogs and my vote is the hmr. Night and day difference on them little critters.

If I were going to limit my shots to 50-75 yds the .22 Magnum is a pretty good bone cruncher,but the accuracy of the .17 HMR along with the added velocity makes it a better choice past that range, just plan on head shots past 100 yds.

My best with the .22 was 125yds, with the .17 it was 238yds according to the rangefinder, with an intentional head shot.

Next time you get a chance fill two 1 gallon milk jugs up with water. Shoot one with a 17 HMR at 100 yards and one with a 40 gr JSP 22 magnum at 100 yards. See if that influences your thoughts about penetration, disruption and power.

Both kill hogs with FMJ slugs. I have both. The .17 HMR is an Annie 1717. The .22 WMR is a Browning T-Bolt synthetic. The T-Bolt is lighter and handier. The Annie more accurate. Knocking around, I’m more likely to be packing the Browning. I don’t shoot the Annie that much. Too many other projects. But it is a great rifle, fun to shoot. Not quite up to Annie accuracy, the Browning is no slouch.

DF

22 mag hands down. Tweety birds or prairie dogs it’s a wash. Shot piles of coons, possum and skunks with both, along with some coyotes, 17 has never impressed me

22 mag for bigger, thick skulled varmints. For distance 17 hmr. Easy killing at 200 and some more yards with the hmr on small, furry, or feathered creatures. 😎

17 WSM might be worth tryin if you want the most powerful commonly available rimfire.

I got a Marlin 783 22 mag with a little 1-4x20 on it for fast action and short range thump. Wouldn't mind a lever, pump or auto in 22 mag though.
I'm sure the 17HMR trumps it for small critters at extended range, and is probably a bit quieter to shoot.
But I made my choice and lucked into a bunch of 22 mag ammo on sale.
17 HMR ammo seems to always be available though, even when the 22LR and 22mag was in short supply. So that might be something to consider.

If you want to step up the fun meter. Look at a Ruger 77/17 in 17 WSM. Ammo is the same price as 17 hmr. The Ruger feels like an full size rifle in your paws, and you’re now lazering shots out to 250 plus in low-no wind.

Pat has one and the groups we have compared are ridiculous. Savage makes a 17 WSM but it appears to be almost junk like with its unusual bolt system.

I only looked at the Savage, never shot one. A lot of owners have given the Savage mixed reviews with too many being negative. YMMV

😎

Good job....I was typing, didn’t see your post. 😎

Yours is a better description of what you get with the WSM. Definitely would be the way I'd go if I wanted to try another rimfire. Probably would've already went there if it was a 20WSM slingin 30-ish grain pills.

On prairie dogs and crows, I'd prefer the .17HMR, it's just easier to hit with. On coons, groundhogs and such things, I'd rather have the .22WMR. I've killed coons and groundhogs with the HMR, but they don't kill as cleanly as I'd like them to kill things that size.

Groundhogs ain't milk jugs, and I perfer to judge it by the groundhogs reaction to it, A 30.06 and a 22/250 have similar milkjug explosions at 200 yds,(yes Sir I have tried it before), but at that range the deer knows the difference, too. I'll stay with my previous observation.

[quote=RipSnort]For those that have used both of these rimfire cartridges shot out of rifles on game/varmints, which do you think has the edge in killing power?


Under 5 lbs., I prefer the .17 HMR.

Over 5 lbs., I prefer the .22 Mag.

I shoot called 'cats at close range, sometimes as little as 10', with a Remington 597 in .22 Mag. I don't know if I'd do the same with the .17 HMR.

Side by side on Whistle pigs (small ground squirrels) the 22 Mag had more instant kills and fewer flip flops.

I don't know exactly what you intend to mean by killing power. I can tell you that .22 magnum hits harder if it hits at all. The flatter trajectory gives the HMR more reach. The .22 mag hits harder within its reach. There is no argument with 50% to 100% .. or more .. greater bullet weight ... as long as you hit what you're aiming at. Second factor .. I have not owned any .22 mags as accurate as my HMR.

I've owned 3 relatively decent .22 mags. The first would hold about 1.25 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards. That was a Win 61 magnum back when the only ammo I could find was WW or CCI, both 40 grain JHP loads. The other two, a Ruger 77/22 boat paddle and a Win 9422 mag, both would stay between 1 and 1.25 inches at 100 yards with CCI Maxi Mag +V ammo.

I'll take the HMR for smaller rodents .. up to ground squirrels, maybe a bit bigger. For jackrabbits or even coyotes, .22 mag all the way. Stay with 40s, or the 50 grain Federal load, and though it may not be legal, used carefully, it's pretty effective even on deer. Don't ask how I know, I'll leave it to your imagination.

Tom

I like 22Mag, one friend shoots the HMR. We've clobbered groundsquirrels and the splat factor is about identical. But the mag does have more power, it just does. My gun likes Win. 40JHP and chews ragged hole after ragged hole at 50yds. I'll mostly use the 17AH now, even on squirrels, and it just flat blows the crap out of them.

I like the 30 VMax in the 22mag.

Do we have to choose?

It came out 50 years ago. It's called the 5mm Rem Rim Mag and it kicks both the .22 Mag and the HMR to the curb. Shame that Remingjunk never put it in a rifle that did it any justice OR supported the ammo for more than 20 years.

Be that as it may...………… I still own a pair of them and they DO rule the rimfire roost on killing. Best is 280 lasered yards (lasered it AFTER the shot) on a small groundhog. I'm certain the rifle can do considerably better, given an opportunity.

+1 on Rock chucks to around 15# and Jack Rabbits the 17HMR is excellent. Body shots seriously shock them. Often just a tail twitch and DRT. Shot a chuck last summer at 286 yards on a perfect no wind evening. Anything 200 and under is in serious trouble.

European hares weigb 6 to 8 lbs.

Here is a vdeo of one being poleaxed at 282 yards with a stock CZ 452 Varmint in 17 HMR. First shot hit.

Watch the whole video. You might learn something.:)

I still shoot a 5 mm quite a bit, but the accuracy isn't anywhere near the 17hmr. I'm surprised that Ruger didn't bring the 5 mm back as the 204 RMR.