Which rimfire?

[Rob96]

I am looking to get a rimfire rifle for small game up to and including fox. Which rimfire would serve me better, 17hmr or the 22 WMR?

 

[oldfool]

highly subjective re: "woobie wars", but most (?) folks consider the hummer a better round for target shooting, but WMR better for hunting
good news, you can own and enjoy both, of course

for non-edible very small varmints, the hummer does fine (tends to make a mess of 'em)

both tend to be a tad too light on coyote size game... but "up to fox size", no problem

 

[Uncle Mike]

Across the board....the 22MAG is better.
The 17 is good, for what it does, but the 22MAG, albeit slower and possessing somewhat more curvature to its trajectory preforms better on game, in more situations.

It is too bad the 5mm Rimfire Magnum is not around right now, for it is superior to both.

 

[skidooman603]

Amen to the 5mm Rim Mag

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For small game, the .22 WMR, hands down, but with solid, not hollow point or plastic tipped bullets -- both the .22 WMR and .17 HMR will literally blow squirrels and rabbits in half with expanding bullets.

For varmits, again I'd go with the .22 WMR -- and again use solids for fox, so you don't ruin the pelts. For coyotes, groundhogs and similar critters, expanding bullets are better.

 

[sledhead76]

I agree, I love my 17HMR, but it does seem to have a more explosive end result than the 22 does. If you're just hunting for fun, I'd opt for the 17, but if you're collecting fur the 22 is probably better

 

[Uncle Mike]

I have been using the 22mag for squirrels for years, use Federal FMJ.

As Vern says, hollow points will ruin dinner! lol hehehe

 

[rangerruck]

17's are better than 22's. Period. an hmr will shoot , with a 100 yard zero, a flat shot out to 150 yards, with only about a 1/2 inch rise somewhere between 50 and 70 yards, depending on how your rig is set up, and at 150 yards, that shot will only be about 3 inches low.
I actually prefer the 17 mach 2; does what the hmr does, but with 50 yards less of trajectory, but ammo is 1/3 the cost. plus a mach 2 rifle will shoot 17 aguila rounds. solid tipped 20 grain rounds.

 

[rangerruck]

... and again, the 5mm mag smokes both... I am still waiting--- Savage CZ marlin.... someone make a new darn rifle in 5mag!!!!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

17's are better than 22's. Period.

And the .22 Hornet is better still. But the question is about hunting "small game up to and including fox." For small game, the .22 WMR with solid (FMJ) bullets is better.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

out of the two id take the .22mag hands down. Niether make much sense to me as if i want to plink ill do it with a 22lr and i can load hornets with cast bullets much cheaper then either of the other two and have much more power.

 

[REAPER4206969]

 

[MNgunhead]

I bought a Savage 17hmr to hunt squirrels. It is super accurate so I thought it would be the perfect squirrel gun. The first tree rat I shot at was nearly cut in half by the wicked power of that little bullet. I've since backed down to the old 22 long rifle. It doesn't pop em quite as hard but has enough to drop them clean.

 

[Quiet]

I vote .22MAG.

Have you seen this about the .17HMR?

Major ammunition manufacturers have issued safety notices concerning the use of .17 HMR ammunition in semi-auto firearms. According to the manufacturers, firing .17 HMR ammo in semi-auto firearms could result in property damage or serious personal injury and should be immediately discontinued.

 

[DNS]

In years past i've used 22mag CCI hollowpoints on coyotes and bobcats - one shot kills. I know several people around here that have used it on deer with great results (didn't say it was legal).
On price I prefer ten dollars per fifty for 22mag compared to fifteen dollars per fifty for the 17s.

Mike

 

[MJ]

Why destroy everthing you shoot? When I was a kid we harvested lots of rabbit and game birds with the .22lr. I know birds and rabbits wear armor today so you need 3400fps to bring down old Peter Wabbit but try a head shot with a .22lr.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The first tree rat I shot at was nearly cut in half by the wicked power of that little bullet. I've since backed down to the old 22 long rifle.

It's been my experience that even the Winchester bulk pack .22 LR hollowpoints have more authority than I like, and I always try for head shots when using them.

 

[Isher]

Both the .22 LR and the WMR have their uses and purposes.

Try to have both, if you can.


If push came to shove,

I would choose the .22 LR,

Even though the WMR is my go to gun.

It is a wicked effective cartridge,

S'long as you can be accurate with it.

isher