Thread: .17 HMR or .22 WMR

What is your favorite caliber between .17 HMR or .22 WSM for NZ shooting?

.17 if only shooting varmints on land that doesn't have any opertunity for a goat,pig,deer.

.22wmr if mainly shooting varmints, but you could get a crack at a goat,pig or deer. But careful shot placement is required, although they really do punch above there weight and I have never lost an animal with the .22wmr, but I have opted not to pull the trigger quite a few times though.

Kj

17hmr is great. Very accurate cartridge but as kj says, stick to rabbits etc.

Just think of the HMR as the ultimate 50-150 yard bunny buster. The only reason I would look at a 22Mag is if I were also interested in shooting the odd goat or wallaby as well. I have a Sauer .223 for that so stuck with the HMR for bunnies and possums. I have shot the odd goat with it to but prefer to "nail" what I'm shooting so they don't suffer too much. Keep safe in the hills.

Apart from what has already been said, what I also liked about the 17HMR was the idea that ricochets were less likely so it would be better for around sheds etc. I did find that it became a bit boring as it was so predidlyictable though.

Originally Posted by Gunzrrr

Just think of the HMR as the ultimate 50-150 yard bunny buster. The only reason I would look at a 22Mag is if I were also interested in shooting the odd goat or wallaby as well. I have a Sauer .223 for that so stuck with the HMR for bunnies and possums. I have shot the odd goat with it to but prefer to "nail" what I'm shooting so they don't suffer too much. Keep safe in the hills.

Can you still kill a goat with a 17 hmr though?

Originally Posted by Kapitishooter

Can you still kill a goat with a 17 hmr though?

No, it would not be recommended.

kj

Look ... I have but I was very confident of my accuracy and shot placement and needed some dog tucker. I was shooting down into a gully and popped her between the eyes and she dropped where she stood at about 100 yards. I also heart shot a big old billy with a serious rack ... And he dropped where he stood at 75 yards. Both with the heavier 20gr hollows.
Read the above again ... it sounds like you want an HMR but also want to shoot the odd goat. By the 22Mag for both bunnies and goats or make the decision to invest in a .223 later (like I did). 2 rifles are always better than 1! Keep safe!

After 8+ years with the .17 I personally think any advantage a 22 magnum has over the HMR for larger animals is only measurable on the internet. Not recommending either in any way shape or form but I found the extra velocity and more frangible bullets of the .17 penetrate and kill just as well or better than the slightly larger lump of lead from a .22.mag.

I wanted a rifle for rabbits, magpies and plovers so the extra energy the 22mag may or my not have had was not needed.
The 17 shoots flatter, is the same ammo price, and if you are into ballistic charts, is better in the wind than the 22mag.

I love my 17hmr, everything I've shot with it has instantly flipped over and died, its fantastic. Wish ammo was a tad cheaper, but I don't shoot it like I do my 22lr.
My fathers mate, shot a few goats with his 17hmr, said the 20gr bullet would've been better. But I don't think he is the best sho in the world.

Either one would help with a suppressor, as they are a fair bit louder that a 22lr.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

I wanted a rifle for rabbits, magpies and plovers so the extra energy the 22mag may or my not have had was not needed.
The 17 shoots flatter, is the same ammo price, and if you are into ballistic charts, is better in the wind than the 22mag.

I love my 17hmr, everything I've shot with it has instantly flipped over and died, its fantastic. Wish ammo was a tad cheaper, but I don't shoot it like I do my 22lr.
My fathers mate, shot a few goats with his 17hmr, said the 20gr bullet would've been better. But I don't think he is the best sho in the world.

Either one would help with a suppressor, as they are a fair bit louder that a 22lr.

Cheers for that (: any idea what distance he was away from the goat?

It would've been under 50 meters, but don't know anymore than that.

Perhaps I should give it a go with my 17hmr. I feel like I'm cheating with my 223 anyway.

neither, go 223.
I have a .22 and .17hmr my mate has the .22 magnum, and I have the .223.
I must admit this opinion has a lot to do with the fact I hand load centre fire ammo (.223)
the .17hmr was my bunny gun. until I shot it out in the open on a windy day. wind drift isn't the best.
so now for close range I use a 10/22 .22lr, in the open I use .223 the centre fires are so good because they can be loaded any which way, but basicly way more accurate than any rimfire.
I shoot with the .22 rimfire with a spotlight,(short range) or during the day in the open (long range) the .223 I can shoot rabbits at 400 yards easy, even further given the chance and a good wind call im sure!

Originally Posted by bully

neither, go 223.
I have a .22 and .17hmr my mate has the .22 magnum, and I have the .223.
I must admit this opinion has a lot to do with the fact I hand load centre fire ammo (.223)
the .17hmr was my bunny gun. until I shot it out in the open on a windy day. wind drift isn't the best.
so now for close range I use a 10/22 .22lr, in the open I use .223 the centre fires are so good because they can be loaded any which way, but basicly way more accurate than any rimfire.
I shoot with the .22 rimfire with a spotlight,(short range) or during the day in the open (long range) the .223 I can shoot rabbits at 400 yards easy, even further given the chance and a good wind call im sure!

The reason I wanted a 17hmr to supplement my 223 was that it was a lot quieter around close houses and stock, as well as less possibility of a ricochet.
Also 17hmr ammo is expensive compared to 22, but reloading good ammo for 223 is not much cheaper than 50cents a round.
I could've got a suppressor, but I wanted a new gun instead.

If I had a massive property with no neighbours and wanted a varmint slaying rifle, I'd get a 204 Ruger or a 22-250 and load the new Hornady 53gr Vmax.

I love my HMR and I love my .223 ... one is not a substitute for the other ... save up and buy both ... and don't forget, you still need a .22LR as well. Keep safe in the hills.