74 replies to this topic

[jawbreaker]

Hey guys I would like to get some opinions about a small game cal. Wich would prefer 17hmr or 22 mag for sqirrels rabbits or cans?I have an AR,22-250 and some 10-22's but would like to get a rimfire fore longer distance shots Ron

[wannakillacoyote]

Will you be shooting in the Condor zone ever? If so, 22mag is the ONLY current rimfire with non-lead ammo available. There is talk about .17hmr coming out in non-lead, but it hasn't happened yet.As for the comparison between the two, with the 22mag, it's gonna have more punch if you decide to shoot larger varmints. The 22mag is also better in the wind. The 17hmr on the other hand will reach out farther/flatter with less punch but more of an explosive effect.If I was deciding between the two, it would come down to one question:Am I EVER gonna want to shoot it at critters in the Condor zone?If the answer is yes, go with the 22mag, no go with the 17hmr.Either way, I HIGHLY recommend the Savage with Heavy barrel and Accutrigger. (I just picked up my 22mag last night).

[Red Dog]

I HIGHLY recommend the Savage with Heavy barrel and Accutrigger.

I have one of these in 17hmr and I am very happy with it. It is very accurate out to 100 yards. After that, the bullet drops fast. The wind is also a major factor when shooting the 17hmr. My Savage is one of my rifles that I will keep forever.

[CCMIND]

I have had rifles in both calibers and have been very happy with both. My .22 mag is a Ruger M77 and the 17hmr I had was a Remington 597. I shot mostly squirrels with both rifles with very good results. If your shots are going to be out to 150 yards you might want to go with the 17. I didn't notice a huge difference between the two in the wind. Both of them don't like much wind. The .22 mag has a little more energy for say a coon, fox or bobcat. Ammo price is a consideration also. Maxi Mag hp's do the best in my rifle and around 8 to 9 bucks a box and the 597 liked the Hornady 20 gr ballistic tip. I found them locally for $10/box. not much difference really. That 17 is a kick to shoot though. Normally you can see your shot hit in the scope.Good luck,Jason

[CoyoteHuntress]

Pppsssssssssssssttt You can buy both Why limit yourself to just ONE

[A17Shooter]

That's the kind of thinking I like.

[Cranky Farmer]

Pppsssssssssssssttt You can buy both Why limit yourself to just ONE

Ding Ding, we have a winner!!

[ECVMatt]

I am with the buy both crowd. I have two Rugers, one in .22M and the other is a .17. I kind of use them differently. I have not had good luck with the .17 and large critters like raccoons and possums. I shoot these a lot in TX. So I use the .22M on them. When I am shooting smaller things like turtles, squirrels, snakes and such I go to the .17. It is super accurate and hammers the smaller type things. If I had to only pick one it would be the .22M. It is a bit more versatile.I like the Rugers and Marlins.I have had bad luck with the Savage, it would not extract rounds. I eventually got it fixed, but I was miffed it came broke from the factory.Matt

[bzzrd feedr]

Will you be shooting in the Condor zone ever? If so, 22mag is the ONLY current rimfire with non-lead ammo available. There is talk about .17hmr coming out in non-lead, but it hasn't happened yet.As for the comparison between the two, with the 22mag, it's gonna have more punch if you decide to shoot larger varmints. The 22mag is also better in the wind. The 17hmr on the other hand will reach out farther/flatter with less punch but more of an explosive effect.If I was deciding between the two, it would come down to one question:Am I EVER gonna want to shoot it at critters in the Condor zone?If the answer is yes, go with the 22mag, no go with the 17hmr.Either way, I HIGHLY recommend the Savage with Heavy barrel and Accutrigger. (I just picked up my 22mag last night).

You are correct on everything except wind deflection, the Hmr is better than the 22 mag.

[Pogo]

Couldn't be happier with a .17 HMR. It is a more accurate round than the .22 mag IMO. A .22 mag could in theory have more knockdown power, but you shouldn't be trying to kill anything so large with a .22 that a .17 wouldn't handle it anyway. And for that sized varmints being able to hit them is the most important.I have a CZ 453 with the single set trigger. Best thing on this place to shoot squirrels with. That gun continues to impress me with it's accuracy, esp now that I bedded it and changed scopes again. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a nice rifle that can hit anything inside 100-150 yds.

[wannakillacoyote]

You are correct on everything except wind deflection, the Hmr is better than the 22 mag.

Really? I thought with the lightweight of the .17hmr, wind would play a bigger role. I stand corrected. :)I found a really interesting article over at Jesse's about comparing the two.http://www.jesseshunting.com/articles/guns/category16/92.html

[clampdaddy]

If you're only going to be shooting squirrels get a .17hmr, only because they are useually a bit more accurate. If you are going after anything larger get the .22wmr. I have shot a "few" feral cats out at the ranch with my .17hmr and often a big tom cat will require one or more follow up shots. My .22 mag puts them down alot quicker. I wouldn't hesitate to use a .22 mag as a bobcat/fox/coyote calling rifle, but even though I know it can be done I wouldn't want to try it with my .17hmr.

[ECVMatt]

I am with Clampdaddy, .22m rules the cats. .256 Winchester is even better. I have had problems with the .17 vs. the porch pussies.Good advice to heed. Matt

[fakawee]

My wife's shot and killed 6 yotes with her Savage .17HMR. Only thing I told her is to make sure the yotes are inside of 100yds and don't aim for any heavy boned areas. So far she's shot them in the chests and one in the neck.

[beerbaitnammo]

I had a .17hmr and it was great when it came to turning ground squirrels inside out. Like others have said, 100yds is about max before wind and bullet drop starts to affect it. Whatever you do...Dont buy the Excel models. Mine blew up on me. I would like to buy another .17hmr just not right now. Have another baby coming so i have to wait for Santa again.

[dirtgimp]

both guns are great.if tree hugger ammo is what your looking for all you have todo is order it.ole boy out doors is the place. justin ordered some lead free 17hmr, 22lr and 22 hornet.ammo should be here in a week or so. granted it's new on the market but hey i'll give it a try.so please don't let the tree hugger ammo affect your choice about the 17hmr.

[Cranky Farmer]

Who is making lead-free 17 HMR ammo?

[dirtgimp]

not sure who is producing it, but it's ordered from just at ole boy outdoors.

[ShooterJohn]

I haven't heard of anyone making non lead .17HMR ammo. I just did a search and can't find any. Plus since I run http://17hmr.net a site about the .17HMR somebody would tell me.

[ehd]

I got a lever-action 22 mag . Lots of hogs fell to that rifle until they outlawed it for hog hunting..

[dirtgimp]

to my understanding justin works with alot of ammo manufactors, and has the inside track on whats come'n out befor the masses.i've been doin alot of business over at his store lately and he's not done me wrong yet.i will post about the ammo when i get it.

[ShooterJohn]

There might be something announced after the SHOT Show. We'll see.

[Bronco]

Sure would be nice to have some of the "Green" for our .17HMR's.

[Cranky Farmer]

I've not heard even a hint about lead-free 17 HMR's. Has anyone?

[jawbreaker]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I'm going to buy a 17 hmr (first), I have an AR and a 22-250 for the bigger stuff so the 22 mag will have to wait for a while.

[300wsm]

I have both cals., and my Ruger 22 mag. hasen't been to the field since I got my CZ 17HMR, it's more accurate and shoots alot flatter,I haven't had any problems with kill power ,I usually shoot jacks and ground rats in my almond orchard. love it, go 17HMR , my ,,300wsm

[Pogo]

I have both cals., and my Ruger 22 mag. hasen't been to the field since I got my CZ 17HMR, it's more accurate and shoots alot flatter,I haven't had any problems with kill power ,I usually shoot jacks and ground rats in my almond orchard. love it, go 17HMR , my ,,300wsm

Another CZ fan... once you go Czech you never go back... local joke here. Nearest town is all Czechs. Or used to be for the earlier settlers. I am real happy with my CZ 453 in .17 hmr. That think is unreal for killing ground squirrels.

[dirtgimp]

UPDATE!!!!! talked to justin at ole boys today and " guess what my LEAD FREE 17hmr ammo should be in around the middle of next mounth.so now you all know 17hmr lead free is on it's way. i cann't wait to get some blood on the barrel.

[Cranky Farmer]

Who makes it? What weight is the bullet?

[ShooterJohn]

Yea more info needed about the manufacturer would be nice.