.22 mag vs. .17 hmr

[KFhunter]

as long is there isn't a cross wind huh wazukie   

[Wazukie]

As long as there isn't "to much" cross wind 

[actionshooter]

It totally depends on what you want it for.

 I think for squirrels the .17HMR hands down for blowing the little buggers up and for distance, I kill way more ground squirrels at 150+ with my 17 than with the mag, just for the simple fact that the gun shoots flatter.

If I were going to go with a close range yote rifle it would be the .22mag.

 I also think the .17 has a tendency to be more accurate, at least in my rifles.

 I hunt (shoot) squirrels in Oregon every year and have a field where we have shot up to 1500 rounds a day-------each!

[mountainman]

17 hmr..Awesome squirrel gun on those Enterprise pests. 22 mag great for closer shots. Have killed several coyotes out to 200 yrds with the 17, none went more then 50 yards with lung shots

[Heredoggydoggy]

As long as there isn't "to much" cross wind 

I don't buy the cross wind argument.  I was shooting one of my 17 HMRs in a strong crosswind at a playing card 100 yards away one day.  (3 of Clubs card).  I took two shots, and couldn't see any holes in the card with my spotting scope, and thought I was missing the card entirely.  Until I walked up to the target and saw two holes in the center of the card, in the club, 1/2" apart.  The 17 HMR is just a 22 magnum necked down to .17 caliber. Like the difference between the 30-06 and 25-06.  Both are good at what they do... 

[BLR 243]

I shoot both for gophers in Montana. The 22mag slams the gophers the 17 explodes em. My daughter shot 2 one afternoon @ 225 yards (17) you here the telltail thwap sound and then the do the dead squirrel dance. The 17 is a Ruger 77/17 4-14 Leupold, the 22 mag is a Kimber 4-12 redfield.

[C-Money]

I really like the pin point accuracy the .17hmr delivers. I can routinely lay 3 shots touching at 100 yards, and if i get a group that a dime wont cover, I am having a bad day. I shoot the Hornaday 17gr ammo, and it seems to be the best in my rifle, though they all work just fine. I ended up nailing a coyote with mine, he was dead on his feet after the first shot, but I put another in him to get it over with. Prairie dogs? Lights out! Like said above, they blow up!!

[runningboard]

I tried the .17 HMR, while accurate and fun. I found myself back to just using my .22 Mag, so I sold the .17 to a friend. For his youngest son to shoot.

similar story, same ending

[jackmaster]

i have no clue about ballistics and stuff, i have tried to read up on that stuff but it puts me to sleep standing up, so here is a question? what do you want to shoot with it? if its for anything bigger than a ground squirrel why not go with a 222 or a 223  atleast that way you know you have enough gun to do the job, it isnt horribly expensive to buy shells for it and its so much more versital 

[kodiak 907]

I just bought the CZ 455 Lux in .22 WMR.  This thing is a shooter, it's my first CZ and I am sold.

[Gringo31]

I have a 22 mag and not a 17.  I've considered getting one and at one point in my life was wanting to trade it. 

My observations.

The 17's I've shot have all been much more accurate past 75 yards than my mag.  This is attractive to me.

The coyotes I've seen shot with a 17 make me question if a 17 is the right gun for the job, yes, shot placement is critical.

I've probably shot only 15-20 coyotes with my 22 mag, half of those past 100 yards with the long side being 140-150.  I've NEVER had a coyote take a step when shot with the 22 mag.  Behind the shoulder or even somewhat poorly placed seems to plant em everytime.   

[Heredoggydoggy]

If you are looking for a 17 I'd be looking at the 17 Hornet.  If you reload, you can shoot it almost as cheaply as a rimfire.  I have a 17 Fireball, and I can reload the brass and shoot it almost as cheaply as my 17 HMRs.  And if you don't reload, you can always sell the brass to someone who does, and have money to buy more... 

[TeacherMan]

.22mag!!!!!!!! I love my .17 but my .22mag is always consistant! the .17 either kills stuff instantly or it runs forever.

[Kittman]

Seems to me the .22 Mag is more versatile, it can be had in a convertible cylinder revolver such as a Ruger single six.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Seems to me the .22 Mag is more versatile, it can be had in a convertible cylinder revolver such as a Ruger single six.

The 22 Mag is a great cartridge, but I personally would never buy a convertible revolver with the 2 cylinders because once I got it set up for one cartridge, I would NEVER use the other one.