17HMR

[Wanttohuntmore]

Love my savage 93 in 17HMR.  If I was to do it again I'd get a CZ though, just looks better.  But the savage is a shooter (sub-moa at 100 yards), so I can't complain.  I've taken sage rats, rabbits, and racoons with mine.  I think with proper placement you could do bobcats and coyotes, but I would not want to try it.  The racoon I took head on did a backflip and was dead.  I've shot racoons with a 22lr and never had that type of response.  Rabbits are also a  bang/flop type of thing.  Just aim at their heads, or right behind their shoulder (either it removes the head, or the entrails).  I'm really thinking of picking up an HM2 just due to ammo costs, course not sure if I'll be pleased with the trajectory/power.  I'm sure the hm2 will be fine though.

[KLRKeith]

I love mine.  It's super accurate and still cheap to shoot.  I've shot 10 yotes and only lost one.  The one I lost was around 150yards; all the rest under 100 yards.  I'm using the CCI TNT which has a much thicker jacket than all the rest. 
On ground diggers I'm using the XTP bullets that just explode them.

[bighorns2bushytails]

ive got a 17hmr and a 22mag.  i prefer shootin the 22mag.  i like my little 17 but the ammo is more expensive and the 22mag is just plain fun to shoot.  i think its about a wash as far as ballistics.  the 17's a little smaller and faster but the 22mags a little bigger but slightly slower.  if your going for coyotes id suggest a centerfire cartridge.  if your plinking id go with the one with the cheapest most readily available ammo.

--BH2BT

[demontang]

Id take a 22mag over the 17hmr. Theres way to many problems with the 17 ammo and the cost isnt worth it.

[huntnphool]

Where it does excel is a low noise varmint shooting out to about 200 yards max,

 Mookie, last month we were having no issues dialing up the scope and shooting praire dogs out to 300 yards.

[Intruder]

I will be honest, I have zero use for the HMR. But it is one of the most fun calibers to shoot, almost as much fun as the HM2. The reason I have no use for it, $$$$$$, way to expensive to shoot. It it to much to spend on plinking ammo, it is to powerful to use for small game, except maybe rabbits, and not powerful enough, IMO, and not legal to use on coyote or other similar. You can actually reload 223 and 22 hornet cheaper than it is to shoot.
Where it does excel is a low noise varmint shooting out to about 200 yards max, again IMO.

I would never discourage anyone from buying one, they are great to shoot and fun. But make sure you are willing to spend $12 for 50 rounds, and more, to shoot it.

If it is just for plinking get a 22. $18 for 500 rounds and will double as a close in rat getter. Another option is either the 22 mag, while it does not have the flat trajectory as the HMR, you can find cheaper ammo and they have made astounding strides in quality since the HMR came out, getting their butts  handed to them will do that.

I actually use the HM2. Runs about $7 for 50 locally, I buy it online for $4 shipped, and blows the 22lr out of the water for performance and matches the HMR out to 100 yards. Rifles are somewhat hard to find but ammo is plentiful and cheap, especially since I have about 8K that I bought for less than 4 bucks.

+1 Hard to argue w/ that assessment.

[alanger]

17HMR = good time; shooting, hunting, plinking.

my favorite small caliber rifle.