Struggling 22wmr, or 17hmr

[dgeesaman]

The 22WMR is an ordinary cartridge made to low quality standards. The 17HMR is inherently accurate cartridge and again low quality of manufacturing. 22LR is available in match grade but its range is very limited and precision 22LR is a whole thing in and of itself.

I’ve shot a few Anschutz 17HMR and they were all good. The only one that truly impressed me was a fully reworked custom and not relevant, except that it proves 17HMR accuracy really is possible.

The Anschutz 1516/7 is an excellent gun. The 1761 isn’t dressed quite as well but still quite good. The 1717 outclasses them both.

**Winchester brand 17HMR has always been horribly inaccurate. Hornady and CCI (and rebranded Federal and Remington) are the only ones worth shooting imho.

 

[brokeasajoke]

My CZ 457 American is 22wmr is a great shooter and I'm more than happy. I sold my Marlin 25MN as some one offered me too good of money to turn it down. Replaced it with a CZ American.

 

[ebb]

A 22mag CZ and a spare barrel in 17, or the other way around. Gives you all kinds of options.

 

[RCE1]

I got a Ruger 77/22 (mag) and pulled the barrel, replaced it with a Volquartsen .17HMR barrel. Awesome rifle and uses the Ruger rotary mags.

 

[searcher]

I have owned several of both calibers (some being very high-end rifles). Because your big question is accuracy - and not fit and finish or beauty, I'd bet money that a Savage, such as the "mid-line" 17 HMR model 93R17 FVSS which goes for about $360.00 new would blow the shorts off most any .22 Magnum offering. Those .22 Mags are just not inherently accurate, probably mostly limited by the ammo and the throating of the chambers. I've bought a few of the Savages for high-volume squirrel shooting at the closer ranges (out to 250-275 yards and have four buddies who all have one or more of this same model - all good shooters, under 1/2" MOA with Hornady ammo, as a rule. The only thing the .22 WMR has over the .17 HMR is on larger critters - like coyotes. And since most all 22 WMR's shoot pretty crappy - just pick up a cheap one - even a used one. Can have both calibers and still have enough money left to wear the rifles out. Kind of depends on whether you want pretty or function. Getting both is costly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I've got both and both are great. I've got a groundhog that I saw go under the house a couple of days ago. Not knowing what shot he'll give me when he messes up, I loaded both. Lol! The 17 just virtually never has any sort of pass thru, which is great near buildings etc, but the 22 wmr is less likely to have him crawl off...under my house and die. I'll get him! He's a short timer!

 

[Hog Sniper]

I have a Ruger 77/22 Mag and it is my go to for ground hogs etc. Loves 30 grain TNT bullets. It does everything I need for hunting.