.17 HMR VS. 22MAG

[rigutierrez]

AS all of you don't know, I have a birthday coming up in Nov.

 

I am intrested in purchasing (my wife purchasing for me) a new varmit rifle. I am undecided between 17HMR and 22mag. I have seen charts on both and understand how each are on paper. I would like to know if anyone out there has seen the diference first hand?

 

I understand 17HMR has a longer distance. But I see the tiny thing and it looks like it can't pack a punch. I will mostly hunt Jack Rabbit adn maybe a Coyote or two. I want something with a little more distance than my 22LR. But nothing big like 243. or 223.

 

I am pretty sure this has been discussed before. I apologize if it has and I missed it. Any information is greatly Appreciated.

[firstcoueswas80]

22-250, reach out there and touch and if all else fails, it can be used on coues. i have a sendero and loaded with the right bullets, i would not hesitate on carrying it for coues ( well maybe i would, it weighs like 9 or 10 pounds if not more!)

[COUESAZ]

Out of the two I would buy the 17 hmr. I have heard they do a number on coyotes, But I have also heard from one guy that it took more than one shot on a couple of coyotes to bring them down.

 

I echo what firstcoueswas80 has to say. The 22-250 is great on them and a friend of mine in high school and my sister have taken a few carp and coues with the 22-250. If you just want a new gun go with the 17 hmr.

[DesertBull]

If you plan on eating any rabbits/squirrels you shoot, you'll want the .22

The .17 is very distructive. The .22 will be cheaper to shoot also.

 

The .17 is great for shooting Jacks/ground squirrels/praire dogs. Whether you should at a coyote with is one of the more hotly debated questions regarding the .17

 

If you get a chance at a fox/bobcat and think you might want to save the pelt, the .17 is going to rip a big hole, just because of the bullet design. They are like miniture ballistic tips.

 

There is a compny now making a switch barrel rifle that will let you shoot both the .22mag and the .17HMR. Don't recall the MFG right off hand.

 

If I were to get one it would be the Ruger just because there are so many after market parts like stocks, barrels, triggers that you could use to build up a real tack driverover time if you so wish.

[DEERSLAM]

I use a .17hmr on jacks and cottontails. I can tell you it drops the hammer on em! So far the longest shot on a jack was about 80yds. I will for the most part hunt them like deer, spot and stalk and try to get fairly close. I have taken ground squirrels with it out to about 125yds. I have never had the chance to take a yote with it but would not hesitate as long as it was a fairly close shot, say max 50yds. If you will be huntin mostly rabbits you can't go wrong with the .17hmr.

[JVS]

If you are going to be hunting coyotes much, I recommend a 223. Got one and I love it. 22 hornet won't be a bad choice either. The new 204 is freakin sweet. Look into the .17 rem as well. Puts that 17 grain v-max at ~4000 fps. I know that is not what you want, but a .22 mag and .17 don't get the job done very well at 100 plus yards. My buddy shot a fox at 30 yards (lung shot) with a .17hmr and the thing went 350 yards before it died. I know it should have put it right down, but for some reason it didn't. If you are dead set on a 22 mag or .17, please don't let me rain on the parade . Don't get me wrong, those are two great calibers for smaller game and close distance varmints. Just my two cents and some advise from experience. Take it or leave it.

[rigutierrez]

I do plan to eat the Jacks so I wanted to stay at a really low caliber. I used to just make a clear shot to the head of the animal. I really feel bad doing that though, so I want something that will knock them off there toes with out the midevil effect. Coyotes, I dont kill much, in fact, I have only taken one yote. I don't kill what I can't use. But everyone here makes them sound like a really bad animal along with the lion. I plan to stick to 17hmr and/or 22mag so I have somthing to eat.

They make one good red chili burrito

 

Deerslam (and any one who owns one), does the 17hmr really cause that much damage as DesertBull said?

 

JVS, Don't worry on the rain you just poured on me. I plan to stick to a lower caliber since I plan to get them Jacks! Any spare change will do and that includes your two cents.

 

Thanks all for the info. Looks like 17HMR is gonna win this one. Unless it really causes a mess like DesertBull said.

[DesertBull]

Here is a good discussion on the .22 vs .17.

 

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index....=0entry516783

[Kevin]

If your eating jackrabbits you should try coyote. My bet is you can't tell the difference!

[Guest Ernesto C]

rigutierrez, Desertbull hit the nail right on,if you are plannning to eat what you shot get the 22WMag. or make sure you hit the rabbit or squirrels right on the head with a 17.cause if you hit them in the body....nothing will be good to eat.

 

I have use the 22 WMag. for many years,I'm bieng blessed with bobcats,foxes,rabbits,coyotes and many many javalinas...........so yes I love my 22 Mag.

 

If you are planning to hunt Javalinas you can't use the .17 but you can use the 22 Mag. so far,I haven't have to shoot twice an animal with my 22 Mag.

 

Is a little early but........Happy Birthday in advance and wheatever caliber you decide have fun and God bless you.

 

Ernesto C.

 

P.S. You should try for coyotes......it will keep you in "shape" and it will improve your maksmanship for deer season.

 

Be sure of your target and what's behind

[gnoto]

get the 17. I love it for rabbit and it does just fine with Yotes. Most of the jacks I have taken never moved when hit. Just shivvered a little and dropped over.

[firstcoueswas80]

i had a savage 17hmr and it did not shoot well. as far as my 22-250, i shot 2 jakcs with it, one took the head clean off and the other field dressed it for me, i love my 22-250!`

[lfootmatt]

JVS hit it on the head.

 

.223 is sweet and ammo is cheap. However, if you want to reach out and touch somethin, 22-250 and 220 Swift are screamers. Personally I'm waiting for my Remington 700 VSSF-II in .204 Ruger, ammo is relatively cheap, won't burn up a barrel and get 4000+ FPS!!!! Should be in soon! Yotes beware in 36b while I'm scouting, if I get bored you're toaast!!!

 

My .02,

 

Matt

[DEERSLAM]

Lets get back to the topic .17hmr vs .22 mag.

 

From my experience with the .17 on jacks, you would do best to shoot for the head if you are going to eat them. I don't eat them so I shoot for the shoulder and that little bullet explodes Can you say BIG HOLE!

 

My savage .17hmr is pretty accurate with Federal ammo.

[JVS]

OK, OK. Since we're all clear here and I know you are after jacks and cottonbutts, I'd say the .17hmr. I hear some gun manufacturers (especially the savage) have a few bad apples in the batch. If you get a bad apple that won't give you an absolute great group, I'd send it back. That's just what I have heard. I haven't bought the things in bulk to know by experience . You should be able to make head shots on jacks up to 100 yards if you shoot off a pod. Hey, seriously, how do you cook those jacks? That's worse than eatin' a carp, or crap, whatever (no offense intended). I've tried them a few times, and each time I promise myself it's the last! I think it's great you can stomache those things.