Thread: 22 lr vs 22 mag vs 17HMR

Great feed back , thanks guys. It does raise the point... seems to be something missing in the middle ground between the 22LR and a .223.
I've shot rabbits to 450 mtrs with two diffrent brands of rifle with the 223. Done some bullshit / crazy shots with the 22LR that I won't even mention.
17HMR / 22 MAG / Hornet...............all seem to have faults and limits. something cheap and probably rimfire is missing in the 100 mtr to 200 mtr range.
If the .223 is as cheap to run as a 17 or 22 mag then I don't get it.
Less powder, less brass......just seems to be a gap in the market, the 17 HMR tried which is why it was probably so suggestful.
Maybe I had a bad experience with the 17 HMR and need to keep trying .

Originally Posted by viper

Great feed back , thanks guys. It does raise the point... seems to be something missing in the middle ground between the 22LR and a .223.
I've shot rabbits to 450 mtrs with two diffrent brands of rifle with the 223. Done some bullshit / crazy shots with the 22LR that I won't even mention.
17HMR / 22 MAG / Hornet...............all seem to have faults and limits. something cheap and probably rimfire is missing in the 100 mtr to 200 mtr range.
If the .223 is as cheap to run as a 17 or 22 mag then I don't get it.
Less powder, less brass......just seems to be a gap in the market, the 17 HMR tried which is why it was probably so suggestful.
Maybe I had a bad experience with the 17 HMR and need to keep trying .

Don't know if there is a gap as such. 22lr for <100m, 223 for >100m in your case. If for some reason you won't be shooting over 150m then get a 17HMR and get rid of the 223. Obviously I am talking small game here, not having the opportunity of a deer or goat or the like. If that was the case I would always carry the 223. But hey, why not have all 3?

Originally Posted by Shearer

Don't know if there is a gap as such. 22lr for <100m, 223 for >100m in your case. If for some reason you won't be shooting over 150m then get a 17HMR and get rid of the 223. Obviously I am talking small game here, not having the opportunity of a deer or goat or the like. If that was the case I would always carry the 223. But hey, why not have all 3?

Thanks for the feed back, I think there is a gap. If you are shooting small game at 100mtrs with a 223 then you need work on it. I don't start till 180 mtrs and that's to easy.
Something in the 110 to 180 mtr range.
New farm I shoot has pigs and fallow, Northdude alluded to the 22 mag potential , right rifle / right ammo combo....

Originally Posted by viper

Thanks for the feed back, I think there is a gap. If you are shooting small game at 100mtrs with a 223 then you need work on it. I don't start till 180 mtrs and that's to easy.
Something in the 110 to 180 mtr range.
New farm I shoot has pigs and fallow, Northdude alluded to the 22 mag potential , right rifle / right ammo combo....

Personally I would never shoot a pig of Fallow with a 22WMR at anything like 110+m. But that's my view.

Down here I need to own the middle ground 125 - 200 mtrs, big farms / stations, fucken big hills.

Originally Posted by viper

Down here I need to own the middle ground 125 - 200 mtrs, big farms / stations, fucken big hills.

I'd probably just use the 223 you already have and handload or use cheap bulk ammo.

A 17hmr will do the job but if the ammo isn't significantly cheaper than 223 then why bother. Unless you want another rifle, in which case go for it. If you're shooting a lot you might be able to get better deals on bulk hmr ammo.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Personally I would never shoot a pig of Fallow with a 22WMR at anything like 110+m. But that's my view.

I would limit shooting larger game with the 22WMR to head shots only.

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

I would limit shooting larger game with the 22WMR to head shots only.

I' don't trust myself to shoot that well

Originally Posted by Shearer

I' don't trust myself to shoot that well

Same, therefore the animal (for me) needs to be under 50m for a high confidence kill shot on a deer sized animal with a WMR.

Originally Posted by viper

Great feed back , thanks guys. It does raise the point... seems to be something missing in the middle ground between the 22LR and a .223.
I've shot rabbits to 450 mtrs with two diffrent brands of rifle with the 223. Done some bullshit / crazy shots with the 22LR that I won't even mention.
17HMR / 22 MAG / Hornet...............all seem to have faults and limits. something cheap and probably rimfire is missing in the 100 mtr to 200 mtr range.
If the .223 is as cheap to run as a 17 or 22 mag then I don't get it.
Less powder, less brass......just seems to be a gap in the market, the 17 HMR tried which is why it was probably so suggestful.
Maybe I had a bad experience with the 17 HMR and need to keep trying .

You did cos seriously that rifle was a dog. I have a Sako .17 with Nightforce and it misses nothing
The in between you need is 204 when not windy it's the flattest shooter of all of them

So the choices are. .17 .223 .204 for what you are doing. I Ve done every 22 cal plus all the hornets and still own them all
My pest control is mainly 200 (honest mtrs ) and they are flighty not like yours. I love both my 22-250 rifles but 204 is as good but wicked fast. The 204 ammo is a little cheaper. I m buying a T3 light 204 next as my REM is a bit heavy (varmint heavy barrel )