Re: .22 mag vs. .17hmr
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HathcockWannebe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CiscoGuy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigPappaG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the past, I had always tried to restrict my use of my 22lr to inside 50yrds, and use my 22mag out to 100-125 yrds. I wanted to be certain of a
very clean kill. I had always been concerned that
that the light, 17grain bullets in the hmr would lack the down range power to put down a heavy
weight. Chuck. </div></div>
I know that I'll get flamed for this, but I've taken adult hogs at 125 yards with 17hmr. I don't care what the gam is, a 17hmr in or behind the ear, and it's instant lights out. At 125 yards, my 17 grain V-Max is still moving 1,800 fps o so, with maybe 120 ft lbs of kinetic energy. Rimfire hunting is all about shot placement, I don't care what caliber. </div></div>
Bro, that's the ticket. Note that the .22 short has less than 100 ft lbs at the muzzle, yet it is an effective small game killer at short range. To say that 125 is too far for the 17 HMR is just silly. In the past two seasons, I have killed about 30 groundhogs with my .22 LR with body hits from 100 to roughly 125 yards (140 paces...no RF with me that day). Using CCI Velocitors, all but 3 or 4 have been DRT and only one of those 4 made it to his hole before he expired. I have yet to use the .17 HMR on groundhogs, but I don't doubt it would do very well out to at least 150 yards with proper shot placement. <50 yards is boringly easy with even the .22. Rimfires are limited primarily by our ability to shoot them well. No flaming from this direction.
-The Kid. </div></div>
Heck, do a YouTube search for "17hmr hog" and look at the carnage. It's always fun to watch the seizure that adult hogs have when getting their ticket punched with a head shot. Here's one where a guy killed two hogs with one shot with a savage 93r17.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgUAh6jYtOs&feature=youtube_gdata_player My point to the OP is to select whatever caliber he wants, and can shoot with precision, and kill with confidence. I'd hunt groundhogs and rabbits at 100+ with my CZ 455 with the .22LR barrel, and Wolf MT ammo. I might miss a couple due to ammo issues, and the occasional pulled shot, but I'm confident in the firearm and caliber to get that job done. If you already have a 22WMR, use it, and enjoy the killing fields. If you WANT a 17HMR, buy one. You won't be sorry! They are a blast! Heck, buy a CZ455 American with a 17HMR, and 22LR barrel, and buy a 22WMR barrel for it ($140.00 I think???) One firearm, three calibers...and it is a sweet rifle!