Is the .17HMR really much better than .22LR for varmints?

[Rodney65]

I am considering investing in my Savage 93R17 BSEV to get some more use out of it. I haven't shot it in years.

I don't shoot it much anymore because it's boringly accurate and as a gopher rifle my .22 is more like my hunting and match rifles and is three times cheaper to shoot while the Savage is quite lacking at the moment in the optics and chassis department. The .22 works for what I use it for but I was thinking the .17 would be better.

My thinking was I would have a flatter shooting rifle for medium varmints like skunks, foxes, beavers, muskrats, and possibly coyotes for when centerfires would be overkill or too loud around the property as suppressors aren't an option.


I am far from a ballistics expert but comparing the .17HMR to the .22 Mini Mags it's better but not a lot better.



Here's .22:

And here's the .17:

So it seems that my point blank range only increases from about 110 yards to 140 yards or so which isn't a lot really. Also not sure that bullet energy is the end all, be all of stopping power but it doesn't seem to offer a huge increase for larger animals.


Would I be correct to think the .17HMR is only 25 to 30% better than a .22 with Mini Mags? Stingers pack more of a punch but they weren't as accurate for me. The .17 does shoot flatter but past 150 yards does it have enough energy for the critters I would be going after?

Also side note, if I get a new base rail I don't think there is any reason to go with a 20 MOA one as at 300 yards it only needs a little over 3 mil.

 

[DFOOSKING]

I shot 17HMR a ton when it first came out. Bought a couple cases of ammo when you could get it for $5.99 a box. Shot prairie dogs, coons, jack rabbits, and a bunch of smaller stuff.

Even got a coyote in the middle of a blizzard at night with it at like 200 to 250-ish Hail Mary shot. Although it was barely adequate. I spine'd him and his flopping around probably did just as much damage.

When ammo started climbing above $8.99 a box....I pretty much shelved the gun. I couldn't tell you when or what I shot it at last.

I like the .17HMR.....have zero love for the .17Mach2. Would really like a 17 Rem. I have no clue why you'd compare Stingers or Maxi Mags when 17HMR is far more accurate further out. They don't hold a candle at range.

Ammo prices have pretty much ruined everything shooting related. I'm just glad I got into this game with some guns before it went to shit so I can have a "different club for a different scenario"....wider point of view. I can't really recommend to newer shooters to buy a bunch of a different caliber guns. You can't count on ammo makers to fill shelves. And if they do....you can be assured they are fucking you more and more year after year on prices.

A suppressed .22lr can cover a lot of bases. Then a small caliber centerfire....like .223 or .204 (oh wait they decided to rape us on the cheaper to produce .204 for a while now....go figure). But I'm not spending +$15 for .17HMR...fuck that noise. I'll just pound whatever it is with something that has some real ass on it.

 

[Emerson0311]

If you are ranging your shots, 22LR with a quality rifle is no slouch. Guesstimating range, we’ll get out your wallet for the ammo cost. It’s just a budget question.

 

[Basher]

Look at the wind drift, though. If you’re not good at calling wind, that little .17HMR that’s hauling ass double time is going to run a .22 into the dirt. Even at just 100y, the .17 has less than a quarter of the wind drift of the .22 Minimag. Everybody always looks purely at trajectory with regard to MBPR, but calling wind is what everyone sucks at. BIG difference in performance there, and I’d argue that’s what will make the bigger difference in your ability to make shots where they count.

Your charts aren’t apples to apples, FYI. The .22 has inches and “clicks,” the .17 has inches and mrad. Does “clicks” = mrad on these?

As for cost, the .17 isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s about on par with mid-tier match .22 like Center-X. You can find it for around $10/box if you look. For the added performance, I think it’s worth it.

 

[Rodney65]

I have no clue why you'd compare Stingers or Maxi Mags when 17HMR is far more accurate further out. They don't hold a candle at range.

I'm comparing them because I own both of them and those are the varminting rounds I use in both. I'm not planning on buying a new rifle.

I appreciate the feedback. I had bought the .17HMR years ago to use as a target rifle and almost entirely switched to .22. Now I am dealing with slightly larger varmints but don't have the option to use a suppressor and don't really want to use a centerfire so I was just getting opinions about the .17.

 

[Rodney65]

Your charts aren’t apples to apples, FYI. The .22 has inches and “clicks,” the .17 has inches and mrad. Does “clicks” = mrad on these?

As for cost, the .17 isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s about on par with mid-tier match .22 like Center-X. You can find it for around $10/box if you look. For the added performance, I think it’s worth it.

Yeah "clicks" are 0.1 mrad. Sorry I pulled them both up on Strelok and that was what was saved for each chart. I fixed it. I was more focused on the elevation in inches because for snap shots I wanted a longer point blank range and for me that's anything plus or minus an inch or two.

I am sitting on a stash of .17HMR TNT, the JHP rounds. I read some posts on other forums about how people had poor luck with the poly tipped for larger game but the JHPs were okay.

I give opinions I receive on Sniper's Hide more weight than other forums so thank you for the responses. Most people here have quite a lot of time and money invested and experience gained in long range and precision shooting and it not as fudd centric. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[mrmarklin]

For ground squirrels, the .17HMR has no peer. The 17 gr bullet sighted at 7/8” above center at 100 yards has a point blank range of 175 yards. I have shot thousands of ground squirrels at all ranges up to and including a longest shot at 178 yards. It is very accurate. I don’t dial or hold over, as i think the power runs out past PBR.

 

[RTH1800]

I found the 17 HMR to be fun but lacking energy on coyotes, badgers etc beyond 100 yards.
Better than .22 LR of course. Once I step up from .22 LR my next stop is normally .204. I do still have a .22 magnum but find less use for it last few years.

 

[Dan.Engellant]

Yes the 17 is much better than the 22. We hardly use our 22s for varmints anymore. A suppressed 17 is the go to until the ranges or wind day we need to use the 223.

 

[Basher]

Yeah "clicks" are 0.1 mrad. Sorry I pulled them both up on Strelok and that was what was saved for each chart. I fixed it. I was more focused on the elevation in inches because for snap shots I wanted a longer point blank range and for me that's anything plus or minus an inch or two.

I am sitting on a stash of .17HMR TNT, the JHP rounds. I read some posts on other forums about how people had poor luck with the poly tipped for larger game but the JHPs were okay.

I give opinions I receive on Sniper's Hide more weight than other forums so thank you for the responses. Most people here have quite a lot of time and money invested and experience gained in long range and precision shooting and it not as fudd centric. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The 20gr XTP/JHP is the ticket for larger/tougher critters for sure, whereas the 17gr V-Max is explosive of smaller/thinner-skinned vermin. I’d stick with the 20gr and keep shots within 50-75y max for larger game (closer the better for yotes if you want to ensure a humane kill).

While it’s true that a .204 or .223 will far outperform the .17, I still find it has a solid place especially if you can get a decent deal on a case quantity of ammo for it. Moreso if you don’t reload (most good factory .223 is spendy anymore!). A quarter a shot isn’t plinking territory by any means, but for a shorter-range pest gun it works great IMO!

 

[supercorndogs]

There places I can shoot 17hmr and 22lr for varmints I can't shoot 223 or 20 practical.

The point blank zero comment is spot on. Want to drive around and hit them fast. Point and shoot to 175. Ya that's a significant improvement.

Now 1 17hmr costs 4 22lr so you can walk in your shots and still save money. Who likes to miss more thought?