17 hmr OR 22 wmr??!!

Deemoss · #1 12-18-2009, 01:20 AM

need advice... which is a better calibre for rabbits?

noneck180 · #2 12-18-2009, 01:32 AM

CZ 452 Varmint 17 HMR

gramps73 · #3 12-18-2009, 08:34 AM

Get the 17hmr, I have seen shows from the states that they are used for anything from ground squirles to yotes...
g

Tundra Monkey · #4 12-18-2009, 09:28 AM

Got a buddy up here that kills a ton of wolves with his 17......says he never his 22mag anymore.

tm

Okotokian · #5 12-18-2009, 09:50 AM

I have a .22WMR. and I like it. But if you are OK with the ammo cost and availability I'd go with the .17. More range for smacking rabbits, gophers, things of that size at long range, and a bit more accurate. I know some might disagree but I wouldn't feel comfortable using either on coyotes. So if we restrict it to the small stuff the .17 is a bit better, IMHO.

Here is a summary from a good Chuck Hawks article on the subject:

"Summary and conclusion

The .17 HMR and .22 WMR are both useful varmint and small game cartridges. Ammunition and rifles for both are widely distributed and commonly available. Recoil and muzzle blast are low for both, particularly from a rifle. They are good cartridges for use in semi-populated areas.

.17 HMR ammunition is generally more expensive than .22 WMR ammunition, but the difference will not be an unbearable burden to most small game and varmint hunters. For inexpensive practice at the range, neither is in the price class of the .22 Long Rifle.

Used with proper ammunition, the .17 HMR has an advantage in velocity, trajectory, and accuracy. The .22 WMR has an advantage in energy, bullet frontal area, sectional density, and consequently killing power.

After researching and writing this article, I have reached a conclusion about these two cartridges. I would favor the .22 WMR for shooting small game and varmints within 100 yards, and the .17 HMR if shots often run much beyond that distance. "

The article itself can be found at: http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm

double gun · #6 12-18-2009, 01:04 PM

I had a 17HMR for a few years, and killed a handful of coyotes, and lots of gophers with it. It was cool and I enjoyed it.... if you intend to shoot mostly little stuff (rabbits/gophers/grouse) go for it. If I was picking today, for my uses I would go the 22mag hands down.

rmk800 · #7 12-18-2009, 01:15 PM

Keepin mind the differences in bullet weight between the 2.
The .17 is commonly produced with a 17 grain bullet, while the 22wmr provides options from 25 grain up to 45....
That may be partially the reason for increased velocity with the .17 when compared to the 22wmr.

4thredneck · #8 12-18-2009, 05:43 PM

Wind affects the 17 a lot more than the 22 mag.

shooter55 · #9 12-18-2009, 06:34 PM

lately the ammo for the 22 mag is much more reasonable than the 17hmr. I have both, and the 17 mach - I think the 22 mag is the better value and shoots a heavier bullet....

TreeGuy · #10 12-18-2009, 06:50 PM

Another vote for the .22mag here.

Tree

Deemoss · #11 12-21-2009, 01:25 AM

thanks a lot to all of you... i really appreciate all your tips...

Dean2 · #12 12-21-2009, 04:56 AM

If you handload you may want to seriously consider the 22 Hornet. Handloads are about the same price as 22 Mag (1$11/50 for reloads) and cheaper than 17 HMR. (Factory loads are $29/50 for PRVI at Pro-line in Calgary).

They will push a 40 grain Sierra Blitzking at 3100 fps and will easily out perform either of the two you asked about, while making about the same amount of noise as a 17 HMR. For those of us who reload it is a great choice. I rarely use my 17 much after getting the Hornets.

elkhunter11 · #13 12-21-2009, 06:02 AM

How about the .17 Mach 2?Ammunition costs about half of what the 17hmr ammunition costs.

HaMeR · #14 12-21-2009, 07:38 AM

If you're eating the rabbits I would opt for the 22Mag. In my experience the HMR is a wonderful round but it tore up the thin skinned edible critters too much for my liking. I've blown whole front legs off of tree rats with the HMR & ruined plenty of meat on rabbits too. The 22Mag has only on occasion ruined much meat. If you're leaving them lay I would grab the HMR & giggle at the carnage brought forth by it.

double gun · #15 12-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

How about the .17 Mach 2?Ammunition costs about half of what the 17hmr ammunition costs.

I was going to try one out, but chickened out when I couldnt find ammo locally and only at one store in Edmonton. I think it would be great for gophers. Since then I have seen ammo in a few stores - if its still around in a few years I may still have to rebarrel my 77/22.

elkhunter11 · #16 12-21-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

I was going to try one out, but chickened out when I couldnt find ammo locally and only at one store in Edmonton. I think it would be great for gophers. Since then I have seen ammo in a few stores - if its still around in a few years I may still have to rebarrel my 77/22.

I am going about it the other way around.I bought a 17 Mach 2,and if the ammunition ever disappears,the gun will be rebarreled to 22lr.In the meantime I will buy a substantial amount of 17mach2 ammunition this spring.

double gun · #17 12-21-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I am going about it the other way around.I bought a 17 Mach 2,and if the ammunition ever disappears,the gun will be rebarreled to 22lr.In the meantime I will buy a substantial amount of 17mach2 ammunition this spring.

I would like to see how it performs on gophers. The 17HMR was pretty good at "poping" them - not what a hornet does, but not bad for a rimfire. If the 17M2 can pop or toss them - I may have to pursue the round.

Canuck44 · #18 12-21-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaMeR

If you're eating the rabbits I would opt for the 22Mag. In my experience the HMR is a wonderful round but it tore up the thin skinned edible critters too much for my liking. I've blown whole front legs off of tree rats with the HMR & ruined plenty of meat on rabbits too. The 22Mag has only on occasion ruined much meat. If you're leaving them lay I would grab the HMR & giggle at the carnage brought forth by it.

X2 - 22 mag nice clean kill, 17 hmr what a mess but did you see it fly through the air?

predatorzedge · #19 12-21-2009, 10:11 PM

I have had the 17hmr, bought it new; a marlin with laminated stock and varmint barrel, found it deadly acurate at 80yrds but after that it didnt seem to like accuracy very much with a little bit of wind. It tends to drift bad, and with the windy days seemingly being more nowadays was no good for me. I shot the 22mag and found it to be more my likeing for fox at 150yrds. Its all in your preferance. If you can best way is to try each one. Ask your local gun store to take you to a range, I did and now prefer the 22mag. Jus my opinion.

Okotokian · #20 12-22-2009, 07:03 AM

What range do you think you are going to be hunting rabbits at? IF it's not that far might want to consider the old .22lr and all that super-cheap ammo. Also messes up the meat the least if you are planning to eat it. Just a thought.

aulrich · #21 12-22-2009, 02:04 PM

Ahh I have not been hanging around the forms for a while and look what disscussion comes up, fits like an old pair of jeans.

Depends on the rabbits jacks or bush if bush then neither. If jacks I would lean towards 17 because of more reliable long range expansion.

But the last experience I have with jacks was with a 22 hornet which is the cats pajamas for the job.

Now what I need to find is a good 30-06 vs 270 thread

Timo · #22 12-22-2009, 03:30 PM

.17 HMR Devastation warning graphic!
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Warning still graphic

.17HMR is a good round and you will not be dissapointed. The .22 mag is great as well and you can't go wrong with either

Tundra Monkey · #23 12-22-2009, 07:31 PM

I doesn't do that to a wolf

Nice little holes

tm

raised by wolves · #24 12-24-2009, 11:11 PM

I wish I had never bought the 17HMR. I finally got mine shooting a decent grouping, but that is under perfect conditions. Just the slightest breeze will cause 4 inches of drift on a target under 50 metres. Kickin myself for not going with the 22WinMag or even the 22LR.

shooter55 · #25 12-25-2009, 08:19 AM

also agree on the Hornet, if you reload. I have a 22, 22mag, 17mach and 17hmr and they all have their good and bad points...right now, the price of 17hmr ammo has me concerned. I love my marlin and it is an amazing shooter...however, my cheapie 17mach groups pretty nice....the 22mag is a old Rem 597 which has operated flawlessy...ammo is cheaper than the 17 and it chews up the gophers nicely. For rabbits, it would be my choice...however you can load a variety of bullets with the Hornet..
so many choices......shooting is similar to golf....you can't just hit the field with one club!

catnthehat · #26 12-25-2009, 01:14 PM

The biggest difference between the two, is accuracy at the longer ranges.
The 17 is much more accurate, simply because the 22WMR has crimped bullets
that are heeled, the 17 has conventional crimped jacketed bullets, which are much more accurate a system.
I'm not sure which is cheaper, but I would assume the 22WMR, because of the bullets.
I have a 22mag that I used for beavers for a time, but use a loaded down 22Khornet for the last number of years as I found it to be super accurate with lower noise levels.....
Cat

Deemoss · #27 12-25-2009, 06:30 PM

well... first i wish you all a merry x-mas & a wonderful 2010....
then i'd like to genuinely thank each and every one of you for their valuable advice... i started with the 22mag, and i guess i'll add the hmr down the line...

now the bigger dilemma is to find the small buggers... i need to justify my cz's existence and more importantly my existence and bag some rabbits :-)

if any of you have any advice or need a partner, please let me know...

again, thank you all

HaMeR · #28 12-26-2009, 06:53 AM

Whatdja get?? Whatdja get?? Whatdja get man?? We need pics!!

Those CZ's are nice. Which one is it.

elkhunter11 · #29 12-26-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

I'm not sure which is cheaper, but I would assume the 22WMR, because of the bullets.

The 17hmr ammunition costs significantly more than the 22mag,and the 17mach2 costs about 1/2 the price of 17hmr.

Deemoss · #30 12-26-2009, 03:53 PM

got the 452 lux... beautiful.. love the european stock... shot it a couple times but yet to attach a dinner to its name :-))
i'm a lazy ***** and know it'll take me ages to post the pix, but i'll do my best to put them up ASAP,,,
actually i need to put the rest of my guns as well... maybe they'll find a significant other on this forum :-))