Not too long ago, I was under the impression that the .22 mag would be affected less by wind than the .17hmr. I was, however, corrected by a couple of people. Whether I or they are right, I have not been able to investigate. I will say this though. I had a CZ452 in .22mag. I was a nice rifle. By the time I finished with the trigger, it was breaking at a crisp 2lbs or so. The rifle was a nice shooter, but I never got anything better than MOA accuracy out of it. Of course, I didn't try all available ammo, but I did try a good assortment. No, MOA isn't bad at all. In fact, it's pretty good, but the enemy of good is better.
Saturday, I had the opportunity to run a couple of mags though a Savage .17HMR. I don't know what model it was. It had a nice walnut finished wood stock (I think), the Accutrigger, and a stainless heavy barrel. Don't know what length it was. It was bone stock, except for the Vortex 3-9X scope that was on it (wasn't crazy about the scope at all). Never having laid eyes on the rifle before, I shot right at around a .8" group with it at 100 yards with the 9X scope. The ammo was some flavor of Hornady. I didn't pay much attention to the box.
After having shot it, I went right inside the shop and inquired into getting one myself. I was quoted a price of right at $300. I think that may be my next 100 yard plinker/target shooter. I know that .17 HMR isn't exactly cheap, but it's cheaper than loading my 77gr loads for my .223, just for shooting at 100 yards. That round is might zippy too. It gets to the target in no time. Nothing like shooting a .22.
This is just speculation, but I suspect that I could have done better with a little more time with the rifle and a better scope. That Vortex just wasn't nearly as clear as what I'm used to.
