Thread: 22 mag or 17hmr

So I'm looking for a new rifle to give me a little more reach than my over barrel suppressed 22 for pests such as rabbits, hares and Plovers. Where I generally hunt is a farm which has little cover and they are very wise to me now it seems.

What are the benefits or draw backs of each, is the hmr more accurate over longer distances? Are they powerful enough to shot goats with in the bush? I have a 223 but would be nice if one or both were big enough for goats so young blood could also shot them with me.

What do you think?

Sent from my work bench

Accuracy depends on the individual rifle/ammo combination, there is no universal difference between the WMR and the HMR in that regard. HMR flatter shooting though.

HMR wil give you more useable range on the pests, WMR a bit more smack at closer range for the goats. Both really need to be at reasonably close range with good shot placement for ethical goat kills IMO.

yeah we usually get within 40m of the bleeters but in saying that the main reason for getting this type of caliber is for the smaller pests.

if not good enough for goats close up i won't bother using it for that, just be a nice bonus.

so with the extra pace of the HMR it's simply flatter, the shape of the pill vs the 22mag doesn't make any negligible difference for what i intend it for? if that's the case i think the HMR will be a better option for me.

My only advice Smidey is down buy a bull barrel 17 hmr, they're a pig to shoot off hand, owned a C Z for a very short time bull barrelled, just replaced it with an Anshultz with a sporting barrel chalk and cheese!

thanks, i bet it is

22mag. 17 is a pain to clean and usless at distance with any wind.

I have a CZ455 in .17hmr bought it because the old Brno .22 didn't have the range. I have used it on rabbits, hares and magpies but never goats. However i have used it to kill one of our sheep for butchering, shot it in the atlas joint at 50 meters and it dropped instantly. In saying that i probable wouldn't recommend it for goats firstly because you would have to be very accurate (only head shots). Secondly rim fires are banned on public land unless you have a special permit , (not sure if you hunt on private land??) the .22wmr is definatley a better goat gun, body shots with the right ammo out to 60 meters, however again it is rim fire so cant be used on public land. I would recommend you go for the .17 as it packs a punch for small game, is cheap to run and is surgically accurate as long as there is no wind. catridges such as the .223 and .222 are more suited for use on goats.

However one other thing to note is that some rifle producers an interchangable barrel system meaning you can have both of these calibres (.22wmr & .17HMR). I know CZ make these type of rifles and i am pretty sure Sako do the same. Anyway depends how much money your willing to spend,
Hope this helps.

i have a 223 so all good there for the goats. I was just looking at the new ruger american rimfire which got me thinking as it's available in both but i think i like the HMR over the 22mag.

I'll wait until they are available here so i can check one out before i make a decision on what i buy. I like the stock and options it is offering.

I have a HMR and find it is a pin to clean compared to a .22LR (and I would assume a .22mag). Once I get through over a box of ammo it becomes like lightening - never hitting the same place twice. It's very flat shooting though, when I first got it I would hold over for longer shots and find that I'd shoot the hares etc in the ears.

Hope this helps, Rich

You'd head shoot goats to a hundy if you're any good with a magnum

I run an HMR, cleaning is easy if you have the proper .17cal one piece rod, and use the proper sized pro-shot pre-cut cleaning patchs. I have shot rabbits and hares many times out to 180 yards using holdover (mildots) I have also shot a goat at 170 yds, neck shot and it dropped on the spot. (foolish shot to be honest, i got away with it but would not do it again) but it does prove the point that the little 17gr pill put in the right place can do the damage. Wouldnt hesitate to shoot the stinkies at closer range if a good shot presented, but there are better calibers for goats, ie your .223.

But as far as a bunny/hare/magpie caliber its hard to beat for a rimfire. But do yourself a favor and get it suppressed as soon as you get it - they are loud little buggers.

Smidey, you should have been with us yesterday banging targets and Gongs with Happy and 30calterry. I think I could have talked you into the .17 fairly easily with the accuracy, theyre an awesome little cal for what your thinking. Hopefully I get out on the farm next week and waste some more ammo

223 every day and twice on sunday. If you're looking for longer reach why not go for true versatility !!!

I run a 223 for precisely this purpose and its the shit ... Reload for it and its EVEN Better - cheaper and MORE accurate.

Suppressed, as mine is and the kick is minimal , and its great for young ears and use around lifestyle blocks.

You also have a rifle capable of knocking over goats and deer.

T

Kiwi its a big step up to a 223 for me and the farmer wouldn't be happy where I shoot,his perception, right or wrong. I can go grab 50 rounds in town on a Sat morn and shoot them in the arvo, all easy. and a great step up on the .22LR.

I have a 22WMR and I really like it, do a lot of spotlighting with it either from a quad or the back of a ute and general pest control (pigeons and hares) on a friends farm. It has a cheap gun city 3-9x40 with a sort of mil-dot reticle which is great for estimating holdover at all ranges. I haven't gone much further than about 150yards at the mo, but that is usually enough for me.

Anything that I hit goes down and stays down with 30gr V-max hornady stuff and there are harder/heavier projectiles for goats and wallabies. Only reason I went for this over the 17HMR was I heard they don't like the wind as much but no real experience with that so I can't pass judgement.

Overall I am really happy with my Marlin 925M, I should really get it suppressed as it can be a bit loud though.