.22mag or .17 rimfire

[justinp61]

I've always wanted a .22 mag but with the newer .17 rimfires I'd like some opinions. Looking for some close range 50-80 yard groundhogs and plinking. What's a reasonable priced rifle? I prefer a tube fed bolt action.

Thanks

 

[dksac2]

Both are great rifles, accuracy will be better with the .17, but the WMR is no slouch.
I'm not sure you'll find a tube fed .17 due to the points on the bullets.
Both will do excellent at the range you are looking at shooting, the .17 will do more met damage if you don't get a head shot.
Take a look at some of the Save MKII's, they magazine fed. I'm not sure what's out there in a good tube fed WMR.

My best, John K

 

[BRKHornet]

With the addition of Ballistic tip ammo, I would lean towards the .22 Mag as I feel it has made the round much more accurate than years ago. Tube feeds are available and I feel the round will take care of what your intending to shoot up to 125yds. On a slightly windy day the .17HMR will move around quite a bit, probably not enough to cause you to miss a critter although why take a chance, they're a pretty light bullet. My Anschutz MPR .17 HMR would go from 7/16" groups to 1-1/4" on a windy day @100 yds. Plus I think .22 Mag might save you a couple bucks per 50 rds. The Marlin line is pretty good, my favorite would be a Model #882, you can pick one up pretty cheap.

Good luck.

 

[CJ6]

22 mag no question about it. I've had the 17 HMR in an Annie also, accurate on a CALM day and not enough punch over 100 yds. The price is also better with the 22 mag ammo .

 

[golfer2b2000]

I jumped on the 17 bandwagon like everyone else. The 22 is by far superior for accuracy. On a calm day the 17 is a very nice rifle, but when the wind pics up the 17's dont stand a chance up against the 22 lr or the magnum. Those that think that have not done enough shooting with the two of them. I truly enjoy shooting my 17 mach II and my 17HMR. I love the 17 mach II for squirrels out to 30 yards. For woodchucks the 17 mach II is way too small even at closer ranges. The HMR does a better job, but for chuckers I go to my 6BR stuff. I bought a sinclair rimfire gage, and I do seperate my ammo, and it does seemm to help.

 

[justinp61]

Thanks guys I'll start looking for a deal on a used 22 mag.

 

[hogpatrol]

WTH are you sayin' about the 17s??? You guys must be using some kind of defective ammo. I've shot full grown groundhogs too many times to count, drop dead, tail salute at 125 with the HM2 and over 200 with the .17hmr, wind or no wind. Practice, Practice, Practice. .22s, magnum or otherwise? No thanks. Give me my Annies with 17 Vmaxes & the CZs with the 20s any day and let's go huntin' ;D Hog

 

[moorepower]

Now for a little realality. All from Hornady site, not guessing wind and guessing effectivness.
22 mag 30 grain V-max
B.C. .095
2200 fps
energy @100yds 134
energy @200 yds 67
drop @ 200 yds 16.5
drift @ 100 yds 5.6" with 10 mph
drift @ 200 yds 25.8" with 10 mph

.17 HMR 17 grain V-max
B.C. .125
2550 fps
energy @ 100yds 136
energy @ 200 yds 72
drop @ 200yds 18.7"
drift @ 100yds 4.1' with 10 mph
drift @ 200 yds 18.7" with 10 mph

And if you think a 22 lr has less wind drift, more energy??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
You can use a 40-45 grain bullet to get more energy, but with more drift and drop.
You can use a 20 grain with the HMR for more energy, but the 45 grain will still top it.
A plastic tip, will not ignite a rimfire. The primer is on the "rim". A lot of folks at Rimfirecentral calim that Marlin is not what it was BR. , before Remington took over. I have both Marlin and Savage, both are great guns, but I guess I like my Quad better. I have splattered alot of grass rats at 150 yds. with great success. Their is nothing wrong with the 22 mag, but I would say it is only superior to the HMR with the heavier bullet on larger game at 75-125 yds. If that is what I want, I grab my 22 hornet and the the 22mag barrel for the Quad at home. The 17 HMR always go to the dog patch for the shots around 100 yds or less.

 

[okbob51]

I bought the magnum because of the variety of bullet weights available and real world wind drift. I believe I made the right choice for myself.

 

[DennisH]

With the addition of Ballistic tip ammo, I would lean towards the .22 Mag as I feel it has made the round much more accurate than years ago. Tube feeds are available and I feel the round will take care of what your intending to shoot up to 125yds. On a slightly windy day the .17HMR will move around quite a bit, probably not enough to cause you to miss a critter although why take a chance, they're a pretty light bullet.

Agree with the above and several other post above!

I have two HMR's for sale, one Marlin & one Savage!

I sold a 22 mag to get the hmr's, I truly wish I had my 22 mag back!!!!