Rimfire Rifle: 17HMR vs 22LR

[Jmnhunter]

I've always wanted a plinking rifle/small game and wanted to know your opinions. what would you recommend? is 22 ammo that much cheaper than the 17's? I was thinking of a used 22 or the marlin/savage/mossberg 22 bolt or semi; leaning towards a 22 bolt due to the jamming issues i've heard

[GBPackerNut]

I have 3 Ruger 10/22's.

They're cheap, accurate and work well.

And yes 22 ammo is considerably cheaper for generic plinking.

[picksbigwagon]

17 HMR runs about 12-14 bucks a box of 50. I don't do a lot of plinking with it. If you want a plinker, get a 22, if you want a small game only rifle go with the 17. I have the savage 17hmr with accutrigger and thumbhole stock....it will hit primers of dummy 22-250's at 50 yards.....

[paul pachowicz]

Picks, honestly, you can't beat those little 10-.22's for plinking around. You can pick em up for about 200.00 on sale with a scope. Jamming in 22s usually is attributed to either lousy ammo or needs cleaning. I use either Federal ammo in the 525 pack ($18.00) or the American eagle in the 400 pac. Both ar copper clad/plated. I wouldn't even look at Rem .22 ammo. I don't recommend the cheaper plain lead bullets as they foul a barrel pretty quick. The thing about em is you can get all kind of accessories on 10.22s. I'd recommend getting at least one extra clip for it as a minimum. I've got 4 clips, 5 banana clips and the speed loader. They are just alot of fun to shoot. Yup, the .17 ammo is rather spendy for what yer gettin.

[picksbigwagon]

Paul, I completely agree, I have a pump 22 that is fun to shoot and a beretta Neos 22 pistol that is fun too, but when I go hunt with a rimfire I use the 17....Plinking? 22 is the way to go, we usually go through a brick or two on a long weekend....

[Comit 2]

The last time I looked you can shoot Pheasant with a .22 rim fire not with a .17. I went with a .22 hornet and a .22 rimfire. With Mn's new laws the 22 Hornet (.224) is good for deer. Not that I would do it. That is a job for my .25WSSM.

Ruger 10/22 there like belly buttons everyone has one. If you want a bolt gun go with a CZ use a target load and you can 1 hole three shots at 50ft.

[jay83196]

The 10/22 is a great gun had mine for ten years NEVER a problem all the above is true...But if your going to plunk with a 22 go with the auto not the bolt its much more fun....And I also have a 17hmr remington 597 and it has significantly more velocity/energy than 22 and better for hunting but a lot more exspensive to shoot...

[icehousebob]

I have a 10/22 and three of my sons do also. Never had a problem and mine I've had since 1966. I own 8 or 9 .22 rifles and the 10/22 is the one that usually travels with me. My next step up in caliber is the .22 mag. Mine will shoot extremely well when I can get the kids to bring it back to me. I know several people that have the .17 and they get used for everything from rabbits to coyotes. But it you like to plink 500 rounds in a days time, the .22lr is the economical way to go.

[Jmnhunter]

I see reeds has a savage model 64f 22lr semi auto for $130; might have to go with that as savage hasnt steered me wrong yet or is their 22 junk?

[picksbigwagon]

if it has the accutrigger, buy it, I agree with savage not steering you wrong either....it might be the beauty at the ball, but it will out shoot most rifles off the shelf

[Jmnhunter]

this one does not have the accu trigger; checked some reviews and it they were all positive; only thing is finding the right ammo for it

[paul pachowicz]

Just for your information, Remington issued a warning about thier 17 ammo. It said NOT to shoot it out of any auto loading rifles. I'm not sure I'd trust it in ANY gun period. Thought I'd let ya know.

[picksbigwagon]

I believe the warning was about their 17 hmr auto loading rifles, not the ammo but a defect withing the rifle.......

[SmilinBob]

the round is safe, but the pressure curve on the 17hmr is too high, too fast, and causes the bolt to open before the pressure is off, thus blowing the cases open as the bolt cycles. Its not an issue in any other operating styles except the semi-autos.

[Archerysniper]

Pick's my buddy brought out his savage accu trigger with thumb hole last friday and we were shooting 2" group at 180 yards all day long I fell in love with that rifle and will be adding one shortlly.

[picksbigwagon]

Mine loves the 20 gr. hornady bullets

[Archerysniper]

We were shooting 20 grain spitfire hollow points

[picksbigwagon]

Mine couldn't shoot Spitfires if it fell in a barn,...Next time try the hornady

[Tracker55]

Ok guys. I'm looking for a new small cal rifle. What do you recommend 17HMR, 22mag, or 22 Hornet? Maybe even a K Hornet

[picksbigwagon]

for what purpose? Plinking, small game, predators?

22 lr is the end all of end all plinking gun that you use for small game hunting. 22 mag 17hmr are higher powered and the ammo is more expensive. I love my 17hmr for small game but I will only take head shots, it will mess up a squirrel pretty quick.

22 horent is not a rimfire, it is a center fire round if I remember correctly....

ammo for 17hmr and 22 mag is considerably more than a 22 lr....

[Red Cabin]

22 K Hornet brass might be nearly impossible to find. I is formed from 22 Hornet fired in a 22 K Hornet chamber. I believe its a wildcat load.

[gpalma]

Yeah, it really depends on the intended purpose. Each have their pros/cons.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I bought a .17HMR. Everything about it is awesome except the ammo is so expensive I never shoot it. Get a .17Mach2. Ammo is far cheaper and the performance is much coser to HMR than the .22 ever coud be. My next rimfire will be a Mach 2. A .22 might be great for nostalgia but for performance, go .17. Good luck, more guns is more funs.