.22 vs .17 HMR?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
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From: Midwest
.22 vs .17 HMR?
Well,since all the hoarders around here ****** up all the .22 ammo faster then it gets to the shelves, and then keep it for themselves or try to sell it for 3 times what they paid for it,I am thinking of switching to .17 HMR to use as a plinker for me and my son and to use for small game hunting. Yes,the rounds and initial cost of the rifle would be a set back,but every time I am at the stores looking for .22 ammo,all stores have .17 in stock. Any one think this is a good idea and can you give me recommendations for what a economy yet quality brand of rifle I should look at? Any other calibers I could consider? Really don't want a high powered rifle as a varmint shooter/plinker. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
.17 cal rounds are numerous because it's kind of a fad that came and went, not near as popular as it was at the outset.
I have tried .17s..............Don't even own 1 anymore, but still have 8 .22lr weapons.
I have tried .17s..............Don't even own 1 anymore, but still have 8 .22lr weapons.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Well,since all the hoarders around here ****** up all the .22 ammo faster then it gets to the shelves, and then keep it for themselves or try to sell it for 3 times what they paid for it,I am thinking of switching to .17 HMR to use as a plinker for me and my son and to use for small game hunting. Yes,the rounds and initial cost of the rifle would be a set back,but every time I am at the stores looking for .22 ammo,all stores have .17 in stock. Any one think this is a good idea and can you give me recommendations for what a economy yet quality brand of rifle I should look at? Any other calibers I could consider? Really don't want a high powered rifle as a varmint shooter/plinker.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Carhenge
the .17mach2, on the other hand has faded.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
.17 does have performance advantages over .22lr, but the $$$ for ammo and platform do not justify it IMO.
.17 seems to be adversely effected by wind drift at longer range where it is supposed to shine over .22s as well.
The most spectacular shots I have made on ground squirrels have been with my German made Savage/Anshutz 184 .22lr sporter w/3x9 Leopold scope at 100-150yds on calm wind days, I can't even recall hitting one with the .17 beyond 100yds.
Another reason I ditched .17 was, they will never make a HK-MP-5A5 or a S&W mod 416 AR22 in .17HMR.
.22lr is, and probably always will be king of fun/plinking weapons.
.17 seems to be adversely effected by wind drift at longer range where it is supposed to shine over .22s as well.
The most spectacular shots I have made on ground squirrels have been with my German made Savage/Anshutz 184 .22lr sporter w/3x9 Leopold scope at 100-150yds on calm wind days, I can't even recall hitting one with the .17 beyond 100yds.
Another reason I ditched .17 was, they will never make a HK-MP-5A5 or a S&W mod 416 AR22 in .17HMR.
.22lr is, and probably always will be king of fun/plinking weapons.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
.17 does have performance advantages over .22lr, but the $$$ for ammo and platform do not justify it IMO.
.17 seems to be adversely effected by wind drift at longer range where it is supposed to shine over .22s as well.
The most spectacular shots I have made on ground squirrels have been with my German made Savage/Anshutz 184 .22lr sporter w/3x9 Leopold scope at 100-150yds on calm wind days, I can't even recall hitting one with the .17 beyond 100yds.
.17 seems to be adversely effected by wind drift at longer range where it is supposed to shine over .22s as well.
The most spectacular shots I have made on ground squirrels have been with my German made Savage/Anshutz 184 .22lr sporter w/3x9 Leopold scope at 100-150yds on calm wind days, I can't even recall hitting one with the .17 beyond 100yds.
The .17hmr are too hot for blowback autoloaders, the cases can't take the pressure and crack, and sometimes blow the gun up.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
Where we shoot ground squirrels in the E.Oregon desert, the wind is a major problem, the .17s seem to drift very badly, on those days, it's time to haul out the .223s and .22-250s...........NO rimfire will cut it then.
Bang for the buck........17 just seems a little too spendy for plinking.
Bang for the buck........17 just seems a little too spendy for plinking.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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I love my .22 rifle and pistols. I don't know where you guys are at but around where I am in Texas, there are all kinds of .22 ammo to find. I just picked up some CCI Stingers from Academy about 2 weeks ago. I almost picked up some CCI Shorts from Academy last night but I really don't need any more of them so I passed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,840
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From: On the prairie
The .17, the other hand, will completely disrupt within an inch of entry leaving very little liability to go out the back side. It is also far more likely to fragment upon hitting the ground, leaving little to ricochet. In the event that it doesn't break up, 17 grains is going to loose steam a lot faster than 40.
Just my .02, but a 17 is next on my list. Wish I hadn't sold the one I had...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
I am no fan of the .17s (or the .22 magnum).
Stick w/ .22lr. The ammo is coming back into the stores.
Look online for specials, too.
One guy on another forum, was able to use a coupon and get a 'brick' of .22lr for $5.99 shipped!!!!!!
(One brick per day, per customer.)
Stick w/ .22lr. The ammo is coming back into the stores.
Look online for specials, too.
One guy on another forum, was able to use a coupon and get a 'brick' of .22lr for $5.99 shipped!!!!!!
(One brick per day, per customer.)
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
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From: Central Illinois
I'm in the same boat as CJBEN, ammo in ILLINOIS is like finding a Conservative in Cook County... they just aren't there. I stalk Walmart/Bass Pro/Gander/Dicks.... as soon as the ammo comes in, its gone in minutes. One day at Dicks they had 20 boxes of 2000 round .22's, I went outside to call my dad to see if he wanted a box... I went back in and they were ALL sold. I'm talking like 5-7 minutes. This is hardly an exaggeration, ask any of the Midwest/East Coast guys
-The Great
-The Great
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
I'm in the same boat as CJBEN, ammo in ILLINOIS is like finding a Conservative in Cook County... they just aren't there. I stalk Walmart/Bass Pro/Gander/Dicks.... as soon as the ammo comes in, its gone in minutes. One day at Dicks they had 20 boxes of 2000 round .22's, I went outside to call my dad to see if he wanted a box... I went back in and they were ALL sold. I'm talking like 5-7 minutes. This is hardly an exaggeration, ask any of the Midwest/East Coast guys
-The Great
-The Great