how effective is the 17HMR vs 22LR,22WMR,etc.?

[hans g./UpS]

I see a lot of 17HMR chambered rifles listed for sale.
Am I the only one who is skeptical of this cartridge[and the 22WMR]from a cost basis?i.e.I can download 223,9mm and 38Spec for less $$
Thanks.

[Lawdog]

The .17 HMR is alright on animals say up to 15 pounds or so.  But on larger animals the bullets are to fragile and break up.  I did a comparison between the .22 WMR and the .17 HMR and the .17 was affected by the wind more and did not penetrate as well as the .22 mag either.  The .22 WMR has been around for many, many years but I don't think the .17 HMR will make it unless they bring the price of the ammo way down to the same as .22 WMR.  My opinion another 5mm Remington.  Lawdog
 

[maddmaxx]

I love my .17HMR, and I'd bet it stays around. Lot of people don't roll their own and it fills a nitch. High power rifle for small game.

[KF9VH]

I enjoy shooting my 17HMR more than any gun I have ever owned. I have been shooting for over 35 years.

I think most that have one feel about the same.

[KN]

I have yet to shoot a 22lr or mag out at 225yds and be able to hit anything.  can do it easily with my 17HMR's. Yes they are more expensive than 223 or most every other 22 cal that I reload, but theres just some thing about them that makes them really fun to shoot. Can't really explain it.  KN

[darko]

Watch the language. We don't allow foul language on GBO. GB i live in santa cruz, bolivia and most people here have .22 LR rifles and hunt large animals with them, they kill jaguars, tapirs, deer , boar and other type of medium-biggame.  ive seen it, it is very common.I even killed a tropero(whit lipped pecarry or something like that) and a urina(small deer) with my .22 lr .

[JohnClif]

For us gun cranks there is no need for a legitimate reason to buy a new rifle in a new cartridge.

Having said that, the .17 HMR is IMO the best small varmint rimfire round out there. It gives the standard .22 Hornet a run for its money and is actually better suited for the small varmints like sage rats, starlings, and crows. What it isn't is a good cartridge for hunting edible small game like cottontails and grey squirrels that are shot at 50 yards or less. If you are looking for a rifle for small game hunting, get a .22 LR. If you are looking for a rifle to bust small varmints like crows, starlings, turtles in your pond, small ground squirrels, etc., then the .17 HMR is the bee's knees.

What I like about the .17 HMR is that I don't have to stress about keeping track of spent cartridges while I'm dinking around. Sure, my Hornet shoots a little flatter and hits a little harder, but it's nothing to grab a box of factory .17 HMR ammo and go shoot something. No thought, no planning, no prior reloading session, no hassle, no muss, no fuss.

I'll always have a .17 HMR even though I'll keep my Hornets. Geez... all this thinking has gotten me in the mood to go shoot something!

Oh... by the way I have been able to hit critters repeatedly with a .22 LR at 300 yards and out. When you're shooting over a very thin layer of water over mud you can see your bullet splashes and figure out the correct holdover pretty quickly. That does not mean that the .17 HMR, or the Hornet, or the .223, or the .22-250, or the .308 is a much better cartridge for longer-range shooting than the lowly Long Rifle.

[mag-check]

I think the 17HMR is excellent for small game just shoot for the head! I think the HMR is one of the best squirrel rounds out there from 25yds. to past 100yds. squirrels are dead meat! Mag-check

[Woodchuck Sniper]

I sold my .17 hummer after about 4 months.

  It was a bold action heavy barrel Savage with scope and pod that I had mixed results on woodchucks (groundhogs) at 100-150 yards shooting V-Max.  I thought it would be a good small field rural rifle.  To many hogs made it to the hole.

  Between hunting chucks and bench I had approx. 500 rounds through it.  Accuracy at 100 was good for a rimfire(not a center fire .223 or 22-250 though), 200 not so good, 300 poor.  

I still have a .22lr for plinking around the house.  No need for a .17hmr.  It's not even close to a .22 Hornet in my book and in hindsight I would take a 22 Mag over it for Woodchuck size game.

Fun to shoot just did not kill larger varmints well.........mixed results that should have been clean kill's.

I did try the .20 grain XTP's also.

[jon164]

Watch the language. We don't allow foul language on GBO. GB i live in santa cruz, bolivia and most people here have .22 LR rifles and hunt large animals with them, they kill jaguars, tapirs, deer , boar and other type of medium-biggame.  ive seen it, it is very common.I even killed a tropero(whit lipped pecarry or something like that) and a urina(small deer) with my .22 lr .

I killed a yellow bellied green Kapachoo 3 weeks ago with mine.   I also shot 3 grizzly's with a 22 they all weighed 5,000 pounds a piece

[mag shooter]

Watch the language. We don't allow foul language on GBO. GB i live in santa cruz, bolivia and most people here have .22 LR rifles and hunt large animals with them, they kill jaguars, tapirs, deer , boar and other type of medium-biggame.  ive seen it, it is very common.I even killed a tropero(whit lipped pecarry or something like that) and a urina(small deer) with my .22 lr .

I killed a yellow bellied green Kapachoo 3 weeks ago with mine.   I also shot 3 grizzly's with a 22 they all weighed 5,000 pounds a piece

jon164, why do you insist on provoking people? I' ve read some of your post on another forum. Let's just talk guns and hunting , you don't have to agree with anyone, but neither do you have to berate them !!! Some times the laws and cultures of other countries are vastly different from ours. Disagree with someone if you choose, but do so with a little common courtesy. I ask no more from you than I am willing to give.