Thread: 22 lr vs 22 mag vs 17HMR

I shoot all of the above - .22LR, .22WMR, .17HMR, .223, .225-250.

My thoughts (and I am being realistic here; I know, we have all done that 5% shot at super long range with all calibers, but lets be real .....)

.22LR - I shoot exclusively suppressed subs, and make my realistic limit 75m. I have tested all of my .22LR's and they all shoot subs out to 100m more accurately than supersonic, so with the smaller grouping, and accurate dope, I find I have better percentages. Mainly comes out of the safe for night shoots.
.22WMR - I have found accuracy is a bit fickle, (Winchester is the best in my CZ) and as such limit it to 100m. Certainly hits with more authority than the .22LR, but I don't find the range gain significant in real work hunting terms. Then you have to factor in the extra muzzle noise, which effects your real world hunting numbers due to spooking game. That said, I have now been caught short on 3 occasions where I have run into deer in the late evening when using the .17HMR which, had I had even a .22LR I would have head shot for meat. I now take the .22WMR in the late afternoon when deer are about.
.17HMR - My CZ in .17HMR is more accurate at 100m than my AR15 in .223. I will happily shoot the HMR out to 150-160m and be confident of the +90% hit rate, higher if I can go prone. This is definitely my go to for walk around rabbits where I have cover to get around from ridge to ridge. Big advantage is low ammo weight, not having to worry about brass, and I seem to be consistently more accurate off hand with the CZ bolt action than the AR (recoil, ergonomics??). Definitely less wind deflection than the .22's (but has cost me three deer!)
.223 - you already own that so you know what your limits are.
.22-250 - I bring this out when the ranges are regularly over the 200m mark and I can set up a fixed shooting posie, or the wind is blowing a bit stronger and its speed and better BC's on the reloads I use give it an edge over the .223.

My recommendation, get an accurate .17HMR, find the ammo it likes, buy a couple thousand rounds, and go kill some!
PS. I have found the Vortex 2-10 FFP scope ideal for the HMR. Do a look up table for the but stock and you are good to go.