Thread: 22mag vs 17hmr

I prefer the .22 mag, and sum new .22 mag ammo out in last few years, is closed the gap in performance at distance.
Remington has 33 gr load, Winchester a 34 gr load and federal A22 .22 mag 35 gr out now, these 35 gr give me 2210-2240 fps in my VQ, semi .22 mag.
I had a CZ .17 HRM, very accurate, liked it a lot, but found sum days, a lot more runners/wounded, esp when jump shooting in tight cover, over the .22 mag, the magnum will almost always exit a hare, the .17 not always.
Bought a CZ 17 hornet, and didn't use the HRM for several years, found the hornet suited me for small game at distance, and I can load it for about the same cost as the HRM.
I found the cheaper .22 mag ammo, is a buck or two cheaper than the cheapest .17 HRM, but the cheap HRM ammo much more accurate, than cheap .22 mag 40 gr,

I have been playing with a rossi 22 mag, it shoots the Hornady 32 and fiocchi 40 well but the winchester 40 is all over the place. At present there's no chance to try other makes. Has anyone else found that the rifles picky with its food?

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

I have been playing with a rossi 22 mag

What do you think of the rossi? I'm thinking that if it is any good it will become very popular. Any issues with FTF or FTE?

Is that the rossi package deal you can buy at the moment? $450

Another factor, just wondering, which suppresses quieter between .17HMR and .22Mag ?

Originally Posted by luckey

Another factor, just wondering, which suppresses quieter between .17HMR and .22Mag ?

I don't know the answer, but I do appreciate the suppressor on .17HMR, its a pretty bloody loud without it. Really need hearing protection if not suppressed.

Yes it is

I have both the 22WMR and the .17HMR is the CZ platform.

From practical experience, .17 is inherently more accurate than the .22WMR, and less effected by wind. It also suppresses better. The .22WMR will however drop bigger game if you are likely to run into a goat or a deer depending on the ammo you use (been caught out 3 times now running into deer with the .17 which I would have head shot had I had the 22WMR). The .17 does reach out further on rabbits by approx 50m. .17 is also less likely to have ricochets.

Ammo wise, I have been using Winchester 40gr jacketed HP in the .22WMR with excellent performance on rabbits and hares. This projectile performs just like a jacketed centrefire projectile, giving excellent expansion to double its calibre when fired into water filled milk bottles. My testing a month ago had it penetrate 4x 2L bottles face on. Grouping out of the CZ is around 2.5" @ 100m. This would be my pick of ammo if you were hunting goats.
I also tested some CCI 30gr TNT (among others) as I am at the end on my latest 1000 round batch of the Winchester and was supposed to be hunting bunnies at Easter. Holy crap batman!! These group around 1.5" @ 100, and a super explosive. They do not penetrate through the first milk bottle, and the bullet turns to dust. There is not a single piece of projectile left bigger than a grain of sand. Couldn't believe it on the first test so repeated it twice more with the same results. I haven't tested this on live game yet, but have bought 500 rounds for the next rabbit hunt. The TNT's would be a great solution were ricochets need to be well controlled.

In the 17HMR I am using 20gr V-Max. Its the most accurate through my rifle and has performed well on rabbits. My brother is using HP's because he could get the ammo cheap, but expansion is unpredictable, and the bullets seem to be much harder if you compare dead rabbit bodies side by side shot at the same distance. For the calibre, I would recommend the V-max and nothing bigger than hares.

So which one to get?
If you are only shooting rabbits/hares and you want to shoot consistently with one shot kills beyond 100m, HMR.
If you are shooting rabbits/hares inside 100-120m and possibly some goats, WMR and select you ammo to suit the situation.
If you want semi-auto, look at the latest model CZ in WMR.

You can get subsonic 22WMR rounds. I don't think that is the case for 17HMR. It could make the 22 quite a versatile tool.

Side by side, from the shooters perspective, the .17HMR is quieter. From the target end of the gun 100m out, dB seems the same, just a different pitch.

.17HMR hands down.

Am seeing a lot more ammo for the HMR on the market now, it’s definitely picking up in popularity.

NOPE CZ .17 Hornet Awesome dont care about ammo its made to be used

Cheap little package those rossi

I had a Ruger 77/22 magnum, was okay accuracy wise I shot thousands of rabbit's in uk with it then I felt it just seemed to lose accuracy somewhat so when the 17 HMR came out I imported a 17 HMR fluted stainless barrel from Lilja. USA.

Its been a laser beam since I fitted the new barrel so not sure I am comparing like for like but the Lilja shoots almost 1 tiny hole at 100 yards and is devastating on possums, hares and rabbits but I found wallabies were pushing the envelope but the 40 gr 22 magnum would be a better choice in my opinion for wallabies and my mates use them after wallabies.

I've only used the Hornady 17 gr maybe the heavier projectiles might be better.

One time I could only get 22 magnum full metal jacket thought I was missing everything went back to the 40 gr jacketed soft point no more missing! I could only get Winchester 22 mag at that time I had my first 22 magnum it was a Marlin back about 1980 ish it was a great inexpensive wee rifle.

I think I also fitted a Timney trigger way back 2005 / 7 ish to the Ruger.

One of these would be nice but would be just as happy with a black stock https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Fir...ss+17+HMR.html