22 magnum or 17HMR?

[Hunter300]

Which would you choose and why for vermin?
.22 magnum or 17hmr

 

[andyk]

I’ve got both and, if I was forced, I’d go WMR. I do like the HMR though, so to me there’s no bad choice.

I’ve been swayed as I find wind drift to be what limits range and that’s a problem before the HMR shows real benefit from the flatter trajectory, meaning I don’t consider the HMR is necessarily a much longer range cartridge.

On the flip side, the WMR does smack things a bit harder.

 

[tackb]

The 22wmr comes alive with the 30-33gr ammo , i nearly gave up on mine but once I’d tried the lighter ammo it was great !

Nothing wrong with the 17hmr rifle detonations due to dodgy ammo aside!

 

[Hunter300]

I have a HMR and love it, something leeps on pulling me towards a WMR..
The HMR has one really good quality in the sense that it knocks down with n force and doesn’t go through causing trouble “down range”
What us the WMR like in that sense

 

[andyk]

Would say it depends a bit on the bullet.

They’ll all go out the back with a bit more substance than a HMR but the 30/33gr bullets still break up fairly substantially.

The 40gr plus are either the same in construction as a .22LR or are harder, as some have a ‘proper’ jacket. Those are going to exit with a bullet that’s still fairly intact.

 

[tackb]

I have a HMR and love it, something leeps on pulling me towards a WMR..
The HMR has one really good quality in the sense that it knocks down with n force and doesn’t go through causing trouble “down range”
What us the WMR like in that sense

Was never an issue for me ?

I do wonder what a 22wmr will do for you that your 17hmr that you are happy with doesn’t?

One thing i will say is check ammo availability local to you , 17hmr was always way more available than 22wmr in my experience

 

[Hunter300]

Was never an issue for me ?

I do wonder what a 22wmr will do for you that your 17hmr that you are happy with doesn’t?

One thing i will say is check ammo availability local to you , 17hmr was always way more available than 22wmr in my experience

If I am honest it’s been an “itch” for quite some time and I thought to start this post in order to work out if it’s worth scratching.
So far it seems not

 

[tackb]

If I am honest it’s been an “itch” for quite some time and I thought to start this post in order to work out if it’s worth scratching.
So far it seems not

There is one other advantage , you can get some tasty semi autos in 22wmr !

 

[One on top of two]

Over the years ive owned Three .22wmrs , not one could group better than 1.5 " at 100m most were up to 2" .

I then went over to hmr and problem solved ,groups are max 1" at 100m on a bad day .

I don't use my past 130-140m on bunny's and 80m on fox

 

[Hunter300]

Over the years ive owned Three .22wmrs , not one could group better than 1.5 " at 100m most were up to 2" .

I then went over to hmr and problem solved ,groups are max 1" at 100m on a bad day .

I don't use my past 130-140m on bunny's and 80m on fox

See this is it, I've heard this more than once, perhaps I should stop thinking about the itch and just enjoy my HMR

 

[Confidis]

Hmr .
Less is more . I particularly like the smaller frangible 17g of lead whizzing about.
Although the safe is safe crowd will be along I use my hmr in many places I wouldn't use my 308 .
I had a wmr initially couldn't get on with it .

 

[One on top of two]

See this is it, I've heard this more than once, perhaps I should stop thinking about the itch and just enjoy my HMR

This is only my personal opinion but if the hmr is used correctly ( for me ) as a 150 m bunny's basher and a close range fox rifle , say at sub 80m i don't think the slight extra power of the WMR is worth the loss of general accuracy . And the WMR BC on all the ammo is shite compared to the hmr , i did find the WMR to be not very good in the wind .

Most days my hmr will group 1/2 - 3/4" consistently.

I hated the hmr for many years , i just couldn't get on with it and why i stuck with the WMR for so long but looking back i just had no real clue about wind calls with such a little calibre .i moved over to the hmr , Now many years on im like Dead eyed Dick with the bugger

Just to point out i have never had a dodgy round , only use Remington accutip

 

[Roncon1]

WMR for me all the way, I always had one untill I swapped for a HMR to scratch an itch, currently looking a nice WMR to swap back

 

[Sash]

I have a Sako Quad, and have had all the barrels except the entirely unlamented HMach2.
I now mainly shoot in Pembrokeshire - we have a bit of wind!
My quarry, in clear descending order, are Fox, Canadas, rabbits and crows.
For me, the .17HMR was first to go: hopeless in wind, and no use for the foxes or Canadas.
Next will be the .22R: not enough range, even if I can mitigate the risk of ricochets.
The WMR gets better the more I shoot it: hits point of aim as far as my torch will reach at night, and authoritative at longer ranges (IF I get my windage and drops correct) by day.
Compared to the HMR, there is no contest for me!

 

[nf-fuse]

If find any 20 grain soft points to very effective in 17,HMR.