22 mag Vs 17 hmr (gun people help)

[thepremo1]

I’m looking to get a small bolt action gun, and it might be the hardest decision I have had to make in a long time I was thinking savage, but than I looked at marlins and that all went up in smoke now I know virtually nothing about what I plan to do, besides actually getting a firearm. . What I do know is that I’m not getting a LR so it’s between the 22mag and the 17. Both are relatively close to the same price, I won’t be using the gun I get to hunt for meat, just for sport (varmint hunting) stuff like that. My range would be about 100 yards max, maybe 120 if I was feeling frisky. I’m not sure and it’s hard to make a decision with having not used a 17 or 22mag. I was wonder what I should get, I think I could save A LOT on ammo with the 22. it will have a scope bipod and a sling on it if that helps

HELP ME

 

[McCash40]

If you are planning to shoot varmits, I would not even consider the .22mag. The bullet velocity is not fast enough to deliver enough shocking power to stop a varmit such as a possum or woodchuck. You'll end up wounding many more than not. I have owned both and if I was planning to seriously hunt varmits, I would get a .22-250 or a .222. If you are worried about the ammo cost, stick with the .17.

 

[dirtsaver]

Quote:
Technically you're right in your assesment. All the experts will say the same and I can not/will not attempt to argue. I will say that for the last 40 years I have regularly hunted varmits with the 22LR with good success. It's all in what you get used to and are comfortable with. In fact, I've sold all my centerfire rifles and now only have some 22LRs in the cabinet(not counting the 20ga I keep for 2 legged varmits). Would I go after coyote with the 22LR... not a chance! But I have killed a couple with the 22 mag in a Ruger 77/22 in an emergency(coyote raiding livestock!).

Back to the original question, I'm not familiar enough with the .17 to praise or condem it. On paper it looks impressive but when you compare the two the .17HMR has more speed but the 22WMR has the advantage in kinetic energy.

Just some fat to chew on!

Larry

 

[Liana]

At 100 yards, there are pluses and minuses to both 17HMR and 22Mag. Definitely consider Ruger though, whichever caliber you go with. They were in on the development of the 17HMR round. Not to diss Marlin, I love my Marlin. Haven't tried a Savage.

 

[archerobx]

Have a savage with bull bearrell .17hmr. This is a great gun. Several draw backs, one is the heavy barell, walking around it gets heave plus barrel wants to point down, when this happens the clip release digs into your back.

I use the .17hmr mainly for ground hogs, I havent taken a shot over 150. I have taken coon, skunk, possum and a fox. I think the bullet is small for fox and coyotes

Have you thought about a .204

 

[nicandtroyintown]

At 100 yards, there are pluses and minuses to both 17HMR and 22Mag. Definitely consider Ruger though, whichever caliber you go with. They were in on the development of the 17HMR round.

I'm on board with the 17HMR choice. I own a Ruger and it is one of the most accurate and well-made guns I've ever owned. They are worth every penny...​

 

[ourflockof4]

I have a .17 hmr savage with a bull barrel and the accu trigger. I am extremely happy with this gun. To me the trigger alone makes it a winner. I regularly take 100-150yd one woodchucks, crows, muskrats, ect and have had very good results with the accu tip bullets. The one plus with the 17 is that with the 17 & 20 grain bullets there is very little risk of rookashe (sp)

My friend has a Marlin and we put them on paper the same day at my range. The savage had about a 1" grouping or less and the marlin was 2"+. That was with the same ammo and the same shooter.

 

[fairielover]

My hubby has a .17hmr and is very happy with it..I don't know alot about guns myself, they all look the same to me

But Brian is very knowledgeable and will put the question to him
when he gets home from work..Good Luck..

 

[mitchell3006]

Depending on the size of varmint, I would weigh in on behalf of the 22 WMR. It has an advantage of heavier bullet weights being available and ammo is more generally available than the 17s. I have a Marlin and have been well pleased with it. It is entirely adequate for coyote inside 100 yards. As with any weapon bullet placement is everything. The 17 is a little light for proper penetration from what I have read and heard. My father-in-law has 1 and limits it to crow and under size varmints now.

 

[silkiechicken]

With a good shot and tons of practice, you can drop a 15-20lb chicken killing coon right in its tracts with a good shot to the head with just a quality air powered pellet rifle. My little brother is 2 for 2 with coons that were too savy to get caught in a trap. He just snuck around the side of the house and downed two coons on two different nights in just one shot each to the head at about 50 yards.

So with what ever you get, practice is probably the key to figuring out how the one you got shoots.

I personally love to plink with the marlin 60 as rounds are dirt cheap. The rifle was only like 160(?) and cost less than the air rife used for doing in coons/rats. Can't use the firearm to do the coons rats since our 7 acres is in the middle of a city now.