Since I live in Ohio, this would strictly be used for short range hunting varmint/pest. I already have a .270 and with a 100 gr. soft point, will destroy a ground hog. I just want something with a little more umph that a .22 lr past 100 yards. I know the .17 is a flatter shooter, but looking at the data from CCI's website, the heavier bullet wins on energy in distance. I can pick up a new Savage 93F .22 mag (or .17 HRM), with a 3x9 scope for $239. I'm leaning towards the .22 mag, but I'd like to hear all of your thoughts on this. Sorry if this is a common question. CCI's .22 mag Poly-Tip V-Max (0073) has peaked my interests. Has anyone else used this on varmints with great success? Thanks...
Any reason why I should pick a .17 HRM over a .22 Mag?
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You'll love the .17's astounding accuracy and nonexitant recoil. You'd be happy with either though. Ammo prices are comparable with .17 usually a dollar or two more per box.
BrocLuno
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VA27
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.22WMR packs quite a smack for what it is. The performance gain over .22LR is quite noticeable. It has tons of ammo choices and will easily smoke any varmint in the ranges you are shooting. I do not own a .17HMR, but I am a happy and very satisfied owner of a .22WMR.
It's your call, but you should be very satisfied with the performance of the .22WMR.
It's your call, but you should be very satisfied with the performance of the .22WMR.
Everybody says the 17 is more accurate, faster and flatter.
Problems are:
lightweight bullets get tossed in the wind, light bullets lose velocity faster, lighter bullets don't penetrate as well and you'd need a new cleaning rod.
I'm staying with my 22 Mag.
Problems are:
lightweight bullets get tossed in the wind, light bullets lose velocity faster, lighter bullets don't penetrate as well and you'd need a new cleaning rod.
I'm staying with my 22 Mag.
I can't make the decision myself, but i'm leaning towards .22 mag. I've been trying to decide for a couple years now. .22 lr seems to be good enough for me for now 
absolutely no reason whatsoever, you could have both
most HMRs are supposedly MOA guns and more accurate, except in gusty winds
most HMRs are supposedly MOA guns and more accurate, except in gusty winds
.17 has higher fps and my Savage 93 BTVSS can hit golf balls at .22 yards all day long. I prefer the .17 for squirrel hunting. Just ask the last squirrel who's top half of his head is still somewhere out in the woods. Shot him from underneath in a tree.
Geckgo said:absolutely no reason whatsoever, you could have both
I agree 100%.
I love the accuracy and flat trajectory of my CZ 17HMR... but I sure do miss my old Savage 22Mag.
From my field experience, the 22mag has better terminal performance on animals larger than a squirrel. The 17 is certainly adequate for animals up to a coyote, but for general field use the the .22mag wins.
Generally, the 17 is a better target/varmint round, while the .22mag is the better light hunting round. That has changed a little bit with the introduction of a (singular) controlled expansion round for the 17, but in that regard the 22mag already has many choices. Muzzle blast is a bit less intense with the 22mag as well.
I agree with you.
The .17 HRM was designed for a cheap varmint rifle to shoot prairie dogs etc. all day long without hurting you ears or shoulders and I've seen pooches do somersaults at 200 yds when hit with it.
If you're calling predators to a blind then since your within usually 100 yards it's adequate for fox, coyote, raccoon, lynx and bobcat but I'd be very hesitant of taking them much beyond 150 yds same with woodchuck, marmot and badger.
In a case like this, I would say that it boils down to the ammo--cost, sure, but far more important is local availability...If I run out in the middle of a hunting trip (Back Forty Safari) I want to know what's available in and around my town/city right now and not that I can get it with next day delivery (Extra $10.00 as long as I order before ?? pm) and I could care less that XYZ Co. has it on for $2.00 cheaper...Neither helps me out now.
DM~
Member
Over the years I've owned a .22mag, and a .17HMR. The .17 actually has a better ballistic coefficent than the .22 but that doesn't mean the wind won't blow it around a LOT, just a little less than the .22. I still have the .17 and it's great for prairie dogs and jackrabbits out to 150 yards or so. I don't consider either of them as a good coyote round. Adequate under certain conditions but if I'm headed coyote hunting I'm going to a more powerful gun and that goes for the smaller stuff past 150 also.
I made this decision last spring. I went with the .22mag and am completely happy. I have no data to support my decision though, I was standing in the gun store looking at the rifles and was trying to decide between Savage in .17 and a Marlin in .22. I went with the .22 mag just because I liked the Marlin rifle better.
My Marlin loves CCI Maxi-Mags 40 gr lead round nose.
My Marlin loves CCI Maxi-Mags 40 gr lead round nose.
I own a Marlin bolt action in 17 HRM and one in 22 WMR. Basically twins with different size bores. The 17 shoots for tighter at 100 yds than does the 22 mag. As soon as I run out of 22 mag ammo that rifle is going down the road. The 17 I'll hang on to. For about the same ammo price I'll stick with the more accurate.
I just posted a video that shows the power a .17 still has at 100 yards to my youtube page.
www.youtube.com/johnnymurad
My .17 is my favorite rifle...
www.youtube.com/johnnymurad
My .17 is my favorite rifle...
Beer cans care kind of cheating for maximum affect. They put out a lot of spray and look cool vs a water bottle or other soda. Try tossing one up and shooting it with a shotgun next time, it looks like snow Good shooting.
Good shooting.0-3 there. Weight has nothing directly to do with any of those things. For the first, velocity and ballistic coefficient are the sole determinants. The .17HMR fires a more streamlined bullet at a considerably higher velocity. That's a double benefit when compared to the .22WMR. The .17 will exhibit less wind drift at all ranges when the two are compared. For the second, that is a factor of BC again and the .17 is better. For the last, that is a function of velocity, sectional density and bullet construction. The standard bullets used in those two cartridges have an essentially identical SD and are both of the same general construction so with a clear velocity advantage, the .17 would be superior. Where this proves to not be the case is where the .22 has lost enough velocity that it is below upset velocity at impact and behaves like a FMJ solid instead of a frangible varmint bullet. The reality in either case is that both have more than sufficient penetration to cleanly dispatch varmints and small game at their respective effective ranges (which due to higher velocity and less wind drift is longer for the .17).
You got one right at least, but that's like not buying a new car because it uses a different oil filter wrench or has different sized lug nuts.
BigN
Member
I have both and once I got the 17, I never use the 22 mag any more. The 17 is more accurate and harder hitting at any range used. I know what the specs say on paper but that's not always the case. Maybe it's just my particular guns but as far as I'm concerned there is no comparison. 17 wins hands down in both the accuracy and power fields. Just get both and check it out for yourself.
Both are excellent calibers however I prefer the 22 Magnum myself due to heavier bullet choices and larger diameter that being said I do have a friend who owns a Savage 93 in 17HMR and that gun is what I'd call scary accurate not to mention it also has an Accu-trigger.
Gonna play devils advocate here.
Past 100yds buy a .223. Ammo isn't any more expensive, at least around here, and you can reload if you wish. If you already reload and .223 is a bit more than you need a 22 hornet would be nice.
Past 100yds buy a .223. Ammo isn't any more expensive, at least around here, and you can reload if you wish. If you already reload and .223 is a bit more than you need a 22 hornet would be nice.
+1 on .223 at distance... good for anything up to coyote and two-legged zombies. For small stuff go for "varmint" rounds (hollow points).
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